Monday, May 31, 2010

Art comes to visit

For those of you who know Art Diaz you will understand what a treat it is when I get to see him.  One would think that since he and Connie are retired that catching up with them would be easy, not to be.  They are always going somewhere, visiting their other home is Indio, using their RV so when Art said he was going to be up here to visit this weekend I was delighted.  He came over this morning about 7 and we did the circuit around the lake, easy stuff for him since he usually climbs some mountain as part of his walk.  Then he treated me to breakfast at the Byron Inn Cafe.  The oatmeal was perfect and the company was even better. 
Once we came back home I asked if he could help me move the paddle boat from the water behind the house to the front yard so I could power wash it and get it ready to take to the church campout this weekend at Lake McSwain.  We wrestled it out of the water and slide it on its side to the front yard where we applied the water pressure.  While much of the filth came off there is still lots of staining remaining.  Now it sits in the front driveway waiting further cleaning.  Once Art was through helping he had to go.

I came into the house and found a packet the mix for a latte on the counter.  I do not know where it came from but once I dumped it into the hot water it began to sizzle and pop.  I should have dumped it right then but I drank it.  My insides have felt like they were at war every since drinking the brew.  And now at 9:20, many hours later, they still are churning and unhappy.  I've napped and tried to rest and get past it but so far today has been a waste once Art left.

I look forward to the rest of the week.  I have several orders to attend to right away and I'm very thankful for the work.  I'm still remembering how much fun it was to attend Kallie's party yesterday.  This afternoon when I saw her for a minute she came out, hugged me and said I had a party with a big winning smile.  She certainly knows she is loved, its a nice feeling for all of us, to know someone cares in this highly busy and impersonal world.

Love to all,

Tim

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Kallie turns 2 and what a party!


Some people just know how to throw a party, Steve and Nikki are such people.  When I arrived at 2:30 I found pony rides being given in the street and Kallie was loving every minute of it.  Turns out she had three rides.  Then as I ventured into the back yard I found a full blown petting zoo complete with ducks, chickens, rabbits, a pot bellied pig and a goat.  The little fenced area was full of kids enjoying the little creatures and the farmer person in charge keeping everything clean and fun.  Once back in the house I found Nikki and Steve had enlisted the neighbors who were cutting pineapples, watermellon, grapes, creating great eats for everyone and speaking of everyone, about 40 adults, over 17 kidos and mountains of presents that Kallie is probably still opening.  She had a blast tearing paper, throwing it in the air and holding the new dollies, games, clothes, books etc.

Kallie enjoyed roaming inside and out, playing, smiling, saying cheese when someone took a picture.  It seemed the entire block turned out and helped make this a huge success.  Steve was doing burgers when I left, had already done hot dogs, had three chests full of water and drinks, since the theme of the party was little piggies the cupcakes were made with piggies on top, each child got a piggy bank to paint and color and take home.  What an exciting moment in time to get to be a part of.  I've included a few photos to try to convey the happy time.

This evening after the party I drove to Pleasant Hill and inspected a really nice place, it is going into a short sale probably but it sits by a little stream, has a beautiful pool and nearly 1/2 an acre yet is right in the middle of town.  I loved the people, they were so kind and fun and ended sending a dozen eggs their chickens had laid right there at their place.  That is what I love about my job, the contact with the wonderful people of this country, they live, they work hard, they dream big, they play hard, they have kids, they struggle.  Its a privilege to be a part of the process and from time to time actually end up helping people with their struggles.

So good night all and good job Nikki and Steve, amazing and Keanna was right there helping the whole day, a very good sport.

Love

tim

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Kallie and Keanna brighten the day

Good evening family and friends,

It was pretty easy to pop up this morning and do the three miles.  After walking yesterday and then riding the bike a long ways last evening my feet and knees complained a bit.
I picked the girls who were just finishing a big breakfast and we drove to Tracy searching all the while for cows to comment on as we drove.  Once in Tracy we discovered that Emily was in charge of Sabbath School today and only had her little kido Luke in attendance.  So I played the piano, Keanna came and helped out and we had a good Sabbath School, later a couple more little girls from the neighborhood joined in.  Emily did a great job and I stumbled through the songs on the piano.  Kallie had a blast and so did Keanna.
Then it was time to find lunch, today we found it at the McDonalds located in WalMart.  At first the girls were not that hungry but their appetites grew as time passed.  Kallie ended up eating 1/2 a bag of apple pieces, 2 apple juice boxes and fries while Keanna had 8 pieces of chicken, fries, a whole bag of apple pieces and one apple juice.
Once home I delivered happy girls to their adorning parents.  They were glad to see them home.
I came home and napped with the doggies, then snacked a bit and finally went to meet my friend, just as I was leaving she called to say her dad wanted to tag along to see the condo once again, well that changed the plans a bit but I enjoyed meeting him and we took a hard look at the condo.  There are good things and bad things about it.  The floor has sunk in places causing cracking but the bath and kitchen are all newly updated.  The price seems reasonable.  So when we were through inspecting the condo they went their way and I found Olive Garden.  Some good Eggplant and salad, it was great, I ate at the bar so could talk to the bartender, they are really interesting people, sure beats eating alone and talking to yourself.
Now I'm home and ready to head to bed.  Not all of the day turned out as I had expected but it was good and I discovered I really enjoyed talking to my friend.

So good night to all,

Tim

Friday, May 28, 2010

Life is great

This adventure we call living certainly can be exciting.  I started this day by walking around the lake in the beautiful morning air, then I made breakfast, 2 eggs, toast, vege sausage and strawberries.

It was straight to work and after writing two reports with a quick lunch break I was ready to unwind.  Lois and I went shopping and searched for a small brass part that is needed to make the BBQ work for the motorhome again, no luck, the part is rare, not even located on the Internet yet.  Then we went to purchase dog food, treats and a big bone for Jazz, her yellow lab.

Once we got home I decided to pull down the bike that hangs over my car in the garage, its so much easier to get down now than a year ago.  I put air in the tires and enjoyed a nice ride to the storage yard where the motorhome resides.  Once I got it home I started to work on the BBQ hookup thinking I could probably force the issue and make the quick connect work again, no such luck this time.  Finally I gave up and came in, made a 100 calorie bag of popcorn and I'm writing to you dear friend.

I enjoyed a long talk with a special friend today and we remembered motorhome trips, camping and the wonders of church life from past years. I'll miss him on this upcoming trip.  At the moment I'm trying to figure out how to carry the paddle boat to the campout.  I think it would be enjoyed by many people if we could just get it there.  Lois thinks she has lined up a little trailer I could use and I've also thought of hoisting it onto the top of the motorhome.  It has been my experience that camping is more fun when you can not only sit by the water but also be on the water as well.

Kallie and her mother came to visit briefly this afternoon, Kallie lights up the room with her 100 watt smile, is busy with dolls, toys, puppies and the adventure of being at Papa's house instead of her own.  I can't wait until she turns 2, imagine 2 years old, how very special.  She has learned to sing Happy Birthday and now sings it to herself.

In the morning I have the rare privilege to convey both young ladies to Sabbath School.  It is always a blast to see they enjoy such a good thing so much.  Both Kim and Sylvia do a great job of teaching and along with Wes, Rod and Pat its time well spent.  Keanna got her precious yoyo at school but I've not seen it yet.  She counted out her money and had it ready to take to school to make the purchase.  She didn't know that her mother had sent a check so she paid for it herself, pretty cute.

I'm having dinner with a long time friend tomorrow evening.  We have worked together over the past few years, she ordering appraisals and helping us both.  Now she is considering purchasing a little condo and needs my advice, well advice is best given over a nice dinner.  Its sort of a new experience for me as she is somewhat taller than me and pretty attractive, it will be challenge for me to take this new step in life with someone like her, this is another of those times in life when you just have to walk forward even though you might be very afraid and unsettled.  I can do this, I eat all the time, right!  Now my dear friend, don't expect full disclosure on how it goes, there are some things that need to stay private.

So good night my friends,  this week I lost an important client and so far have received 5 orders from a new one, one never knows what will happen next but I never walk alone.

Love

tim

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Working it through

Good evening,
This has been a week of production and I'm proud of that.  Unlike some days when I have a very hard time settling down and working this week has been different.  Oh I've had my moments to be sure but for the most part having deadlines to meet is a good thing and having the girls in the morning has been like outstanding frosting on a cake, they are just so precious.  This morning I heard Keanna's feet hit the floor and then I heard Kallie making noises so I went up even though it was a bit early.  Kallie was surrounded by books she loves in her bed and she began to hand them out to me, then she handed herself out and we got ready for the day.  At breakfast both girls brought their appetites and Kallie found that she loved strawberries with a little bit of whipped cream to dip them in.  I think we went through 6 berries before we ran out of time.  Keanna had her food down in record time and was proud to count out money she was taking to school to purchase a yoyo.  Nikki tells me she did get to purchase it this morning.  Once they were both delivered to their places for the day then I headed back home to begin working up files.  I've just put the finishing touches on number 3 for the day plus I did a local inspection and even collected the fee.  The mails were kind to me today so at least part of the house payment is now covered, yea!

This evening I was invited to have dinner with Ron and Lydia, Wade and Jody and their little kido who is 2.  What a delightful meal we had.  Wade also caught me up on what I missed after I came home and he traveled on with the group.  Pretty nice place they went to next, perhaps another time I'll visit it.

Well it is bed time but I'm told I'm not needed in the AM since Steve's job is taking a break tomorrow.  Keanna has a day free from school so they will learn how to do the yoyo and have a good day together.  I plan to walk first and then really work hard on the reports that need to be completed, make appointments for the new orders and even do a bit of housework to prepare the house for Sabbath.

Sending love to all of you, thanks to the kindness of someone that was going to go on the church campout but has decided not to go there is a campsite now available so the door has been opened so I can go to the campout.  I love it there by the little Lake McSwain, just hope its not too hot.

Love

Tim

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Life sure stays interesting

Good evening friends and family,
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy2-p1.php

Before you do anything else click on the above and watch some of the funniest TV ever.  Sylvia sent it to me and I'm still laughing minutes later.  Just click on the line and your computer will find the site, it is amazing, an 88 year old lady and what a hoot.

Well this morning I not only had to go care for the girls but I also had to make a deposit or they might run me out of town.  Where does all the money go?  We had Belgium Waffles and they both ate very well.  We got them to their places early today which was a nice change and proves it can be done, but probably not repeated!

After delivering Keanna I raced home, switched cars and went to my first appointment, a beautiful home located on the golf course.  Then I raced back home and wrote up the appraisal on the spot.  After emailing it out I started on the next one.  Then it was time to pick up her highness.  After picking her up I raced back home, dropped her off, had Lois watch her for a few minutes and headed for a 1 pm appointment.  This appointment turned out to be a little different.  For several months the wife has tried to get her ex to agree to the appraisal and he always breaks the appointment.  Today he kept it but just as I started a local cop showed up and stood guard over the door for the entire time I was there.  This husband and wife have very serious issues, I mean the atmosphere was icy in the house between them while I did my work, talk about tension.  Of course the very best thing about it all was they both paid me on the spot and then I raced that money to the bank as well.  After that I had an amazing $4.00 in the business account.  Oh my, its time for clients to pay up I think.  I'm working 12 hour days but no one is paying, its the lag from when I was in Costa Rica, just happens and the bank is good to work with me, still the OD charges were amazing and vile.

Once the appraisal was out of the way Keanna, Lois and I went to McDonalds.  Lois had already given her the jello and popped popcorn for her.  Still she downed the 6 pieces of chicken like it was nothing and played on the playground equipment with some friends from school.  Finally we came back home and I started to work and she did her homework, then enjoyed working on sheets I printed from grandparents.com, a very nice site.

At 5:15 I delivered her to her mother and Nikki and I both drove to the spin class at the club.  Nikki is really strong and can do a lot more than I can but I think I put out more sweat than anyone in the room, wow what a workout and a literal pain in the butt.

Once Spin class was history I drove home and went back to work, now I've finished another appraisal and its time to sleep.

Life is not boring and when Keanna is around it gets downright exciting.  She is bright, driven, talented and loves to boss her Papa around, well that goes just so far but i do love having her in my life.  Lucky me, blessed me actually.

Love to all

Tim








 

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

A Long Successful Day

8:30 and I'm delighted to finally be at my desk in the home office.  I could not sleep this morning after about 3 am, got up when the alarm went off at 5:45 and enjoyed having breakfast with the girls and delivering them to their places for the day.  The I rushed home, loaded up the briefcase, water and snacks and set out for Sacramento.  The first place was not all that great but the comps were nearby.  Then I drove to Fairfield and arrived early for the next appointment.  By this time rain was threatening to fall and I measured quickly.  This home was really nice and the buyers were there to see their home a second time.
After Fairfield the next stop was Hayward and once again I arrived early.  For this one I had a coded lockbox so I didn't have to wait for anyone, just did my job.  It was a three story high townhome near the airport.  Once that job was completed I headed over to the last property of the day, a totally updated little house that was so perfect but is selling well above the other comps, yikes that is always a challenge.  I can see why the buyers were willing to pay the price but I have to rely on what other buyers have been willing to pay in the area.
Once that one was completed I turned for home and while traffic was nasty coming through Pleasanton I had a good Alex Cross book playing which helped the time pass quickly.
Now I'm home to discover one of the orders has cancelled, of course it is the last one I got from the company where I will not be getting any more work.
Now I'm faced with trying to to figure out which appraisal report to write up first.  Its not an easy choice since I have so many right now.
I must say I enjoyed calls today from Sylvia who seems to be a mind reader, knowing just when  friendly call is needed.  Talking to Nikki also was a huge boost as she knows the stress I live under with finances stretched to the breaking point and long lags with no checks coming in.  I also heard from Jason and is is facing the last day of the school year and graduation this weekend.  I think he is ready for a change of pace.

Keeping hold of the good vibes of life is pretty challenging today.  I'm meeting a friend at a place she wants to purchase this weekend, she just wants a second opinion and that scares me, one hates to be wrong in advising others in what steps they should take.  If your advice turns out great then they could depend on you for the next advice and if it turns out lousy then its your fault.

Human relationships are so exciting, yet complicated at the same time.  I'm constantly amazed at how dull some people are, just content to be part of the masses with no desire to achieve and I'm also struck in awe at some who are leaders, who think big thoughts, plan bold moves and seem to have success as a middle name.

Knowing God's will for ones life should come much easier at my age but I nearly always wonder what is next, what God has in mind, what I should do next or not do.  I've always wrestled with knowing God's will or could it be I just don't like to accept His direction or suggestions.  Can I just say it one more time, I miss Nan who had no trouble making decisions, had a very clear head about life and led an uncluttered life.  Everyone knew where she stood on everything and she didn't care if one liked it or not.  She cared about people but not about stuff, or power, or swaying others opinions of her.  I miss her stability, her charms, her good cooking, great pies, fun planning and her humor which was pretty dry at times.

Well its time to find some soup and I think head to bed.  Tomorrow promises to be another challenge and I want to be ready for it.

Love to all, friend and family

Tim