This morning I just rolled out and into the tennis shoes Roger and Carol provided long ago. They worked fine but the weather was just a big cold. It was sunny but about 40 degrees. Since Ken had not called I just went by myself and I'm glad I did. There is something about just getting out into fresh air.
Once home I made oatmeal, used my last banana and microwaved a couple Stripples. With Breakfast out of the way I hit the shower, a time I really enjoy very much.
I came down and set to work after building a fire. I've kept that fire going all day and what was so nice this morning was the hot coals left from last night. Using Oak the fire lasts a very long time and the coals soon had the new wood roaring.
I wish I could say I've accomplished a lot today but that would be a lie. I've filed stacks of files, set up orders, cleared up my desk and written reports, just not as many as I should of by now. This evening I've been enjoying some past episodes of Bones and was shocked to discover that the main character is quite pregnant. I think I may have missed some episodes inbetween.
At the point I have all the laundry completed and put away, the sheets on my bed are clean, the dishwasher is running and the kitchen is tidy. In the morning I start off at 6:45 by drinking a lovely quart of contrast, then at 7:45 I drink a second quart and at 8:45 I have the CT scan. They hopefully on time I'll check with Steve and perhaps Keanna can come back home with me and Steve can be on his way to see a house in Walnut Creek. The really nice thing that has happened is that Steve is getting work from his own clients, that has been a very long time dream for me, that Steve would have his own clients, he is just an outstanding appraiser, honest, gentle with the homeowners and a hard worker and to see him get his foot into the door is very exciting.
I woke today to find I was shut out from my main client. I pay a $10 fee for each order that comes through Appraisal Port, a clearing house and on the 15th I have to pay for the prior month's orders, well this time it was $200, that is I've had 20 orders. Only problem I did not have $200 in any of my accounts and they had shut me out until I paid on line. What to do? I tried a couple credit cards but no go, finally I put in the business account numbers and it went through. Now that means I need to find money in the next day to cover the charge but perhaps tomorrow is my lucky day for some funds to show up. I know by Wednesday I'll get a large check that will set everything right again for awhile. Its just the inbetween that is costing me overdraft charges right now. Not fun.
At this point I'm turning in, I don't stay up well anymore, I get tired, sleepy, eyes get scratchy and I just nod off.
The CT scan tomorrow is of my chest and I hope yet I'm concerned about what they will find. I would love to be rid of this cough, its been extra bad that last two days, why, I can't put a finger on it after several days of much less coughing. Why!
Take care and lets work together to have a week of thanksgiving and peace in our lives. God is so good to us in spite of the challenges we face. I'm so thankful to have all of you in my life.
Love
tim
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Low Key Sabbath
Dear Family and Friends,
I woke early this morning with several financial problems dancing through my mind. Knowing it was early I dismissed them all and turned over for a bit more sleep.
At 9 I was at the gym to watch Keanna take to the floor in her basketball uniform. It was so cute watching the little ones scamper around trying to dribble, not fall, not go out of bound. Only a couple of the girls on each team had enough power to actually shoot a basket but they all tried. It was great fun to see her in action and Kallie was so full of energy, she can't wait to get on the floor and do her thing. She will be a force to contend with.
I had dressed for church so I left the gym but ended up spending time on the playground with the girls pushing them on swings and watching their little antics. Once I neared Tracy I looked up to discover it was 11:50 and church would be over by the time I arrived. So I consoled myself by going to Sonic and having a cheese sandwich and ice tea, driving home the scenic way. Once home I went over and visited Ray and Lois and then watched the Christian Dish programing for several hours. Some of the stuff was b o r i n g. I really tire of the same old topics repeated on several of the channels but there were good programs with interesting things to say. One was amazing, Dr. McDougal was on the show along with an author who had written a book about autism. They had discovered that by changing the diet, removing dairy and gluten the in a few days most of the behavior problems had cleared up and now the boy is 14 and lives a normal life, is an honor student.
This whole diet thing is very interesting. Because there is no money to be made in getting people to eating healthy normal stuff from the grocery store it does not get the same play as drugs and fancy medical solutions but I personally am more and more impressed that what we put in is what we become. How I want to spend a week in Santa Rosa at the live in program Dr. McDougal is having in December but I can't afford it, over a $1,000 for the program, plus hotel room or RV parking plus a week of work lost. The timing is just not right at this point.
This evening I went out and jammed a bunch of branches into garbage cans to sort of clear up the back yard area. felt good to do something with my hands thought the pain from the trigger finger was pretty intense. I had to be careful about lifting too much but I managed to get most of the brush put away.
Is it raining where you are tonight? My brother reports snow and wind in Weed and oh the storms can be pretty awful up there. He and Donna were staying put with a nice fire going to keep warm.
Sending love to all,
Tim
I woke early this morning with several financial problems dancing through my mind. Knowing it was early I dismissed them all and turned over for a bit more sleep.
At 9 I was at the gym to watch Keanna take to the floor in her basketball uniform. It was so cute watching the little ones scamper around trying to dribble, not fall, not go out of bound. Only a couple of the girls on each team had enough power to actually shoot a basket but they all tried. It was great fun to see her in action and Kallie was so full of energy, she can't wait to get on the floor and do her thing. She will be a force to contend with.
I had dressed for church so I left the gym but ended up spending time on the playground with the girls pushing them on swings and watching their little antics. Once I neared Tracy I looked up to discover it was 11:50 and church would be over by the time I arrived. So I consoled myself by going to Sonic and having a cheese sandwich and ice tea, driving home the scenic way. Once home I went over and visited Ray and Lois and then watched the Christian Dish programing for several hours. Some of the stuff was b o r i n g. I really tire of the same old topics repeated on several of the channels but there were good programs with interesting things to say. One was amazing, Dr. McDougal was on the show along with an author who had written a book about autism. They had discovered that by changing the diet, removing dairy and gluten the in a few days most of the behavior problems had cleared up and now the boy is 14 and lives a normal life, is an honor student.
This whole diet thing is very interesting. Because there is no money to be made in getting people to eating healthy normal stuff from the grocery store it does not get the same play as drugs and fancy medical solutions but I personally am more and more impressed that what we put in is what we become. How I want to spend a week in Santa Rosa at the live in program Dr. McDougal is having in December but I can't afford it, over a $1,000 for the program, plus hotel room or RV parking plus a week of work lost. The timing is just not right at this point.
This evening I went out and jammed a bunch of branches into garbage cans to sort of clear up the back yard area. felt good to do something with my hands thought the pain from the trigger finger was pretty intense. I had to be careful about lifting too much but I managed to get most of the brush put away.
Is it raining where you are tonight? My brother reports snow and wind in Weed and oh the storms can be pretty awful up there. He and Donna were staying put with a nice fire going to keep warm.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Friday, November 18, 2011
And the week winds down
I've just come from tucking the girls, Kallie and Keanna in for the night. Nikki called to see if I'd watch them while she and Steve went out to have dinner. Well I jumped at the chance, had no plans other than sit in the recliner, much more fun to observe the girls in action.
Kallie finally went to bed and she read the books to me tonight, an interesting combination of all the cartoon characters in her stories, precious, then she settled in under her soft blankets and I prayed for her and kissed her little head.
Later Keanna decided to turn in and she read to me from a kids Bible I gave her last Christmas. She says she reads from it every night, her reading is amazing, interesting, varied tones, expression, wow. I had to stop her and remind her of the first time she told me that she would read the book that night. Finally she settled in under the softest blanket in the world, just as her mom and day came home.
I've had a busy day, jumped up this morning after sleeping in, 8:30!! Had breakfast, STeve came by with the dogs who wisely stayed out of the cold water. Then I drove to Brentwood to see a property, then onto Kaiser to pick up contrast, no one had the prescription, someone had dropped the ball but 30 minutes later I had it in hand. Then I headed to Tracy to see a place, this one had grandma watching 2 year old twins, we had fun talking grandchildren. By the time I left Tracy it was time to eat so checking my wallet I found enough to cover soup and salad at Olive Garden. The food was perfect and I have 2 dollars left. Now if one or more of my lovely clients would pay up then I'd be back on easy street, right now I'm on the back alley until someone pays up. Oh well its the Sabbath now, time to move life a different direction.
On Monday morning I have a CT scan, I start drinking the lovely stuff at 6:30, then 7:30 and then the CT scan happens. I'll have blood work while I'm there too. On the 28th I'll have hand surgery on the trigger finger. Today has been a really bad day for coughing once again in spite of all the stuff I'm taking.
Sending love to all
Tim
Kallie finally went to bed and she read the books to me tonight, an interesting combination of all the cartoon characters in her stories, precious, then she settled in under her soft blankets and I prayed for her and kissed her little head.
Later Keanna decided to turn in and she read to me from a kids Bible I gave her last Christmas. She says she reads from it every night, her reading is amazing, interesting, varied tones, expression, wow. I had to stop her and remind her of the first time she told me that she would read the book that night. Finally she settled in under the softest blanket in the world, just as her mom and day came home.
I've had a busy day, jumped up this morning after sleeping in, 8:30!! Had breakfast, STeve came by with the dogs who wisely stayed out of the cold water. Then I drove to Brentwood to see a property, then onto Kaiser to pick up contrast, no one had the prescription, someone had dropped the ball but 30 minutes later I had it in hand. Then I headed to Tracy to see a place, this one had grandma watching 2 year old twins, we had fun talking grandchildren. By the time I left Tracy it was time to eat so checking my wallet I found enough to cover soup and salad at Olive Garden. The food was perfect and I have 2 dollars left. Now if one or more of my lovely clients would pay up then I'd be back on easy street, right now I'm on the back alley until someone pays up. Oh well its the Sabbath now, time to move life a different direction.
On Monday morning I have a CT scan, I start drinking the lovely stuff at 6:30, then 7:30 and then the CT scan happens. I'll have blood work while I'm there too. On the 28th I'll have hand surgery on the trigger finger. Today has been a really bad day for coughing once again in spite of all the stuff I'm taking.
Sending love to all
Tim
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Work
Through blurry eyes I write, Ken and I walked at 6:30, by 8 I was at my desk and I'm just leaving it now. During this day I've cranked out a whole lot of work and though I'm tired I've very satisfied with the efforts and the success. Walking helps so much, it wakes me up, gets things flowing again and I really appreciate Ken urging me to walk.
Tomorrow morning I drop by Kaiser and pick up the contrast I'll need for Monday mornings CT scan, the oncology group want a CT of the chest, they say it is routine when a tumor is found like the one they found by the appendix. Sure feels strange to be in this new place where I am the one with the tumor.
I am so thankful for so many things tonight and yet have such a yearning for a relationship. I honestly don't know how I would give it, her, any time though with working like I do.
Well one thing at a time, right now sleep is my goal, objective and I'm NOT walking tomorrow. Taking a day off so I can start work early instead.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Tomorrow morning I drop by Kaiser and pick up the contrast I'll need for Monday mornings CT scan, the oncology group want a CT of the chest, they say it is routine when a tumor is found like the one they found by the appendix. Sure feels strange to be in this new place where I am the one with the tumor.
I am so thankful for so many things tonight and yet have such a yearning for a relationship. I honestly don't know how I would give it, her, any time though with working like I do.
Well one thing at a time, right now sleep is my goal, objective and I'm NOT walking tomorrow. Taking a day off so I can start work early instead.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Working through it
Good evening
This was a great day, why? Well Keanna came to visit for the afternoon, did her homework, munched on popcorn, played with the laptop and my phone, caught up on some of her programs and relaxed a bit. What a fun kiddo.
After walking I've just kept myself confined to this desk chair, which is less and less comfortable as time passes, they tend to wear out!
As the day progressed I've managed to get several reports out and so far today they have all been accepted with no revisions requested, nice!
Some new orders came in which is always encouraging. I'm enjoying this time of year, I must admit partially due to the low cost of heating, cooling the house, the PG&E bills should plummet, they won't but they should.
I feel good and today was a day for calls from kaiser. An oncology nurse called today to give me her personal number if I have any questions or concerns, she said I need another CT scan of my chest, blood work and will see an oncologist soon. Later another call came in from GI department to tell me they will call on Friday to set up an appointment for that wonderful process of exploring, a colonoscopy! Yea I just can't wait. And of course on the 28th my finger gets operated on.
Still coughing but taking an unbelievable array of meds now, unbelievable, hope not to be doing this forever.
Well for now I think I need rest more than anything else so I'll let you go and take Starr up to her little blanket on my bed. We are winding down with Starr, soon I'll have to make the final decision and let her rest. Its not an easy thing to consider, she has been a part of our lives for about 14 years and added so much pleasure to all of us. I wonder if God keeps track of pets?
Love to all,
Tim
This was a great day, why? Well Keanna came to visit for the afternoon, did her homework, munched on popcorn, played with the laptop and my phone, caught up on some of her programs and relaxed a bit. What a fun kiddo.
After walking I've just kept myself confined to this desk chair, which is less and less comfortable as time passes, they tend to wear out!
As the day progressed I've managed to get several reports out and so far today they have all been accepted with no revisions requested, nice!
Some new orders came in which is always encouraging. I'm enjoying this time of year, I must admit partially due to the low cost of heating, cooling the house, the PG&E bills should plummet, they won't but they should.
I feel good and today was a day for calls from kaiser. An oncology nurse called today to give me her personal number if I have any questions or concerns, she said I need another CT scan of my chest, blood work and will see an oncologist soon. Later another call came in from GI department to tell me they will call on Friday to set up an appointment for that wonderful process of exploring, a colonoscopy! Yea I just can't wait. And of course on the 28th my finger gets operated on.
Still coughing but taking an unbelievable array of meds now, unbelievable, hope not to be doing this forever.
Well for now I think I need rest more than anything else so I'll let you go and take Starr up to her little blanket on my bed. We are winding down with Starr, soon I'll have to make the final decision and let her rest. Its not an easy thing to consider, she has been a part of our lives for about 14 years and added so much pleasure to all of us. I wonder if God keeps track of pets?
Love to all,
Tim
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
A Day in the my life
Up at 6:15 and ready to walk with Ken at 6:30. 41 degrees outside, time to locate the gloves!
Breakfast of cereal, soy milk and a slice of the bread I baked last night.
Do research for day
Leave for El Cerrito at 8:30, arrive in El Cerrito at 9:30, promised lock box key is NOT there, phone calls later I am given the code to a backup box, get the key and go in, find little house, 616 sf with promised 2 bedrooms actually has one bedroom with closet and a door that opens into the next so called bedroom but lacks a closet but which is connected to the only bathroom. House is selling for $92,000.
Drive around in less than ideal neighborhood and shoot photos, always interesting experience!
Leave on time for Pittsburg for second appraisal, nice home, teen age daughter greets me and offers to carry the ladder, I let her as I'm not supposed to be lifting yet. Nasty attitude found in dogs in the back yard, eat appraiser! Hope the lease holds for a bit longer, it does.
Non english speaking mother offers me some great tasting orange juice. I drink bribes, love them.
Then time enough for lunch, GPS says Burger King is near so have a vege burger, side salad and ice tea, tastes great.
Off to Kaiser but park in wrong lot so a long walk later I arrive at surgery, sign in, pay $30 and am called in a minute later.
Surgeon is informative, yes I had a tumor that was cancer, path shows they got all of it, he prints me out a copy but refers me to oncology and GI for colonoscopy, they will call for appointment, great, I just love to prepare for these special moments!
Back into the car, buy a cookie from snack shop in Kaiser. Drive to Disco Bay and find person home early for appointment, see house, shoot comps, drive to second house, find lovely owner, I mean a really terrific lady, they manage condo's in Maui, interesting world indeed. Perfect house, as I'm leaving she says, wish her mom lived closer, would love to have her meet me! Nice thought.
Dark now and home to fix a little dinner, make a smoothie and set to work again. Jerry calls, Ray drops by, I catch a bit of Miami CSI while eating.
Spend evening fixing little things that have come up with past reports, one needs the patio sketched in, another needs sale price changed as buyer and seller have agreed to lower the purchase price, no reason given, someone is contesting a value, why didn't we give them a higher appraisal? I'll take a hard look and probably find them a couple more dollars.
Cold call, my wonderful house keeper Tanya has referred me to someone needing two local appraisals, cash and all that. I cut a deal for the two, very grateful to Tanya, will go have lunch where she waits tables and leave a huge tip in appreciation for her referral.
I now know on the 28th in the morning they will operate on my trigger finger.
So the day goes, God has blessed me with a safe day in the little Civic a very pleasing car to drive and one that rewarded me with 35 mpg on the last tank! I've seen 4 properties, seen the doctor, eaten well, exercised and now even though there are a pile of reports to write I'm going to bed. I've done enough and I'm tired. Had another nice talk with my new friend as i drove today. She is very busy with her kiddos too, we share war stories, so fun.
Love to all
Tim
Breakfast of cereal, soy milk and a slice of the bread I baked last night.
Do research for day
Leave for El Cerrito at 8:30, arrive in El Cerrito at 9:30, promised lock box key is NOT there, phone calls later I am given the code to a backup box, get the key and go in, find little house, 616 sf with promised 2 bedrooms actually has one bedroom with closet and a door that opens into the next so called bedroom but lacks a closet but which is connected to the only bathroom. House is selling for $92,000.
Drive around in less than ideal neighborhood and shoot photos, always interesting experience!
Leave on time for Pittsburg for second appraisal, nice home, teen age daughter greets me and offers to carry the ladder, I let her as I'm not supposed to be lifting yet. Nasty attitude found in dogs in the back yard, eat appraiser! Hope the lease holds for a bit longer, it does.
Non english speaking mother offers me some great tasting orange juice. I drink bribes, love them.
Then time enough for lunch, GPS says Burger King is near so have a vege burger, side salad and ice tea, tastes great.
Off to Kaiser but park in wrong lot so a long walk later I arrive at surgery, sign in, pay $30 and am called in a minute later.
Surgeon is informative, yes I had a tumor that was cancer, path shows they got all of it, he prints me out a copy but refers me to oncology and GI for colonoscopy, they will call for appointment, great, I just love to prepare for these special moments!
Back into the car, buy a cookie from snack shop in Kaiser. Drive to Disco Bay and find person home early for appointment, see house, shoot comps, drive to second house, find lovely owner, I mean a really terrific lady, they manage condo's in Maui, interesting world indeed. Perfect house, as I'm leaving she says, wish her mom lived closer, would love to have her meet me! Nice thought.
Dark now and home to fix a little dinner, make a smoothie and set to work again. Jerry calls, Ray drops by, I catch a bit of Miami CSI while eating.
Spend evening fixing little things that have come up with past reports, one needs the patio sketched in, another needs sale price changed as buyer and seller have agreed to lower the purchase price, no reason given, someone is contesting a value, why didn't we give them a higher appraisal? I'll take a hard look and probably find them a couple more dollars.
Cold call, my wonderful house keeper Tanya has referred me to someone needing two local appraisals, cash and all that. I cut a deal for the two, very grateful to Tanya, will go have lunch where she waits tables and leave a huge tip in appreciation for her referral.
I now know on the 28th in the morning they will operate on my trigger finger.
So the day goes, God has blessed me with a safe day in the little Civic a very pleasing car to drive and one that rewarded me with 35 mpg on the last tank! I've seen 4 properties, seen the doctor, eaten well, exercised and now even though there are a pile of reports to write I'm going to bed. I've done enough and I'm tired. Had another nice talk with my new friend as i drove today. She is very busy with her kiddos too, we share war stories, so fun.
Love to all
Tim
Monday, November 14, 2011
Back in the saddle
What an incredible day. Started with a walk with Ken, then shower in blistering hot water, best moment of the day! Then breakfast, second best moment of the morning.
Then it was off to Oakley to do one, then to Antioch to do another, finally straight little houses, they pay the same but take half as long to prepare.
Home to begin writing them up, now with Steve's help three are out the door, one was due at 5 pm and I sent it at 4:47, stuff just kept coming up that needed attention.
Had a great talk today with friend I met at a BBQ, such an interesting person. Now its bed time, Ken says we walk in the morning. Then I hit the road for El Cerrito, then Pittsburg, then the surgeon at kaiser, then one back here in Discovery Bay and then the day will be over.
So thankful for health and for production. yea.
A very nice email appeared in my Outlook today, I'm sharing it because it makes me feel good, I think you'll understand when you read it.
Love to all
Tim
Hello Tim,
We returned from our vacation and found that a copy of the appraisal had been delivered. You did an excellent job. We have had appraisals in the past that were mostly just the taking of some measurements and a bit of neighborhood comparison. These are important, of course, but I could see that you had very carefully looked at everything and remembered what you had seen. You paid careful attention to everything.
We appreciated your work very much.
Thanks,
Brian & Mickie
Then it was off to Oakley to do one, then to Antioch to do another, finally straight little houses, they pay the same but take half as long to prepare.
Home to begin writing them up, now with Steve's help three are out the door, one was due at 5 pm and I sent it at 4:47, stuff just kept coming up that needed attention.
Had a great talk today with friend I met at a BBQ, such an interesting person. Now its bed time, Ken says we walk in the morning. Then I hit the road for El Cerrito, then Pittsburg, then the surgeon at kaiser, then one back here in Discovery Bay and then the day will be over.
So thankful for health and for production. yea.
A very nice email appeared in my Outlook today, I'm sharing it because it makes me feel good, I think you'll understand when you read it.
Love to all
Tim
Hello Tim,
We returned from our vacation and found that a copy of the appraisal had been delivered. You did an excellent job. We have had appraisals in the past that were mostly just the taking of some measurements and a bit of neighborhood comparison. These are important, of course, but I could see that you had very carefully looked at everything and remembered what you had seen. You paid careful attention to everything.
We appreciated your work very much.
Thanks,
Brian & Mickie
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