Kallie comes to visit, fun!

Dear Family and Friends,
This morning Kallie came to visit.  I brought her home after taking Keanna to Brentwood to her summer camp at the gym.  Kallie played nicely and was a total joy to have visit.  She enjoyed the little bottles from Kevin's Ahns wedding, weddings that contained soap for blowing bubbles.  Sylvia had brought a couple bottles for the girls and Kallie found them.  As she tried she learned quickly how to direct her little blows and soon could make scads of bubbles which she directed at me or Starr or the fan.  It was incredibly cute to observe her doing so well with a task that requires motor skills and coordination.  She also played for a long time with the doll house which is not stationed in the living room. Around noon I took her home and she willingly went to bed and slept nearly two hours.  Steve finished his work and arrived home after she had been down for an hour so I was able to come home to work.  It was an honor and a delight to care for her and reminded me of things that are not purchased with money, are not work related, are not vital to anyone other than she and I.  Yet when I tell her she is loved and care for her and listen to her I think I'm investing in the future in a way unlike anything else I do.  It feels good.

This afternoon I was asked to see a house located less than a block from where I live.  The last time I saw it the value was 1.6 million.  This time it will be a lot less due to the nasty economy.  The home is so nicely completed, every piece of workwork is professionally created, stained, the home is a master piece.  It was fun to meet the new owner.  His business is to supply a vast array of parts for vintage T Birds and it is big business.  He has many employees, creates parts in several different countries and has an inventory worth 4.5 million dollars.  Its nice to meet your neighbors and this guy is really nice.

I've been so tired today, I don't know why but I'm heading up to bed right now, yes at 9:30 and sleeping in until I wake up in the morning.  I know I am fighting depression due to the lack of work and mounting stack of bills but having Kallie was a wonderful dose of reality, the real stuff that is precious in life.  At times I just grow very tired of existing and long to have a life again.  Yet we all face challenges, just different for different people and I know God cares, I'm not sure why He should but I still am stubborn enough to believe that He keeps His word and does care.

So I send my love to you dear reader,

Tim

Living life at a lower volume

Good evening
Well here I am again preparing to share my day with you.  Lets talk about the best part, that was this evening when Nikki and the girls joined me for dinner at the Boardwalk, our local place nestled by the harbor.  We all enjoyed our meals and the time to catch up on the days activities.  Things are exciting for Nikki at work right now, Steve has been wrestling with Kallie as the baby sitter is on vacation this week and next, Keanna has been at the Black Diamond Gymnastics Center for day camp from 9 to 4 every day and I've been out seeing houses today.

I started this morning with a brisk walk with Ken, then prepared for a trip to Dixson where I inspected a nice house.  The husband is a guard at San Quentin and there were two little kidos at the house.  Mom was an interesting person and very outgoing, had a nice visit there.  Then it was back to Discovery Bay for another inspection on a very warm afternoon.  The home was large and in perfect condition, the people very pleasant and moving to Kansas City.  He trains engineers for the railroad, a different railroad than my brother Jerry worked for for so many years.

Once I got home the phone rang and it was Nikki tempting me out for dinner, I tempt easy.  Once the meal was over and the girls headed home then I came home to mow the lawn and edge it and the evening ended with banana bread over at Ray and Lois's house.  It was so good.

Now its bedtime.  Tomorrow is my turn at caring for Kallie so Steve can do some of his other work that needs to be completed.  I'll take Keanna to camp and then Kallie and I will come back to her house where she can play and I can work with the laptop a bit working on appraisals.  Kallie will nap around noon.  Somehow it seems only fair that I take my turn with her and give Steve a break.  She is at that time, a 2 year old, when she wants to do what she wants and has a hard time accepting any other plan than her own.  Makes for interesting moments.

I'm once again praying for work.  Once I complete the two I inspected today I'm out of work once again.  Oh well I still can sleep fine.

The title of tonight's blog was based on some thinking I was doing today.  For my adult life I've lived with Nan and we had an active life of travel, church friends, watching TV, sipping hot drinks together in the morning, just chatting about ideas and plans, taking motorhome trips, looking forward to visitors from Texas and we were very involved in our kids lives lending support where we could.  Now it seems I live on a much less interesting level, little social interaction other than with the kids and their kids, no thoughts of a vacation or any interesting projects, no special meals to look forward to.  Its like someone turned the volume down on life.  The best I can say is, its OK instead of great which is how I describe how life used to be.  It was a moment of sadness for me.  Its just the way it is.

Love to all

Tim

Cranking them out

Dear Family and Friends,
This will be brief tonight.  I'm just back from CostCo and grocery shopping at a cheap store, Food Max.  I sort of know my way around there now and often find good deals.  I get the water from CostCo since they have the sports bottle I like to drink from.  I pretty much keep a bottle at my side at all times and it has helped a lot.
Ken and I walked this morning, then I had a little breakfast on the back deck watching the geese and ducks scurry about.  Then it was the commute to the office, about 15 steps.  During the day I took in two new orders and wrote two that I had already seen.  It felt good to just stay put in the chair and get the work done.  Well actually it never feels good to stay in the chair, after a while I actually have pain from sitting.
Our weather was wonderful today, until mid afternoon it stayed around 70 with breezes to move the air about.
Ray did a very nice thing yesterday.  I mentioned that the door to the motorhome was closing very hard recently and he took a quick look.  Off he went to get something, now how he locates things I don't know but soon he was back and gave the latch a shot of graphite, when he came in the house his hands were shiny black from the slippery stuff but the door closes like butter now, perfect and what a relief as I was thinking new latch etc.  Thanks Ray.
Tomorrow I'm off to Dixon, a funky little town near Highway 80 and below Davis a ways.  I've worked there often and for awhile it was growing rapidly but of course now its hit with foreclosures and short sales like most every other place.  Tomorrow I'm seeing a medium sized home which the young couple are buying from the owner, no realtor involved.  It should be interesting.  Then its back to Discovery Bay to see a home on Frost street for a relocation company.  It is located in a JR Horton development where homes are large, sites are large and REOs dominate.  What once was $600,000 is now selling for about $310,000.  Doing a relocation appraisal there should be very interesting.
Well I'm now heading to bed and as I do so I wish all of you a peaceful night and a prosperous day tomorrow.

Love

tim

Highlights of Trip to See Timothy

Dear Family and Friends,

Here are some photos that partially capture the wonder of grandchildren:

Timothy prepares to blow out the camdle as his admiring friend looks on!

Jo, Timothy and Jason

Children gather around newest family member, Fin

Kallie checks out Fin the goldfish

Keanna and Kallie enjoy the party

Remembering back to when Timothy was just a little guy with his Grammy

This morning I woke up at about 7, felt rested and relaxed, the motorhome does that to me. I jumped up and the three of us, Starr, Lady and me went to see the sights on the side yard.  Then we began to prepare the motorhome for departure.  Soon everything was secured and I backed out onto the road, started and loaded the bug, told Jason and Timothy goodbye and started out but nothing happened.  I pushed harder on the pedal and we began to move slowly forward, suddenly I remembered, the hand brake was set in the bug and I was dragging the rear tires.  After releasing the brakes it moved much easier.  I came home over 17 which is always a challenge in the motorhome.  The lanes are narrow, the climb is steep, the traffic is intense but I just took it easy and before long I was on the flat passing through San Jose.  On Mission I stopped for a burrito at Taco Bell.  I discovered that finding a place to park the motorhome with the bug behind was a challenge.  With brunch behind me we set out for home and arrived without any problems around 12:30.  I took time to unload the bug, then put the trailer away behind the fence, unload the frig and personal items and then came in to work in the office.  With great expectation I took Saturdays mail from the box and found an amazing $5.00 waiting.  That was a major letdown.  At 2 I remembered to go out to check for today's mail and found two envelops that looked promising.  Full payment for 4 appraisals!  So I was able to pay several pressing bills including a PG&E that wanted immediate payment.  It was a lift to my spirits to find money just when I needed it once again.

At 4pm today I headed to San Mateo, had no traffic, smooth sailing and Lois had downloaded a very interesting book onto the IPOD.  The IPOD is an amazing device and plays the books so effortlessly.  It made the trip there and back enjoyable.  The house I inspected was clean, full of color, flowers and plants, updated and very impressive.  The comparable properties were all within a few blocks and this one will be easy for a change.

Now its time to head to bed.  The trip was a wonderful reminder that I have much to be thankful for.  While it would be nice to have a companion to travel with in the motorhome until that time I'll just be content with the world I now have.  I enjoy time spent with all my kids and little kidos.  They are all very precious and give me great joy.

Tonight I'm thankful to be home once again and to have had such an uneventful trip both ways.  The tow dolly adds versatility to motorhome travel.  Now I can not only get there to camp  or park but I am not stuck in the motorhome, I am free to explore in the bug once I'm there.  Its nice.

Here's to a great week for you, for me as we try to live our lives in a manner that pleases our Heavenly Father.  Love to each and every one of you.

Tim

The big three!

I'm trying to blog from the iPod and it takes a bit longer. In fact I'll finish later.  Well now I'm back to my laptop and can write a bit faster.
We had a wonderful time celebrating timothy's big 3rd birthday.  He loved the whole day and certainly appreciated his mom and dad's efforts.
We woke late this morning after our very late night.  I didn't blog last night because I forgot to do it while I was in the house and then when the kids came home at 2 this morning from an evening out attending a concert in SF I left the laptop in the house and was afraid to go back in to get it for fear of waking them So no blog.
I watched Timothy while they celebrated their 6th anniversary.
This morning we went to a pool complex in Santa Cruz and several other little ones joined us including Nikki and the girls who drove down from Disco Bay.  We played in the warm and shallow pool for about 2 hours and then dried off and traveled back to MBA where Jason and Jo had lunch and then the birthday cake.  Jason got nice clothes, toys, a new swing and Papa gave him a gold fish, he has named the fish Fin.
This afternoon after all the party goers went home naps were in order.  I took the dogs to the beach and watched the eternal waves.  Starr and Lady loved it and even played in the waves.  Once I got back Jason and Timothy were ready to install the swing.
We made a quick trip to ACE in town and got extra chain, came home and installed it hanging from a limp in the front yard so now Timothy has a wonderful new swing.  I had sort of planned to drive home tonight but as the evening progressed the idea of driving home had less and less appeal.  So I will load up in the morning and drive home then.  I'm not sure if I will try to see the house in San Mateo at noon tomorrow or later in the afternoon.
I have enjoyed my time here very much and felt the warm hospitality of this place and the family.

So now its off to bed, the dogs are ready and STarr has been barking at me as if saying, its bed time Dad, lets go.

Thanks to all who made the day so special and thanks to Nikki for making the long drive down to bring the girls.  I just love it when we can all be together.

Love

dad

At MBA

Good evening,
I'm writing from Jason and Jo's breakfast bar, its so great to be here once again.  Getting here in one piece as a culmination of a very fractured day is an achievement.
The day started at 5:45 with a loud grinding sound, it was my horrible alarm which I keep across the room so I don't snooze it and sleep on.  I staggered across the room, shut it off and next headed for the shower.  That felt good, so good that I wasted my breakfast minutes.  Once I got downstairs it was time to leave so I grabbed a oat and honey bar and ate on the way.  Nikki was ready to leave and Steve was gone already.  Once inside I fell asleep for a bit in the recliner and soon Keanna was waking me.  She is such a happy camper and eventually told me that Kallie was awake too.  I snatched Kallie from her bed which is full of toys, books, blankets and water cups.  She helped me dress her and wanted a pull up instead of a regular diaper.  Since that is not in my job description I went for the more usual diaper.  The little soxs are the hardest thing to put on tiny feet.  Have not mastered that yet.
We went down for breakfast and at the head of the stairs I asked Kallie if she wanted to walk down or have me carry her, you really have to watch out since she will sometimes just lunge and jump into your arms. 
Once downstairs we fired up the turkey sausages, made toast with jam, poured milk all around and they ate well today.  Nikki said they would like pears and they could have eaten the whole can if I had enough time.
First we drove to Sam and Geez, the baby sitting couple and placed Kallie with them, then off to Brentwood where Keanna is attending summer camp this week at the club.  She loves it and they love her as well. 
Once I had the kidos safely placed then I turned to my work.  Today it was seeing a nice home in northern Brentwood and that went smoothly.  Then back to get the right fuse for the van which also worked out, then to Kragen to buy the right size ball to pull the tow dolly.  Then to Starbucks where I met the guy who is creating my web connection.
After leaving him I headed home to begin putting things in the motorhome and setting up a new order that came in.  Then at 2 it was back to Brentwood to pick up Keanna, stop at McDonalds for a snack and back home to unload the new doll house and place it in the living room, Keanna loved it and began to arrange the furniture and dolls.  Of course she needed her special popcorn and a sugar free jello.  She helped me find things for the trip and watched some Clifford.  Soon Nikki arrived and they left shortly thereafter.
It was very hot outside and I needed to face the music, time to hook up the tow dolly, then drive the VW up onto it and learn how to strap everything down to be secure for the drive.  One interesting note, I needed to install a larger ball, a 2 and 5/16 inch ball and I could not get the 2 inch ball off no matter how hard I tried.  I needed three hands so Nikki provided that third hand in less than a minute it was off, Thanks Nikki.  And she didn't even have to get dirty.
I finally finished loading things for the trip about 6:30 and by 7: I was pulling out.  Starr had raised such a fuss that I had placed her in the motorhome hours earlier with the AC going.  She did not want to miss the trip.  Needless to say she is delighted to finally be on the road again and watched me drive the entire trip.
I stopped a couple times early on to make sure everything was tight. After dumping the paddle boat on the last trip I was not so sure of my abilities.
At about 9:30 I pulled in to Jason's yard, unloaded the bug and pulled the motorhome into the driveway.  Now I'm set for the night and very thankful to be here, to have the week at an end and grateful for life itself.

I hope you are set to enjoy the Sabbath rest God has planned for you and can spend time with your loved ones, friends and family.

Love to all,

Tim
ps  Its about 60 degrees here with fog, can it get any better?  This is heaven after the 100 degree at home at least that is what Lois reported.

Eating chicken, what!

Well imagine my surprise when I discovered that my eggplant was actually chicken, I had taken several bites but each bite seemed more strange, not the usual taste of eggplant but a more uniform texture.  Oh they could not have been more nice about it and in seconds I had a new plate with the more typical tasting eggplant.  Oh well, we did get a free desert tray with little samples of all the deserts on it.  They tasted great but I'm pretty sure the whole meal was not Weight Watchers compliant.

This morning I discovered that I had lost a pound but in the morning I'm pretty sure the scales will say I have found it again.  Too bad, I was on such a roll.

Today has been a sit down and work day.  Not hearing from Ken I rose and walked by myself today, then prepared for the day and sat down to work.  First the ranch one was done and then the relocation one for Suisun City, it felt good to have them done.  By then new orders had arrived so I set about to schedule them.

This evening I had dinner with a friend who is going through an exciting time in her life and then back to pick up a new (for us) doll house for my living room.  Every home needs one and this one is huge, it took the van to hold it.

Tomorrow I care for the kidos in the morning as Steve has to go to work early.  Then I'll do an appraisal in Brentwood using my lock box key, then come home and begin loading up the motorhome, hooking up the tow dolly and putting the car on it for the first time.  Later in the afternoon after the kidos are safely back with their parents I'll head out for Jason and Jo's to enjoy Timothy's birthday party and time at the beach.

I had one of those interesting moments today, bank account did not have enough funds to cover the health insurance which comes out automatically whenever they get around to it.  And when I picked up the mail only one small thin envelope held any promise yet the amount was more than enough to cover the health insurance whenever it does arrive.  For that I'm grateful.  I know I would have been crushed if there had been nothing in the mail.  Thank you Heavenly Father.

In the morning I am going to meet with Bob who is preparing a web site which could reach more potential clients.

Such is life, pretty exciting, pretty dull, yet it moves forward day by day.  How I love to share ideas with people, even gossip if it is good enough.

Good night to all,

love

tim