Dear Ones,
This morning I rolled out of bed, picked up Kallie who was dressed in a cute little dress and we went to Sabbath School. There was just one other child there this morning. Emily did a great job of leading out and Kallie had a good time. She is learning to say Amen at the end of prayers and also singing some of the songs. Once the program was over, the snacks eaten we went to the car and drove to Discovery Bay. She fell asleep before we reached home so I tried to carefully take her from the car, through the garage, up the stairs and down into her little bed. I thought I had managed the whole process but 30 minutes later she was awake and crying because she had wanted to go to Papa's house. Just in time Nikki called to invite us to join the family for lunch in Brentwood. So we drove in and listened as Keanna talked about her soccer experiences. She had a good time and her outfit is so cute. She is growing up so fast and it saddens me, our little Keanna is no more, now she is a school girl.
Once I headed home I became very sleepy and the benedryl I had taken to cope with itching really got up with me. Once home I started a long nap and had a very hard time waking from it. I was deep into sleep.
This evening I had dinner with a friend at the Elephant Bar in Stockton. The food was great, the service outstanding and the prices very reasonable. It was a great evening.
Life is totally different than I expected when I would look to my 60s years ago. I never expected things to be this challenging and unsettled. Yet there is a loving heavenly Father who watches and cares. I think Him for the precious joys found in smiling faces of little ones.
Love
tim
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Kallie comes to visit
Dear Family and Friends,
The week has finally ground to a halt to be replaced with a peaceful Sabbath time. In the middle of the week work picked up and I've been kept very busy trying to meet incredibly short deadlines.
This afternoon after doing a review of a good appraisal in Piedmont, upper Oakland where the typical house is more than a million dollars I headed home knowing the pace would be changing. I stopped by and picked up Kallie, we came to the house and she played while I wrote up the review. Lois was kind enough to come over to help her stay safe. Then we went to McDonalds where Kallie played and enjoyed some food. Finally we ended up at her house where she eventually went to bed. It is so cute, you pray with her and she snuggles down into her little pillow, then she reaches down and pulls her blanket up and says good night. That is it, she is gone. Just too cute for words.
Nikki and Steve took friends and Keanna for a night watching the Giants win over the Dodgers. They had a great time and enjoyed the van which let them all fit in one car.
I'm taking Kallie to Sabbath School, this afternoon she asked if we were going to church tomorrow? Out of the mouth of babes..... so we are going, that is if I ever get to bed and get some rest.
Love to all, enjoy your weekend and find some peace.
Tim
The week has finally ground to a halt to be replaced with a peaceful Sabbath time. In the middle of the week work picked up and I've been kept very busy trying to meet incredibly short deadlines.
This afternoon after doing a review of a good appraisal in Piedmont, upper Oakland where the typical house is more than a million dollars I headed home knowing the pace would be changing. I stopped by and picked up Kallie, we came to the house and she played while I wrote up the review. Lois was kind enough to come over to help her stay safe. Then we went to McDonalds where Kallie played and enjoyed some food. Finally we ended up at her house where she eventually went to bed. It is so cute, you pray with her and she snuggles down into her little pillow, then she reaches down and pulls her blanket up and says good night. That is it, she is gone. Just too cute for words.
Nikki and Steve took friends and Keanna for a night watching the Giants win over the Dodgers. They had a great time and enjoyed the van which let them all fit in one car.
I'm taking Kallie to Sabbath School, this afternoon she asked if we were going to church tomorrow? Out of the mouth of babes..... so we are going, that is if I ever get to bed and get some rest.
Love to all, enjoy your weekend and find some peace.
Tim
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Alone again
It was sure to happen, Marilyn left me, drove right up the road to Sacramento, to her sisters and her friends and the really bad thing was, my wallet went with her. Shortly after arriving in Sac this morning she looked down to discover my wallet sitting quietly on the console. I had left it last night when we got home from dinner. So we each drove 1/2 the distance and I now own my wallet again.
Not walking this morning I wandered into the office and began working. Finally this afternoon I put the finishing touches on a field review which pays some measly amount but took forever. Almost immediately it was rejected by the system and I had to change some things, I think now it has finally been accepted. Work certainly takes longer to accomplish the same as used to be done in 1/2 the time. No wonder so many appraisers are through with the business, have moved on, lost their homes and are in some cases very bitter. I can understand perfectly as I struggle to survive day by day.
This afternoon the orders started, 4 of them in a row, all for extremely low fees, yet not quite low enough to just refuse them. I'm now getting $260 for something I've gotten $375 for for the last 10 years. And the client is paying even more than $375, the management company cuts their profit off the top. I don't think that will last for long with the new laws just passed by congress, they say the appraiser fees must be customary for the area, not set by management companies so there could be some hope on the horizon.
The weather continues to be splendid with the big AC working for a very short time in the late afternoon. Its pleasant to be outside, even to measure homes and here we are almost to August. Of course we know there will be some hot times to come but I'm enjoying the cooler times.
Tomorrow promises to be a very busy day with trips to Oakland, then back home to write up the report and get it turned in before the end of day. Then tomorrow evening I care for Kallie as her parents go to the ballgame with friends. We will have a good time. She is easy to care for, she loves to play and smile, sing and when its time for bed she will go willingly without a fuss. Its sort of rare and very nice to cope with.
Sending love to all,
tim
Not walking this morning I wandered into the office and began working. Finally this afternoon I put the finishing touches on a field review which pays some measly amount but took forever. Almost immediately it was rejected by the system and I had to change some things, I think now it has finally been accepted. Work certainly takes longer to accomplish the same as used to be done in 1/2 the time. No wonder so many appraisers are through with the business, have moved on, lost their homes and are in some cases very bitter. I can understand perfectly as I struggle to survive day by day.
This afternoon the orders started, 4 of them in a row, all for extremely low fees, yet not quite low enough to just refuse them. I'm now getting $260 for something I've gotten $375 for for the last 10 years. And the client is paying even more than $375, the management company cuts their profit off the top. I don't think that will last for long with the new laws just passed by congress, they say the appraiser fees must be customary for the area, not set by management companies so there could be some hope on the horizon.
The weather continues to be splendid with the big AC working for a very short time in the late afternoon. Its pleasant to be outside, even to measure homes and here we are almost to August. Of course we know there will be some hot times to come but I'm enjoying the cooler times.
Tomorrow promises to be a very busy day with trips to Oakland, then back home to write up the report and get it turned in before the end of day. Then tomorrow evening I care for Kallie as her parents go to the ballgame with friends. We will have a good time. She is easy to care for, she loves to play and smile, sing and when its time for bed she will go willingly without a fuss. Its sort of rare and very nice to cope with.
Sending love to all,
tim
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Spin class
Have I told you about spin class? Perhaps some of you do not realize that in 30 minutes you get a chance to witness your life being spilled out over your forehead and onto the floor, it is a constant stream of sweat, the heart beats so fast that it is louder than the blaring rock music, played at that volume so you don't get a chance to even consider the extreme limits you are pushing your body to. The room is about 50 degrees when you walk in but in a matter of 12 minutes becomes over 80 or at least it feels like it. Surrounded by attractive young women in their pretty little outfits one shrinks in an attempt not to be noticed, funny how the young women appear much older when they drag their sweat stained dying bodies out the door at the end of class. All the time our beloved Kim sends encouraging messages to us over the din of the music, looking good, lets climb this last mountain, was it McKinley? Or Everest? And then the coasting down the other side, legs and feet spinning so fast that if anything went wrong one would be missing a limb. Oh and did I mention I pay $55 a month for this honor, of losing 5 pounds of precious body fluids in 30 minutes so you can stagger down the stairs as a group. Welcome to spin class. And then she dares invite you to stay and take the next 60 minute class where "things get serious". I run from the building to avoid being snatched into the next serious class. On many a tombstone it says, He left us in spinning class!
So why go? Well why not? Can't have that kind of life changing experience anyplace else short of a Pentecostal service and Kim looks so much better than a wild eyed southern preacher.
Actually compared to the rest of the day spin class was down right exciting.
I walked, then I drove to Hayward where I met a nice lady speaking Chinese, her son spoke perfect English and interpreted for us. The entire two story home had no furniture, only mats to sleep on. The people were lovely, kind and very polite. And the entire appraisal was conducted in the cool crisp morning with fog swirling around on every side. It was just the kind of morning I love. Once I was completed with the inspection I then turned to Pittsburgh to conduct a drive by appraisal review. Already in my possession are the 39 page original appraisal and a 4 page review. Now someone at MetLife wants another review, this time a drive by one but you know, since they are willing to pay for it, I will comply.
Once I finished in Pittsburgh I headed home to pick up Keanna from her first day at school. She marched out looking pleased in her new school clothes. She was full of news, her new teacher was great, she had saved her bathroom pass, not sure that is a virtue!, there were lots of kids in the room she knew and yes could we drive to McDonalds for a snack. An hour later and a full happy meal under her belt we drove home so she could change to her gymnastics clothes. I took her to her 2:40 class and she did great. She has turned a lot of corners and can do cartwheels, handstands, works on the balance beam and obviously loves every minute of it. It is such a joy to see her enjoy her life and we have nice conversations. She often asks me to explain words I use which I then break down so she can use them in the future. She is reading well ahead of her grade level now and loves learning. What fun.
Now fun for a Papa is something different, like going to bed on time and that is just what I'm going to do. I survived a 3 mile walk with Ken this morning and spin class tonight plus an afternoon with the human dynamo Keanna. Nice.
love
tim
So why go? Well why not? Can't have that kind of life changing experience anyplace else short of a Pentecostal service and Kim looks so much better than a wild eyed southern preacher.
Actually compared to the rest of the day spin class was down right exciting.
I walked, then I drove to Hayward where I met a nice lady speaking Chinese, her son spoke perfect English and interpreted for us. The entire two story home had no furniture, only mats to sleep on. The people were lovely, kind and very polite. And the entire appraisal was conducted in the cool crisp morning with fog swirling around on every side. It was just the kind of morning I love. Once I was completed with the inspection I then turned to Pittsburgh to conduct a drive by appraisal review. Already in my possession are the 39 page original appraisal and a 4 page review. Now someone at MetLife wants another review, this time a drive by one but you know, since they are willing to pay for it, I will comply.
Once I finished in Pittsburgh I headed home to pick up Keanna from her first day at school. She marched out looking pleased in her new school clothes. She was full of news, her new teacher was great, she had saved her bathroom pass, not sure that is a virtue!, there were lots of kids in the room she knew and yes could we drive to McDonalds for a snack. An hour later and a full happy meal under her belt we drove home so she could change to her gymnastics clothes. I took her to her 2:40 class and she did great. She has turned a lot of corners and can do cartwheels, handstands, works on the balance beam and obviously loves every minute of it. It is such a joy to see her enjoy her life and we have nice conversations. She often asks me to explain words I use which I then break down so she can use them in the future. She is reading well ahead of her grade level now and loves learning. What fun.
Now fun for a Papa is something different, like going to bed on time and that is just what I'm going to do. I survived a 3 mile walk with Ken this morning and spin class tonight plus an afternoon with the human dynamo Keanna. Nice.
love
tim
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Another cool day
Wow, so here it is Tuesday all ready, the weather is wonderfully cool, there has been work to complete including a new order this morning right here in Discovery Bay. Marilyn has been keeping all TV shows monitored from the recliner and reports all is in order. She has reprogrammed the DVR to capture the shows I might like to see someday and some weird show called General Hospital!!
The house I saw at noon was right here on the golf course and had a stunning pool, a lagoon view, totally updated interior. The lady told an interesting story about her mom who lives up in Copperopolis. She stepped into her yard only to step right on a rattler. Of course the rattler big her and her dog, she spent a week in the hospital recovering and likes snakes even less than before. Oh how I hate snakes and the story gave me the creeps. She also told me she had both knees replaced at the same time. Seems she used her step machine so much that she wore it out and her knees as well. Interesting things one can learn from visiting with homeowners.
I've cranked out reports today and am looking forward to bed soon. Tomorrow Keanna starts school, it seems so wrong, what ever happened to school starting in September? I'll pick her up from school and then take her to gymnastics in the afternoon. It will be fun to see her again. Its also a way I can feel like I'm doing my part for my precious family.
Steve has been working hard at getting signed up with management companies and I just pray that it will work out. He is an incredibly good appraiser, careful, honest, dedicated to doing everything correctly so if given a chance he will get lots of work. My own work load is pretty sick right now, hardly anything happening at the present time, orders trickle in and checks do about the same. In a few days it will be critical for the house payment again. Here we go again.
Well its time to fold up the tent and head to bed. Tomorrow morning at 9 I have to be in Hayward to see a place. There is little data available regarding this nearly new property so doing this report is going to be a real challenge. Oh well that is why they pay me the little bucks these days.
I've been filling out the endless E Harmony materials, wow it just seems to go on forever. And of course now they want me to download a photo. Well I don't have a photo I really want to share but I suppose I'll have to either take one or find one if this is to work. Already I have 24 inquiries from all over asking for a response. Yikes.
Love to all,
Tim
The house I saw at noon was right here on the golf course and had a stunning pool, a lagoon view, totally updated interior. The lady told an interesting story about her mom who lives up in Copperopolis. She stepped into her yard only to step right on a rattler. Of course the rattler big her and her dog, she spent a week in the hospital recovering and likes snakes even less than before. Oh how I hate snakes and the story gave me the creeps. She also told me she had both knees replaced at the same time. Seems she used her step machine so much that she wore it out and her knees as well. Interesting things one can learn from visiting with homeowners.
I've cranked out reports today and am looking forward to bed soon. Tomorrow Keanna starts school, it seems so wrong, what ever happened to school starting in September? I'll pick her up from school and then take her to gymnastics in the afternoon. It will be fun to see her again. Its also a way I can feel like I'm doing my part for my precious family.
Steve has been working hard at getting signed up with management companies and I just pray that it will work out. He is an incredibly good appraiser, careful, honest, dedicated to doing everything correctly so if given a chance he will get lots of work. My own work load is pretty sick right now, hardly anything happening at the present time, orders trickle in and checks do about the same. In a few days it will be critical for the house payment again. Here we go again.
Well its time to fold up the tent and head to bed. Tomorrow morning at 9 I have to be in Hayward to see a place. There is little data available regarding this nearly new property so doing this report is going to be a real challenge. Oh well that is why they pay me the little bucks these days.
I've been filling out the endless E Harmony materials, wow it just seems to go on forever. And of course now they want me to download a photo. Well I don't have a photo I really want to share but I suppose I'll have to either take one or find one if this is to work. Already I have 24 inquiries from all over asking for a response. Yikes.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, July 26, 2010
A nice cool day, lots of work done, Marilyn makes great dinner
Dear Family and Friends,
Some days just work out better than others. This has been one of the good ones. Many of you know that guys tend to base much of their feelings on whether they get work accomplished or not, when we fiddle around all day and have nothing to show for the day we tend to feel it was wasted, which of course is exactly what it is, wasted.
Ken and I trooped our 3 miles this morning in wonderful cool air. Then I hit the showers and came down to see anxious messages on my screen, where is the rush appraisal from Discovery Bay. At first I thought that it was done but then I started digging and found it deep in my briefcase. It had been due last Thursday, no wonder they were anxious. Well what to do, I had to leave for an appointment in Lafayette within 1/2 hour. I called the homeowner and she graciously allowed us to move the appointment to 4 this afternoon. That allowed me time to do the value checks, the fixes and to write two appraisals before leaving. It was wonderful. I settled into writing mode and cranked both of them out, emailed them to the management company and then left on time at 3. By then the mail had brought payment for 3 reports which I deposited on my way out of town. The drive was uneventful to Lafayette and the GPS delivered me right to the door. The home was beautiful, had a pebbletec pool and spa, great landscaping and a nice wake board boat in the driveway. It took about an hour to get the work done and then I headed home using the backroads. Even though the speed is only 45 the drive is nice through the hills and there are no traffic jams. Marilyn had dinner ready and it was excellent. So good.
Even though I don't feel perfect yet I'm much better and having this work under my belt brings great satisfaction to my little heart.
As it cools down I'll go out and mow the front lawn which is approaching run away heights and be through for the night.
As I just checked the computer I found a new order for a review which I can do tomorrow and I can write up the property I saw this evening. While I wish the volume of work was much greater still some is better than none.
I've spent some time thinking about how nice it would be to be in a relationship, to have someone to share dreams and hopes, to have someone who cared share advice. It would be nice. And to promote the possibilities I sort of joined E Harmony. So far I've not spent any money and of course the contacts are limited until one makes the plunge and signs up for real. Still it is interesting.
Well enough for tonight,
love
tim
Some days just work out better than others. This has been one of the good ones. Many of you know that guys tend to base much of their feelings on whether they get work accomplished or not, when we fiddle around all day and have nothing to show for the day we tend to feel it was wasted, which of course is exactly what it is, wasted.
Ken and I trooped our 3 miles this morning in wonderful cool air. Then I hit the showers and came down to see anxious messages on my screen, where is the rush appraisal from Discovery Bay. At first I thought that it was done but then I started digging and found it deep in my briefcase. It had been due last Thursday, no wonder they were anxious. Well what to do, I had to leave for an appointment in Lafayette within 1/2 hour. I called the homeowner and she graciously allowed us to move the appointment to 4 this afternoon. That allowed me time to do the value checks, the fixes and to write two appraisals before leaving. It was wonderful. I settled into writing mode and cranked both of them out, emailed them to the management company and then left on time at 3. By then the mail had brought payment for 3 reports which I deposited on my way out of town. The drive was uneventful to Lafayette and the GPS delivered me right to the door. The home was beautiful, had a pebbletec pool and spa, great landscaping and a nice wake board boat in the driveway. It took about an hour to get the work done and then I headed home using the backroads. Even though the speed is only 45 the drive is nice through the hills and there are no traffic jams. Marilyn had dinner ready and it was excellent. So good.
Even though I don't feel perfect yet I'm much better and having this work under my belt brings great satisfaction to my little heart.
As it cools down I'll go out and mow the front lawn which is approaching run away heights and be through for the night.
As I just checked the computer I found a new order for a review which I can do tomorrow and I can write up the property I saw this evening. While I wish the volume of work was much greater still some is better than none.
I've spent some time thinking about how nice it would be to be in a relationship, to have someone to share dreams and hopes, to have someone who cared share advice. It would be nice. And to promote the possibilities I sort of joined E Harmony. So far I've not spent any money and of course the contacts are limited until one makes the plunge and signs up for real. Still it is interesting.
Well enough for tonight,
love
tim
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Ray has birthday, Ken and I create fire
Dear Family and Friends,
As I write this evening my insides are not feeling so good. I think its a combination of things but I'm not feeling well.
This morning we walked and then Ken offered to put air in the motorhome tires that had drifted a bit low. He pulled his huge compressor over and we plugged it in, the next thing we knew there was a ball of fire, flames about 6 inches in diameter burning where the plug and extension cord met. After being stunned for a minute I ran over and unplugged the cord and the fire went out. It left a black spot on the concrete and two very blackened connections.
Once the stores were open I took a little trip, purchased my meds including another round of Avelox to combat the illness, new blood sugar strips and other meds I usually take. The total was less than I expected, a good thing. We bought new plugs for the connection and I installed the new end on my extension cord and Ken put a new plug on his compressor.
I've rested a lot today but ended up eating way too much food at Ray's birthday party, now I'm feeling really rough, just heading to bed I think, hope its better in the morning.
I'm not sure that my visit to weight watchers tomorrow night will be a good one, just eating way too much.
The weather continues to be moderate here, in the high 80s during the day and then down to 58 at night. I can live with that. I have some appointments for the upcoming week for which I am grateful.
Good night to you all,
love
Tim
As I write this evening my insides are not feeling so good. I think its a combination of things but I'm not feeling well.
This morning we walked and then Ken offered to put air in the motorhome tires that had drifted a bit low. He pulled his huge compressor over and we plugged it in, the next thing we knew there was a ball of fire, flames about 6 inches in diameter burning where the plug and extension cord met. After being stunned for a minute I ran over and unplugged the cord and the fire went out. It left a black spot on the concrete and two very blackened connections.
Once the stores were open I took a little trip, purchased my meds including another round of Avelox to combat the illness, new blood sugar strips and other meds I usually take. The total was less than I expected, a good thing. We bought new plugs for the connection and I installed the new end on my extension cord and Ken put a new plug on his compressor.
I've rested a lot today but ended up eating way too much food at Ray's birthday party, now I'm feeling really rough, just heading to bed I think, hope its better in the morning.
I'm not sure that my visit to weight watchers tomorrow night will be a good one, just eating way too much.
The weather continues to be moderate here, in the high 80s during the day and then down to 58 at night. I can live with that. I have some appointments for the upcoming week for which I am grateful.
Good night to you all,
love
Tim
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