When much of the rest of the country endures awful weather we had it very nice today. Our weather was warm and pleasant.
I enjoyed lunch today with friends Bob and Ron at Olive Garden in Stockton, so good to see them again and the food was simply great as usual.
I've puttered around the house today, ended up taking Lois to town so she could shop for their anniversary which hits tomorrow.
Planned to walk today but never go that far, put a new battery in the Civic tonight and that seems to have solved the problem, bright lights and quick starting now, old battery proved to be tired and ruined by no water plus age.
The Civic is a very enjoyable little car now, quiet due to the new tires and 4 wheel alignment, getting as high as 39 mpg and very comfortable to drive. But I'm driving the diesel bug right now as its a joy to drive as well.
Tomorrow I break my Sunday rule and see three properties, should be enjoyable so I won't have to endure the horrible super bowl, Seattle is a team that I have a very hard time tolerating, I remember the class of a Joe Montana, Rice, Young, those were real players who knew how to be great but didn't shove it in our faces. Its interesting that I see their photos and shirts signed so often in the homes I visit for my work, Real class act people.
I threw new filters into the furnace today and cleaned the condenser and I think I'm getting a lot more air out of the vents tonight, heats the house much quicker.
God is good and is always so extreme in His loving us, oh that we knew just how much He cares....
Love to all
Tim
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Friday night - big week
So this morning was an early call, up at 6, shower and hit the breakfast fast, then on the road for an on time arrival in Burlingame for a full day of a class in writing appraisals. Was not sure what to expect but it turned out to be so good, the instructor is a full time appraiser in LA and knows his stuff very well.
Last Monday a new FNMA program hit all appraisers. They are looking at every appraisal I've completed since 2011 and have complied data, they can just tell you that you no longer can work on loans for them and if they do that you are out of business. So all of us are worried. he started the class today with a discussion of what that means to us. I think I have more hope now than before the class.
One thing very nice about attending classes is hearing the comments and questions from other appraisers, very helpful and I learned so much that is practical about writing reports every day. Very worthwhile and cost just $99 for the day and got a great manual too. But it was 1.5 hours to get there and 2 hours to get home, not fun.
The kicker was, when I arrived I discovered that my wallet was on my desk at home so I had no money all day, no license and it was not great at all.
But I drove carefully and made it home OK, had fuel and easy pass for bridge.
God is good all the time
Love
Tim
Last Monday a new FNMA program hit all appraisers. They are looking at every appraisal I've completed since 2011 and have complied data, they can just tell you that you no longer can work on loans for them and if they do that you are out of business. So all of us are worried. he started the class today with a discussion of what that means to us. I think I have more hope now than before the class.
One thing very nice about attending classes is hearing the comments and questions from other appraisers, very helpful and I learned so much that is practical about writing reports every day. Very worthwhile and cost just $99 for the day and got a great manual too. But it was 1.5 hours to get there and 2 hours to get home, not fun.
The kicker was, when I arrived I discovered that my wallet was on my desk at home so I had no money all day, no license and it was not great at all.
But I drove carefully and made it home OK, had fuel and easy pass for bridge.
God is good all the time
Love
Tim
Monday, January 26, 2015
Great day
After a very late night I climbed out at 7 this morning, quickly showered and made Oatmeal with a sliced banana. Then hit the office to do research and solve little problems that crop up.
Was in Orinda at 10:15 to see an impressive property. 1/2 an acre, 1750 sf home and a killer view amenity with a probable value of about 1.3 million! Location does matter a great deal.
Then having spent an enjoyable hour at the property and with a very knowledgeable dad who knew the area perfectly and was in the business I drove to Oakland to do a driveby appraisal for a property I had seen before. Then I was so sleepy that in Trestle Glen, a very safe area, I found a quiet place and took a nap. then I drove home and started working in the office, first to set up orders, then to get them on the board so I can see the whole picture, then make appointments and also to write up an appraisal that was due today.
Now its bed time and I'm going much earlier than I did last night. Tomorrow afternoon I'm driving the two hours to my dentist, Dr. Clarke, very nice guy and I need some attention to a molar that is not happy and has not been happy for the last month. Then I'll come back to do a home in Pleasanton and come home to rest.
God has given me lots of work to do right now, Jessy will come tomorrow evening to help with write-ups and since I attend a class on Friday, an all day 8 hour class in Appraisal Writing in Burlingame I need to work extra hard to get things completed.
Life is so good, God is so good to us all. It is so wonderful to have a warm house when I wake in the morning. I know the next bill will be sticker shock for me as I have to pay for this warmth but I think it will be worth it. Now if we could figure out how to still have it work and have the metal door on the side that would be a real accomplishment, has to be a simple answer, just don't know it yet.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Was in Orinda at 10:15 to see an impressive property. 1/2 an acre, 1750 sf home and a killer view amenity with a probable value of about 1.3 million! Location does matter a great deal.
Then having spent an enjoyable hour at the property and with a very knowledgeable dad who knew the area perfectly and was in the business I drove to Oakland to do a driveby appraisal for a property I had seen before. Then I was so sleepy that in Trestle Glen, a very safe area, I found a quiet place and took a nap. then I drove home and started working in the office, first to set up orders, then to get them on the board so I can see the whole picture, then make appointments and also to write up an appraisal that was due today.
Now its bed time and I'm going much earlier than I did last night. Tomorrow afternoon I'm driving the two hours to my dentist, Dr. Clarke, very nice guy and I need some attention to a molar that is not happy and has not been happy for the last month. Then I'll come back to do a home in Pleasanton and come home to rest.
God has given me lots of work to do right now, Jessy will come tomorrow evening to help with write-ups and since I attend a class on Friday, an all day 8 hour class in Appraisal Writing in Burlingame I need to work extra hard to get things completed.
Life is so good, God is so good to us all. It is so wonderful to have a warm house when I wake in the morning. I know the next bill will be sticker shock for me as I have to pay for this warmth but I think it will be worth it. Now if we could figure out how to still have it work and have the metal door on the side that would be a real accomplishment, has to be a simple answer, just don't know it yet.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Friday, January 23, 2015
Busy again, its good to be alive
Finally home after a big day, Continuing education in San Rafael today, changes coming fast from FNMA and will hit on Monday. Today's class really helped me get ready. Class lasted from 12 to 4:20, then the civic would not start but eventually did find its connection again, then I did a driveby appraisal in nearby Novato before it got dark.
Traffic on 37 was terrible and I moved very slowly for a long time but eventually it did move and now I'm home at last.
Weather was really nice today and as I drove there this morning I felt good and was thankful to be alive and well.
Not sure why the Civic would not start, sort of surprising when its been so perfect since the new tires were added.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Traffic on 37 was terrible and I moved very slowly for a long time but eventually it did move and now I'm home at last.
Weather was really nice today and as I drove there this morning I felt good and was thankful to be alive and well.
Not sure why the Civic would not start, sort of surprising when its been so perfect since the new tires were added.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
busy
God is so good to us, helping us even when we mess up, imagine how frustrating it is when I find out that an entire appraisal I did failed to record in the camera. So I go back in the morning to reshoot the photos. This aging process is not that much fun.
The Civic is certainly fun to drive with its new tires and today I spent a couple hours waiting while they did a 4 wheel alignment, now its really nice and so quiet. I had no idea how noisy the tires had become over their lifetime. Anyway it is nice now.
I have to say that having a working furnace in my home is such a huge blessing. I wake up every morning with it cranking out heat and every evening the home is comfortable. I know the next bill will be a shock but right now I'm just thankful that I didn't have to go out and replace the furnace with a sticker of $6,000 and up.
Sending love to all,
Tim
The Civic is certainly fun to drive with its new tires and today I spent a couple hours waiting while they did a 4 wheel alignment, now its really nice and so quiet. I had no idea how noisy the tires had become over their lifetime. Anyway it is nice now.
I have to say that having a working furnace in my home is such a huge blessing. I wake up every morning with it cranking out heat and every evening the home is comfortable. I know the next bill will be a shock but right now I'm just thankful that I didn't have to go out and replace the furnace with a sticker of $6,000 and up.
Sending love to all,
Tim
check out those tires
This morning I had to run to Tracy to deliver a check to the DMV for the old black bug that has not worked for years, I failed to do a non op so the fees had mounted and they were getting ugly about it. Of course when I got there I discovered it was closed solid for the holiday,
Afterwards I went to Starbucks for a bagel and decaf. Upon coming out for some reason I looked at the front tires on the Civic. I was shocked to see steel belt on one tire and the other was bald, I mean almost no tread.
My next stop was at my tire guy in Brentwood, he looked and said they were all shot and for a long time that car, the Civic has been so noisy at freeway speeds. Well he quoted me $320 for 4 tires! That was great and after a few minutes they were installed. He wanted to do an alignment but I didn't have the time, a client wanted a condition in an hour or else. When I pulled out onto the street the car was like a new car. Quiet, smooth, much easier to drive, wow, what a difference and 80 on the freeway is silent now and smooth. What a blessing that money had been deposited into my account from a lender this morning. the car feels like a different car now and I'm so glad. Why did I happen to look at the tires? No real reason but it was important that I see the trouble.
So its late again and I'm finally ready to head to bed, got an important report completed and out to the lender so now I can sleep.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Afterwards I went to Starbucks for a bagel and decaf. Upon coming out for some reason I looked at the front tires on the Civic. I was shocked to see steel belt on one tire and the other was bald, I mean almost no tread.
My next stop was at my tire guy in Brentwood, he looked and said they were all shot and for a long time that car, the Civic has been so noisy at freeway speeds. Well he quoted me $320 for 4 tires! That was great and after a few minutes they were installed. He wanted to do an alignment but I didn't have the time, a client wanted a condition in an hour or else. When I pulled out onto the street the car was like a new car. Quiet, smooth, much easier to drive, wow, what a difference and 80 on the freeway is silent now and smooth. What a blessing that money had been deposited into my account from a lender this morning. the car feels like a different car now and I'm so glad. Why did I happen to look at the tires? No real reason but it was important that I see the trouble.
So its late again and I'm finally ready to head to bed, got an important report completed and out to the lender so now I can sleep.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Friday, January 16, 2015
Blessed day, busy day
Well here I am writing and its midnight. What a big day. Up early and to Elk Grove by 8:40 through some pretty interesting fog. Great home, nice people. Then to Sacramento where on the second photo my camera died, the lense would not open anymore. so I shot that one with my iphone and then found a Best Buys. I was able to replace my Canon sure shot with a new one that sold for only $78 dollars and with tax was about $90. It takes the same batteries, I have two that I recharge so now I have two chargers and three batteries. The camera works great. not that I would have selected one that was bright red but it works, it was cheap and it all worked out. Then I headed out from Sacramento to Concord down 80 and across.
The Concord property is a real challenge. Located right on the edge of Clayton and concord and in the middle of a normal subdivision this one has 1.5 acres, so there is the challenge, finding sales of properties with large sites, I shot some and we hope they work out.
Then it was back to Antioch but it was getting dark. Of course this home did not have the power on, bank owned and they are so cheap!! But it too worked out, the new camera seems very good at taking photos in low light and then it was head home time.
I stopped at a place called Diggers Café and had a Garden Burger, so good and with a side salad that was good too.
I've worked the evening through and today a nice check arrived which will help cover the house payment that is looming right now.
God is good and kept me safe and awake today.
Love to all of you
tim
The Concord property is a real challenge. Located right on the edge of Clayton and concord and in the middle of a normal subdivision this one has 1.5 acres, so there is the challenge, finding sales of properties with large sites, I shot some and we hope they work out.
Then it was back to Antioch but it was getting dark. Of course this home did not have the power on, bank owned and they are so cheap!! But it too worked out, the new camera seems very good at taking photos in low light and then it was head home time.
I stopped at a place called Diggers Café and had a Garden Burger, so good and with a side salad that was good too.
I've worked the evening through and today a nice check arrived which will help cover the house payment that is looming right now.
God is good and kept me safe and awake today.
Love to all of you
tim
Monday, January 12, 2015
Back to work again
Good evening
Well today was back to work. I worked until nearly 1 am this morning so climbing out was tough, However I climbed out to a warm house, the furnace is still working, what a huge blessing. Of course the access door to the heating chamber is still off. When I put it back on then the furnace will not light, this is got to be solvable, just not getting enough air to ignite is the way I think of it.
This morning I inspected a house right here in Discovery Bay, then drove to Berkeley to see a duplex that I've seen before, great guy and the place is neat as a pin. Then on to Fremont to reinspect for a FHA loan, then finally headed home through horrible traffic.
This morning I got a call from Pat at my garage. He said Jason's car did not have a blown head gasket but just needed a coil and the total was about $350. Wow we had worried that it might be over $1500 so that was a huge blessing, I went by tonight and now the car is home, runs like a top again! Thank you Lord.
Well I'm working tonight on reports, am thankful to have two new orders, both up Sacramento way.
Love to all
Tim
Well today was back to work. I worked until nearly 1 am this morning so climbing out was tough, However I climbed out to a warm house, the furnace is still working, what a huge blessing. Of course the access door to the heating chamber is still off. When I put it back on then the furnace will not light, this is got to be solvable, just not getting enough air to ignite is the way I think of it.
This morning I inspected a house right here in Discovery Bay, then drove to Berkeley to see a duplex that I've seen before, great guy and the place is neat as a pin. Then on to Fremont to reinspect for a FHA loan, then finally headed home through horrible traffic.
This morning I got a call from Pat at my garage. He said Jason's car did not have a blown head gasket but just needed a coil and the total was about $350. Wow we had worried that it might be over $1500 so that was a huge blessing, I went by tonight and now the car is home, runs like a top again! Thank you Lord.
Well I'm working tonight on reports, am thankful to have two new orders, both up Sacramento way.
Love to all
Tim
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Family and friends
Good evening,
So today was bright and sunny, a very nice winter day and my walk to the park got me thinking about my family, I am so blessed by each of the eight people who make up our family.
So I know one obstacle we face is Jason's broken car. He has an older Subaru Forester that was last sending out white smoke signals, that is not a good sign so he has been driving the Civic for awhile. Today I decided to take a step to see at least what is wrong with the car.
So I rented a trailer, drove the motorhome to San Jose, had a great lunch with the kids, it was so fun and then we limped Jason's poor car onto the trailer and I drove back, limped it off the trailer at the Borden Junction repair place, returned the trailer with 3 minutes to spare, got an amazing 6.7 MPG for the quick trip but with better gas prices it was not that bad. Now we can get an idea of what we are facing repair bill wise.
This evening I shopped at Food Max. I don't know why I don't go there more often, many items were less than Safeway, saving money is always a great idea.
Sending love to all, its been an incredibly busy week with lots of appraisal work and rush orders. God is so good, all the time.
Tim
So today was bright and sunny, a very nice winter day and my walk to the park got me thinking about my family, I am so blessed by each of the eight people who make up our family.
So I know one obstacle we face is Jason's broken car. He has an older Subaru Forester that was last sending out white smoke signals, that is not a good sign so he has been driving the Civic for awhile. Today I decided to take a step to see at least what is wrong with the car.
So I rented a trailer, drove the motorhome to San Jose, had a great lunch with the kids, it was so fun and then we limped Jason's poor car onto the trailer and I drove back, limped it off the trailer at the Borden Junction repair place, returned the trailer with 3 minutes to spare, got an amazing 6.7 MPG for the quick trip but with better gas prices it was not that bad. Now we can get an idea of what we are facing repair bill wise.
This evening I shopped at Food Max. I don't know why I don't go there more often, many items were less than Safeway, saving money is always a great idea.
Sending love to all, its been an incredibly busy week with lots of appraisal work and rush orders. God is so good, all the time.
Tim
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Working long hours
Hi friends and family
For this time of year I'm certainly busy and I'm grateful but highly stressed as well.
Rush orders pour in, I'm driving somewhere all the time and life is very exciting right now.
Hoping to have heat soon, just one little part away from the furnace working well, at least that's the hope of the repair guy.
Heading to bed now, got up at 6 am this morning and its almost midnight but I got work done, properties seen and I'm grateful for health and God's blessings.
Love to all
tim
For this time of year I'm certainly busy and I'm grateful but highly stressed as well.
Rush orders pour in, I'm driving somewhere all the time and life is very exciting right now.
Hoping to have heat soon, just one little part away from the furnace working well, at least that's the hope of the repair guy.
Heading to bed now, got up at 6 am this morning and its almost midnight but I got work done, properties seen and I'm grateful for health and God's blessings.
Love to all
tim
Sunday, January 4, 2015
A cold but productive Sunday
Today was a day to keep the fire stoked and the family room has remained 70 all day. The new oak wood certainly helps along with the junk wood from Ron. The fires are easy to build and keep going, just can't forget to add wood from time to time.
I've worked at the desk all day. I need your prayers over something that has happened. On Friday I inspected two properties, on in Oakley and then one in Kensington. I drove home afterwards and the furnace repair guy was here with wood and parts to fix the furnace. While he was not totally successful in that the heater still will not light on its own he is coming back tomorrow afternoon to install another little part that is cracked and is shorting out. After he left on Friday I went to the bank to deposit a check that was in the mail, then I ate at Subway and came home. Upon arriving at home I brought the briefcase in, my work one that I've used every day for years. I opened it in the same place as usual and took out its contents. That was the last I've seen of the two Friday files, they are no where in the office. I've looked for hours today through everything but they are not here. Please pray that those files can be located. Its very important.
Now its off to bed, life is good in general and God is so good to us in every way. I pray that He can help me find the files, yet I must trust that He knows what is best.
Love to all
Tim
I've worked at the desk all day. I need your prayers over something that has happened. On Friday I inspected two properties, on in Oakley and then one in Kensington. I drove home afterwards and the furnace repair guy was here with wood and parts to fix the furnace. While he was not totally successful in that the heater still will not light on its own he is coming back tomorrow afternoon to install another little part that is cracked and is shorting out. After he left on Friday I went to the bank to deposit a check that was in the mail, then I ate at Subway and came home. Upon arriving at home I brought the briefcase in, my work one that I've used every day for years. I opened it in the same place as usual and took out its contents. That was the last I've seen of the two Friday files, they are no where in the office. I've looked for hours today through everything but they are not here. Please pray that those files can be located. Its very important.
Now its off to bed, life is good in general and God is so good to us in every way. I pray that He can help me find the files, yet I must trust that He knows what is best.
Love to all
Tim
Friday, January 2, 2015
heat at last
Good evening family and friends,
After two years of a very cold house with the exception of those times when I feel motivated to build a nice fire this evening the house is warm.
Last spring I rented the motorhome to a nice couple from Newman, he was a heavy duty diesel mechanic and an amazingly capable guy fixing things. He not only rented the motorhome but also fixed a lot of things and even found a tire that had to be replaced that night. As we talked he told me of his brother who was a commercial heating and AC man, that he did side jobs and he could help with the furnace. Well it was summer and I kept his number. The other morning when I got up and the house was 50 in the hall I dug out his number. He came yesterday evening and for the first time in 2 years and 5 different heating and cooling experts the heater actually started, now it quit before he got home but it at least proved it was at least capable of heating still. He came back this afternoon and worked on it some more but while it headed sometimes it still is not reliable. But as I write the house is a balmy 70 degrees for a change. Nice! and I am very thankful, plus he was very reasonable in his fees, even with parts he was only $75 for two visits. I also got a 1/3 of a cord of oak from him for $100. Now I'm set for awhile.
I'm so thankful for friends and family this evening, my kids, both families, have been at Wawona in a cabin camping and I'm waiting to hear how that went.
I've been working hard seeing properties and am keeping busy which is a good thing.
I'm glad it is Sabbath, the house is warm and life is pretty good tonight.
Love to all
Tim
After two years of a very cold house with the exception of those times when I feel motivated to build a nice fire this evening the house is warm.
Last spring I rented the motorhome to a nice couple from Newman, he was a heavy duty diesel mechanic and an amazingly capable guy fixing things. He not only rented the motorhome but also fixed a lot of things and even found a tire that had to be replaced that night. As we talked he told me of his brother who was a commercial heating and AC man, that he did side jobs and he could help with the furnace. Well it was summer and I kept his number. The other morning when I got up and the house was 50 in the hall I dug out his number. He came yesterday evening and for the first time in 2 years and 5 different heating and cooling experts the heater actually started, now it quit before he got home but it at least proved it was at least capable of heating still. He came back this afternoon and worked on it some more but while it headed sometimes it still is not reliable. But as I write the house is a balmy 70 degrees for a change. Nice! and I am very thankful, plus he was very reasonable in his fees, even with parts he was only $75 for two visits. I also got a 1/3 of a cord of oak from him for $100. Now I'm set for awhile.
I'm so thankful for friends and family this evening, my kids, both families, have been at Wawona in a cabin camping and I'm waiting to hear how that went.
I've been working hard seeing properties and am keeping busy which is a good thing.
I'm glad it is Sabbath, the house is warm and life is pretty good tonight.
Love to all
Tim
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