A great day

Good evening,
Up early, on the treadmill for a mile or so, then to the office for some quick work, then breakfast of steel cut oats, then on the road to Fremont, cute little house, nice people.  Then Starbucks for a multi grain bagel for lunch, then Walnut Creek for a driveby of a condo, then home briefly and on to a local deep water located home, great people, lovely property.

Then dinner at Boardwalk, I was so ready, my blood was 136 this morning and 107 just before dinner.  It is getting much better, not sure why but I'll take it and be grateful for the better numbers.

The check from Saturday finally cleared at 8 tonight so I can begin to repair the damages and I'm so thankful for some funds.

Right now I'm off to bed and up early to start writing.  Jessy came today and worked very hard, she wrote up several reports and I've been able to ship out two of them tonight and I'll finish one by 7 in the morning, such great help.

Got a nice text from Steve and a great photo which I'll try to share here.

My heart goes out to them, out there in the mission field!  Poor dears!

Love to all

Tim

Excellent day

Good evening,

Well here I am ready to turn the page, fall into bed and sleep, sleep, sleep.  Its been a really good day, a good day if you happen to like to accomplish a lot.

Woke this morning before 7 and I was cold, time to dig out another blanket I think.  Quickly jumped up, prayed and then drank a bottle of water, then down to take blood sugar, not bad at 126.  Then make coffee and go to office to work, it was cold, I forgot the outside door was open.

Cranked a lot of work out and then took Marilyn to see a house for sale in Brentwood which I had to appraise.  It was a perfect place, just completed by flippers, nice and attractive.  Then it was around the corner to do a driveby of a large 4,000 sf place.

Lunch was at UNO's and Marilyn picked up the tab.  Then back to work more and this afternoon and evening Marilyn has been inputting numbers into the Quick books pro, it was time and she is doing a great job of it.  Up to June already. What a huge help that is.

The week is getting booked already and I'm so thankful.  Jessy comes tomorrow to write up reports and will come back on Tuesday as well.  I'm seeing a Fremont, then a driveby in Walnut Creek and perhaps one in Brentwood before a 4 pm in Discovery Bay so will be a full day.

Sending love to all of you,

Tim

A New Day

Good evening,

What a huge difference a day can make, especially if its a Sabbath like today.

As I mentioned last night I was very nervous about playing for the worship services this morning at the Tracy SDA church, my home church.  I even woke before the alarm due to my concerns.  I ran over the hymns here on the piano which dominates my living room and they seemed to go pretty well.

Then it was time to shower, put on the suit and head to the church.  Arriving I found everyone gathered the old youth room, I'd not been in that room for many years.  I found the same carpeted bleacher seats I built so many years ago and they were still in good condition.  After going over the service we then filed out to take our place in an empty church.  Soon a few people came in, ready to give the new early service a try.

The pastor really knows her way around music and led with her guitar, it went smoothly and I began to relax a bit.  One tough spot was playing a song by ear in the key of C but seeing the song written in the book in a different key.

The second service was later and it went well too.  I heard the sermon twice and it was excellent both times.  Once it was all over and I finished playing the postlude as people filed out I really began to relax and could play with ease.  It was enjoyable to be able to help my church, filled with people I love and can relate to.

Once the services were over I drove to several little stores to try to locate some red cellophane  so I could effect a repair for the broken tail light on the green bug.  I located a red mesh at Michaels and it cost a whopping .59.  Since I was using my last dollar I was glad the price was right.  Then I drove home and a smiling Marilyn told me I only got one check, but then she had to tell me, that one check was for $2,100.  Enough to effect a real rescue for the accounts, it has lifted my spirits in an amazing way.  To have the piano playing over and then get a check like that, well it was nice and I'm so deeply grateful to the Lord.  Dolly told me in an email she had prayed that I might receive funds today and they came.  One of my clients speeded up payment for several appraisals and I appreciate that very much.

Then I needed to stop by Steve's office and fix a couple things that needed attention and he could not do it from Hawaii.  That went smoothly and I met his cute little rabbits who live in his office.

Then Marilyn and I decided on a lunch / dinner to sort of celebrate.  We went to Red Robin and since I had eaten very little all day the meal was just great.  Gardenburger and side salad hit the spot along with a lemonade that only has 10 calories.

Once we got home it was starting to grow dark and after a short nap we went outside and began to move things around.  Steve's box trailer got pushed to the very back, then the tow dolly was put in next and finally the motorhome was parked.  And since we are on a roll we pulled out the new boat cover and covered the boat too.  Things look better now.

I'm still debating whether I drive to the class reunion at Lincoln City or fly to Portland and grab a car.  I just took the time to update my Southwest Frequent Flyer account.  I had to talk to a lady on the phone as the last time it was set up was 1998 and you know you did that one, not me.  Since then there is much more security measures that have to be included.  So she went through and updated the account.  Now it works and I have a trip on hold that will take me up in the late afternoon to Portland, I'll get a little car and drive to Lincoln City, a couple hours at most, enjoy the weekend, drive back for a Sunday evening flight home.  I'll take the laptop and can get some work done before they throw me out of the hotel.  If I can swing it financially I'd much rather fly than drive 11 hours each way.  We will see if money keeps coming in during the week.

So it has been a great day with worship x 2, got to help with the services, to fellowship with people I love and admire, covered up the broken tail light and it works pretty well with it duct tape and red cover!  Really looks tacky!  New one will be here this week thanks to Marilyn who ordered it last night with her Paypal account.  She will be paid back!

Wishing all of you a good evening,

Tim

Stress filled week and it continues

Hello

What a week, very little good about it and my excellent luck continues.

This morning I got up at 5:44 to make sure I was at Steve and Nikki's at 6:15 so we could load the car and head to the airport.  They were Kona bound and it was great to see them all so excited about going.  The girls were packed, had their cute little suitcases on wheels and were smiling and READY.  That part of the day was really great.

We had awful traffic, not what we expected with some federal workers off and it was Friday.  We made it later than we planned but they had boarding passes.  When I left them off I stayed near just in case and went to my favorite airport Starbucks for a multi grain bagel and hot drink.  After I finished eating and had heard nothing I drove to the Berkeley address where the duplex was waiting.  Arriving early I plotted out the comps and drove them, shooting a photo of each as I drove.  It was different as I was in Steve's Honda Pilot, a fairly large car but I quickly learned how to make it work for me.

I received a text from Steve, they were sitting in their seats on the plane and eating!  That was great news and I relaxed.

Once the comps were shot I went back to the property and found a very nice two story duplex in great condition.  The owner was pleasant and met a lady who needed constant care.  He took care of her for 6 years and when she died since she had no heirs she gave the property to him.  He has continued to make improvements and it is nice.

Once I left Berkeley the next stop was a very nice 3,200 sf home in the hills above Concord.  Wow it was nice and the owner dogged my steps telling me every little detail that might effect value.  It was sort of cute really.  The place was great and he could have relaxed, his value is there.

From his place I found a Subway and found a credit card with enough room for lunch.  It was great and soon I was back on the road for San Leandro.  I arrived a few minutes late having had to go through the tunnel and the new bore is not yet completed for traffic.  This home was totally new looking and over $100,000 had been invested.  Now it was selling and it looked like new in every room.  Funny little event.  The guy who had remodeled the home called me over and had his laptop set up with speakers.  He had a 90 second clip about the home and it showed all the rooms and the music was loud and with a beat.  That was a first and I smiled and thanked him.  Sure glad he was not trying to influence the value!!

Once I was completed with this one then it was time to fight the traffic home.  Arriving after 5 pm I learned that no money had come in today and both accounts were once again slightly in the red, bad news and one of these days funds will arrive, for now its just stress big time.

Another stress point is playing for church tomorrow, I'm very unclear as to what I'm doing, my hands do not play well anymore and I'm really troubled by the whole process.  I won't be doing this again, it would be fine if I had the time to practice and prepare but with the work load on me right now I don't have the time and I'm feeling the heat big time.  I will be so glad when it is over, I just can't tell you how glad I'll be and I just pray that I won't detract from the fine service the pastor has prepared.

So with that I'm going to bed, oh yes there is one other thing.  When I got back to Steve and Nikki's to leave the Pilot and pick up my green bug I noticed something did not look right.  The entire red lense on the passenger back tail light is gone, totally gone.  I have no idea when or how it happened.  Tonight I tried to purchase a new one on line and of course the credit cards would not let me.  Marilyn had some funds in PayPal and got the lense which will be here in a couple days.  Talk about lousy luck!  My tail lights are falling off or being broken off, wild.

Hope your weekend works out great and that you love the one you are with!

Tim

Another big day

Dear Family and Friends,

Finally I'm sitting in my work chair again.  Its been a long day. 

I woke before light with the verticals banging in the wind, wind that had come up from out of the night.  At 6:45 I crawled out, had my prayer time and then showered.  Knowing I was needed in San Jose at 10:30 sort of set the agenda.  So on time I left for San Jose.  I scrambled through credit cards until I found one with enough space to buy a tank of fuel, got a free multi grain bagel with cream cheese, free because I was due a reward.  Free is always good!

I arrived on time after an uneventful trip with the green bug performing perfectly.

The house was on a corner and had lots of upgrading work, it was a pleasure to meet the 92 year old lady of the house.

Then I started back on freeway 680 and as I drew near to Mission I found an off ramp and went to Frys.  What a fun place to visit.  someone has compared it to Macy's for women, this is Frys for men.  I searched and found a $10 FM transmitter which allows one to plug an ipad directly into it and then pick up the sound on the cars FM radio.  It works perfectly and I was able to get back to listening to books again.

One nice thing about Frys is their eatery,  I had one of the greatest veges and rye sandwich ever.  It was that good.

Once I got home I only had a short time to work before leaving to meet Bob for a social gathering at a local physical therapy clinic that was celebrating being in business for 10 years.  What a happy gathering with good music and excellent food. 

On the way to Lodi to meet Bob I encountered a huge fire that had most of the roads and streets closed including Highway 5 for a time.  It took over 30 minutes to make it through traffic and get up on 5 and back on my way to Lodi.  On my way to Tracy this evening I witnessed 3 homes burning brightly and the entire field burning as well.  Due to the high winds the fire touched down in several places.  What a huge mess.

I've just come from meeting with the worship committee, preparing for the worship hour in Tracy.  I'm not up to the task at all, I will be doing some serious practice work tomorrow evening trying to get up to speed on the songs.

Now its bed time.  In the morning I have to be at Nikki and Steve's at 6:15 as I'm driving them to the airport for a 9:30 departure to Kona.  Oh I hope they have a perfect trip, how I love my kids and their kiddos.  Once I drop them off I'll find a place to sleep, probably in a Starbucks parking lot, then at 10 I see a duplex in Berkeley, then race to Concord to see a house at 11:30 and then back to San Leandro to see a place at 2 pm.  Then I can limp home to work and take it easy.  They will arrive about noon or before in Kona with plenty of time to check in and swim or go to the beach.

So tonight I thank a friend for some special assistance, what a relief and my Heavenly Father for His peace that passes anything we can generate here on this earth.

Love to all,

Tim

Another one done

Good evening,

Another challenging day.  Today it was two townhomes in Danville, both very nice and well kept, one updated totally and the other original but beautiful.

Then after a quick lunch of a slice of pizza and salad at Primo's in Danville it was travel to Castro Valley to reinspect.  What a great lady, so fun and happy.

Then it was back to the office to work and get stuff out the door.  Now its approaching bedtime and frankly I can't wait to just fall asleep.  The coughing really tires me out after awhile.  The money shortage is very heavy on my heart too.  Just getting caught up and the car costs $1,000.  What next is the way I feel.

I do appreciate your prayers and both Steve and I have been busier this week.  He got two orders this afternoon, great news.

Jessy came and worked for awhile today but is still fighting illness so had to leave before she quite finished up the work.  I just want her to feel better and soon.

Well I'm giving it up in a few minutes.

Love to all,

Tim

Green bug returns to service

Good evening,

It seems every time I begin to catch up something else happens.  I'm feeling pretty well, I'm busy with good work, I'm pretty much up to date with appointments but financially I'm behind for sure.

Today the mail was a bust, nothing but new ways to spend money, no cash in the mail!  Oh well, there is tomorrow.

So Freddie from East European Automotive called this afternoon to tell me the car was repaired.  Turns out the fuel pump that is mounted in the diesel tank had totally stopped pumping, the filter was nearly clogged up, the serpentine belt that drives nearly everything on the engine was nearly gone with wear.  Well those things along with the labor involved ended up costing an even $1,000. That took all my money and until tomorrow I totally tapped out.

This morning I left early not wanting to be late to meet Jessy at the house we were to inspect, so I ended up getting there way early.  The only thing that did not make the trip was my measuring wheel, not a good thing to be missing.  Fortunately the owner had a 25 foot tape which worked out very well and with Jessy holding one end of the tape things went quickly.  In the morning she will come to the office early and write up that one plus a duplex and a condo.

Meanwhile I'll be in Danville in the morning to see two properties, then on to Castro Valley to reinspect one that needed a water heater strapped.  Then home to work once again and to hope that funds come in the mail which I can rush to the bank.

I have been wavering in my decision to go to my class reunion on the Oregon coast in Lincoln City.  No having enough money to buy tickets early they have now become expensive to fly to Portland and back.  So now I've decided to drive the bug up.  The total cost of the trip will be less than $130 as it goes about 550 miles on a tank of fuel and the trip is about 1,300 total miles round trip. Of course there is the 11 hours at the wheel that will not be so fun to endure.  I really want to see my friends from Laurelwood after all these years.  I won't be able to leave until about noon on Friday so my arrival will be in the middle of the night, that's OK.

Well right now its time to cash it in and head to bed.  Its been a very long day but a good one.  It is always enjoyable to visit homes with Steve, he has a special ability to set the owners at ease as we inspect the property.

A special thanks to Marilyn who watched the girls today so Steve and I could inspect.  The girls are out of school this week with this stupid system of vacations all through the year at times when the parents have to be a work.  A very bad system.

Sending love to all,