An Unusually Restful Day

Dear Family and Friends,

This day started rather abruptly as the phone rang and it was a calm but concerned Nikki.  I had the important soccer bag in the trunk of the bug, I forgot it was there and did not leave it when I took the girls home last night.  Now it was morning, Soccer photos of the team were imminent and I had the bag.

So my casual morning was speeded up.  The bag got there and the photos were taken and Keanna played her heart out in this first of many games of the season.  We found shade under a row of trees at the edge of the huge field where the children played and it was just a nice time to catch up with my kids and friends who also had children on the team.

Once soccer was over everyone went their own way and I sought out breakfast.  Nations happen to come up first and their omelet was great and cheap.  I mostly rested during the day until this evening when Ray and Lois suggested a burrito at our little place in Brentwood.  While we were enjoying the meal Nikki called to suggest a BBQ they were having for friends and I jumped at the chance.  These are fun people to socialize with and Nikki and Steve always throw a very impressive party with great food.

Now I'm just home from the party and winding down for the night.  While I was out today I had some credit at the ACE hardware store so I picked up a tiny snake, the kind that you use to unclog drains.  I've had two sinks in the house that drain very slowly which is mildly irritating and has been for years.  No more, I came home and using the little snake cleared both drains in minutes, now the water can keep up with the flow from the faucet.  Its a little victory but nice.  Also when I woke from my nap this afternoon I looked around my bedroom and went yuk.  Pillows, folded blankets, breathing machine supplies and such were all over the room, it was cluttered and looked awful.  Funny I've not noticed it until today.  So I got up, put mounds of stuff where it belonged in the closet, threw stuff away that was no longer needed and uncluttered the room.  I moved the ski machine exercise device to a better out of the way location, cleared the recliner that has had noone sitting in it for years, plopped down and turning on the TV found the Gather Music Celebration.  It was a tremendous show with outstanding music and I just sat and enjoyed it.  I felt a strange longing inside to sing again.  Music has opened doors for me all of my life.  At 5 and 6 I was singing for Christmas programs for hundreds of people, at 15 I sang for the Oregon Gladstone Campmeeting with thousands in attendance, at 16 I cut my first album and sold it on graduation day, during college I made a second album and sold it to pay college bills, I've sung all over the world due to the kindness of others.  With the Stockton Chorale I've done Notre Dame in Paris, Saint Stephens in Austria, major concert halls in Australia and New Zealand and even Carnegie Hall in New York.  The voice God gave me has opened doors, created experiences, helped me persuade Nan to consider marrying me, helped in ministry, then helped with the Roger Peden Chorale and then the Adoration Singers.
I think I can once again sing, not like before but I think I can and why not.  So I feel the crack of a new door opening.

After a rather terrible day yesterday today has been a blessing of peace and calm.  For that I am thankful.

I just want to mention someone who has never given up on me, that is Dolly Vogel, she is faithful in her emails encouraging me and I just want to say how much I appreciate her kindness.

Sending love to all,

Here are a few photos of my very special kiddos:

A very Long day

Dear Family and Friends,

I'm just home at 1 am.  Not that I mind that at all.  For after a really tough day of ups and downs at 4 the girls came to visit.  We left at 5 for the soccer field in Brentwood and found it sort of by accident.  Keanna played her heart out and Kallie and I spent time in the shade, getting to know one of the moms and then ended up with Kallie leading me to the play structure where she used the slide, I pushed her in the swings and she had a good time.  Once Keanna was through with her hour and 10 minutes of soccer she wanted to play at the structure as well so back we went.

Once we left Keanna needed a rest room, parks do not have bathrooms anymore because so much of society just ruin them.  We had to drive to McDonalds for the bathroom and while there the girls developed an appetite.  Then they decided to play in the play area.  While there we witnessed a rather large lady who bossed and yelled at several children keeping at least one in tears at all times.  The girls watched sort of spell bound and later told me they would rather be there with me than her.

We drove back to their home and Keanna hit the shower, Kallie dressed for bed and after reading a cute story about Olivia she snuggled in for the night.  Keanna took a little longer to snuggle but eventually did.  The dogs and I turned the lights down and rested until Nikki and Steve arrived home from their wonderful concert with Toby Keith at the Shoreline.

It will be a short night as Keanna has to be back in Brentwood for soccer photos in the morning at 8:15.  I won't need to be there until 9:15 for some soccer action.

As I rethought the day the contrast between all that had gone down during the day and the time spent with the girls was remarkable.  I was reminded this morning of a concern expressed in the bible about the wicked prospering.  Someone who I have very little respect for was promoted to a position and sent me an email as a jab, saying Nan would be so proud.  It was just hard to deal with.  There is a lot more to the story that I can't go into here.  It was a hard task to climb out the funk the nasty email started but the girls sure did it well later in the day.

I'm very glad the Sabbath rest hours have arrived.  It seems there is stress and tension almost all the time in just trying to hold my little world together, the finances are always a huge challenge, a challenge I am gradually winning but the progress is so slow.  I can see that in two years the tides will begin to turn and if business increases the turn could come faster.  I literally think twice before I buy anything no matter how large or small.  For example I've discovered that one can purchase paper towels that come off in full sheets or half sheets, the half sheets save money.  I've reduced the lights in the house I turn on and never leave the TV on when I leave the room, I only use the AC if the kids are coming over or there are guests, I only buy just what I need for groceries and I never buy a drink with meals when I eat out now which saves nearly $2.00 at every meal.

Well since it is now 1:38 perhaps its time to let it go, express how much people mean to me, friends, new friends and dear family members, how I love to hear, to keep in touch.

Love to all,

tim

Back to work

Dear Family and Friends

I'm experiencing a different kind of work load now.  My two main clients, QVS and AppraiserLoft have given me NO orders for nearly 2 weeks but other clients have stepped up so I still have work to do.

This morning I rolled out early and came down to write a report.  At 9:15 I completed it and emailed it to the lender, felt good to get it done on time.  Then I left for Sunnyvale where I inspected an older home which was being purchased by grandchildren for their family.  Funny how the same house in Sunnyvale is worth nearly a million dollars that in another town would be worth $130K.  Its all location.  Imagine my shock when the buyer asked me as I drove up how much the report was going to be as he needed to give me a check.  Wow its been awhile since that happened so I came home with a check I did not expect.  Thank you Lord.

After inspecting the house my blood sugar was dropping so I found a Burger King.  A long time ago Yvonne mentioned how good the vegeburger was at Burger King.  She was right.  It really hit the spot today and I got to do a bit of people watching while I ate.  Then it was back to shoot about 9 comparables and head home.  On the way through Livermore diesel was $3.99, the lowest it has been in a long time.

This evening we went to the Boardwalk, a nice place here in Discovery Bay by the harbor.  I had a plate of pasta with vegetables in it and it was great and along with a glass of water was reasonable.

Tomorrow Marilyn leaves for Sacramento for a few days to see her long time friend Diane and I'll return to living alone.  Tomorrow afternoon I'll take Keanna to Soccer practice and then stay with the girls through the evening as Nikki and Steve head to a special concert, I'm delighted that they are getting to go out for the evening.

While no money arrived in the mail today I know a large check is on its way and a smaller check is also coming so things are looking up.  With the arrival of these checks I'll try to make a double house payment if they will accept it.  I hope they will.

Sending love to all,

Tim

Mustard Acres, RV Parking by Willow Lake

Dear Family and Friends,
This morning I woke to a stunningly beautiful RV in my driveway.  Art and Connie came in last night, we backed it in and they spent a quiet night.  So at 7:30 Art and I did the 3 mile walk around the lake and in the course of the hike we settled most of the worlds problems, took notice of several rather nice looking ladies who were also out walking, I noticed and of course Art being happily married looked the other way until they had passed!!

Afterwards we went to have breakfast at the Byron Inn, the food was incredibly delicious and a very enjoyable experience.  Then we drove to Brentwood to A1 Smog where we had the Odyssey tested and a smog certificate was emailed to Sacramento, all for an incredible $75 bucks.  What ever happened to the old days when smog check was $25?

Having finished our mission we returned home where Art and Connie gave guided tours to the interested parties, what a lovely interior the 5th wheel trailer has!  Then they pulled out to head to Tracy and I went to work. 

At 12:45 we picked up Miss Keanna who is delighting in her new teacher.  By the time we reached McDonald's she had her homework completed.  We enjoyed a lunch in a very busy crowd and then drove back home.  Smurfs are the toy they are giving out now and she got ones she already has.

At 3:50 I had Keanna at the Black Diamond gymnastics center where she had a blast with her class.  She is getting quite good at the things they do there and has real confidence.  Afterwards we hit up Taco Bell for a burrito for her with just rice, met up with Nikki at the club and I went to spin class.  Once again it was a good experience.  I wonder what my heart thinks, all week I laze around never pushing it very hard and then wham, here comes spin class with non stop pressure for 45 minutes.  Surrounded by younger hard bodies I do my best and I do much better than the first time a year ago.  Its a great workout and drenches my body in sweat.

This evening I've been working on an appraisal, it just went out and planning tomorrow where at 11 I'm in Sunnyvale across the bay for an appraisal in a very nice neighborhood.  I'm thankful for the work that is coming in day by day.

So that's it for today, I'm loving the tomatoes that Steve and Nikki shared, I'm relieved to hear Bob's surgery went well today, I'm feeling with Wes and Nanette as they cope with their loss and very hopeful as Lois heads to her doctor tomorrow that she can get some relief for her shoulder.

This evening we are having blessed cool breezes, they are so nice.

So I'm sending love to all,

Tim

On the Road again

Dear Family and Friends,
The larger font is for my friend Lois who mentioned its easier to read.

This morning we were on the road at 8:45 and arrived on time in Hercules at 10.  I met a person who has been sharing business with me for years for the first time today.  Alex is a great guy and really gets business done.  The house was nice, the comps nearby and then we were on the road again, this time for the little quaint town of Rio Vista.  We arrived there after lunch at the Olive Garden, their salad and soup is so great.

The house was a big cluttered as the lady likes to collect things but she was great, the house perfect, the bunnies, the chickens, the dogs and the cat were all very much at home there.  Once we were through in Rio Vista we headed out with out trusty McDonalds $1.00 ice tea.  We were only on the road for a bit when traffic came to a halt and an hour later we gave up, turned about and went to Lodi, down 5 and then home on the levee road.  We never learned the reason for the hold up but it was not fun and no one ever tried to let anyone know what was wrong.

A phone call a few minutes ago brought great news.  Art and Connie are coming home from several weeks on the road and they are coming here for the night, to park in my driveway.  I'm thrilled to have them.  I also got a call from the motorhome renters and they are having a great time on the trip.  They called because they were at a RV park and could not get the electricity in the coach to work.  We worked it out, they needed to flip the breaker at the RV junction box by the coach and they were happy again.

More orders today and from a new company or two.  Very thrilling, is there hope?  It think so.

Take care and our expressions of love and comfort go to Wes and Nanette who just lost Wes's mom this week.

Love to all

Tim

Back at it....

Dear Family and Friends,
So finally the dam broke today, this afternoon three orders came rolling in and they are full fee reports, something new.  This management company charges $10 per report to handling it instead of the a third of the total fee.  I can handle that!

So I'm going to Hercules, Rio Vista and Sunnyvale.  The Hercules and Rio Vista are set for tomorrow but the Sunnyvale number does not seem to be working for access.  Two of the three orders were from a new company and that is very good news indeed.

This afternoon after clearing my desk, dealing with conditions, I left with the bug to find two back tires.  I decided I would go from dealer to dealer to find the best price but at the first one, a converted gas station in Brentwood they made a good deal so 15 minutes later I had new tires.  But they warned me that the car needs shocks badly, well it just might, the ones on it are from when it was new 247,000 miles ago.  Perhaps its time to consider shocks.  The car drove so smoothly after the new tires, it just glided along.

This evening chef Marilyn pulled out  all the stops, made a delicious dinner with lots of free food, that is veges which are free at weight watchers.  There was corn, a new kind of vegetarian chicken, mixed veges, cottage cheese, tomato slices, avocado and it was all very good.  This morning we made bread in the little bread maker and that loaf turned out great, very tasty and hearty plus we had the wonderful odor in the house for awhile.

I picked up a book that Dolly had sent, written by Joyce Meyers, she is really an amazing woman and the chapter I read had such incredible information regarding hope and sticking at ones dreams and plans.  It was a great lift and very motivational.  How often I fail to feed good things into my life and just allow the negative events rule the day.  Its good to remember from time to time that we are not alone, that there is an enemy who wants us to fail and a friend and Saviour who longs for our salvation.  Which direction will be head?  Its so easy to get wound up in selfishness, pity, bitterness, anger and wallow in it when there is a better way to live.

So tonight I'm sending my best vibes to each of you, encouraging you to face the frightening challenges that are ahead and strive again to allow a loving God to guide us forward.  Your struggles are different from mine but I know you face some, weight, anger, discouragement, relationships, money, oh there are plenty of hits on us these days but a better day is ahead if we claim it.  We can't solve everything but we can solve something.

Love

tim

National American Miss!!

We are just back from Santa Clara where we witnessed 102 young ladies compete for a crown.  Kalie was amoung the girls on the stage and had a blast thought did not win.  We drove down for this evening's show and it was well worth it.  The whole organization seems to be one that does great things for young women and the effect on the participants seems positive though there were some tears for some of the girls who had hoped to win.

This has been a day of hitting up CostCo for a few things and primarily for getting the motorhome renters on their way.

Now that was an interesting experience.  The guy reminded me so much of Will Ferrell crossed with a super nerd.  He was a great guy but needed to know everything and then why it did that, meanwhile his two little girls were enjoying getting used to the motorhome.  The wife seemed to be very normal and just sort of put up with him.  It is always a tense moment when I wave good bye to people as they drive away with the coach.  At least this time they drove away with new tires and the motorhome is as good of condition as I've had it in a long time.  Would you believe it took over two hours to get them on their way and that included a small drive around Discovery Bay as he learned to keep it on the road and by the time we got home two doors were falling off cabinets.  So I found myself with a drill, a screwdriver and some new screws putting the doors back on.  Finally they drove away and I could relax.  Of course when they drove away they did so leaving a healthy check for the deposit and the rental fee.  I am thankful to the kind Lord for this income.

As I consider the week ahead I'm praying and hoping for orders.  The last order came in on Wednesday so I'm getting desperate again knowing there will be a very dry spot in the future down the road if I don't get work in.

I'm hoping you have a good productive week and that you can accomplish what you long to be able to do.

Love to all

Tim

In the photo, Jerry, Donna, Kalie and Cindy her mom.  You can see by their faces that they are tired and very ready to head to bed.  Kalie had a beautiful evening gown that she wore tonight.