Though many things took place today I think the title above is the most important thing. When we arrived Kallie was the only child in SS but Kim held the full program for her which was very sweet of her to do. I played the piano and Kallie had a great time. Keanna was delighted that Sylvia was back and had a great time getting to be Esther today.
After SS we picked up some happy meals at McDonalds and drove back to Disco Bay to pick up a late rising Marilyn. Then we drove the levee road to Stockton where we met Bob and Carrol at the Garden. What a great time we had as we celebrated Carrols new mobility and got to see their new car. The food was great as always.
We stopped by the house coming back and packed all their things and then I delivered them to their dad. they were so glad to get home but were welcome guests at Pappa's house.
This evening we drove to Santa Clara where Kaylee is taking part in a Junior Miss Contest. This evening they introduced themselves and there were about 100 of them doing so. She did fine. Tomorrow evening is the big final event and as of this moment I'm not sure we'll make it back or not, long way and get home very late.
I'm so thankful that my belief system has the Sabbath at its core, a time to change gears and consider family, God's guidance and a day without concern or worry and 2 checks just happened to arrive in the mail today. I'm getting much closer to being able to make two house payments, wouldn't that be a blessing.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Kallie and Keanna are asleep I hope
Dear Family and Friends,
This afternoon Steve dropped Kallie and Keanna off and we began the official sleepover. The last time I checked they were still awake, the two of them in one room enjoying the new adventure.
This morning the first thing I did was put their little room AC in so they would be cool tonight and they are comfortable.
Today the renters of the motorhome who are going to Burning Man came to get a feel for the motorhome they will be renting the end of August. They brought a check for the rental which was a blessing. They turned out to be incredible people, sharp, intelligent, kind and gracious.
At 1:15 I got to go down and walk through Kallie's new class room and meet people at her Christian day camp. They are great people and that was a fun experience. Later in the day STeve and Keanna went for a walk through at her school and discovered that she got the teacher she was hoping for so everyone was happy. She and Steve went to see the new Smurf movie this morning which they enjoyed a lot.
This weekend Nikki is with girl friends at the coast. The girls are having a very hard time going to sleep tonight. I just checked on them and at 11:20 they are still awake. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day. I don't think we'll put them both in the same room again, just to much chance to play and have fun!
We are meeting Bob and Carrol tomorrow for lunch at the Garden which will be great. Its been awhile since they saw Marilyn and Carrol is doing very well on her path of recovery.
Sending love to all,
Now I'll try to get some sleep
Tim
This afternoon Steve dropped Kallie and Keanna off and we began the official sleepover. The last time I checked they were still awake, the two of them in one room enjoying the new adventure.
This morning the first thing I did was put their little room AC in so they would be cool tonight and they are comfortable.
Today the renters of the motorhome who are going to Burning Man came to get a feel for the motorhome they will be renting the end of August. They brought a check for the rental which was a blessing. They turned out to be incredible people, sharp, intelligent, kind and gracious.
At 1:15 I got to go down and walk through Kallie's new class room and meet people at her Christian day camp. They are great people and that was a fun experience. Later in the day STeve and Keanna went for a walk through at her school and discovered that she got the teacher she was hoping for so everyone was happy. She and Steve went to see the new Smurf movie this morning which they enjoyed a lot.
This weekend Nikki is with girl friends at the coast. The girls are having a very hard time going to sleep tonight. I just checked on them and at 11:20 they are still awake. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day. I don't think we'll put them both in the same room again, just to much chance to play and have fun!
We are meeting Bob and Carrol tomorrow for lunch at the Garden which will be great. Its been awhile since they saw Marilyn and Carrol is doing very well on her path of recovery.
Sending love to all,
Now I'll try to get some sleep
Tim
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Strawberries and Ice Cream
Good evening,
Today the temperature warmed a bit and as the bug has tires that I now deem unsafe we used the Civic a car that I prefer to save for the future.
We drove to Antioch where we let Lois off at Kaiser for a much needed doctor appointment and started to drive out but she quickly discovered her doctor was elsewhere and she had no appointment after all. She was very disappointed as she had hoped for some relief for her shoulder. So we picker her up and she came on the appraisal with us.
The home was large and at one time had been perfect but now after a bank foreclosure it was not so sharp. The pool was green, the spa empty, the pool controls were gone as was the front gate and some of the cabinet doors in the kitchen. All in all though it was a very nice home located on a court with 5 bedrooms and a huge family room. Once we were completed inspecting then we drove the comps.
Lunch was at CostCo where the ladies had a hot dog and drink combo for $1.50 and I settled with a piece of pizza. Then we visited Toys R Us and eventually headed home. I've been searching for used tires for the bug but so far they are not to be found. New ones will be about $350 for all four.
Tomorrow Kallie and Keanna get to learn all about their new classrooms for the school year. I'm going to do the walk through with Kallie at 12:30 and Steve will handle the walk through with Keanna at 3:30. Then in the evening the girls are coming to stay the night with us and in the morning we will go to Sabbath School. We are joining Bob and Carrol for lunch at the Garden in Stockton and then coming back home for a bit before the girls go back home to Steves mid afternoon. That evening we are driving to Santa Clara to join Jerry and Donna for dinner. They are in the area because their granddaughter is involved in a beauty contest in the Santa Clara area for the weekend. Fun stuff for everyone. Monday morning they will drive back to Weed, a long drive of about 6 hours.
Tomorrow at 11 some guys are coming to check out the motorhome, they are taking it to Burning Man at the end of August. Then on Sunday a family comes to pick up the coach for a three week trip to Yellowstone. I believe it is as ready as I can make it, oil change, new tires, step now works etc.
This evening we decided that the strawberries would taste better with a touch of vanilla ice cream so I made the trek to Safeway and found some low fat ice cream that tasted pretty good. Of course now I'm coughing up a storm but I could be doing that with just drinking water.
So I wish all of you a pleasant evening,
Love
tim
Today the temperature warmed a bit and as the bug has tires that I now deem unsafe we used the Civic a car that I prefer to save for the future.
We drove to Antioch where we let Lois off at Kaiser for a much needed doctor appointment and started to drive out but she quickly discovered her doctor was elsewhere and she had no appointment after all. She was very disappointed as she had hoped for some relief for her shoulder. So we picker her up and she came on the appraisal with us.
The home was large and at one time had been perfect but now after a bank foreclosure it was not so sharp. The pool was green, the spa empty, the pool controls were gone as was the front gate and some of the cabinet doors in the kitchen. All in all though it was a very nice home located on a court with 5 bedrooms and a huge family room. Once we were completed inspecting then we drove the comps.
Lunch was at CostCo where the ladies had a hot dog and drink combo for $1.50 and I settled with a piece of pizza. Then we visited Toys R Us and eventually headed home. I've been searching for used tires for the bug but so far they are not to be found. New ones will be about $350 for all four.
Tomorrow Kallie and Keanna get to learn all about their new classrooms for the school year. I'm going to do the walk through with Kallie at 12:30 and Steve will handle the walk through with Keanna at 3:30. Then in the evening the girls are coming to stay the night with us and in the morning we will go to Sabbath School. We are joining Bob and Carrol for lunch at the Garden in Stockton and then coming back home for a bit before the girls go back home to Steves mid afternoon. That evening we are driving to Santa Clara to join Jerry and Donna for dinner. They are in the area because their granddaughter is involved in a beauty contest in the Santa Clara area for the weekend. Fun stuff for everyone. Monday morning they will drive back to Weed, a long drive of about 6 hours.
Tomorrow at 11 some guys are coming to check out the motorhome, they are taking it to Burning Man at the end of August. Then on Sunday a family comes to pick up the coach for a three week trip to Yellowstone. I believe it is as ready as I can make it, oil change, new tires, step now works etc.
This evening we decided that the strawberries would taste better with a touch of vanilla ice cream so I made the trek to Safeway and found some low fat ice cream that tasted pretty good. Of course now I'm coughing up a storm but I could be doing that with just drinking water.
So I wish all of you a pleasant evening,
Love
tim
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Family Kindness
Dear Family and Friends,
You know the day is good when you get to have a good conversation with both your son and daughter in the same day. They are busy running their lives and I sure appreciate getting to catch up with a bit of their whirlwind activities.
Today's accomplishment is covered with grease and road dirt, that is the step that Ray pulled off the motorhome yesterday is now back on and working. This afternoon I took a heavy hammer, looked closely at the moving parts that were bent and started hitting them hard with the hammer, gradually they bent back into alignment, then I took a Qtip and applied a heavy layer of grease to all the moving parts. Finally it began to move smoothly on the garage floor so later I decided to bolt it back on, that was no easy task but with the help of a car jack and a tool Ray created to reach way into the back to hold a bolt head I was able to get it back on, then I hooked up the wires and when I touched the ground wire it almost ran over me. Thrilled that it would work I assembled the rest and Ray came then to open and close the door. The step behaved perfectly each time. You see its a power step and when the door opens a magnet opens and activates the step which then moves out from under the motorhome to help a person step in. When the door closes again the step closes back under the motorhome. Without it there is a very large step into and out of the motorhome and it is unsafe and a bother. Now lets just hope it works every time.
This morning I rolled out early, did 15 minutes on the tredmill, showered and raced to Pittsburg where I purchased the 4 back tires for the motorhome. The guys did a great job and had me use the back lifters which are a part of the motorhome to raise it for their work. Now I think it is safe to send the family to Yellowstone for the next three weeks.
I had intended to see a home in Antioch today but did not make it so I guess I'll do it in the morning. Its the last order I have to see and I want to get it done and back to them quickly, in hopes that might spring other work loose.
Our weather has crept up to a warmer level once again and with it the AC is running more. We try to keep it high at 78 so it does not run much. But I see the next bill is $300 instead of the $128 that is due right now. I still don't see the way to make the house payment but I've not given up either.
So sending love to all,
Tim
ps thanks Jason and Nikki for keeping me in your loop, I appreciate it so much.
You know the day is good when you get to have a good conversation with both your son and daughter in the same day. They are busy running their lives and I sure appreciate getting to catch up with a bit of their whirlwind activities.
Today's accomplishment is covered with grease and road dirt, that is the step that Ray pulled off the motorhome yesterday is now back on and working. This afternoon I took a heavy hammer, looked closely at the moving parts that were bent and started hitting them hard with the hammer, gradually they bent back into alignment, then I took a Qtip and applied a heavy layer of grease to all the moving parts. Finally it began to move smoothly on the garage floor so later I decided to bolt it back on, that was no easy task but with the help of a car jack and a tool Ray created to reach way into the back to hold a bolt head I was able to get it back on, then I hooked up the wires and when I touched the ground wire it almost ran over me. Thrilled that it would work I assembled the rest and Ray came then to open and close the door. The step behaved perfectly each time. You see its a power step and when the door opens a magnet opens and activates the step which then moves out from under the motorhome to help a person step in. When the door closes again the step closes back under the motorhome. Without it there is a very large step into and out of the motorhome and it is unsafe and a bother. Now lets just hope it works every time.
This morning I rolled out early, did 15 minutes on the tredmill, showered and raced to Pittsburg where I purchased the 4 back tires for the motorhome. The guys did a great job and had me use the back lifters which are a part of the motorhome to raise it for their work. Now I think it is safe to send the family to Yellowstone for the next three weeks.
I had intended to see a home in Antioch today but did not make it so I guess I'll do it in the morning. Its the last order I have to see and I want to get it done and back to them quickly, in hopes that might spring other work loose.
Our weather has crept up to a warmer level once again and with it the AC is running more. We try to keep it high at 78 so it does not run much. But I see the next bill is $300 instead of the $128 that is due right now. I still don't see the way to make the house payment but I've not given up either.
So sending love to all,
Tim
ps thanks Jason and Nikki for keeping me in your loop, I appreciate it so much.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Kindness really makes life worth living
Good evening
You never really know when you are going to be surprised by kindness, a smile, a nod of the head, a gracious action. Too many times we get so wrapped up in doing, going, succeeding, controlling, teaching etc that we forget to just be kind. It has been said that as people grow older the dominate thing about their life becomes even more so. Do you think that is true? Perhaps it is.
In my work I meet people nearly every day, people I've never met before and probably will not see again. Frankly I try to make a good impression on them, for my sake, for the lenders sake that hired me and to help them relax as I examine their closets, their bathrooms, their bedrooms, all is laid bare as I look closely at their private world. So I try to warm them up, those are my words, you know, help them relax, comment on grandchildren, artwork, remodeling, a car in the garage, something to break the ice and help them relax for the process. I'm not pulling teeth but some people see it that way I'm sure.
I've just finished an appraisal for a lady in San Jose and she was one I could not win over no matter how hard I tried. Perhaps it was the three children that she has already buried that turned her world a bit cold but she was so afraid that I would not like her home and find a value that would help her, her fear was apparent the whole time I was there. Yet her home was very nice, filled with pre garage stuff but still nice in spite of a doll over population!
Could the Lord have the same problem? Are there people that He just can't win over no matter what He does or helps with?
Today has been good, saw a house this morning in Oakley, came home and wrote it up and shipped it out, same day service! This evening I've tackled another one that I just emailed out. Orders only seem to come in one at a time right now but I do have one for tomorrow after I get the new tires for the motorhome. That will be first thing in the morning. One wonders if its wise to spend the money but how can I send a family to Yellowstone on 10 year old tires? I mean really!
Well sending best wishes to all and lets all give kindness a bigger place in our lives. Tonight I'm thankful that my long time friend Sylvia has returned from Mexico with no bullet holes and with happy stories to tell of her mission adventure. She is very happy to be home at last and the world can rest easier that Sylvia is nearby.
Love to all
Tim
You never really know when you are going to be surprised by kindness, a smile, a nod of the head, a gracious action. Too many times we get so wrapped up in doing, going, succeeding, controlling, teaching etc that we forget to just be kind. It has been said that as people grow older the dominate thing about their life becomes even more so. Do you think that is true? Perhaps it is.
In my work I meet people nearly every day, people I've never met before and probably will not see again. Frankly I try to make a good impression on them, for my sake, for the lenders sake that hired me and to help them relax as I examine their closets, their bathrooms, their bedrooms, all is laid bare as I look closely at their private world. So I try to warm them up, those are my words, you know, help them relax, comment on grandchildren, artwork, remodeling, a car in the garage, something to break the ice and help them relax for the process. I'm not pulling teeth but some people see it that way I'm sure.
I've just finished an appraisal for a lady in San Jose and she was one I could not win over no matter how hard I tried. Perhaps it was the three children that she has already buried that turned her world a bit cold but she was so afraid that I would not like her home and find a value that would help her, her fear was apparent the whole time I was there. Yet her home was very nice, filled with pre garage stuff but still nice in spite of a doll over population!
Could the Lord have the same problem? Are there people that He just can't win over no matter what He does or helps with?
Today has been good, saw a house this morning in Oakley, came home and wrote it up and shipped it out, same day service! This evening I've tackled another one that I just emailed out. Orders only seem to come in one at a time right now but I do have one for tomorrow after I get the new tires for the motorhome. That will be first thing in the morning. One wonders if its wise to spend the money but how can I send a family to Yellowstone on 10 year old tires? I mean really!
Well sending best wishes to all and lets all give kindness a bigger place in our lives. Tonight I'm thankful that my long time friend Sylvia has returned from Mexico with no bullet holes and with happy stories to tell of her mission adventure. She is very happy to be home at last and the world can rest easier that Sylvia is nearby.
Love to all
Tim
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Nice
Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a laid back day. Up this morning to sip mocha and finish an appraisal, then grocery shopping and make a very exciting deposit, then move next door for the afternoon as we celebrated Ray's birthday. His son and family were on their way from Sacramento when tire blew out so they could not make it, Jen and her two precious children came from across the lake by boat and we all went for a cruise around the lake at times with the children piloting the boat. It was great fun.
This evening Ray did the BBQ and the food was excellent. We enjoyed the warm breezes as we sat for hours on the back deck and chatted and munched on snacks.
And so the new week arrives and I'm not quite ready for it but its coming anyway. I've been paying the most vital of bills and trying to figure out how to move forward the best way. In the morning I have to race to Brentwood, do an inspection, come back home and write up the report and get it out tomorrow, that will be an interesting challenge.
As you face your week it is my hope that there will be spots of joy, meaning, success and progress.
Sending love to all,
Tim
This has been a laid back day. Up this morning to sip mocha and finish an appraisal, then grocery shopping and make a very exciting deposit, then move next door for the afternoon as we celebrated Ray's birthday. His son and family were on their way from Sacramento when tire blew out so they could not make it, Jen and her two precious children came from across the lake by boat and we all went for a cruise around the lake at times with the children piloting the boat. It was great fun.
This evening Ray did the BBQ and the food was excellent. We enjoyed the warm breezes as we sat for hours on the back deck and chatted and munched on snacks.
And so the new week arrives and I'm not quite ready for it but its coming anyway. I've been paying the most vital of bills and trying to figure out how to move forward the best way. In the morning I have to race to Brentwood, do an inspection, come back home and write up the report and get it out tomorrow, that will be an interesting challenge.
As you face your week it is my hope that there will be spots of joy, meaning, success and progress.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A Family Day to Remember
Dear Ones,
We are just back from a delightful day at MBA with family. Julie is here from Denver and is the kiddos grandmother, Marilyn is here from Rhode Island and has known and cared for Nikki and Jason when they were little. Nikki drove the van down this morning and we first checked out otters, dolphins and the beautiful ocean from Santa Cruz. Then we drove to Jason and Jo's home and after spending time sharing gifts for Timothy's birthday and assembling his Cars 2 racetrack that Nikki and girls brought him we headed to the beach. what a great time the kiddos had playing in the sand, the surf, building sand castles, flying Jason's kite and enjoying each other. The kids play well together and they wore themselves out. Finally at 5 we went back to the house and decided to eat at Marie Calendars at the mall. Upon arriving we found it out of business, shocked we retreated to Chilli's where the wait was an hour so we found Fresh Choice and all had a very good meal together. Then we parted and headed home. Nikki piloted the van home is less than 2 hours.
The weather there was so nice, 70 degrees, light wind, high fog, just perfect.
God has blessed us with a marvelous day in every way. How I love this family that God has blessed us all with.
I've included some photos for you to catch a flavor or our enjoyable time.
Love to all
Tim
ps checks finally arrived, three of them and my heart is deeply grateful.
We are just back from a delightful day at MBA with family. Julie is here from Denver and is the kiddos grandmother, Marilyn is here from Rhode Island and has known and cared for Nikki and Jason when they were little. Nikki drove the van down this morning and we first checked out otters, dolphins and the beautiful ocean from Santa Cruz. Then we drove to Jason and Jo's home and after spending time sharing gifts for Timothy's birthday and assembling his Cars 2 racetrack that Nikki and girls brought him we headed to the beach. what a great time the kiddos had playing in the sand, the surf, building sand castles, flying Jason's kite and enjoying each other. The kids play well together and they wore themselves out. Finally at 5 we went back to the house and decided to eat at Marie Calendars at the mall. Upon arriving we found it out of business, shocked we retreated to Chilli's where the wait was an hour so we found Fresh Choice and all had a very good meal together. Then we parted and headed home. Nikki piloted the van home is less than 2 hours.
The weather there was so nice, 70 degrees, light wind, high fog, just perfect.
God has blessed us with a marvelous day in every way. How I love this family that God has blessed us all with.
I've included some photos for you to catch a flavor or our enjoyable time.
Love to all
Tim
ps checks finally arrived, three of them and my heart is deeply grateful.
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