So here comes this bundle of energy into the car with stories about the day at school, about her new match classes that are so challenging, about how heavy her back pack is, she is not kidding, it is heavy like bricks!
So we come home, turn up the heat, make pasta and popcorn, she finds her bottle of water and drains it, gets her homework all done on her own and catches some TV. Later we meet Nikki and greet Kallie for a minute and they are off on their way and I'm home in time to decide to do spin class. That is always a big decision.
So I get there and there are bikes still available on the sign up sheet, this is good and then I'm in the room with all the young things and their perfect bodies but I notice there are getting to be more of us, older ones with less than perfect shapes and everyone seems to be sweating and just enjoying themselves. Its a good 45 minutes and I walk out with 121 blood sugar!
Once home I prepare dinner by warming up the rest of what I had made last night in the fry pan, I would tell you but I can't spell it, some german name that starts with beef. I cut up a tomato and mix in a bit of cottage cheese and enjoy a great meal while the last of Castle plays out. Love that show.
Then it is back to work but I've got to check in with Jerrry who had a big knee surgery today. Turns out that there was a lot more pain than he expected and they had to make their way to the surgery and back in foot deep snow but this evening he is learning to use his walker and crutches and hoping to get some sleep. Hopefully this will put him back on his feet and he can take his long walks again once it heals up.
Please pray for our family tomorrow, we really need God's help.
Love to all
Tim
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Beautiful homes
Well today was chilly but enjoyable. Ken and trudged our way around the lake complaining about how the chill was getting through out winter clothes.
Once I was back I had a quick breakfast and then some even quicker research and hit the road. The road today led to Alamo, an area of fine homes many of which are perched on interesting lots with views. Today the home was constructed at the bottom of a canyon and had no yard, just giant oak trees, sloping hills, turkeys and deer. The home was a contemporary design with flowing terraces outside which led nearly around the home and afforded views and privacy. Floors were maple hardwood in perfect condition, one wonders if people really live there, everything is so nice and in its own place. Fireplaces were made of sandstone, kitchen counters were granite as were surfaces in bathrooms. It was just a very interesting place to see. The lady was the wife of an eye doctor, now retired and they live a nice life wanting to downsize but they can't sell, no one is looking in the million plus price range at the present moment. Obama has they all scared, he wants more of their money so they don't know what to expect so they just take it carefully and have stopped spending.
After I left Alamo I drove to Pleasanton where I inspected a much smaller home, instead of 4200 sf it was 1232 sf. It was perfect, rose bushes everywhere and many fruit trees and a great guy. I found out his mechanic of many years is Art's son in law Harry, he runs a shop nearby and has a great reputation.
Then it was home to fix dinner, I made something new tonight in a fry pan that turned out splendid, had a box of ingredients and worked with my vege burger perfectly. So yummy.
Now its bed time. My board of orders is full again and I have no trouble figuring out what to do with my time, WORK. At least finally the money is coming in so bills can be caught up. That will make me feel good.
Love to all,
Tim
Once I was back I had a quick breakfast and then some even quicker research and hit the road. The road today led to Alamo, an area of fine homes many of which are perched on interesting lots with views. Today the home was constructed at the bottom of a canyon and had no yard, just giant oak trees, sloping hills, turkeys and deer. The home was a contemporary design with flowing terraces outside which led nearly around the home and afforded views and privacy. Floors were maple hardwood in perfect condition, one wonders if people really live there, everything is so nice and in its own place. Fireplaces were made of sandstone, kitchen counters were granite as were surfaces in bathrooms. It was just a very interesting place to see. The lady was the wife of an eye doctor, now retired and they live a nice life wanting to downsize but they can't sell, no one is looking in the million plus price range at the present moment. Obama has they all scared, he wants more of their money so they don't know what to expect so they just take it carefully and have stopped spending.
After I left Alamo I drove to Pleasanton where I inspected a much smaller home, instead of 4200 sf it was 1232 sf. It was perfect, rose bushes everywhere and many fruit trees and a great guy. I found out his mechanic of many years is Art's son in law Harry, he runs a shop nearby and has a great reputation.
Then it was home to fix dinner, I made something new tonight in a fry pan that turned out splendid, had a box of ingredients and worked with my vege burger perfectly. So yummy.
Now its bed time. My board of orders is full again and I have no trouble figuring out what to do with my time, WORK. At least finally the money is coming in so bills can be caught up. That will make me feel good.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, February 27, 2012
Back to work and actually liking it
Wow, the weather is just incredible, I know we need rain but the sun is sure nice to measure houses in.
I slept poorly last night, woke up at 3 and did not know why, learned later when i discovered the racoons had been in again and were angry that the food was in tupperware containers so they pried open one lid and made a mess. last night the back cat door stays open, if cats are not in the house at closing time the door is shut.
We walked today and then I quickly prepared for the day and arrived for my eye exam a few minutes early. The eye doctor was a cute as a bug and quickly determined that my vision had hardly changed at all from two years ago, great news. Kaiser sure has their act together, love going there.
Then it was back home to finish research and hit the road for Oakland. The homeowner turned out to be a challenge. One of those cranky old ladies who turn out to be a sweetheart after all. Nice little place which she has lived in since 1975! Then it was on to find lunch, Subway today! Then to Emeryville to see a property which has two little houses on one site and a sale at that for $499K. Of course there are NO comps in Emeryville at all so this one is going to need a second trip back, I'll look in Berkeley to find comps I think.
Once I left the Oakland area it was heavy traffic most of the way home but with XM, talk radio, nice music and eventually Bill O Riely I got back to Discovery Bay to see a place that had been added to the day. There was one thing very nice about that visit, cash! A second thing was meeting great people who own a plumbing company that does all of Sears work in several counties. Always good to have contacts. By the time I finished it was dark and time to come home. I baked a couple tiny potatoes, the last in the last sack and they were getting soft. I stir fried some vege burger starter, sliced up mushrooms and soy sauce and put them over the pototo with a fresh cut tomato and a touch of butter. Yummy.
This evening I've been putting in new orders and entering the checks that came today. Why is it that some money in the mail lifts my spirits so much? It makes me feel shallow but I can't help it. I love to be able to pay bills and when checks come in I can pay bills, yea!
Please join me in prayer for some special needs that God is fully aware of. Bob and Carrol sent an email today, they are very special friends who live in Lodi and Carrol battles an ongoing multi myloma, I've probably ruined the spelling. Today's email had the good news that her cancer numbers are in such good shape that the doctor can reduce the amount of chemo. I know we all rejoice with them over the great news. They are a wonderful couple, play a mean game of dominos and Bob is almost banned from casinos since he is known to win win win!
This evening I delivered the front curtains from the motorhome to my dear neighbor Patty, she is good with a needle and thread, a sewing machine and can do magic. The curtains need some magic and she is just the right one to do it.
Well I'm heading to bed now. Enough with this late stuff.
Thank you for reading, for your prayers and for your kind words from time to time.
Sending love by the wheel barrow loads to all.
Tim
I slept poorly last night, woke up at 3 and did not know why, learned later when i discovered the racoons had been in again and were angry that the food was in tupperware containers so they pried open one lid and made a mess. last night the back cat door stays open, if cats are not in the house at closing time the door is shut.
We walked today and then I quickly prepared for the day and arrived for my eye exam a few minutes early. The eye doctor was a cute as a bug and quickly determined that my vision had hardly changed at all from two years ago, great news. Kaiser sure has their act together, love going there.
Then it was back home to finish research and hit the road for Oakland. The homeowner turned out to be a challenge. One of those cranky old ladies who turn out to be a sweetheart after all. Nice little place which she has lived in since 1975! Then it was on to find lunch, Subway today! Then to Emeryville to see a property which has two little houses on one site and a sale at that for $499K. Of course there are NO comps in Emeryville at all so this one is going to need a second trip back, I'll look in Berkeley to find comps I think.
Once I left the Oakland area it was heavy traffic most of the way home but with XM, talk radio, nice music and eventually Bill O Riely I got back to Discovery Bay to see a place that had been added to the day. There was one thing very nice about that visit, cash! A second thing was meeting great people who own a plumbing company that does all of Sears work in several counties. Always good to have contacts. By the time I finished it was dark and time to come home. I baked a couple tiny potatoes, the last in the last sack and they were getting soft. I stir fried some vege burger starter, sliced up mushrooms and soy sauce and put them over the pototo with a fresh cut tomato and a touch of butter. Yummy.
This evening I've been putting in new orders and entering the checks that came today. Why is it that some money in the mail lifts my spirits so much? It makes me feel shallow but I can't help it. I love to be able to pay bills and when checks come in I can pay bills, yea!
Please join me in prayer for some special needs that God is fully aware of. Bob and Carrol sent an email today, they are very special friends who live in Lodi and Carrol battles an ongoing multi myloma, I've probably ruined the spelling. Today's email had the good news that her cancer numbers are in such good shape that the doctor can reduce the amount of chemo. I know we all rejoice with them over the great news. They are a wonderful couple, play a mean game of dominos and Bob is almost banned from casinos since he is known to win win win!
This evening I delivered the front curtains from the motorhome to my dear neighbor Patty, she is good with a needle and thread, a sewing machine and can do magic. The curtains need some magic and she is just the right one to do it.
Well I'm heading to bed now. Enough with this late stuff.
Thank you for reading, for your prayers and for your kind words from time to time.
Sending love by the wheel barrow loads to all.
Tim
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Late night, lazy day,
Dear Family and Friends,
The evening got away from me last night and I found myself finally going to sleep at 1 am. Needless to say I've been sleepy today, dah! Wonder how old one has to be to stop doing dumb things! Obviously older than 63.
I have this wonderful friend, Dolly, she and Howard not only taught me the appraisal business years ago but she has remained a solid friend over the ensuing years. She writes such encouraging emails, sends helpful books and is eternally optomistic, she actually believes I might find someone, can you believe that. Oh now nice optomists are!
I worked in for most of the day on a Lodi ranchette property. Really terrific place with everything you would expect from a little farm, nice pool, nice Koi pond with huge fish, several different bird cages, huge ones where the birds are happy to live and enjoy the great outdoors, a huge back deck and a covered patio area, large rooms inside and acres of grapes. Really nice yet only minutes from downtown Lodi. Problem is, there are few comparables available and that makes it really hard to determine a value.
I had an appointment in Antioch to see a property, the agent insisted on meeting me, she is an old school person who actually cares about her people, the properties and seeing them through. What a refreshing experience. Once I got the comps shot I was hungry and UNOs loomed big. So I had some delicious soup and 1/2 of a pizza, the rest will make two more meals later. It was very interesting to see and hear the conversations at the nearby bar as people mingle, show off, wind down and get louder as they drink. I have many vices but I'm glad that one I've not picked up, drinking.
So here goes a new week with its opportunites and challenges. I pray the Lord will guide in all our lives as we pursue the next step in our life journey.
Love to all,
Tim
The evening got away from me last night and I found myself finally going to sleep at 1 am. Needless to say I've been sleepy today, dah! Wonder how old one has to be to stop doing dumb things! Obviously older than 63.
I have this wonderful friend, Dolly, she and Howard not only taught me the appraisal business years ago but she has remained a solid friend over the ensuing years. She writes such encouraging emails, sends helpful books and is eternally optomistic, she actually believes I might find someone, can you believe that. Oh now nice optomists are!
I worked in for most of the day on a Lodi ranchette property. Really terrific place with everything you would expect from a little farm, nice pool, nice Koi pond with huge fish, several different bird cages, huge ones where the birds are happy to live and enjoy the great outdoors, a huge back deck and a covered patio area, large rooms inside and acres of grapes. Really nice yet only minutes from downtown Lodi. Problem is, there are few comparables available and that makes it really hard to determine a value.
I had an appointment in Antioch to see a property, the agent insisted on meeting me, she is an old school person who actually cares about her people, the properties and seeing them through. What a refreshing experience. Once I got the comps shot I was hungry and UNOs loomed big. So I had some delicious soup and 1/2 of a pizza, the rest will make two more meals later. It was very interesting to see and hear the conversations at the nearby bar as people mingle, show off, wind down and get louder as they drink. I have many vices but I'm glad that one I've not picked up, drinking.
So here goes a new week with its opportunites and challenges. I pray the Lord will guide in all our lives as we pursue the next step in our life journey.
Love to all,
Tim
Saturday, February 25, 2012
A varied Sabbath, a blessing
Dear Family and Friends,
11:40 and once again I've let bedtime slip by. This evening I got hooked on a religious movie on a Christian channel that I'd not found before. The story was about the end time but had some twists that are different from what I believe, yet very interesting, enough so I could not turn it off till it was over.
This morning I woke and prepared for taking the girls to Sabbath School. Kim started with just two little girls, Kallie and another little girl and gradually the attendance grew until there must have been 12 kiddos in the room, we were overloaded and stuffed but it was exciting. I was worried because I saw yellow around Kallie's eye and she seemed sleepy. Keanna told me it was left over from the face painting she got last night at the pizza place, there is a lady who dresses up like a clown and does face painting, the girls love it.
Wouldn't you know Keanna's battery on the ipod ran out on the way to church so she wanted to play with the iphone, problem was Kallie was already playing with the iphone so they sort of battled over it and finally worked out a sharing arrangement that got us all the way back to Safeway where Keanna started selling Girl Scout cookies with her mom and Kallie finished her lunch in the car with me. Later in the afternoon I decided to drive over the San Carlos to retrieve the pots and pans and other kitchen items that my last motorhome renter had taken out of the coach when they loaded for their trip. I'm not sure what they were thinking because the coach was returned to my house at the end of the trip and all the kitchen items ended up stuck at their home. Anyway I decided to take a nice drive in the sunshine over there. All was going great until all traffic came to a halt on the San Mateo bridge. Eventually, 24 minute later I was ablet to see a totally burned black small station wagon, could not even tell what it was. Then traffic was instantly up to speed.
It was a pleasant afternoon and this evening I visited Winco, my go to store for cheap food. Eventually my list was exhausted and I loaded it all in the bug and came home to unload it. Things really are less expensive there. My grillers are like $2.29 a box and at other places I've paid over $5.00 for the same box. I purchased a lot of steel cut oats only to discover the sack had a hole and I was shooting oats all over, double bagging stopped that finally.
I just spoke with Art and he is past the mid point for his proton treatments. Connie is on a multi week trip to South America and is in Brazil today but Art is fine with that, he is doing what he needs to do and she is enjoying a trip with her sister and other friends.
Thank you Lord for the Sabbath, a break in a working world we find ourselves in these days.
Love to all
Tim
PS Jason and family are in San Diego enjoying a long weekend with friends and are having a great time. Oh and me, well I'm working all day tomorrow!
11:40 and once again I've let bedtime slip by. This evening I got hooked on a religious movie on a Christian channel that I'd not found before. The story was about the end time but had some twists that are different from what I believe, yet very interesting, enough so I could not turn it off till it was over.
This morning I woke and prepared for taking the girls to Sabbath School. Kim started with just two little girls, Kallie and another little girl and gradually the attendance grew until there must have been 12 kiddos in the room, we were overloaded and stuffed but it was exciting. I was worried because I saw yellow around Kallie's eye and she seemed sleepy. Keanna told me it was left over from the face painting she got last night at the pizza place, there is a lady who dresses up like a clown and does face painting, the girls love it.
Wouldn't you know Keanna's battery on the ipod ran out on the way to church so she wanted to play with the iphone, problem was Kallie was already playing with the iphone so they sort of battled over it and finally worked out a sharing arrangement that got us all the way back to Safeway where Keanna started selling Girl Scout cookies with her mom and Kallie finished her lunch in the car with me. Later in the afternoon I decided to drive over the San Carlos to retrieve the pots and pans and other kitchen items that my last motorhome renter had taken out of the coach when they loaded for their trip. I'm not sure what they were thinking because the coach was returned to my house at the end of the trip and all the kitchen items ended up stuck at their home. Anyway I decided to take a nice drive in the sunshine over there. All was going great until all traffic came to a halt on the San Mateo bridge. Eventually, 24 minute later I was ablet to see a totally burned black small station wagon, could not even tell what it was. Then traffic was instantly up to speed.
It was a pleasant afternoon and this evening I visited Winco, my go to store for cheap food. Eventually my list was exhausted and I loaded it all in the bug and came home to unload it. Things really are less expensive there. My grillers are like $2.29 a box and at other places I've paid over $5.00 for the same box. I purchased a lot of steel cut oats only to discover the sack had a hole and I was shooting oats all over, double bagging stopped that finally.
I just spoke with Art and he is past the mid point for his proton treatments. Connie is on a multi week trip to South America and is in Brazil today but Art is fine with that, he is doing what he needs to do and she is enjoying a trip with her sister and other friends.
Thank you Lord for the Sabbath, a break in a working world we find ourselves in these days.
Love to all
Tim
PS Jason and family are in San Diego enjoying a long weekend with friends and are having a great time. Oh and me, well I'm working all day tomorrow!
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Cough is back
Good evening
At long last its FRIDAY night.
Unfortunately I've coughed all day today and it has felt like somethings inside are not quite right, anyway I'm home safe and sound after fighting my way through downtown Oakland traffic. I had a chance to work with Steve this morning as we inspected a home for a lady who just lost her husband. I'm drawn back in time when I encounter individuals who have just lost their special someone after many years. Today was no different. A loving spouse who has been with the same great guy for dozens of years and is now facing the reality of aloneness 24 hours a day. Until you have experienced it you can't really understand it nor would I want you to.
The orders keep piling on and while I'm very grateful I'm also concerned about giving each one the care it deserves. In fact each one stands for a family placing their hopes either on a refinance or a purchase of a home, there is a lot at stake so there is no way I can give it anything less than my best at solving the question, what is it worth.
Tomorrow I've got the honor of taking the girls to SS in Tracy. We must hurry back as Keanna has Girl Scout cookies to sell and I think she is already over 100 boxes. Nikki is really great at helping and I think Steve's friends have chipped in a bought boxes as well.
Well I'm heading to the couch for a bit to relax and perhaps watch a little fire burn. Its been a very long week and I'm thankful it is behind me.
Love to all,
Tim
At long last its FRIDAY night.
Unfortunately I've coughed all day today and it has felt like somethings inside are not quite right, anyway I'm home safe and sound after fighting my way through downtown Oakland traffic. I had a chance to work with Steve this morning as we inspected a home for a lady who just lost her husband. I'm drawn back in time when I encounter individuals who have just lost their special someone after many years. Today was no different. A loving spouse who has been with the same great guy for dozens of years and is now facing the reality of aloneness 24 hours a day. Until you have experienced it you can't really understand it nor would I want you to.
The orders keep piling on and while I'm very grateful I'm also concerned about giving each one the care it deserves. In fact each one stands for a family placing their hopes either on a refinance or a purchase of a home, there is a lot at stake so there is no way I can give it anything less than my best at solving the question, what is it worth.
Tomorrow I've got the honor of taking the girls to SS in Tracy. We must hurry back as Keanna has Girl Scout cookies to sell and I think she is already over 100 boxes. Nikki is really great at helping and I think Steve's friends have chipped in a bought boxes as well.
Well I'm heading to the couch for a bit to relax and perhaps watch a little fire burn. Its been a very long week and I'm thankful it is behind me.
Love to all,
Tim
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Running on low
Dear Family and Friends,
What a day, Ken insisted on walking in the tornado, well the winds were blowing pretty hard all night. But once we got out there it wasn't bad. Does that mean I'll walk on my own tomorrow since Ken has meetings on Friday mornings, no way. I'm taking a break. Besides I have tons of work to do and a very busy day ahead.
Today I thawed out a beautiful loaf of bread Jo had made recently and toasted a couple slices, wow was it great, Felt like you were eating something like a work of art, very very good and for lunch I had a griller on toasted Jo bread, tasted great again. How fun, to eat something created by hand instead of a huge machine somewhere. Thanks Jo!
I've been cranking work out like mad today. For a change I've had some easy direct forward stuff instead of complicated multi million dollar ones. Its been a nice change and the new computer can keep up with me no matter how fast I want to type, slam photos in, sketch, whatever its there and ready.
Late this afternoon I decided it was time to head to Hayward, an hour drive to do a driveby review, its due tomorrow and needs the field work to be done. Traffic was pretty good but the diesel in my tank was pretty low and I wasn't sure how I could get more but I took off. On the Livermore side of the hill the light came on at 560 miles which gave me about a gallon left. So I stopped at a station but it would not take the American Express card so I put in what I had, $5.00 and got 1.2 gallons. That took me to Hayward and back to the station across the street which did take the AMEX card this evening. $53 to fill a little VW but I'll get nearly 600 miles so its still cheap enough. I'm bless with this little bug and then I have the nice Civic as a backup so car wise I'm doing pretty well right now.
Once I got home I settled into deal with the emails, conditions and write one more report. Its done now and shipped out via their web site. I'm counting on getting money in the mail tomorrow. It is overdue now and I'm ready for some bucks, Steve too as some of the money is his once the check arrives. I was suppose to see a speech therapist in the morning, she is going to teach me how to swallow more strongly to head off the cough. But I wasn't sure how I could pay the possible co pay so I cancelled and I'll use the time to get ready for the day.
We have had incredible wind all night and most of the day today, white caps on the lake and diving birds, one stayed down so long I thought he had drowned but pretty soon up he popped.
I had a chance to talk to friends today as I drove and it was great. There is nothing more precious than family and friends, words exchanged calm inner fears, help us feel better about ourselves, help us feel human again. Never underestimate the power and value of your words invested in another human being. They can make a huge difference, I know, I live in a lonely world a lot of the time, I'm busy and I'm surrounded by beautiful music, my cats and sometimes by the kiddos which makes it great but caring words are very precious to me.
Please keep praying for my loved ones.
Love to all
Tim
What a day, Ken insisted on walking in the tornado, well the winds were blowing pretty hard all night. But once we got out there it wasn't bad. Does that mean I'll walk on my own tomorrow since Ken has meetings on Friday mornings, no way. I'm taking a break. Besides I have tons of work to do and a very busy day ahead.
Today I thawed out a beautiful loaf of bread Jo had made recently and toasted a couple slices, wow was it great, Felt like you were eating something like a work of art, very very good and for lunch I had a griller on toasted Jo bread, tasted great again. How fun, to eat something created by hand instead of a huge machine somewhere. Thanks Jo!
I've been cranking work out like mad today. For a change I've had some easy direct forward stuff instead of complicated multi million dollar ones. Its been a nice change and the new computer can keep up with me no matter how fast I want to type, slam photos in, sketch, whatever its there and ready.
Late this afternoon I decided it was time to head to Hayward, an hour drive to do a driveby review, its due tomorrow and needs the field work to be done. Traffic was pretty good but the diesel in my tank was pretty low and I wasn't sure how I could get more but I took off. On the Livermore side of the hill the light came on at 560 miles which gave me about a gallon left. So I stopped at a station but it would not take the American Express card so I put in what I had, $5.00 and got 1.2 gallons. That took me to Hayward and back to the station across the street which did take the AMEX card this evening. $53 to fill a little VW but I'll get nearly 600 miles so its still cheap enough. I'm bless with this little bug and then I have the nice Civic as a backup so car wise I'm doing pretty well right now.
Once I got home I settled into deal with the emails, conditions and write one more report. Its done now and shipped out via their web site. I'm counting on getting money in the mail tomorrow. It is overdue now and I'm ready for some bucks, Steve too as some of the money is his once the check arrives. I was suppose to see a speech therapist in the morning, she is going to teach me how to swallow more strongly to head off the cough. But I wasn't sure how I could pay the possible co pay so I cancelled and I'll use the time to get ready for the day.
We have had incredible wind all night and most of the day today, white caps on the lake and diving birds, one stayed down so long I thought he had drowned but pretty soon up he popped.
I had a chance to talk to friends today as I drove and it was great. There is nothing more precious than family and friends, words exchanged calm inner fears, help us feel better about ourselves, help us feel human again. Never underestimate the power and value of your words invested in another human being. They can make a huge difference, I know, I live in a lonely world a lot of the time, I'm busy and I'm surrounded by beautiful music, my cats and sometimes by the kiddos which makes it great but caring words are very precious to me.
Please keep praying for my loved ones.
Love to all
Tim
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Warsaw Concerto
Right now some of the world's most beautiful music is playing, on my internet connection I'm listening to KDFC, a classical station in San Francisco and this evening the music has been even more spendid than usual. How nice it would be to be sharing this moment with someone who understands and treasures great music. I have a Bose sound system on my desk which is driven by the computer and the sound is clean, wide spectrum and moving. Just had to share for those of you who are touched, perhaps even driven by music.
For the last few days Dafodils are blooming along the side of the driveway in my front yard. They come up every year reminding me of a time when Nan felt good enough to be out there planting bulbs. What a nice reminder, I pause each time I walk by to remember just how blessed I was to have a good woman at my side, the flowers are a gentle reminder of what is good in this very messed up world. I've included a photo.
Today has been great because Keanna came to spend the afternoon. She has entered into a new math program in which she is doing math taught by the 4th grade teacher, I was amazed at how difficult the questions were but she is thrilled to be challenged in this way. The book weighs a lot for the special class and her bag seems to weigh 25 pounds. She is a great student and loves her teacher, enjoys school and is an inspiration to me.
I've been writing reports and trying to get organized for the next wave of orders that have swept in.
So back to it, please pray for special people who have very special circumstances right now. God knows and cares.
Love to all
Tim
For the last few days Dafodils are blooming along the side of the driveway in my front yard. They come up every year reminding me of a time when Nan felt good enough to be out there planting bulbs. What a nice reminder, I pause each time I walk by to remember just how blessed I was to have a good woman at my side, the flowers are a gentle reminder of what is good in this very messed up world. I've included a photo.
Today has been great because Keanna came to spend the afternoon. She has entered into a new math program in which she is doing math taught by the 4th grade teacher, I was amazed at how difficult the questions were but she is thrilled to be challenged in this way. The book weighs a lot for the special class and her bag seems to weigh 25 pounds. She is a great student and loves her teacher, enjoys school and is an inspiration to me.
I've been writing reports and trying to get organized for the next wave of orders that have swept in.
So back to it, please pray for special people who have very special circumstances right now. God knows and cares.
Love to all
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lodi in the country
Dear Family and Friends,
This afternoon I got to see a really interesting place. 3600sf on 3 acres of grapes. It was the layout that was so fun. Aviary for many different birds, parots and other beautiful birds, then a different area for chickens, a huge pool with waterfall, a covered gazebo / patio area, a very nice Koi pond with huge fish and a bunch of dogs. What fun to inspect a house where lots of love abounds. The day was beautiful and I was sorry for the long sleeve shirt, too warm.
During the day the phone kept ringing and I've got about 7 new orders in hand, can you believe it, here we go again and I'm not even caught up with the ones I've already seen. Blessings and stress all wrapped up together so I'll just be thankful.
In the next couple days I expect some serious money to flow in, enough that I can do some catching up with some of the back bills. This evening I've had a chance to talk to Pam about her damages Honda and Art about his ongoing treatment at Loma Linda. He has nearly reached the half way point for his treatment and while not comfortable he is managing it well. He is enjoying his new larger 5th wheel RV with its 4 slideouts. Now I enjoy having my 1 slideout and he has 4 so the room must be amazing inside. I'm having trouble getting the shops I need to work on the motor home to respond. I need to get the fuel gauge fixed at one shop and the body and fender work done at another shop but neither seems to be willing to call back. I'm nearing the end of my patience and may start looking for another option to getting things repaired.
Well its bed time and I'm ready, with the coughing I wear out early these days, just wish I could feel better overall but I'm afraid that may not be in the cards anytime soon.
Tomorrow will be special as Keanna comes in the afternoon so we do homework, popcorn and I catch up on what is happening in her busy life. Its a high point of the week.
Sending love to all,
Tim
This afternoon I got to see a really interesting place. 3600sf on 3 acres of grapes. It was the layout that was so fun. Aviary for many different birds, parots and other beautiful birds, then a different area for chickens, a huge pool with waterfall, a covered gazebo / patio area, a very nice Koi pond with huge fish and a bunch of dogs. What fun to inspect a house where lots of love abounds. The day was beautiful and I was sorry for the long sleeve shirt, too warm.
During the day the phone kept ringing and I've got about 7 new orders in hand, can you believe it, here we go again and I'm not even caught up with the ones I've already seen. Blessings and stress all wrapped up together so I'll just be thankful.
In the next couple days I expect some serious money to flow in, enough that I can do some catching up with some of the back bills. This evening I've had a chance to talk to Pam about her damages Honda and Art about his ongoing treatment at Loma Linda. He has nearly reached the half way point for his treatment and while not comfortable he is managing it well. He is enjoying his new larger 5th wheel RV with its 4 slideouts. Now I enjoy having my 1 slideout and he has 4 so the room must be amazing inside. I'm having trouble getting the shops I need to work on the motor home to respond. I need to get the fuel gauge fixed at one shop and the body and fender work done at another shop but neither seems to be willing to call back. I'm nearing the end of my patience and may start looking for another option to getting things repaired.
Well its bed time and I'm ready, with the coughing I wear out early these days, just wish I could feel better overall but I'm afraid that may not be in the cards anytime soon.
Tomorrow will be special as Keanna comes in the afternoon so we do homework, popcorn and I catch up on what is happening in her busy life. Its a high point of the week.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Monday, February 20, 2012
President's Day
Dear Family and Friends,
Nice winter day here in California, chilly, overcase, a good day to stay in by the fire and a holiday at that. Well I stayed in but had no fire and did not take the day off.
Ken and I walked this morning and enjoyed the chance to get some fresh air. Then for me it was back to make some whole wheat pancakes which were great. After a quick shower it was commute to the office and settle in for writing reports. I knew I had to get the field review for Stockton completed. I dreaded it since they always take so many hours and then they come back for revisions over and over again. Finally at 3:30 it was completed and I shipped it out.
Then it was time to turn to a REO appraisal for a nice little property in Livermore. Its been years since I did the REO addendum so I dreaded that. It was due at 5 pm but at 4:30 I could tell I was not going to make the 5 pm deadline so I emailed them the news. Finally a few minutes ago I completed it and shipped it out. Once these things get done they tell quite a story about the market and what values should be.
Now I have a couple quick and dirty little ones to get out and head to bed. This afternoon I walked out to find out my Civic had come home. A friend was hit by a jacked up jeep and had such poor insurance that it didn't even buy my friend a rental car while hers was being repaired so she has used the Civic. It felt good to help someone out and when I opened the card she left for me it had two very large gift certificates for my favorite place, The Olive Garden. wow was I shocked and surprised.
New orders have slowed down but I have several to get written and completed. I think I go to Brentwood in the morning and then Lodi to see a ranch. Back on the road again.
I've had a better day illness wise, little coughing and thanks to Steve's loaned heater I've stayed comfortable all day. Its a pretty amazing heater, filled with oil and radiates heat out just where a person needs it, up close.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Nice winter day here in California, chilly, overcase, a good day to stay in by the fire and a holiday at that. Well I stayed in but had no fire and did not take the day off.
Ken and I walked this morning and enjoyed the chance to get some fresh air. Then for me it was back to make some whole wheat pancakes which were great. After a quick shower it was commute to the office and settle in for writing reports. I knew I had to get the field review for Stockton completed. I dreaded it since they always take so many hours and then they come back for revisions over and over again. Finally at 3:30 it was completed and I shipped it out.
Then it was time to turn to a REO appraisal for a nice little property in Livermore. Its been years since I did the REO addendum so I dreaded that. It was due at 5 pm but at 4:30 I could tell I was not going to make the 5 pm deadline so I emailed them the news. Finally a few minutes ago I completed it and shipped it out. Once these things get done they tell quite a story about the market and what values should be.
Now I have a couple quick and dirty little ones to get out and head to bed. This afternoon I walked out to find out my Civic had come home. A friend was hit by a jacked up jeep and had such poor insurance that it didn't even buy my friend a rental car while hers was being repaired so she has used the Civic. It felt good to help someone out and when I opened the card she left for me it had two very large gift certificates for my favorite place, The Olive Garden. wow was I shocked and surprised.
New orders have slowed down but I have several to get written and completed. I think I go to Brentwood in the morning and then Lodi to see a ranch. Back on the road again.
I've had a better day illness wise, little coughing and thanks to Steve's loaned heater I've stayed comfortable all day. Its a pretty amazing heater, filled with oil and radiates heat out just where a person needs it, up close.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Sunday, February 19, 2012
I was so sure I had written last night but I was wrong
Barb and Gerry were right, I didn't write last night. I can remember doing so but the facts are I was remembering the night before.
Yesterday was so very nice. Took Kallie to SS in Tracy where she had an excellent time, then we drove to Stockton where I found a Starbucks since I was falling asleep, not a good thing when there is an hour drive ahead. We enjoyed throwing little pine cones into the water and she was a real hit at Starbucks.
We then drove to Roseville and I learned that if one puts a name into the GPS and then answers the question, town? it will take you anywhere. Funny about learning new things, I'm sure that I thought that once I was an adult the learning would slow down, that has not been the case. Every day has something new to be learned, experienced, pondered!
Once we arrived in Roseville and Kallie woke up we joined Barb and Gerry, Jenny their granddaughter and her fiance Tim for lunch. The food was great and the time together was very special. Tim and Jenny are really special people and look forward to a spring wedding.
We also delivered the good cookies that Barb and Gerry had purchased from Keanna, reports are that one box is already eaten! Gerry is enjoying his new corvette that he purchased on a recent trip, new to him but a classic. This one Barbie can drive too and even has a decent sized trunk. They look forward to traveling in it. Good for them.
We drove home and Kallie played with her leapster, an educational game device that she loves and sipped her orange juice.
Now for Sunday. Ken demanded that we get out and walk so this morning we did just that, around the lake, then a quick shower and I was off to Mountain House to see a house, then back to pick up Keanna and drive to Concord where she played her final basketball game of the season. Since her mommy and daddy could not be there I took the camcorder and video taped the whole thing. It was a spirited game. On the way home Keanna and I went to CostCo. She is a good shopping buddy helping me find things I need. Then we made a quick stop at Toys R Us where we found some valentine toys for the girls.
Now I'm home and still taking it easy. Tomorrow I'll need to get busy again as there are lots of reports that need my attention.
So sending love to all,
Got to say I love getting to Tracy to see friends that have been in my life for the last 35 years, so many precious memories, what a special church family Tracy SDA is and will always be.
Tim
Yesterday was so very nice. Took Kallie to SS in Tracy where she had an excellent time, then we drove to Stockton where I found a Starbucks since I was falling asleep, not a good thing when there is an hour drive ahead. We enjoyed throwing little pine cones into the water and she was a real hit at Starbucks.
We then drove to Roseville and I learned that if one puts a name into the GPS and then answers the question, town? it will take you anywhere. Funny about learning new things, I'm sure that I thought that once I was an adult the learning would slow down, that has not been the case. Every day has something new to be learned, experienced, pondered!
Once we arrived in Roseville and Kallie woke up we joined Barb and Gerry, Jenny their granddaughter and her fiance Tim for lunch. The food was great and the time together was very special. Tim and Jenny are really special people and look forward to a spring wedding.
We also delivered the good cookies that Barb and Gerry had purchased from Keanna, reports are that one box is already eaten! Gerry is enjoying his new corvette that he purchased on a recent trip, new to him but a classic. This one Barbie can drive too and even has a decent sized trunk. They look forward to traveling in it. Good for them.
We drove home and Kallie played with her leapster, an educational game device that she loves and sipped her orange juice.
Now for Sunday. Ken demanded that we get out and walk so this morning we did just that, around the lake, then a quick shower and I was off to Mountain House to see a house, then back to pick up Keanna and drive to Concord where she played her final basketball game of the season. Since her mommy and daddy could not be there I took the camcorder and video taped the whole thing. It was a spirited game. On the way home Keanna and I went to CostCo. She is a good shopping buddy helping me find things I need. Then we made a quick stop at Toys R Us where we found some valentine toys for the girls.
Now I'm home and still taking it easy. Tomorrow I'll need to get busy again as there are lots of reports that need my attention.
So sending love to all,
Got to say I love getting to Tracy to see friends that have been in my life for the last 35 years, so many precious memories, what a special church family Tracy SDA is and will always be.
Tim
Friday, February 17, 2012
Once again the week grinds to a halt.
Have you been busy this week? I know I surely have been and I have many reports on the finished pile to show for it. Yet there are others waiting to be completed but for now its Friday night and time to hang up the keyboard for some relaxing and a warm fire.
Tomorrow promises to be interesting. I'm picking up Kallie at 8:30 and we will head to McDonalds for some breakfast. Then we will drive to Tracy for Sabbath School, an event that Kallie loves. Once we are through there we'll drive toward Roseville where we will meet up with Barbara and Gerry Lammerding at the Old Spaghetti factory. We'll deliver some girl scout cookies and have a nice lunch, then I'll get a chance to meet with Jenny and Tim who are going to be married later this spring.
Kallie and I will drive back and by then Nikki and Keanna will be finished selling cookies at the local Safeway. On Sunday I'll take Keanna to Concord for a basketball game mid day, it should be fun. She is enjoying the indoor soccer games she is involved in and has scored yet another goal.
I'm frustrated with my health or lack of it. I have a day like today with hardly any coughing and in which I feel pretty well, then the next day I feel rotten, cough all day and end up with a sore gut from pulled muscles. Its been about 3 weeks of this.
This afternoon I had an appointment at Kaiser to have my eyes checked to see if the diabetes had caused them harm. The report was good, nothing bad so far and they scheduled me to have my vision checked, its been a couple years and my correction may need to be adjusted. I'm so impressed with just how organized they are at Kaiser. I was whisked right in at appointment time, a medical assistant dilated my eyes and prepared me for the doctor. The doctor was with me for 2 minutes, pronounced everything was good and left.
I had an interesting inspection at 4:30. I could not tell you too much about the house other than it was perfect and the gay couple have done a great job of caring for it. Everything was so bright and even with the funky glasses they hand you driving was challenging, seeing was fuzzy and I was glad when things started getting better. I really can't believe it is legal for them to release you to drive with such a vision impediment.
So here is hoping you have a great weekend, please take time to love the one you are fortunate enough to be with.
Love
tim
Tomorrow promises to be interesting. I'm picking up Kallie at 8:30 and we will head to McDonalds for some breakfast. Then we will drive to Tracy for Sabbath School, an event that Kallie loves. Once we are through there we'll drive toward Roseville where we will meet up with Barbara and Gerry Lammerding at the Old Spaghetti factory. We'll deliver some girl scout cookies and have a nice lunch, then I'll get a chance to meet with Jenny and Tim who are going to be married later this spring.
Kallie and I will drive back and by then Nikki and Keanna will be finished selling cookies at the local Safeway. On Sunday I'll take Keanna to Concord for a basketball game mid day, it should be fun. She is enjoying the indoor soccer games she is involved in and has scored yet another goal.
I'm frustrated with my health or lack of it. I have a day like today with hardly any coughing and in which I feel pretty well, then the next day I feel rotten, cough all day and end up with a sore gut from pulled muscles. Its been about 3 weeks of this.
This afternoon I had an appointment at Kaiser to have my eyes checked to see if the diabetes had caused them harm. The report was good, nothing bad so far and they scheduled me to have my vision checked, its been a couple years and my correction may need to be adjusted. I'm so impressed with just how organized they are at Kaiser. I was whisked right in at appointment time, a medical assistant dilated my eyes and prepared me for the doctor. The doctor was with me for 2 minutes, pronounced everything was good and left.
I had an interesting inspection at 4:30. I could not tell you too much about the house other than it was perfect and the gay couple have done a great job of caring for it. Everything was so bright and even with the funky glasses they hand you driving was challenging, seeing was fuzzy and I was glad when things started getting better. I really can't believe it is legal for them to release you to drive with such a vision impediment.
So here is hoping you have a great weekend, please take time to love the one you are fortunate enough to be with.
Love
tim
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Living it one day at a time
How I long for a time where there was some bright spots, some fun in life, right now that is just not the case with the exception of when I get to connect to the kids and their little kids. I roll out and eat, then start working, try to deal with the conditions from the day before, try to get something new written before leaving to see properties, I'm so behind, I have this board with all the orders listed and their due dates.
Once an order arrived with an email message the next step is to accept the order. That involves logging into their web site, of course all the web sites are different and require you to remember how their site works, so you say yes and if possible tell them when it is scheduled. Of course that would mean that someone was actually answering their phone when you called to try to get an appointment. Then you print out the order and the pages of special instructions that come with each order. Then I fire up the old computer, log into OM and set up the order getting the order number and printing out a page that I then staple to the front of a reused manila legal size folder.
Once the order is set up then it has to be researched in public records and in MLS. That takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Then the date for the visit is put on the board and in the book and at the right time, day I leave to arrive there on time to inspect, photograph every room and write details down. Then after leaving the house I drive the other sales that I've found in the neighborhood shooting photos of each one without getting any human beings in the photos. Then its a trip back to the office and when possible starting to write up the file. It could take 2 hours or a full day depending on the property. Once I'm through I lock it up as a pdf file, encrypt it and go back to the web site, open it up and attach the appraisal file in both xml and pdf versions, click the button and wait while it is downloaded. If I'm lucky I don't hear about it again but more likely some little minion goes over it with a computer program to find any little flaw, they then sent a request for revisions which requires that I go through the whole process again, open the report, fix it, relock it and then open the web site and resubmit. All of this for about $150 dollars less than I made 3 years ago. No wonder if I'm awake I'm working, driving to work or dealing with conditions. Now in the old days person could actually make a good living, not so now, there is just not enough time to do so. Yet at 63 I'm probably not going to starting a new job in a new field.
Today has been tough with lots of coughing, very sore chest from repeated coughing and a right eye that is refusing to work properly, that has my attention so tomorrow afternoon I'm having some sort of eye exam at Kaiser. I hope they can help but I'm concerned that the diabetes might have caused some damage to the eye.
I signed up this evening for Christian Mingle, they seem to have a lot of really nice people many of whom live nearby and are my age or close to may age. perhaps out of the site I can meet a new friend.
Well I keep thinking about losing the MBA calm, somehow I need to find the right way to let the peace of the Lord fill my heart day by day and instead of fighting my work to relax and enjoy, treasure it.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Once an order arrived with an email message the next step is to accept the order. That involves logging into their web site, of course all the web sites are different and require you to remember how their site works, so you say yes and if possible tell them when it is scheduled. Of course that would mean that someone was actually answering their phone when you called to try to get an appointment. Then you print out the order and the pages of special instructions that come with each order. Then I fire up the old computer, log into OM and set up the order getting the order number and printing out a page that I then staple to the front of a reused manila legal size folder.
Once the order is set up then it has to be researched in public records and in MLS. That takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Then the date for the visit is put on the board and in the book and at the right time, day I leave to arrive there on time to inspect, photograph every room and write details down. Then after leaving the house I drive the other sales that I've found in the neighborhood shooting photos of each one without getting any human beings in the photos. Then its a trip back to the office and when possible starting to write up the file. It could take 2 hours or a full day depending on the property. Once I'm through I lock it up as a pdf file, encrypt it and go back to the web site, open it up and attach the appraisal file in both xml and pdf versions, click the button and wait while it is downloaded. If I'm lucky I don't hear about it again but more likely some little minion goes over it with a computer program to find any little flaw, they then sent a request for revisions which requires that I go through the whole process again, open the report, fix it, relock it and then open the web site and resubmit. All of this for about $150 dollars less than I made 3 years ago. No wonder if I'm awake I'm working, driving to work or dealing with conditions. Now in the old days person could actually make a good living, not so now, there is just not enough time to do so. Yet at 63 I'm probably not going to starting a new job in a new field.
Today has been tough with lots of coughing, very sore chest from repeated coughing and a right eye that is refusing to work properly, that has my attention so tomorrow afternoon I'm having some sort of eye exam at Kaiser. I hope they can help but I'm concerned that the diabetes might have caused some damage to the eye.
I signed up this evening for Christian Mingle, they seem to have a lot of really nice people many of whom live nearby and are my age or close to may age. perhaps out of the site I can meet a new friend.
Well I keep thinking about losing the MBA calm, somehow I need to find the right way to let the peace of the Lord fill my heart day by day and instead of fighting my work to relax and enjoy, treasure it.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A Better Day
Dear Family and Friends,
Well they came to visit and they really jazz the place up. After school at 12:45 I picked up Keanna, we went through McDonalds for a quick lunch and then back home to work. Keanna did her homework and then did a good job of caring for herself while I worked. Then later in the afternoon Kallie came bursting through the door. I had her for about an hour while Nikki and Keanna sold Girl's Scout cookies. And by the way would you like some cookies? Contact us if you would like some excellent cookies, my email is discoapp@comcast.net and I can get you in touch with Keanna. We will ship! They are great!
I really slept well last night. By using the Nellie Pot system and rinsing out my sinus passages I think I gave my body a chance to rest without the congestion. I've had a great day today, not without coughing but much better and I've felt my spirits lift, my awareness of things that need to be care for increased and I've cared for many little details, like getting the motorhome in to get the fuel gauge fixed, following up on the estimate to have it repaired for the renter caused damages, paid the motorhome insurance, easy to forget, took care of the desk, got it straightened out, all files are listed on the grease board now so I can see what I've got to be doing and reports and conditions are being shipped out. Life is more manageable when one feels like living again. Lets hope it was not just a one day thing and I'll slip back into illness tomorrow.
Kallie got me started on the Lion King movie, I had never seen it before and now I'm half way through and can't wait until she comes back and we can watch the rest. So now its time to go to bed and I'm about 30 minutes from being done with a report that was promised today, what do I do? Well I think I go to bed and get out at 6 to finish it up then.
I was grateful to Steve for taking a Tracy one today, that helps a lot, let me work here in the office.
I struggle with wanting God to guide my life and then wondering if He really is or is He just tired of me, sounds strange but I wish I had a better idea of what He has in mind. Am I to be alone forever? I'm not even putting any effort into the quest anymore, my own appreciation of what I have to offer is pretty sad. Guess I find it somewhat difficult to think anyone would want to live here, to put up with my long work hours, put up with my narrow taste buds. Just thinking...
I have an appointment with Kaiser for Friday to have my eyes tested for any diabetes effects. My right eye is not always working correctly and has been off for about a month so I thought I would look into it. Then next week the speech therapist at kaiser is going to teach me some new exercises so I swallow better. Should be interesting.
For now I'm giving up on the writing process and starting to work on the sleeping process. Good night one and all,
Love
tim
Well they came to visit and they really jazz the place up. After school at 12:45 I picked up Keanna, we went through McDonalds for a quick lunch and then back home to work. Keanna did her homework and then did a good job of caring for herself while I worked. Then later in the afternoon Kallie came bursting through the door. I had her for about an hour while Nikki and Keanna sold Girl's Scout cookies. And by the way would you like some cookies? Contact us if you would like some excellent cookies, my email is discoapp@comcast.net and I can get you in touch with Keanna. We will ship! They are great!
I really slept well last night. By using the Nellie Pot system and rinsing out my sinus passages I think I gave my body a chance to rest without the congestion. I've had a great day today, not without coughing but much better and I've felt my spirits lift, my awareness of things that need to be care for increased and I've cared for many little details, like getting the motorhome in to get the fuel gauge fixed, following up on the estimate to have it repaired for the renter caused damages, paid the motorhome insurance, easy to forget, took care of the desk, got it straightened out, all files are listed on the grease board now so I can see what I've got to be doing and reports and conditions are being shipped out. Life is more manageable when one feels like living again. Lets hope it was not just a one day thing and I'll slip back into illness tomorrow.
Kallie got me started on the Lion King movie, I had never seen it before and now I'm half way through and can't wait until she comes back and we can watch the rest. So now its time to go to bed and I'm about 30 minutes from being done with a report that was promised today, what do I do? Well I think I go to bed and get out at 6 to finish it up then.
I was grateful to Steve for taking a Tracy one today, that helps a lot, let me work here in the office.
I struggle with wanting God to guide my life and then wondering if He really is or is He just tired of me, sounds strange but I wish I had a better idea of what He has in mind. Am I to be alone forever? I'm not even putting any effort into the quest anymore, my own appreciation of what I have to offer is pretty sad. Guess I find it somewhat difficult to think anyone would want to live here, to put up with my long work hours, put up with my narrow taste buds. Just thinking...
I have an appointment with Kaiser for Friday to have my eyes tested for any diabetes effects. My right eye is not always working correctly and has been off for about a month so I thought I would look into it. Then next week the speech therapist at kaiser is going to teach me some new exercises so I swallow better. Should be interesting.
For now I'm giving up on the writing process and starting to work on the sleeping process. Good night one and all,
Love
tim
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Downward tilt
Good evening
My illness is back with a vengence. The coughing has been so constant and hard that my stomach muscles are sore. What a lousy way to live.
Last night just didn't work well. I woke to find my head was stuffed, to much so for the breathing machine to get air through and my chest was congested as well. So I rolled out and came down to use little bottle with the salt solution that rinses out the nasal cavity. That helps some and then I went back up to rummage around and find the thermafor, a heating pad that produces wet heat. After a session of that on my chest I fell asleep for the rest of the night.
Once I got up this morning I came down and went to work, finally at around 2 with the work load getting heavier and heavier as new orders drifted in I left for Livermore. I was keenly aware that no money had come in the mail and that by night I would be severly overdrawn. I had a local job to do and was scheduled for tomorrow, it dawned on me I could move it to this afternoon, pick up a check that would solve the bank for at least a day, that God had arranged things but I was just to shy to follow up. So I called and was told that coming today would be fine, left for the bank with the check and had 4 minutes to get there. Made it inside where they allowed me to make out the deposit slip and then I was on my way to Livermore to see a little house for a pre foreclosure for a new lender.
By the time I finished Livermore the sun was setting so going to Tracy to do one was not an option. Instead I fought traffic over Vasco and came home. Now I'm trying to work between coughing bouts. In the morning I have to be in Pittsburg at 9 am but a check or cash waits me there. Then back to pick up Ms Keanna for the afternoon, the highlight of the week!
My stuffed box of completed appraisals tells me that there is a considerable amount of money coming and I'm so ready, seems I owe everyone I ever met something. Not really but it just seems that way. I will simply say, I am not bored at this time, desk is buried in appraisals, conditions, papers, bills to pay. Fun stuff.
I think it was a nice day outside, I was hardly able to take notice, so stressed and rushed. It does not take long for the MBA vacation to pass!
Sending love to all, in spite of the above I have written life is worth living, winning the lottery sounds really good but of course one would have to play and I'm not there, wasting money.
Tim
My illness is back with a vengence. The coughing has been so constant and hard that my stomach muscles are sore. What a lousy way to live.
Last night just didn't work well. I woke to find my head was stuffed, to much so for the breathing machine to get air through and my chest was congested as well. So I rolled out and came down to use little bottle with the salt solution that rinses out the nasal cavity. That helps some and then I went back up to rummage around and find the thermafor, a heating pad that produces wet heat. After a session of that on my chest I fell asleep for the rest of the night.
Once I got up this morning I came down and went to work, finally at around 2 with the work load getting heavier and heavier as new orders drifted in I left for Livermore. I was keenly aware that no money had come in the mail and that by night I would be severly overdrawn. I had a local job to do and was scheduled for tomorrow, it dawned on me I could move it to this afternoon, pick up a check that would solve the bank for at least a day, that God had arranged things but I was just to shy to follow up. So I called and was told that coming today would be fine, left for the bank with the check and had 4 minutes to get there. Made it inside where they allowed me to make out the deposit slip and then I was on my way to Livermore to see a little house for a pre foreclosure for a new lender.
By the time I finished Livermore the sun was setting so going to Tracy to do one was not an option. Instead I fought traffic over Vasco and came home. Now I'm trying to work between coughing bouts. In the morning I have to be in Pittsburg at 9 am but a check or cash waits me there. Then back to pick up Ms Keanna for the afternoon, the highlight of the week!
My stuffed box of completed appraisals tells me that there is a considerable amount of money coming and I'm so ready, seems I owe everyone I ever met something. Not really but it just seems that way. I will simply say, I am not bored at this time, desk is buried in appraisals, conditions, papers, bills to pay. Fun stuff.
I think it was a nice day outside, I was hardly able to take notice, so stressed and rushed. It does not take long for the MBA vacation to pass!
Sending love to all, in spite of the above I have written life is worth living, winning the lottery sounds really good but of course one would have to play and I'm not there, wasting money.
Tim
Monday, February 13, 2012
Back to work.... in the rain
Talk about a bummer, measuring homes in the rain, its the sheet of paper that you write down the numbers on, the sketch that starts to get wet, then wetter and finally begins to tear as you write on it, so fun. But the rain was not bad, not really, just enough to get the little hat out on my coat. The lady was incredible, funny, bright and helpful. She is on her way to Belgium to have hip surgery on both hips and taking a second on her house to pay for the process, cash up front but supposed to be the best. Wow what a leap of faith.
Once through with her home I found myself sort of thinking it would be nice to see her again some day. Get the hips fixed and then we'll see.
I found a Starbucks and had a multi grain bagel, and tried to use my laptop but the glare was so awful that I could not see the screen, oh well, I'll figure it out. Then it was back to the car and to Discovery Bay to measure yet another home. While rain threatened it did not happen. I found a nice home that had new carpet, clean walls, pool and pond and selling for $310K About 3,000 sf of home a few blocks from a lake.
Then the fun began. I needed to measure the inside of the 8400 sf home that I measured the outside of yesterday. When I approached this 4 million dollar home I found the most amazing thing. Someones key were in the lock on the front door and a cleaning rage was thrown on the porch, what should I do, the owner wants me to finish the report fast and he said the cleaning lady would be there today so i could get in. So finally I opened the door and began to yell, appraiser. I continued to yell appraiser for the next 20 minutes while I measured every inch of the inside of this massive home and I never met anyone. Now the problem is I don't have a phone number or a way to reach the owner. He paid me in cash so I have to wait on him to contact me. So at least I got the inside of the mansion measured but it was very scary, I could just see a maid with a gun around every corner and can you believe the home was open!! keys in the lock and no one was there. I wonder if it is still open now? Did the maid come back to get her keys? Was she told to leave it open? Wonder of wonders.
After that I came home to work, to find out that no money came in the mail, bummer! I started to work and then the girls arrived as they were selling girl scout cookies, our kind neighbors bought some and I went for a box of mints. Barb and Gerrys box is here so now I need to find an excuse to get up and see them to deliver the goods!
Well I'm trying to get another one out tonight, might not make it tonight but thanks to Steve's help two are out this evening, that is wonderful.
This evening we tried out a local Mexican place at the Safeway shopping center. The burrito was great and it was fun to eat with the girls.
Love to all, the adventure of life continues, oh the challenges we face, our God never sleeps and He cares.
Tim
Once through with her home I found myself sort of thinking it would be nice to see her again some day. Get the hips fixed and then we'll see.
I found a Starbucks and had a multi grain bagel, and tried to use my laptop but the glare was so awful that I could not see the screen, oh well, I'll figure it out. Then it was back to the car and to Discovery Bay to measure yet another home. While rain threatened it did not happen. I found a nice home that had new carpet, clean walls, pool and pond and selling for $310K About 3,000 sf of home a few blocks from a lake.
Then the fun began. I needed to measure the inside of the 8400 sf home that I measured the outside of yesterday. When I approached this 4 million dollar home I found the most amazing thing. Someones key were in the lock on the front door and a cleaning rage was thrown on the porch, what should I do, the owner wants me to finish the report fast and he said the cleaning lady would be there today so i could get in. So finally I opened the door and began to yell, appraiser. I continued to yell appraiser for the next 20 minutes while I measured every inch of the inside of this massive home and I never met anyone. Now the problem is I don't have a phone number or a way to reach the owner. He paid me in cash so I have to wait on him to contact me. So at least I got the inside of the mansion measured but it was very scary, I could just see a maid with a gun around every corner and can you believe the home was open!! keys in the lock and no one was there. I wonder if it is still open now? Did the maid come back to get her keys? Was she told to leave it open? Wonder of wonders.
After that I came home to work, to find out that no money came in the mail, bummer! I started to work and then the girls arrived as they were selling girl scout cookies, our kind neighbors bought some and I went for a box of mints. Barb and Gerrys box is here so now I need to find an excuse to get up and see them to deliver the goods!
Well I'm trying to get another one out tonight, might not make it tonight but thanks to Steve's help two are out this evening, that is wonderful.
This evening we tried out a local Mexican place at the Safeway shopping center. The burrito was great and it was fun to eat with the girls.
Love to all, the adventure of life continues, oh the challenges we face, our God never sleeps and He cares.
Tim
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Home again
Dear Family and Friends,
Its about 9:30 and I'm home rested and relaxed. Now come morning all that will change as the rat race picks up again. Tonight I've got a fire going, I'm just sorting things in the office and deciding what needs to be done next in the morning.
There is something very trans formative about visiting MBA and the kids. I leave Discovery Bay having just loaded the motor home in a rush, trying to make sure everything I need is on board. There is finally that magic moment when I push the button, the garage door closes and I'm on my way. At first the motor home seems large and ungainly as I maneuver the local narrow streets but then I finally reach Highway 4 and can speed up. Gradually I become accustomed to the width and size of the motor home and I begin to enjoy its power, the view of the surrounding world it affords and just the fact that I am escaping the punishing effects of running a small business with checking accounts to balance, reports to complete, others to schedule, calls to return and an occasional meal. It just builds and builds, then add to the mix being sick, not feeling up to doing anything much less make decisions about million dollar properties, writing reports that matter to someone, knowing all the while that any report can come back in the form of a lawsuit even up to many years later. I like my job, my profession but it has its challenges. Then stir in the mix my trying to get a handle on managing the blood sugar levels, starting insulin, remembering to eat veges and fruits, to watch carbs and stir in a dose of loneliness, facing everything day by day alone without a partner to scheme with, to escape with, to plan with, to listen to. Its a different life than in the past, one with far less joy, were it not for the kiddos and the kids the joy factor would be much lower but they all bring great happiness and downright fun. There are eight people who brighten my day every time I see them and I consider them my mission, my purpose.
So having slipped away to MBA, this time Friday afternoon with a quick stop in San Martin for some grub and having a perfect trip in the coach, everything worked perfectly, I'm now savoring the experience. I'm concerned that I may have left some bad bugs for my little kiddos, Timothy was starting to cough this afternoon and I so hope I did not make him sick. He and I worked together this morning when it was time to unhook the coach and prepare to leave. He helped me wind up the electrical cord, he helped with the hoses that bring fresh water, he helped turn the seats into their forward position for travel, he is just too cute. This time I scored, Jo sent home a frozen loaf of her home make bread. She just started making bread and it is a great success. So she shared one of the loaves of her labor and its safely in my freezer now.
As I was driving out of MBA I turned toward the ocean, walked down to the bluff and just sat for a few minutes thinking about life, about how things keep changing, about how hard that is to accept that things are going to change, about how I thought of life when I was in my thirties, how different from now. I love my children, I'm proud of their spunk, their fierce independence and their opinions. I'm grateful that they let me hand out sometimes with them, its a game changer for me.
This afternoon as I was driving home I called my neighbor Patty. Now Patty is the bravest senior I know. She has 7 grandchildren living under her care and under her roof in a house that measures less than 1700 sf. She cares for them full time, drives them to where they need to go, they range in age of 1 year to 20 and I just treasure time I get to spend with her, she is amazing. Well I happen to know she knows her way around a sewing machine and I have some little loops that keep the privacy curtain that covers the front windshield in the motor home in place. Some of the little loops of string have broken and I thought who better than Patty to know how to fix them. So I called. She came down after I got home and we went over the curtains and she knows she can fix them which is great news! She also agreed to help Keanna learn how to enjoy her sewing machine that Santa brought. So that will be great news for Keanna. Patty and I talked for a long time, she lost her precious Chuck about a year before I lost Nan and we met in grief group. She was telling me all kinds of way to save money including going to the movies before noon on Mondays, only $5 and they give other discounts too, I could see myself going with Patty to the movies. She says she takes Mondays off, I was glad to learn she gets a day off.
Well its bed time, my throat is sore and I've coughed some today but I think things are better and I hope to keep them that way.
I know of people with special needs right now, can you join me in praying? Thanks
Love
tim
Its about 9:30 and I'm home rested and relaxed. Now come morning all that will change as the rat race picks up again. Tonight I've got a fire going, I'm just sorting things in the office and deciding what needs to be done next in the morning.
There is something very trans formative about visiting MBA and the kids. I leave Discovery Bay having just loaded the motor home in a rush, trying to make sure everything I need is on board. There is finally that magic moment when I push the button, the garage door closes and I'm on my way. At first the motor home seems large and ungainly as I maneuver the local narrow streets but then I finally reach Highway 4 and can speed up. Gradually I become accustomed to the width and size of the motor home and I begin to enjoy its power, the view of the surrounding world it affords and just the fact that I am escaping the punishing effects of running a small business with checking accounts to balance, reports to complete, others to schedule, calls to return and an occasional meal. It just builds and builds, then add to the mix being sick, not feeling up to doing anything much less make decisions about million dollar properties, writing reports that matter to someone, knowing all the while that any report can come back in the form of a lawsuit even up to many years later. I like my job, my profession but it has its challenges. Then stir in the mix my trying to get a handle on managing the blood sugar levels, starting insulin, remembering to eat veges and fruits, to watch carbs and stir in a dose of loneliness, facing everything day by day alone without a partner to scheme with, to escape with, to plan with, to listen to. Its a different life than in the past, one with far less joy, were it not for the kiddos and the kids the joy factor would be much lower but they all bring great happiness and downright fun. There are eight people who brighten my day every time I see them and I consider them my mission, my purpose.
So having slipped away to MBA, this time Friday afternoon with a quick stop in San Martin for some grub and having a perfect trip in the coach, everything worked perfectly, I'm now savoring the experience. I'm concerned that I may have left some bad bugs for my little kiddos, Timothy was starting to cough this afternoon and I so hope I did not make him sick. He and I worked together this morning when it was time to unhook the coach and prepare to leave. He helped me wind up the electrical cord, he helped with the hoses that bring fresh water, he helped turn the seats into their forward position for travel, he is just too cute. This time I scored, Jo sent home a frozen loaf of her home make bread. She just started making bread and it is a great success. So she shared one of the loaves of her labor and its safely in my freezer now.
As I was driving out of MBA I turned toward the ocean, walked down to the bluff and just sat for a few minutes thinking about life, about how things keep changing, about how hard that is to accept that things are going to change, about how I thought of life when I was in my thirties, how different from now. I love my children, I'm proud of their spunk, their fierce independence and their opinions. I'm grateful that they let me hand out sometimes with them, its a game changer for me.
This afternoon as I was driving home I called my neighbor Patty. Now Patty is the bravest senior I know. She has 7 grandchildren living under her care and under her roof in a house that measures less than 1700 sf. She cares for them full time, drives them to where they need to go, they range in age of 1 year to 20 and I just treasure time I get to spend with her, she is amazing. Well I happen to know she knows her way around a sewing machine and I have some little loops that keep the privacy curtain that covers the front windshield in the motor home in place. Some of the little loops of string have broken and I thought who better than Patty to know how to fix them. So I called. She came down after I got home and we went over the curtains and she knows she can fix them which is great news! She also agreed to help Keanna learn how to enjoy her sewing machine that Santa brought. So that will be great news for Keanna. Patty and I talked for a long time, she lost her precious Chuck about a year before I lost Nan and we met in grief group. She was telling me all kinds of way to save money including going to the movies before noon on Mondays, only $5 and they give other discounts too, I could see myself going with Patty to the movies. She says she takes Mondays off, I was glad to learn she gets a day off.
Well its bed time, my throat is sore and I've coughed some today but I think things are better and I hope to keep them that way.
I know of people with special needs right now, can you join me in praying? Thanks
Love
tim
Saturday, February 11, 2012
A Calm Restful day at MBA
Its 10:30 and Jason and Jo are just back from a special concert in Santa Cruz. Jason surprised Jo by having tickets to a sold out concert for a ukulele playing performer from Hawaii. He is one of the best in the world and played to a crowd that appreciated his craft.
Meanwhile Papa was running day care. Mia is now walking several steps at a time and along with Timothy had a great time playing and getting along very well. Timothy ate his delicious toasted cheese sandwich that his Daddy made but Mia was not too interested in eating this time. She went down at 7 and Timothy started to go down at 8 but it was later, much the same as when Kallie starts to go down at 7:30 and finally makes it later. I read Timothy stories, we prayed and he snuggled in under his little blanket.
Once they were down I started work on an appraisal. I was able to control my home computer, email myself an appraisal that I needed to walk over and then worked it up at the kitchen table here on the little laptop. In the process I discovered I need a coupe more comps so will shoot photos of them as I drive through Livermore tomorrow, that is always a blast with the motorhome, shooting comp photos!
Once I get home I've agreed to measure the exterior of the 8400 sf home I'm working on in Discovery Bay. I have to get it done as quickly as possible so he can face his divorce process. Don't envy him at all, his taxes are in the neighborhood of $36,000 a year, just property taxes. Wow, its a different world that I know or understand. But I can sure appreciate the quality of the home, its really beautiful with its 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, garages for about 5 or 6 cars and a kitchen family room that is larger than my home.
I'm not looking forward to going back to work but I do like the money that will eventually come in. I'm feeling better, not over the terrible coughing yet, have some concerns about what it is that I have. Jo has been making tea for me and its great stuff, just had a cup before I came out to the motorhome. I have the heater on as the night is cold. So glad I bought propane.
MBA has been great, in the morning I'll take a walk to the beach, just not right to come here without seeing the ocean up close.
Love to all,
Tim
Meanwhile Papa was running day care. Mia is now walking several steps at a time and along with Timothy had a great time playing and getting along very well. Timothy ate his delicious toasted cheese sandwich that his Daddy made but Mia was not too interested in eating this time. She went down at 7 and Timothy started to go down at 8 but it was later, much the same as when Kallie starts to go down at 7:30 and finally makes it later. I read Timothy stories, we prayed and he snuggled in under his little blanket.
Once they were down I started work on an appraisal. I was able to control my home computer, email myself an appraisal that I needed to walk over and then worked it up at the kitchen table here on the little laptop. In the process I discovered I need a coupe more comps so will shoot photos of them as I drive through Livermore tomorrow, that is always a blast with the motorhome, shooting comp photos!
Once I get home I've agreed to measure the exterior of the 8400 sf home I'm working on in Discovery Bay. I have to get it done as quickly as possible so he can face his divorce process. Don't envy him at all, his taxes are in the neighborhood of $36,000 a year, just property taxes. Wow, its a different world that I know or understand. But I can sure appreciate the quality of the home, its really beautiful with its 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, garages for about 5 or 6 cars and a kitchen family room that is larger than my home.
I'm not looking forward to going back to work but I do like the money that will eventually come in. I'm feeling better, not over the terrible coughing yet, have some concerns about what it is that I have. Jo has been making tea for me and its great stuff, just had a cup before I came out to the motorhome. I have the heater on as the night is cold. So glad I bought propane.
MBA has been great, in the morning I'll take a walk to the beach, just not right to come here without seeing the ocean up close.
Love to all,
Tim
Friday, February 10, 2012
At MBA tonight
Dear Family and Friends,
After a week that could best be described as awful I'm finally starting to unwind. I've battle head aches, coughing, chest congestion and a stuffed up head all week, worked until midnight most nights and just grabbed food when I could. There was no living really this week, just getting by and I'm thankful it is over at last.
After taking Niquil last night I fell asleep at 8:45. When the alarm rang at 6 I still was not really ready to get up but I did and wrote an appraisal, then did research and left for Tracy. Jim had delivered the laptop last night and helped me by remote get it connected to the network this morning. I'm using it now and the part that searches for WiFi hotspots is working perfectly and I'm on the kids system now. It is a blessing to have it working again.
Enough money came in the mail today that I was able to pay Steve something and pay the PG&E that needed money today. Yesterday it was something else that needed money. So goes life. I am so thankful for work, just wish I could get it all done to meet their due dates which are always very near to the date they order the report.
About 10:30 I headed to Tracy and inspected a 3000 sf home. It was routine, shot comps and then stopped by Starbucks to use the laptop, well I had left it at home. Bummer. So I drove back pondering whether I should come visit the kids and perhaps make them ill. So I decided I would do conditions, that is free work you do after you think you are completed with a report. I had 4 sets of conditions to comply with. When I finished them I was feeling pretty good, so loaded up the motorhome and hit the road. But leaving was not easy as I needed propane, needed to buy some fuel in case the motorhome ran out due to no fuel gauge and make a deposit at the bank. Then I was ready to leave.
The trip was great, I had a chance to catch up with Pam and Art, both were relaxing after big days. Finally I arrived and pulled into the parking place, put down the auto levelers and got the motorhome sort of level, went in and drank the tea Jo made, played with Timothy and helped him go to bed. Now I'm ready to take my insulin and head to bed. I can't wait.
I'm looking forward to resting, relaxing and catching my breath while I'm here. I'll miss the girls tomorrow but they had other plans so I was not going to be able to take them to SS anyway. It happens, they are busy girls these days.
There are many reasons to be thankful. Most of the time I am profoundly lonely but so busy with work it would not be fair to anyone even if I knew someone to start up a friendship. Not sure what the answers are but I keep being told that meeting the right person will happen and surprise me. We will see.
Love to all,
Tim
After a week that could best be described as awful I'm finally starting to unwind. I've battle head aches, coughing, chest congestion and a stuffed up head all week, worked until midnight most nights and just grabbed food when I could. There was no living really this week, just getting by and I'm thankful it is over at last.
After taking Niquil last night I fell asleep at 8:45. When the alarm rang at 6 I still was not really ready to get up but I did and wrote an appraisal, then did research and left for Tracy. Jim had delivered the laptop last night and helped me by remote get it connected to the network this morning. I'm using it now and the part that searches for WiFi hotspots is working perfectly and I'm on the kids system now. It is a blessing to have it working again.
Enough money came in the mail today that I was able to pay Steve something and pay the PG&E that needed money today. Yesterday it was something else that needed money. So goes life. I am so thankful for work, just wish I could get it all done to meet their due dates which are always very near to the date they order the report.
About 10:30 I headed to Tracy and inspected a 3000 sf home. It was routine, shot comps and then stopped by Starbucks to use the laptop, well I had left it at home. Bummer. So I drove back pondering whether I should come visit the kids and perhaps make them ill. So I decided I would do conditions, that is free work you do after you think you are completed with a report. I had 4 sets of conditions to comply with. When I finished them I was feeling pretty good, so loaded up the motorhome and hit the road. But leaving was not easy as I needed propane, needed to buy some fuel in case the motorhome ran out due to no fuel gauge and make a deposit at the bank. Then I was ready to leave.
The trip was great, I had a chance to catch up with Pam and Art, both were relaxing after big days. Finally I arrived and pulled into the parking place, put down the auto levelers and got the motorhome sort of level, went in and drank the tea Jo made, played with Timothy and helped him go to bed. Now I'm ready to take my insulin and head to bed. I can't wait.
I'm looking forward to resting, relaxing and catching my breath while I'm here. I'll miss the girls tomorrow but they had other plans so I was not going to be able to take them to SS anyway. It happens, they are busy girls these days.
There are many reasons to be thankful. Most of the time I am profoundly lonely but so busy with work it would not be fair to anyone even if I knew someone to start up a friendship. Not sure what the answers are but I keep being told that meeting the right person will happen and surprise me. We will see.
Love to all,
Tim
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Home again
Well I'm just home from another busy day. I started at 7 this morning and came down to start writing reports immediately. I was able to get a couple finished before driving to the hospital for a swallow test this afternoon. It looks like my throat is not working just right when it comes to swallowing but I'm so spaced that I'm not sure what the outcome will be.
I spoke to a Dr. today and since I could not confirm I was running a constant fever he said there was nothing that could be done. I'm miserable having coughed the entire day, have a splitting headache and really feel like its over, just dead man walking going through the paces.
Last night Jim, my faithful IT guy came and picked up the laptop and today he purged it, it is now a new machine and wonder of wonder it finds WiFi signals now and is fast, so fast. its wonderful. In fact I'm writing on it right now.
I wanted to be able to take it with me to Jason and Jo's this weekend and work some while i was there and it needed to hookup. Now it does so that is wonderful. A spot of sunshine in a dreary day, another nice spot of sunshine was when Pam called to cheer me up and she did a pretty good job. What a loyal friend!
Well once I have written a full appraisal this evening then I can go to bed and rest. Tomorrow I need to get propane for the motorhome, buy a can of gas to take in case I run out of fuel on the trip since I'm going without a fuel gauge once again. Errr.
I want to have a can of gas on board in case I run out, enough to get me to the next town or station. I could really appreciate your prayers that I can beat this illness and start feeling alive again. My work load is incredible now, buried beneath work that I've already seen and others to schedule and get done.
Well back to work and thanks for your prayers,
Love
tim
I spoke to a Dr. today and since I could not confirm I was running a constant fever he said there was nothing that could be done. I'm miserable having coughed the entire day, have a splitting headache and really feel like its over, just dead man walking going through the paces.
Last night Jim, my faithful IT guy came and picked up the laptop and today he purged it, it is now a new machine and wonder of wonder it finds WiFi signals now and is fast, so fast. its wonderful. In fact I'm writing on it right now.
I wanted to be able to take it with me to Jason and Jo's this weekend and work some while i was there and it needed to hookup. Now it does so that is wonderful. A spot of sunshine in a dreary day, another nice spot of sunshine was when Pam called to cheer me up and she did a pretty good job. What a loyal friend!
Well once I have written a full appraisal this evening then I can go to bed and rest. Tomorrow I need to get propane for the motorhome, buy a can of gas to take in case I run out of fuel on the trip since I'm going without a fuel gauge once again. Errr.
I want to have a can of gas on board in case I run out, enough to get me to the next town or station. I could really appreciate your prayers that I can beat this illness and start feeling alive again. My work load is incredible now, buried beneath work that I've already seen and others to schedule and get done.
Well back to work and thanks for your prayers,
Love
tim
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Serious hard work
Dear Family, Friends and anyone else who happens by
Another long work day, it started with a 6 am alarm, work for one hour, then walk with Ken for the big three miles, then back to shower, eat a quick breakfast of Wheaties and hit the road. Inspected a nice clean rental in Antioch and then back to pick up Keanna from school.
She did her homework, snacked on pasta and enjoyed some TV, then her mom came and the house was too quiet again. I've just kept working all day. As of this point I'm still behind but am turning some corners. Steve has been a great help and I appreciate all the work, have enjoyed meeting the homeowners but just need to get this stuff written and out. Amazingly it can take up to 4 hours to get one written and out the door.
This evening Jim, my miracle IT guy came over and picked up the laptop to reformat it, give it a new life. We determined that there was nothing on it that needed to be saved so we just are going to wipe it clean and start again in hopes that it will work better, find WiFi hot spots and do what it is supposed to do.
This evening I had a surprise call from my sister Sibyl. She lives in Ohio and has struggled with a spider bite that turned very ugly. It has taken several months now of being in the hospital and she is still not on her feet. We had a great talk and I was delighted to hear from her.
I'm heading to Jason and Jo's this weekend and am already looking forward to it. I'll be very glad to see Mia and Timothy again and of course their parents too. It will give me a chance to burn down some more motorhome gas so its easier for the local guy to fix the fuel guage, he will have to drop the tank and fuel weighs a lot.
I'm feeling a little better but still very rough. I'm thankful for the help God has given me today to work. It was quiet, too quiet. I discovered that my cell phone was off, seems they wanted money and of course since I've not had any money come in for a few days I was stuck. And I had the other lines call forwarded to it so nothing rang, clients were complaining and so this afternoon I got the phone turned back on. It really is always something going south around here.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Another long work day, it started with a 6 am alarm, work for one hour, then walk with Ken for the big three miles, then back to shower, eat a quick breakfast of Wheaties and hit the road. Inspected a nice clean rental in Antioch and then back to pick up Keanna from school.
She did her homework, snacked on pasta and enjoyed some TV, then her mom came and the house was too quiet again. I've just kept working all day. As of this point I'm still behind but am turning some corners. Steve has been a great help and I appreciate all the work, have enjoyed meeting the homeowners but just need to get this stuff written and out. Amazingly it can take up to 4 hours to get one written and out the door.
This evening Jim, my miracle IT guy came over and picked up the laptop to reformat it, give it a new life. We determined that there was nothing on it that needed to be saved so we just are going to wipe it clean and start again in hopes that it will work better, find WiFi hot spots and do what it is supposed to do.
This evening I had a surprise call from my sister Sibyl. She lives in Ohio and has struggled with a spider bite that turned very ugly. It has taken several months now of being in the hospital and she is still not on her feet. We had a great talk and I was delighted to hear from her.
I'm heading to Jason and Jo's this weekend and am already looking forward to it. I'll be very glad to see Mia and Timothy again and of course their parents too. It will give me a chance to burn down some more motorhome gas so its easier for the local guy to fix the fuel guage, he will have to drop the tank and fuel weighs a lot.
I'm feeling a little better but still very rough. I'm thankful for the help God has given me today to work. It was quiet, too quiet. I discovered that my cell phone was off, seems they wanted money and of course since I've not had any money come in for a few days I was stuck. And I had the other lines call forwarded to it so nothing rang, clients were complaining and so this afternoon I got the phone turned back on. It really is always something going south around here.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
A winter like day
Today would have been a nice day to stay in by the fire, well expect I had no fire and I didn't stay in.
My first property was in Richmond and one of the units was a real dump, the rest were pretty nice. Through the mist I then drove to Livermore where I got to have lunch with Nikki, a real treat. She has found the nicest little mexican place on Railroad and the food was outstanding, whole beams in the burrito, lettuce on top, great chips and perfect ice tea.
From there I went to a Starbucks to try to get the laptop to work but no luck. It refuses to recognize WiFi hot spots, it will hook up here at home but no where else. We were lucky to get it to connect in Hawaii but thats it. I want to try tethering it to the Iphone but so far I don't know how to do that either.
I had a 2 pm appointment in Livermore to see a home I last saw in September. Then it was on to Fremont to see a place and this time I found a Starbucks and had a skinny peppermint mocha with multi grain bagel. Really hit the spot and got me home through the rain and fog.
I'm still feeling very poorly, messed up chest, head is congested, so much coughing that by noon the head is hurting pretty bad and gets worse the rest of the day, I wrote my doctor at Kaiser to ask for help this evening. I've also got a right eye that is not working right lately. Still have loads of work to get caught up with, thankful and stressful both.
Right now its off to bed. Ken says we walk in the morning.
Love to all,
Tim
My first property was in Richmond and one of the units was a real dump, the rest were pretty nice. Through the mist I then drove to Livermore where I got to have lunch with Nikki, a real treat. She has found the nicest little mexican place on Railroad and the food was outstanding, whole beams in the burrito, lettuce on top, great chips and perfect ice tea.
From there I went to a Starbucks to try to get the laptop to work but no luck. It refuses to recognize WiFi hot spots, it will hook up here at home but no where else. We were lucky to get it to connect in Hawaii but thats it. I want to try tethering it to the Iphone but so far I don't know how to do that either.
I had a 2 pm appointment in Livermore to see a home I last saw in September. Then it was on to Fremont to see a place and this time I found a Starbucks and had a skinny peppermint mocha with multi grain bagel. Really hit the spot and got me home through the rain and fog.
I'm still feeling very poorly, messed up chest, head is congested, so much coughing that by noon the head is hurting pretty bad and gets worse the rest of the day, I wrote my doctor at Kaiser to ask for help this evening. I've also got a right eye that is not working right lately. Still have loads of work to get caught up with, thankful and stressful both.
Right now its off to bed. Ken says we walk in the morning.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, February 6, 2012
Pushing forward in spite of being sick
Dear Family and Friends,
As I write this evening classical music is spilling out of the Bose speakers as my fingers fly over the keys. It seems our weather is gradually changing on us, perhaps there will be rain tomorrow even. As much as I hate to measure and inspect in the rain I want the rain to come again, we need it, the earth needs it.
This morning was a work in and I was able to get one of those horrible FANNIE MAE reviews out the door only to have it come back twice more for revisions. Oh well perhaps it is gone now, we can only hope. I've been working while feeling pretty much awful. The coughing is constant in spite of cough drops, drinking water, taking Vitamin Cs and eating oranges at a rapid clip. I wish I could shake it but so far no luck. As the day progresses due to the coughing I develop a head ache and that is no fun, sort of just slows everything I try to do down.
This afternoon my break came when it was time to head to Rio Vista, a quaint little town by the river. I went to the 55 and over community which I know well. Values have just fallen out of sight, $300K is now $140 to $150K, very sad indeed. The place I saw was totally nice with tile upgrades, good landscaping and new kitchen appliances. Once I was done I drove back finding a Taco Bell along the way. While I was there Timothy called and had a nice conversation with me. He was hoping I could come visit again and he said he likes it when I stay over night in the motorhome. A winning idea. Mia has been very sick and is still struggling with breathing and coughing, that is sad, such a tiny little person so sick. Sounds like Jo has her hands full right now.
I just keep finding little pockets of clean that Barb and Gerry left, what nice surprises and to drive into the garage with space and clean floors, to step into the guest bathroom and see the gleam, clean rugs and clean mirror, its great. What a huge difference they make when they come!
Well tomorrow is a new day and promises to be a long one with a 4 plex looming in Richmond, a old property in Livermore and something in Fremont at the end of the day. Oh well its good to have work.
God bless each and every one of you, you are precious to me.
Love
tim
As I write this evening classical music is spilling out of the Bose speakers as my fingers fly over the keys. It seems our weather is gradually changing on us, perhaps there will be rain tomorrow even. As much as I hate to measure and inspect in the rain I want the rain to come again, we need it, the earth needs it.
This morning was a work in and I was able to get one of those horrible FANNIE MAE reviews out the door only to have it come back twice more for revisions. Oh well perhaps it is gone now, we can only hope. I've been working while feeling pretty much awful. The coughing is constant in spite of cough drops, drinking water, taking Vitamin Cs and eating oranges at a rapid clip. I wish I could shake it but so far no luck. As the day progresses due to the coughing I develop a head ache and that is no fun, sort of just slows everything I try to do down.
This afternoon my break came when it was time to head to Rio Vista, a quaint little town by the river. I went to the 55 and over community which I know well. Values have just fallen out of sight, $300K is now $140 to $150K, very sad indeed. The place I saw was totally nice with tile upgrades, good landscaping and new kitchen appliances. Once I was done I drove back finding a Taco Bell along the way. While I was there Timothy called and had a nice conversation with me. He was hoping I could come visit again and he said he likes it when I stay over night in the motorhome. A winning idea. Mia has been very sick and is still struggling with breathing and coughing, that is sad, such a tiny little person so sick. Sounds like Jo has her hands full right now.
I just keep finding little pockets of clean that Barb and Gerry left, what nice surprises and to drive into the garage with space and clean floors, to step into the guest bathroom and see the gleam, clean rugs and clean mirror, its great. What a huge difference they make when they come!
Well tomorrow is a new day and promises to be a long one with a 4 plex looming in Richmond, a old property in Livermore and something in Fremont at the end of the day. Oh well its good to have work.
God bless each and every one of you, you are precious to me.
Love
tim
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Super Sunday
I just don't get why people get so excited over the super bowl. Thousands of dollars are spent, days are wasted and lots of money gets bet on the game. But I never have enjoyed sports all that much, well sports like football, even baseball. Now racquet ball, that's a different story, very fun and a total workout. I've been trying to figure out how to find a club member who likes to play and is not a hot shot but someone older who enjoys the game. So far I've not pushed very hard but I should as it is a game I dearly love.
I was glad that the Giants won, seemed like all week everyone thought they would lose as Tom Brady was so perfect, well maybe another year.
I've been coughing and writing appraisals today, hardly left the house but did get tempted out this morning for a 3 mile walk. It was a splendid day here, the weather was so warm I opened the back door and let in the good air. I've managed to stay on track today and have finished several important reports. I'm enjoying the new computer now, its quick and does its job very well. I also have been using a program called Log Me In to control the old computer when I need to so that seems to work well.
I do have to admit that I checked the game a couple times but I actually enjoy writing reports more than sitting and watching the game. Now if there was someone interesting here with me to watch the game with, that would change everything but of course we are not at that point right now, would actually have to begin looking and since that takes effort and time, even money I'm not quite ready to do that yet.
It looks like a busy week ahead. For that I've very grateful and I just hope Steve and I can stay busy as we move toward spring. Its a great profession if we could just do our job and get rid of the government intervention that is choking the entire profession.
So that's it for tonight. I'm heading to bed soon to get some extra rest, hope to beat back this cold and cough that is causing the headaches I'm experiencing right now.
Lets keep Art in our prayers as he continues to be treated at Loma Linda.
Love to all
Tim
I was glad that the Giants won, seemed like all week everyone thought they would lose as Tom Brady was so perfect, well maybe another year.
I've been coughing and writing appraisals today, hardly left the house but did get tempted out this morning for a 3 mile walk. It was a splendid day here, the weather was so warm I opened the back door and let in the good air. I've managed to stay on track today and have finished several important reports. I'm enjoying the new computer now, its quick and does its job very well. I also have been using a program called Log Me In to control the old computer when I need to so that seems to work well.
I do have to admit that I checked the game a couple times but I actually enjoy writing reports more than sitting and watching the game. Now if there was someone interesting here with me to watch the game with, that would change everything but of course we are not at that point right now, would actually have to begin looking and since that takes effort and time, even money I'm not quite ready to do that yet.
It looks like a busy week ahead. For that I've very grateful and I just hope Steve and I can stay busy as we move toward spring. Its a great profession if we could just do our job and get rid of the government intervention that is choking the entire profession.
So that's it for tonight. I'm heading to bed soon to get some extra rest, hope to beat back this cold and cough that is causing the headaches I'm experiencing right now.
Lets keep Art in our prayers as he continues to be treated at Loma Linda.
Love to all
Tim
Saturday, February 4, 2012
A day to recharge ones batteries!
Dear Family and Friends,
Finally I slept last night, I mean I really slept with hardly a bad dream and no awake hours in the midst of the night. I woke up before 7 feeling refreshed. Unfortunately also with a sore throat and coughing. When I made contact with Nikki I learned that Keanna at a basketball game at 9 here in Discovery Bay so I met Kallie, Nikki and watched Keanna race around over the floor giving it her best. There is this little problem that she can't yet shoot the ball high enough to reach the basket but its so fun to watch all the little kiddos race around doing their best.
After the game was over I came back to the house and changed jeans for slacks and drove to Tracy SDA church where the pastor presented a challenging sermon. Afterwards I drifted toward Olive Garden where lunch was excellent.
Upon arriving home I found a bleak mailbox offering, NO MONEY! I also had a chance to chat with Ray and Lois, later we drove into Brentwood where I could get a drawer rear hanger for the motorhome and they could catch a burrito. While we were in Brentwood I had a chance to pick up some fruit and other needed items from the cheap grocery story, Food Max. Ray is a master at finding the best bargains so that is always fun and a learning experience for me.
I've caught up on an episode of NY CSI, I enjoy seeing the main character Gary Senese and tonight's program was interesting. I also toasted a couple slices of the home made bread and had tomato slices on them along with a bowl of low fat soup.
Now I'm winding it up, will change the sheets and see if I can have two nights of good sleep. By the way the drawer is fixed in the motorhome, sort of felt good to pull out the tools and fix something with my hands again. Tomorrow will be a day of writing reports. There are many that need to go out and the new computer speeds up the process, it really computes rapidly. Unfortunately I discovered that for some reason it is stamping the date of my license as 1903 instead of 2013 and there is nothing I can do to change it so once I get the report written over there in the new computer I'll have to save it to the server in the corner and then come, open it in the old computer and sign and ship from here. I know the tech guys will solve it on Monday but for now its a glitch.
Sending love to all, I so enjoyed watching both Keanna and Kallie in action this morning, they are delightful, so full of fun and energy. Then I got a couple texts this afternoon from Jo, they were on the beach at MBA enjoying a beautiful day of sun and the texts were photos of Mia sipping a chocolate drink and then discovering things in the sand on the beach, very very cute. They were heading to Big Sur to look over the site for the upcoming marathon.
Sending love to all tonight,
Tim
Finally I slept last night, I mean I really slept with hardly a bad dream and no awake hours in the midst of the night. I woke up before 7 feeling refreshed. Unfortunately also with a sore throat and coughing. When I made contact with Nikki I learned that Keanna at a basketball game at 9 here in Discovery Bay so I met Kallie, Nikki and watched Keanna race around over the floor giving it her best. There is this little problem that she can't yet shoot the ball high enough to reach the basket but its so fun to watch all the little kiddos race around doing their best.
After the game was over I came back to the house and changed jeans for slacks and drove to Tracy SDA church where the pastor presented a challenging sermon. Afterwards I drifted toward Olive Garden where lunch was excellent.
Upon arriving home I found a bleak mailbox offering, NO MONEY! I also had a chance to chat with Ray and Lois, later we drove into Brentwood where I could get a drawer rear hanger for the motorhome and they could catch a burrito. While we were in Brentwood I had a chance to pick up some fruit and other needed items from the cheap grocery story, Food Max. Ray is a master at finding the best bargains so that is always fun and a learning experience for me.
I've caught up on an episode of NY CSI, I enjoy seeing the main character Gary Senese and tonight's program was interesting. I also toasted a couple slices of the home made bread and had tomato slices on them along with a bowl of low fat soup.
Now I'm winding it up, will change the sheets and see if I can have two nights of good sleep. By the way the drawer is fixed in the motorhome, sort of felt good to pull out the tools and fix something with my hands again. Tomorrow will be a day of writing reports. There are many that need to go out and the new computer speeds up the process, it really computes rapidly. Unfortunately I discovered that for some reason it is stamping the date of my license as 1903 instead of 2013 and there is nothing I can do to change it so once I get the report written over there in the new computer I'll have to save it to the server in the corner and then come, open it in the old computer and sign and ship from here. I know the tech guys will solve it on Monday but for now its a glitch.
Sending love to all, I so enjoyed watching both Keanna and Kallie in action this morning, they are delightful, so full of fun and energy. Then I got a couple texts this afternoon from Jo, they were on the beach at MBA enjoying a beautiful day of sun and the texts were photos of Mia sipping a chocolate drink and then discovering things in the sand on the beach, very very cute. They were heading to Big Sur to look over the site for the upcoming marathon.
Sending love to all tonight,
Tim
Friday, February 3, 2012
Can it be? This week is finally ending.!
I'm sitting in a large room full of hungry people at the Boardwalk in Discovery Bay. I'm waiting on my order of Pasta with veges. I decided that I'm worth some dinner tonight and I love the owners, they work so hard and the food is always great.
Today I woke at 3:30 and have been awake most of the time since. I'm wearing down.
I ended the day seeing a 8400 sf home here in the bay. Prior to that the house in El Cerritos was 800 sf. Discovery Bay one has 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It is a stunningly beautiful home and sits on a huge bay, has an infinity pool and is really like a Miami Vice home.
Barb and Gerry left for home this morning. They have been so helpful, the garage shines, the sinks shine, the floor rugs are freshly washed, the kitchen gleams, the dishes are put away, the floors are clean. Wow they do a lot and it is appreciated very much.
Today I tried something different for lunch. Having a short time and finding a Taco Bell in Walnut Creek I ventured in. I've been troubled that the bean burrito I enjoy has nearly 50 carbs, way to many for what you get. So today I tried something Gerry mentioned, a taco with lettuce, beans, cheese. It has only 160 calories and really hit the spot, my shirt, the table, sort of messy but very good. Old dogs can learn new tricks, yes they can.
The weather was splendid today but when I left this morning there was dense fog. As I neared my Walnut Creek destination the fog lifted and I enjoyed 65 degree weather the rest of the day. The people were nice, the properties clean. I did have one mishap this afternoon. I arrived an hour early for the El Cerrito inspection so took the chance to catch a nap. Once I woke up I drove the comps and then came back, knocked at the door of the subject, heard no one so started measuring. Once I was in back I heard loud banging on the window and a lady was yelling. I went back to the front door and told her who I was, she screamed that I was a California thief and I should leave. So I did and discovered that the house I was supposed to see was down the street two doors. Whoops, glad she did not have a gun! My owner said the lady was crazy, can you imagine how she felt to see a guy in her backyard? Well it keeps things interesting.
I'm so thankful this week is over. Not sure if I get Kallie for SS tomorrow morning or not but I'll find out later I guess. Right now I'm heading to the insulin and then bed. So very tired and I just hope I can sleep tonight, all night.
Thank you for your prayers this week.
Love
tim
Today I woke at 3:30 and have been awake most of the time since. I'm wearing down.
I ended the day seeing a 8400 sf home here in the bay. Prior to that the house in El Cerritos was 800 sf. Discovery Bay one has 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It is a stunningly beautiful home and sits on a huge bay, has an infinity pool and is really like a Miami Vice home.
Barb and Gerry left for home this morning. They have been so helpful, the garage shines, the sinks shine, the floor rugs are freshly washed, the kitchen gleams, the dishes are put away, the floors are clean. Wow they do a lot and it is appreciated very much.
Today I tried something different for lunch. Having a short time and finding a Taco Bell in Walnut Creek I ventured in. I've been troubled that the bean burrito I enjoy has nearly 50 carbs, way to many for what you get. So today I tried something Gerry mentioned, a taco with lettuce, beans, cheese. It has only 160 calories and really hit the spot, my shirt, the table, sort of messy but very good. Old dogs can learn new tricks, yes they can.
The weather was splendid today but when I left this morning there was dense fog. As I neared my Walnut Creek destination the fog lifted and I enjoyed 65 degree weather the rest of the day. The people were nice, the properties clean. I did have one mishap this afternoon. I arrived an hour early for the El Cerrito inspection so took the chance to catch a nap. Once I woke up I drove the comps and then came back, knocked at the door of the subject, heard no one so started measuring. Once I was in back I heard loud banging on the window and a lady was yelling. I went back to the front door and told her who I was, she screamed that I was a California thief and I should leave. So I did and discovered that the house I was supposed to see was down the street two doors. Whoops, glad she did not have a gun! My owner said the lady was crazy, can you imagine how she felt to see a guy in her backyard? Well it keeps things interesting.
I'm so thankful this week is over. Not sure if I get Kallie for SS tomorrow morning or not but I'll find out later I guess. Right now I'm heading to the insulin and then bed. So very tired and I just hope I can sleep tonight, all night.
Thank you for your prayers this week.
Love
tim
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Is life supposed to be this challenging at 63?
Dear Family and Friends,
How wonderful it is to write those words, on days like this to have a dear family that I love with my whole heart and friends who honestly care, well it means a whole lot.
Last night was one of those nights when sleep just would not come. I fell asleep instantly at first but then woke with just too much on my mind, bad things happening, injustices taking place, changes and stress from not getting all my work completed, I'm so far behind its just scary.
So I finally climbed out of the warm covers, pulled some clothes on and came down and worked for two hours in the office, completing a report that was needed and getting the Magic Jack Plus phone line to work for the business line. I'm moving from a $31 a month charge with ACN to $1.95 a month with Magic Jack Plus, what is not to love and thats free long distance anywhere in the US, free directory assistance, free call forwarding and very clear calls. I know because I have it on the house line already and its great. Finally someone was able to make it happen. That was progress. At about 2 am I headed back to bed and was able to sleep until 7.
Gerry and I drove about an hour to our first house, that went smoothly, then drove to Fairfield to meet Roger Peden for a wonderful lunch. He is such an inspiration and it was simply great to catch up.
Then we got back in the VW and headed to Hayward where we arrived early for a 3 pm appointment. We found two little houses on one large parcel with a huge garden growing on the back of the site. It took awhile to find the comps but we eventually were able to head home. Enjoying the car pool lane for the first time in months we got home quickly and found Barbie had dinner ready. It was simply wonderful. This morning before I left I started a loaf of bread baking in the machine so Barbie had taken it out when it signalled it was done, taste tested it (she found it good) and cut it up. So we had slices of fresh bread with dinner. Her cutlets were great and along with a little baked potato and peas, well it was heavenly. She has the bathrooms shining, the sinks shining, the rugs freshly washed and the kitchen in order. Keanna was right, Barbie knows how to do everything.
During the day I started to cough more and more and have a sore throat this evening, don't feel great so plan to go to bed now and get some sleep. In the morning I have to write a report before I leave for the field where I'm seeing three more before limping home tomorrow night, beat and worn out.
Please continue to pray that God will guide in all that we do and all that is done to us. I know we are secure in His hands but there are still rough spots in life.
Sending love to all,
Tim
How wonderful it is to write those words, on days like this to have a dear family that I love with my whole heart and friends who honestly care, well it means a whole lot.
Last night was one of those nights when sleep just would not come. I fell asleep instantly at first but then woke with just too much on my mind, bad things happening, injustices taking place, changes and stress from not getting all my work completed, I'm so far behind its just scary.
So I finally climbed out of the warm covers, pulled some clothes on and came down and worked for two hours in the office, completing a report that was needed and getting the Magic Jack Plus phone line to work for the business line. I'm moving from a $31 a month charge with ACN to $1.95 a month with Magic Jack Plus, what is not to love and thats free long distance anywhere in the US, free directory assistance, free call forwarding and very clear calls. I know because I have it on the house line already and its great. Finally someone was able to make it happen. That was progress. At about 2 am I headed back to bed and was able to sleep until 7.
Gerry and I drove about an hour to our first house, that went smoothly, then drove to Fairfield to meet Roger Peden for a wonderful lunch. He is such an inspiration and it was simply great to catch up.
Then we got back in the VW and headed to Hayward where we arrived early for a 3 pm appointment. We found two little houses on one large parcel with a huge garden growing on the back of the site. It took awhile to find the comps but we eventually were able to head home. Enjoying the car pool lane for the first time in months we got home quickly and found Barbie had dinner ready. It was simply wonderful. This morning before I left I started a loaf of bread baking in the machine so Barbie had taken it out when it signalled it was done, taste tested it (she found it good) and cut it up. So we had slices of fresh bread with dinner. Her cutlets were great and along with a little baked potato and peas, well it was heavenly. She has the bathrooms shining, the sinks shining, the rugs freshly washed and the kitchen in order. Keanna was right, Barbie knows how to do everything.
During the day I started to cough more and more and have a sore throat this evening, don't feel great so plan to go to bed now and get some sleep. In the morning I have to write a report before I leave for the field where I'm seeing three more before limping home tomorrow night, beat and worn out.
Please continue to pray that God will guide in all that we do and all that is done to us. I know we are secure in His hands but there are still rough spots in life.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sanity returns
Good evening, this time it really is.
We've just come home from dining at Gratzie's a very special place in Brentwood at the Streets of Brentwood. We enjoyed broccoli soup and salad while Gerry had the salmon. It was fun, must nicer than last evening when the office and the owner were in breakdown mode.
I finally went to bed at 12:45 after trying three different hubs without success. Jim came this morning, he is my IT guy and keeps me going with a gentle soft word and expertise. He went to my computer, the old one and disconnected the network card, then reconnected the card, restarted the server and suddenly everything was back on, working perfectly. Oh what a relief it was.
Thanks to Steve three reports have gone out today and another will go out before I turn in tonight, at least that is my hope, otherwise I'll do it in the morning as I see the clock says 9:48 already. Steve helps write up the reports after I've seen the property and does an excellent job with words, wisdom and the little details.
This afternoon Keanna came to call, she was full of life and ideas, playing with her ipod touch and conspiring with Barbie. They worked in the kitchen cleaning up together and then they went to Dollartree in Brentwood. Keanna had so much fun and all this after her homework was completed. She is doing multiplications of 12 now. I don't think I ever learned that high. She is pretty well obsessed with doing well at school and has really found her calling even wanting to be a teacher. I'm so very impressed with her teachers and especially her teacher this year. What a gem.
Tomorrow Gerry and I are hitting the road and need to be in El Cerrito by 9:30, then we get to take a break, drive up to Vacaville and have lunch with Roger Peden who is in town, Sacramento, visiting his family. We'll have lunch in Vacaville somewhere and then Gerry and I will head back to Hayward to do a little property with 2 houses on one site. By then we'll be very ready to limp home again having done our work.
I am so thankful for God's help last night, while I wanted Him to fix things last night and went to be with a bit of grumbling and a stress level so high that sleep was fitful at best. Yet this morning Jim was here and solved the problems in his quiet manner. What a great part of my life.
At 10 this morning we had the motorhome in Brentwood at Road Runner RV to get an estimate of what they would charge to fix the last smashup by a renter. They will tell me in a few days. I can see the day when the motorhome is no longer here. Its expensive and a constant source of challenges. Oh how I love to hit the road with it but I'm adjusting to the idea that some day I may have to let it go.
Barb and Gerry have been busy today, the garage floor is clean, beetle has fresh wash job and interior cleaning as well. Barbie has sinks, her bathroom and the kitchen in fine shape. They come to visit but work the whole time. Wish it could be different.
I want to thank you for your prayers when you read the blog. Once again I am asking for your prayers for people we love who are facing special challenges.
Love
tim
We've just come home from dining at Gratzie's a very special place in Brentwood at the Streets of Brentwood. We enjoyed broccoli soup and salad while Gerry had the salmon. It was fun, must nicer than last evening when the office and the owner were in breakdown mode.
I finally went to bed at 12:45 after trying three different hubs without success. Jim came this morning, he is my IT guy and keeps me going with a gentle soft word and expertise. He went to my computer, the old one and disconnected the network card, then reconnected the card, restarted the server and suddenly everything was back on, working perfectly. Oh what a relief it was.
Thanks to Steve three reports have gone out today and another will go out before I turn in tonight, at least that is my hope, otherwise I'll do it in the morning as I see the clock says 9:48 already. Steve helps write up the reports after I've seen the property and does an excellent job with words, wisdom and the little details.
This afternoon Keanna came to call, she was full of life and ideas, playing with her ipod touch and conspiring with Barbie. They worked in the kitchen cleaning up together and then they went to Dollartree in Brentwood. Keanna had so much fun and all this after her homework was completed. She is doing multiplications of 12 now. I don't think I ever learned that high. She is pretty well obsessed with doing well at school and has really found her calling even wanting to be a teacher. I'm so very impressed with her teachers and especially her teacher this year. What a gem.
Tomorrow Gerry and I are hitting the road and need to be in El Cerrito by 9:30, then we get to take a break, drive up to Vacaville and have lunch with Roger Peden who is in town, Sacramento, visiting his family. We'll have lunch in Vacaville somewhere and then Gerry and I will head back to Hayward to do a little property with 2 houses on one site. By then we'll be very ready to limp home again having done our work.
I am so thankful for God's help last night, while I wanted Him to fix things last night and went to be with a bit of grumbling and a stress level so high that sleep was fitful at best. Yet this morning Jim was here and solved the problems in his quiet manner. What a great part of my life.
At 10 this morning we had the motorhome in Brentwood at Road Runner RV to get an estimate of what they would charge to fix the last smashup by a renter. They will tell me in a few days. I can see the day when the motorhome is no longer here. Its expensive and a constant source of challenges. Oh how I love to hit the road with it but I'm adjusting to the idea that some day I may have to let it go.
Barb and Gerry have been busy today, the garage floor is clean, beetle has fresh wash job and interior cleaning as well. Barbie has sinks, her bathroom and the kitchen in fine shape. They come to visit but work the whole time. Wish it could be different.
I want to thank you for your prayers when you read the blog. Once again I am asking for your prayers for people we love who are facing special challenges.
Love
tim
Need your prayers.
Computers network system has failed. Office swamped with work. All systems are down. Frantic. 12:45am giving up, going to bed.
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