I've got the go ahead, Kallie can come to SS in the morning and she is ready and so am I.
Today I've pretty much stayed put to write reports and get things fixed. Its been a very long day but at this point somewhat rewarding. The learning curve is very real so I know more this Friday night than I did last week.
On sunday we are traveling to MBA to see jason and jo. Mia is turning 1 year old and that is so exciting. We are all going down in the van and that way I can work each way using the little laptop. It should be a great help and will help pass the time. Nikki and Steve are great drivers and who ever drives its nice to leave the road to them and relax in the back.
This has been a week of contrasts, all my plans on how to spend the check from AppraiserLoft vanished when they went broke. Life is like that, you just never know what is next but you can be sure it will be interesting.
Like last night, we ate a burger at Fuddruckers and of course this afternoon I discovered I had left my card at the font desk. I called, they found it so we went back tonight and this time I had a baked potato and salad. REally a fun place to eat and pretty decent food.
So for now I'm signing off, sending postive thoughts to all
Love
tim
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Another one for the books
Dear Friends and Family,
So here I am again after a very long day. Up at 5, inspected 2 with STeve in Antioch this morning, then home to quickly ship out a report and then on to Livermore, San Ramon, Danville and then back to San Ramon. Tonight we tried Fuddruckers and the garden burger was really good. Now I'm unwinding before I do a bit more on fixing things and then to bed.
I am so thankful for the ability to keep going during these busy times. When I've been this busy before I had a staff of people to help, this time its Steve, marilyn and myself. So I keep thinking one of these days the cash will roll in, but then I remember AppraiserLoft, thats cash that will probably not roll in anytime soon and a lot of it.
This afternoon I met the most interesting people, its hard to keep moving when the people have such a great story to tell, this afternoon I got to talk motorhomes with a couple who are leaving for Vegas for 3 months in their 35 foot coach. He had the most amazing totally restored older Chevy pickup in the garage, perfect in every way.
At the next home the older Indian couple had their 10 month old grandson and it was obvious that they were thrilled to have him visit. Such fun.
Then in Danville it was a home where the lady just moved in and has her own 8 year old girl, he has an 8 year old girl as well so everyone was just getting to know each other.
I'm still very deep in things that are overdue. Tomorrow I intend to stay here and write write write, schedule and attempt to catch up.
Last evening marilyn made a spaghetti dinner with whole grain pasta, had found vege meatballs and we moved to the deck to eat. The lake was beautiful, the weather was perfect and it was a nice meal. Oh that I could do more living and less cranking but of course without the cranking when its possible there would be nothing else left.
Hope your night is good, God is answering prayers, the ones I've been asking you to pray!
Love to all
Tim
So here I am again after a very long day. Up at 5, inspected 2 with STeve in Antioch this morning, then home to quickly ship out a report and then on to Livermore, San Ramon, Danville and then back to San Ramon. Tonight we tried Fuddruckers and the garden burger was really good. Now I'm unwinding before I do a bit more on fixing things and then to bed.
I am so thankful for the ability to keep going during these busy times. When I've been this busy before I had a staff of people to help, this time its Steve, marilyn and myself. So I keep thinking one of these days the cash will roll in, but then I remember AppraiserLoft, thats cash that will probably not roll in anytime soon and a lot of it.
This afternoon I met the most interesting people, its hard to keep moving when the people have such a great story to tell, this afternoon I got to talk motorhomes with a couple who are leaving for Vegas for 3 months in their 35 foot coach. He had the most amazing totally restored older Chevy pickup in the garage, perfect in every way.
At the next home the older Indian couple had their 10 month old grandson and it was obvious that they were thrilled to have him visit. Such fun.
Then in Danville it was a home where the lady just moved in and has her own 8 year old girl, he has an 8 year old girl as well so everyone was just getting to know each other.
I'm still very deep in things that are overdue. Tomorrow I intend to stay here and write write write, schedule and attempt to catch up.
Last evening marilyn made a spaghetti dinner with whole grain pasta, had found vege meatballs and we moved to the deck to eat. The lake was beautiful, the weather was perfect and it was a nice meal. Oh that I could do more living and less cranking but of course without the cranking when its possible there would be nothing else left.
Hope your night is good, God is answering prayers, the ones I've been asking you to pray!
Love to all
Tim
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A huge day
Dear Family and Friends,
This will be short and to the point. Rolled out at 5 and aside from eating I've been cranking. In addition I've made my first contact with Kaiser, took a look at my blood work and shuddered. My A1C was the highest I've ever been by far. Time to start acting like I have a disease and do better.
I started the day off with writing a relocation report, that took half the day, then taking care of other stuff that kept popping up took some time, then I waded into a simple review for Freddie Mac, well I thought it would be simple, not so. I ended up cutting the value, not sure what the appraiser was thinking but you can't use year old comps in a super declining market like it was in early 2008 and hope to be right about value. The house was so tiny it looked like a doll house. So I just put that one into the lenders hands a few minutes ago.
Steve has been very valuable today, he helped a great deal with a couple files that are now in the lender's hands. That was a huge help and lightened my load.
In the morning he and I are seeing two properties in Antioch, then we come back and I reload for the rest of the day, seeing three more in the afternoon and he begins to write the ones we saw up.
So now its bed time, 5 am comes very early and there are still many files to write up.
Sending love to all and I do appreciate your prayers for me and those who have special situations.
Love
tim
This will be short and to the point. Rolled out at 5 and aside from eating I've been cranking. In addition I've made my first contact with Kaiser, took a look at my blood work and shuddered. My A1C was the highest I've ever been by far. Time to start acting like I have a disease and do better.
I started the day off with writing a relocation report, that took half the day, then taking care of other stuff that kept popping up took some time, then I waded into a simple review for Freddie Mac, well I thought it would be simple, not so. I ended up cutting the value, not sure what the appraiser was thinking but you can't use year old comps in a super declining market like it was in early 2008 and hope to be right about value. The house was so tiny it looked like a doll house. So I just put that one into the lenders hands a few minutes ago.
Steve has been very valuable today, he helped a great deal with a couple files that are now in the lender's hands. That was a huge help and lightened my load.
In the morning he and I are seeing two properties in Antioch, then we come back and I reload for the rest of the day, seeing three more in the afternoon and he begins to write the ones we saw up.
So now its bed time, 5 am comes very early and there are still many files to write up.
Sending love to all and I do appreciate your prayers for me and those who have special situations.
Love
tim
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
We all must walk through the fire at times
Dear Family and Friends,
If it could happen it did today.
** up at 5 am to work and there was the notice on line, AppraiserLoft had closed its doors, my biggest client over the past 2 years and with outstanding debts to me of $3875, gone out of business. The promise of management companies, accept lower fees but we will always be there to pay you on time was not kept. Once again government has failed. This was governments idea to force all of us into working with management companies. It was a very hard hit.
** called Kaiser member services only to discover that the company I've paid a lot of money has not gotten me into the Kaiser system yet, somehow I have a number and was able to see a doctor yesterday but I'm not in the system, another big hit. I'm assured that it will be taken care of, I certainly hope so. At the same time different departments of Kaiser have been placing calls for different things about my care, somehow they know I exist but not officially yet.
** I just spoke with the owner of the company that offers to help write appraisals, we have been talking for a couple days and I was ready to get started with their helping with the writing. His bad news was that they had decided not to support my software, only the big three. He was very sorry but did not hold out much hope that they would change their mind. That was a terrible hit as I'm totally buried in work right now, I mean buried with most of the files being overdue now.
** To keep connected to MLS I had to cough up over $700 this afternoon, other wise I would be out of business.
Some days really go better than others and now I'm just sort of waiting for the next event to happen.
I'm writing early tonight to simply ask if you could remember my situation in prayer. When I step back there are many blessings in place, lots of work, health seems OK, I have a place to live for now, the $3875 was earmarked for house payment!
The first thing I did this morning was to file a complaint with the OREA, our state agency that regulates the management companies and I included a list of the outstanding appraisal fees owed. Who know, the word on the street is they owe appraisers 3 million dollars at the moment.
I've appreciated getting to talk to friends and family today, its been a lift.
Love to all,
Tim
If it could happen it did today.
** up at 5 am to work and there was the notice on line, AppraiserLoft had closed its doors, my biggest client over the past 2 years and with outstanding debts to me of $3875, gone out of business. The promise of management companies, accept lower fees but we will always be there to pay you on time was not kept. Once again government has failed. This was governments idea to force all of us into working with management companies. It was a very hard hit.
** called Kaiser member services only to discover that the company I've paid a lot of money has not gotten me into the Kaiser system yet, somehow I have a number and was able to see a doctor yesterday but I'm not in the system, another big hit. I'm assured that it will be taken care of, I certainly hope so. At the same time different departments of Kaiser have been placing calls for different things about my care, somehow they know I exist but not officially yet.
** I just spoke with the owner of the company that offers to help write appraisals, we have been talking for a couple days and I was ready to get started with their helping with the writing. His bad news was that they had decided not to support my software, only the big three. He was very sorry but did not hold out much hope that they would change their mind. That was a terrible hit as I'm totally buried in work right now, I mean buried with most of the files being overdue now.
** To keep connected to MLS I had to cough up over $700 this afternoon, other wise I would be out of business.
Some days really go better than others and now I'm just sort of waiting for the next event to happen.
I'm writing early tonight to simply ask if you could remember my situation in prayer. When I step back there are many blessings in place, lots of work, health seems OK, I have a place to live for now, the $3875 was earmarked for house payment!
The first thing I did this morning was to file a complaint with the OREA, our state agency that regulates the management companies and I included a list of the outstanding appraisal fees owed. Who know, the word on the street is they owe appraisers 3 million dollars at the moment.
I've appreciated getting to talk to friends and family today, its been a lift.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, October 10, 2011
My first visit to Kaiser.......
Dear Ones,
It was a very dark day, rain on and off, low clouds partially obscuring the huge new wind machines as we passed over Vasco Road on our way to Fremont. So we spend the day with the heater on but still made progress. We did hit one snag. The first stop failed to find the owner home. The husband had forgotten to remind his wife of my coming so she was gone. I'll go back tomorrow, hard times to have to go back but human nature means mistakes sometimes, no reason to go off.
Once we did what we could for that appraisal, shot the comps and measured the outside of the home, then we headed for Richmond where we did two driveby reviews for the government. These loans are three years old and the question is, did they do right in the first place? Use the right comparables etc. They are never easy to write and take a long of time, after all an appraiser's work, his judgement is in question. I've been there so I know how serious it is. Not much room for error.
We were enough ahead of schedule that we had lunch at UNO's. I had this incredible 12 grain crust deep dish little pizza. It was just so good, rugged, just like I like my food and along with some soup the lunch was perfect.
Then we made our way to Kaiser where we found the right desk and started the process. Because I do not yet have my card I had to pay $100 to see the doctor. He turned out to be very helpful and later I went down and had lab work. They are so organized, friendly and helpful. I think in time I'll have all my needs met using the system. I'm still not able to sign in since the system does not recognize me yet even though I have a number. That number got me in to see Dr. Gee, the lab etc. Anyway I'm very gratified to be a part of Kaiser now and while this month is expensive as they charge a double fee to start from now on I save $300 a month and have access to many things not available otherwise. Good bye Blue Cross, you have been a very good friend but my needs have changed and your charges are out of my reach now.
The Antioch facility is all new and there are plenty of facilities to offer just about everything one could need.
Well tomorrow is another day and I plan to start at 5 so I'd better hit the hay for now. Great news is Steve and Nikki are home safely with the girls, the motorhome did not break down and they all had a great time.
Love to all,
Tim
It was a very dark day, rain on and off, low clouds partially obscuring the huge new wind machines as we passed over Vasco Road on our way to Fremont. So we spend the day with the heater on but still made progress. We did hit one snag. The first stop failed to find the owner home. The husband had forgotten to remind his wife of my coming so she was gone. I'll go back tomorrow, hard times to have to go back but human nature means mistakes sometimes, no reason to go off.
Once we did what we could for that appraisal, shot the comps and measured the outside of the home, then we headed for Richmond where we did two driveby reviews for the government. These loans are three years old and the question is, did they do right in the first place? Use the right comparables etc. They are never easy to write and take a long of time, after all an appraiser's work, his judgement is in question. I've been there so I know how serious it is. Not much room for error.
We were enough ahead of schedule that we had lunch at UNO's. I had this incredible 12 grain crust deep dish little pizza. It was just so good, rugged, just like I like my food and along with some soup the lunch was perfect.
Then we made our way to Kaiser where we found the right desk and started the process. Because I do not yet have my card I had to pay $100 to see the doctor. He turned out to be very helpful and later I went down and had lab work. They are so organized, friendly and helpful. I think in time I'll have all my needs met using the system. I'm still not able to sign in since the system does not recognize me yet even though I have a number. That number got me in to see Dr. Gee, the lab etc. Anyway I'm very gratified to be a part of Kaiser now and while this month is expensive as they charge a double fee to start from now on I save $300 a month and have access to many things not available otherwise. Good bye Blue Cross, you have been a very good friend but my needs have changed and your charges are out of my reach now.
The Antioch facility is all new and there are plenty of facilities to offer just about everything one could need.
Well tomorrow is another day and I plan to start at 5 so I'd better hit the hay for now. Great news is Steve and Nikki are home safely with the girls, the motorhome did not break down and they all had a great time.
Love to all,
Tim
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A pleasant day
Dear Family and Friends,
Nearly time to hit the sheets once again. Today has been an enjoyable fall day but I've been stuck at this computer all day other than to take a break to shoot comps photos and grab dinner at La Villa in Bethel Island.
I've been cranking out work and took a short break this afternoon to go next door and take the shade device that Ray and Lois had set up over their back deck. The wind blew it up into the tree and hung it on a branch. So after I fought it for awhile I finally got it down, took it apart to save it for them when they return from San Jose. Felt good to move the arms and tackle something different.
This week promises to be a busy one coming up. I'm aware that many people will be on holiday tomorrow but I'm seeing a place in Fremont in the morning and then doing some review work before ending up at Kaiser in the afternoon. I'm really looking forward to getting started with this new process.
Well it is time to rest and get up very early in the morning.
One thing about working at the desk all day is the music on KDFC which streams through the computer. Its a great classical station and is so well run, the music is perfect and they talk very little. It helps pass the time and I learn about music all the time. Great stuff. If you don't have music in your lives I'd urge you to consider obtaining access to some soon. Let music sooth you, give you peace.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Nearly time to hit the sheets once again. Today has been an enjoyable fall day but I've been stuck at this computer all day other than to take a break to shoot comps photos and grab dinner at La Villa in Bethel Island.
I've been cranking out work and took a short break this afternoon to go next door and take the shade device that Ray and Lois had set up over their back deck. The wind blew it up into the tree and hung it on a branch. So after I fought it for awhile I finally got it down, took it apart to save it for them when they return from San Jose. Felt good to move the arms and tackle something different.
This week promises to be a busy one coming up. I'm aware that many people will be on holiday tomorrow but I'm seeing a place in Fremont in the morning and then doing some review work before ending up at Kaiser in the afternoon. I'm really looking forward to getting started with this new process.
Well it is time to rest and get up very early in the morning.
One thing about working at the desk all day is the music on KDFC which streams through the computer. Its a great classical station and is so well run, the music is perfect and they talk very little. It helps pass the time and I learn about music all the time. Great stuff. If you don't have music in your lives I'd urge you to consider obtaining access to some soon. Let music sooth you, give you peace.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Interesting day
Dear Family and Friends,
Tonight my kids are at the beach. Jason, Jo and kiddos are at home by the beach while Steve and Nikki with kiddos are camping in the motorhome on Pismo Beach, right next to the waves. Nikki has sent a couple little videos today with Keanna riding an ATV on the sand and another of Kallie looking out the window of the coach. They sound like they are having a great time and I'm so glad they are there enjoying themselves.
The weather was perfect today, just a great day for venturing out. This evening we went to the movies, something I've not done in many months. We saw something with George Clooney, Edes of something. It was a political movie and shows back room workings on a campaign. It was well made and very depressing. Not any fun or games and sort of left you shaking your head as you left the theatre. Of course the popcorn was great!
Afterwards we dropped in at Mels which is next door and my omelet was delivered to the table packed with onions right after I ask that no onions be anywhere near my plate. The second time turned out much better and the food was great.
Now its bed time, tomorrow is a production day and I'm exploring a new service, for a mere $15 a group of writers promises to write up reports based on the information gleaned during the inspection and ship them back overnight. If this really works out it could mean I can get a lot more done in a shorter time than I can now. The first three reports are free and they claim to write it using my style. We will see but it is sponsored by one of the largest appraiser organizations in the country, the same one that provides my million dollar E&O policy and got me into Kaiser.
I hope your Sabbath was relaxing as mine was. I heard from Dolly and she reports that she and her hubby are moving to Napa, away from Oregon. I'm thrilled to have them return, it will be nice to be able to see them more often.
Asking that you continue to pray for special needs and I thank you for doing so.
Love
tim
Tonight my kids are at the beach. Jason, Jo and kiddos are at home by the beach while Steve and Nikki with kiddos are camping in the motorhome on Pismo Beach, right next to the waves. Nikki has sent a couple little videos today with Keanna riding an ATV on the sand and another of Kallie looking out the window of the coach. They sound like they are having a great time and I'm so glad they are there enjoying themselves.
The weather was perfect today, just a great day for venturing out. This evening we went to the movies, something I've not done in many months. We saw something with George Clooney, Edes of something. It was a political movie and shows back room workings on a campaign. It was well made and very depressing. Not any fun or games and sort of left you shaking your head as you left the theatre. Of course the popcorn was great!
Afterwards we dropped in at Mels which is next door and my omelet was delivered to the table packed with onions right after I ask that no onions be anywhere near my plate. The second time turned out much better and the food was great.
Now its bed time, tomorrow is a production day and I'm exploring a new service, for a mere $15 a group of writers promises to write up reports based on the information gleaned during the inspection and ship them back overnight. If this really works out it could mean I can get a lot more done in a shorter time than I can now. The first three reports are free and they claim to write it using my style. We will see but it is sponsored by one of the largest appraiser organizations in the country, the same one that provides my million dollar E&O policy and got me into Kaiser.
I hope your Sabbath was relaxing as mine was. I heard from Dolly and she reports that she and her hubby are moving to Napa, away from Oregon. I'm thrilled to have them return, it will be nice to be able to see them more often.
Asking that you continue to pray for special needs and I thank you for doing so.
Love
tim
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