So here comes this bundle of energy into the car with stories about the day at school, about her new match classes that are so challenging, about how heavy her back pack is, she is not kidding, it is heavy like bricks!
So we come home, turn up the heat, make pasta and popcorn, she finds her bottle of water and drains it, gets her homework all done on her own and catches some TV. Later we meet Nikki and greet Kallie for a minute and they are off on their way and I'm home in time to decide to do spin class. That is always a big decision.
So I get there and there are bikes still available on the sign up sheet, this is good and then I'm in the room with all the young things and their perfect bodies but I notice there are getting to be more of us, older ones with less than perfect shapes and everyone seems to be sweating and just enjoying themselves. Its a good 45 minutes and I walk out with 121 blood sugar!
Once home I prepare dinner by warming up the rest of what I had made last night in the fry pan, I would tell you but I can't spell it, some german name that starts with beef. I cut up a tomato and mix in a bit of cottage cheese and enjoy a great meal while the last of Castle plays out. Love that show.
Then it is back to work but I've got to check in with Jerrry who had a big knee surgery today. Turns out that there was a lot more pain than he expected and they had to make their way to the surgery and back in foot deep snow but this evening he is learning to use his walker and crutches and hoping to get some sleep. Hopefully this will put him back on his feet and he can take his long walks again once it heals up.
Please pray for our family tomorrow, we really need God's help.
Love to all
Tim
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Beautiful homes
Well today was chilly but enjoyable. Ken and trudged our way around the lake complaining about how the chill was getting through out winter clothes.
Once I was back I had a quick breakfast and then some even quicker research and hit the road. The road today led to Alamo, an area of fine homes many of which are perched on interesting lots with views. Today the home was constructed at the bottom of a canyon and had no yard, just giant oak trees, sloping hills, turkeys and deer. The home was a contemporary design with flowing terraces outside which led nearly around the home and afforded views and privacy. Floors were maple hardwood in perfect condition, one wonders if people really live there, everything is so nice and in its own place. Fireplaces were made of sandstone, kitchen counters were granite as were surfaces in bathrooms. It was just a very interesting place to see. The lady was the wife of an eye doctor, now retired and they live a nice life wanting to downsize but they can't sell, no one is looking in the million plus price range at the present moment. Obama has they all scared, he wants more of their money so they don't know what to expect so they just take it carefully and have stopped spending.
After I left Alamo I drove to Pleasanton where I inspected a much smaller home, instead of 4200 sf it was 1232 sf. It was perfect, rose bushes everywhere and many fruit trees and a great guy. I found out his mechanic of many years is Art's son in law Harry, he runs a shop nearby and has a great reputation.
Then it was home to fix dinner, I made something new tonight in a fry pan that turned out splendid, had a box of ingredients and worked with my vege burger perfectly. So yummy.
Now its bed time. My board of orders is full again and I have no trouble figuring out what to do with my time, WORK. At least finally the money is coming in so bills can be caught up. That will make me feel good.
Love to all,
Tim
Once I was back I had a quick breakfast and then some even quicker research and hit the road. The road today led to Alamo, an area of fine homes many of which are perched on interesting lots with views. Today the home was constructed at the bottom of a canyon and had no yard, just giant oak trees, sloping hills, turkeys and deer. The home was a contemporary design with flowing terraces outside which led nearly around the home and afforded views and privacy. Floors were maple hardwood in perfect condition, one wonders if people really live there, everything is so nice and in its own place. Fireplaces were made of sandstone, kitchen counters were granite as were surfaces in bathrooms. It was just a very interesting place to see. The lady was the wife of an eye doctor, now retired and they live a nice life wanting to downsize but they can't sell, no one is looking in the million plus price range at the present moment. Obama has they all scared, he wants more of their money so they don't know what to expect so they just take it carefully and have stopped spending.
After I left Alamo I drove to Pleasanton where I inspected a much smaller home, instead of 4200 sf it was 1232 sf. It was perfect, rose bushes everywhere and many fruit trees and a great guy. I found out his mechanic of many years is Art's son in law Harry, he runs a shop nearby and has a great reputation.
Then it was home to fix dinner, I made something new tonight in a fry pan that turned out splendid, had a box of ingredients and worked with my vege burger perfectly. So yummy.
Now its bed time. My board of orders is full again and I have no trouble figuring out what to do with my time, WORK. At least finally the money is coming in so bills can be caught up. That will make me feel good.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, February 27, 2012
Back to work and actually liking it
Wow, the weather is just incredible, I know we need rain but the sun is sure nice to measure houses in.
I slept poorly last night, woke up at 3 and did not know why, learned later when i discovered the racoons had been in again and were angry that the food was in tupperware containers so they pried open one lid and made a mess. last night the back cat door stays open, if cats are not in the house at closing time the door is shut.
We walked today and then I quickly prepared for the day and arrived for my eye exam a few minutes early. The eye doctor was a cute as a bug and quickly determined that my vision had hardly changed at all from two years ago, great news. Kaiser sure has their act together, love going there.
Then it was back home to finish research and hit the road for Oakland. The homeowner turned out to be a challenge. One of those cranky old ladies who turn out to be a sweetheart after all. Nice little place which she has lived in since 1975! Then it was on to find lunch, Subway today! Then to Emeryville to see a property which has two little houses on one site and a sale at that for $499K. Of course there are NO comps in Emeryville at all so this one is going to need a second trip back, I'll look in Berkeley to find comps I think.
Once I left the Oakland area it was heavy traffic most of the way home but with XM, talk radio, nice music and eventually Bill O Riely I got back to Discovery Bay to see a place that had been added to the day. There was one thing very nice about that visit, cash! A second thing was meeting great people who own a plumbing company that does all of Sears work in several counties. Always good to have contacts. By the time I finished it was dark and time to come home. I baked a couple tiny potatoes, the last in the last sack and they were getting soft. I stir fried some vege burger starter, sliced up mushrooms and soy sauce and put them over the pototo with a fresh cut tomato and a touch of butter. Yummy.
This evening I've been putting in new orders and entering the checks that came today. Why is it that some money in the mail lifts my spirits so much? It makes me feel shallow but I can't help it. I love to be able to pay bills and when checks come in I can pay bills, yea!
Please join me in prayer for some special needs that God is fully aware of. Bob and Carrol sent an email today, they are very special friends who live in Lodi and Carrol battles an ongoing multi myloma, I've probably ruined the spelling. Today's email had the good news that her cancer numbers are in such good shape that the doctor can reduce the amount of chemo. I know we all rejoice with them over the great news. They are a wonderful couple, play a mean game of dominos and Bob is almost banned from casinos since he is known to win win win!
This evening I delivered the front curtains from the motorhome to my dear neighbor Patty, she is good with a needle and thread, a sewing machine and can do magic. The curtains need some magic and she is just the right one to do it.
Well I'm heading to bed now. Enough with this late stuff.
Thank you for reading, for your prayers and for your kind words from time to time.
Sending love by the wheel barrow loads to all.
Tim
I slept poorly last night, woke up at 3 and did not know why, learned later when i discovered the racoons had been in again and were angry that the food was in tupperware containers so they pried open one lid and made a mess. last night the back cat door stays open, if cats are not in the house at closing time the door is shut.
We walked today and then I quickly prepared for the day and arrived for my eye exam a few minutes early. The eye doctor was a cute as a bug and quickly determined that my vision had hardly changed at all from two years ago, great news. Kaiser sure has their act together, love going there.
Then it was back home to finish research and hit the road for Oakland. The homeowner turned out to be a challenge. One of those cranky old ladies who turn out to be a sweetheart after all. Nice little place which she has lived in since 1975! Then it was on to find lunch, Subway today! Then to Emeryville to see a property which has two little houses on one site and a sale at that for $499K. Of course there are NO comps in Emeryville at all so this one is going to need a second trip back, I'll look in Berkeley to find comps I think.
Once I left the Oakland area it was heavy traffic most of the way home but with XM, talk radio, nice music and eventually Bill O Riely I got back to Discovery Bay to see a place that had been added to the day. There was one thing very nice about that visit, cash! A second thing was meeting great people who own a plumbing company that does all of Sears work in several counties. Always good to have contacts. By the time I finished it was dark and time to come home. I baked a couple tiny potatoes, the last in the last sack and they were getting soft. I stir fried some vege burger starter, sliced up mushrooms and soy sauce and put them over the pototo with a fresh cut tomato and a touch of butter. Yummy.
This evening I've been putting in new orders and entering the checks that came today. Why is it that some money in the mail lifts my spirits so much? It makes me feel shallow but I can't help it. I love to be able to pay bills and when checks come in I can pay bills, yea!
Please join me in prayer for some special needs that God is fully aware of. Bob and Carrol sent an email today, they are very special friends who live in Lodi and Carrol battles an ongoing multi myloma, I've probably ruined the spelling. Today's email had the good news that her cancer numbers are in such good shape that the doctor can reduce the amount of chemo. I know we all rejoice with them over the great news. They are a wonderful couple, play a mean game of dominos and Bob is almost banned from casinos since he is known to win win win!
This evening I delivered the front curtains from the motorhome to my dear neighbor Patty, she is good with a needle and thread, a sewing machine and can do magic. The curtains need some magic and she is just the right one to do it.
Well I'm heading to bed now. Enough with this late stuff.
Thank you for reading, for your prayers and for your kind words from time to time.
Sending love by the wheel barrow loads to all.
Tim
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Late night, lazy day,
Dear Family and Friends,
The evening got away from me last night and I found myself finally going to sleep at 1 am. Needless to say I've been sleepy today, dah! Wonder how old one has to be to stop doing dumb things! Obviously older than 63.
I have this wonderful friend, Dolly, she and Howard not only taught me the appraisal business years ago but she has remained a solid friend over the ensuing years. She writes such encouraging emails, sends helpful books and is eternally optomistic, she actually believes I might find someone, can you believe that. Oh now nice optomists are!
I worked in for most of the day on a Lodi ranchette property. Really terrific place with everything you would expect from a little farm, nice pool, nice Koi pond with huge fish, several different bird cages, huge ones where the birds are happy to live and enjoy the great outdoors, a huge back deck and a covered patio area, large rooms inside and acres of grapes. Really nice yet only minutes from downtown Lodi. Problem is, there are few comparables available and that makes it really hard to determine a value.
I had an appointment in Antioch to see a property, the agent insisted on meeting me, she is an old school person who actually cares about her people, the properties and seeing them through. What a refreshing experience. Once I got the comps shot I was hungry and UNOs loomed big. So I had some delicious soup and 1/2 of a pizza, the rest will make two more meals later. It was very interesting to see and hear the conversations at the nearby bar as people mingle, show off, wind down and get louder as they drink. I have many vices but I'm glad that one I've not picked up, drinking.
So here goes a new week with its opportunites and challenges. I pray the Lord will guide in all our lives as we pursue the next step in our life journey.
Love to all,
Tim
The evening got away from me last night and I found myself finally going to sleep at 1 am. Needless to say I've been sleepy today, dah! Wonder how old one has to be to stop doing dumb things! Obviously older than 63.
I have this wonderful friend, Dolly, she and Howard not only taught me the appraisal business years ago but she has remained a solid friend over the ensuing years. She writes such encouraging emails, sends helpful books and is eternally optomistic, she actually believes I might find someone, can you believe that. Oh now nice optomists are!
I worked in for most of the day on a Lodi ranchette property. Really terrific place with everything you would expect from a little farm, nice pool, nice Koi pond with huge fish, several different bird cages, huge ones where the birds are happy to live and enjoy the great outdoors, a huge back deck and a covered patio area, large rooms inside and acres of grapes. Really nice yet only minutes from downtown Lodi. Problem is, there are few comparables available and that makes it really hard to determine a value.
I had an appointment in Antioch to see a property, the agent insisted on meeting me, she is an old school person who actually cares about her people, the properties and seeing them through. What a refreshing experience. Once I got the comps shot I was hungry and UNOs loomed big. So I had some delicious soup and 1/2 of a pizza, the rest will make two more meals later. It was very interesting to see and hear the conversations at the nearby bar as people mingle, show off, wind down and get louder as they drink. I have many vices but I'm glad that one I've not picked up, drinking.
So here goes a new week with its opportunites and challenges. I pray the Lord will guide in all our lives as we pursue the next step in our life journey.
Love to all,
Tim
Saturday, February 25, 2012
A varied Sabbath, a blessing
Dear Family and Friends,
11:40 and once again I've let bedtime slip by. This evening I got hooked on a religious movie on a Christian channel that I'd not found before. The story was about the end time but had some twists that are different from what I believe, yet very interesting, enough so I could not turn it off till it was over.
This morning I woke and prepared for taking the girls to Sabbath School. Kim started with just two little girls, Kallie and another little girl and gradually the attendance grew until there must have been 12 kiddos in the room, we were overloaded and stuffed but it was exciting. I was worried because I saw yellow around Kallie's eye and she seemed sleepy. Keanna told me it was left over from the face painting she got last night at the pizza place, there is a lady who dresses up like a clown and does face painting, the girls love it.
Wouldn't you know Keanna's battery on the ipod ran out on the way to church so she wanted to play with the iphone, problem was Kallie was already playing with the iphone so they sort of battled over it and finally worked out a sharing arrangement that got us all the way back to Safeway where Keanna started selling Girl Scout cookies with her mom and Kallie finished her lunch in the car with me. Later in the afternoon I decided to drive over the San Carlos to retrieve the pots and pans and other kitchen items that my last motorhome renter had taken out of the coach when they loaded for their trip. I'm not sure what they were thinking because the coach was returned to my house at the end of the trip and all the kitchen items ended up stuck at their home. Anyway I decided to take a nice drive in the sunshine over there. All was going great until all traffic came to a halt on the San Mateo bridge. Eventually, 24 minute later I was ablet to see a totally burned black small station wagon, could not even tell what it was. Then traffic was instantly up to speed.
It was a pleasant afternoon and this evening I visited Winco, my go to store for cheap food. Eventually my list was exhausted and I loaded it all in the bug and came home to unload it. Things really are less expensive there. My grillers are like $2.29 a box and at other places I've paid over $5.00 for the same box. I purchased a lot of steel cut oats only to discover the sack had a hole and I was shooting oats all over, double bagging stopped that finally.
I just spoke with Art and he is past the mid point for his proton treatments. Connie is on a multi week trip to South America and is in Brazil today but Art is fine with that, he is doing what he needs to do and she is enjoying a trip with her sister and other friends.
Thank you Lord for the Sabbath, a break in a working world we find ourselves in these days.
Love to all
Tim
PS Jason and family are in San Diego enjoying a long weekend with friends and are having a great time. Oh and me, well I'm working all day tomorrow!
11:40 and once again I've let bedtime slip by. This evening I got hooked on a religious movie on a Christian channel that I'd not found before. The story was about the end time but had some twists that are different from what I believe, yet very interesting, enough so I could not turn it off till it was over.
This morning I woke and prepared for taking the girls to Sabbath School. Kim started with just two little girls, Kallie and another little girl and gradually the attendance grew until there must have been 12 kiddos in the room, we were overloaded and stuffed but it was exciting. I was worried because I saw yellow around Kallie's eye and she seemed sleepy. Keanna told me it was left over from the face painting she got last night at the pizza place, there is a lady who dresses up like a clown and does face painting, the girls love it.
Wouldn't you know Keanna's battery on the ipod ran out on the way to church so she wanted to play with the iphone, problem was Kallie was already playing with the iphone so they sort of battled over it and finally worked out a sharing arrangement that got us all the way back to Safeway where Keanna started selling Girl Scout cookies with her mom and Kallie finished her lunch in the car with me. Later in the afternoon I decided to drive over the San Carlos to retrieve the pots and pans and other kitchen items that my last motorhome renter had taken out of the coach when they loaded for their trip. I'm not sure what they were thinking because the coach was returned to my house at the end of the trip and all the kitchen items ended up stuck at their home. Anyway I decided to take a nice drive in the sunshine over there. All was going great until all traffic came to a halt on the San Mateo bridge. Eventually, 24 minute later I was ablet to see a totally burned black small station wagon, could not even tell what it was. Then traffic was instantly up to speed.
It was a pleasant afternoon and this evening I visited Winco, my go to store for cheap food. Eventually my list was exhausted and I loaded it all in the bug and came home to unload it. Things really are less expensive there. My grillers are like $2.29 a box and at other places I've paid over $5.00 for the same box. I purchased a lot of steel cut oats only to discover the sack had a hole and I was shooting oats all over, double bagging stopped that finally.
I just spoke with Art and he is past the mid point for his proton treatments. Connie is on a multi week trip to South America and is in Brazil today but Art is fine with that, he is doing what he needs to do and she is enjoying a trip with her sister and other friends.
Thank you Lord for the Sabbath, a break in a working world we find ourselves in these days.
Love to all
Tim
PS Jason and family are in San Diego enjoying a long weekend with friends and are having a great time. Oh and me, well I'm working all day tomorrow!
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Cough is back
Good evening
At long last its FRIDAY night.
Unfortunately I've coughed all day today and it has felt like somethings inside are not quite right, anyway I'm home safe and sound after fighting my way through downtown Oakland traffic. I had a chance to work with Steve this morning as we inspected a home for a lady who just lost her husband. I'm drawn back in time when I encounter individuals who have just lost their special someone after many years. Today was no different. A loving spouse who has been with the same great guy for dozens of years and is now facing the reality of aloneness 24 hours a day. Until you have experienced it you can't really understand it nor would I want you to.
The orders keep piling on and while I'm very grateful I'm also concerned about giving each one the care it deserves. In fact each one stands for a family placing their hopes either on a refinance or a purchase of a home, there is a lot at stake so there is no way I can give it anything less than my best at solving the question, what is it worth.
Tomorrow I've got the honor of taking the girls to SS in Tracy. We must hurry back as Keanna has Girl Scout cookies to sell and I think she is already over 100 boxes. Nikki is really great at helping and I think Steve's friends have chipped in a bought boxes as well.
Well I'm heading to the couch for a bit to relax and perhaps watch a little fire burn. Its been a very long week and I'm thankful it is behind me.
Love to all,
Tim
At long last its FRIDAY night.
Unfortunately I've coughed all day today and it has felt like somethings inside are not quite right, anyway I'm home safe and sound after fighting my way through downtown Oakland traffic. I had a chance to work with Steve this morning as we inspected a home for a lady who just lost her husband. I'm drawn back in time when I encounter individuals who have just lost their special someone after many years. Today was no different. A loving spouse who has been with the same great guy for dozens of years and is now facing the reality of aloneness 24 hours a day. Until you have experienced it you can't really understand it nor would I want you to.
The orders keep piling on and while I'm very grateful I'm also concerned about giving each one the care it deserves. In fact each one stands for a family placing their hopes either on a refinance or a purchase of a home, there is a lot at stake so there is no way I can give it anything less than my best at solving the question, what is it worth.
Tomorrow I've got the honor of taking the girls to SS in Tracy. We must hurry back as Keanna has Girl Scout cookies to sell and I think she is already over 100 boxes. Nikki is really great at helping and I think Steve's friends have chipped in a bought boxes as well.
Well I'm heading to the couch for a bit to relax and perhaps watch a little fire burn. Its been a very long week and I'm thankful it is behind me.
Love to all,
Tim
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Running on low
Dear Family and Friends,
What a day, Ken insisted on walking in the tornado, well the winds were blowing pretty hard all night. But once we got out there it wasn't bad. Does that mean I'll walk on my own tomorrow since Ken has meetings on Friday mornings, no way. I'm taking a break. Besides I have tons of work to do and a very busy day ahead.
Today I thawed out a beautiful loaf of bread Jo had made recently and toasted a couple slices, wow was it great, Felt like you were eating something like a work of art, very very good and for lunch I had a griller on toasted Jo bread, tasted great again. How fun, to eat something created by hand instead of a huge machine somewhere. Thanks Jo!
I've been cranking work out like mad today. For a change I've had some easy direct forward stuff instead of complicated multi million dollar ones. Its been a nice change and the new computer can keep up with me no matter how fast I want to type, slam photos in, sketch, whatever its there and ready.
Late this afternoon I decided it was time to head to Hayward, an hour drive to do a driveby review, its due tomorrow and needs the field work to be done. Traffic was pretty good but the diesel in my tank was pretty low and I wasn't sure how I could get more but I took off. On the Livermore side of the hill the light came on at 560 miles which gave me about a gallon left. So I stopped at a station but it would not take the American Express card so I put in what I had, $5.00 and got 1.2 gallons. That took me to Hayward and back to the station across the street which did take the AMEX card this evening. $53 to fill a little VW but I'll get nearly 600 miles so its still cheap enough. I'm bless with this little bug and then I have the nice Civic as a backup so car wise I'm doing pretty well right now.
Once I got home I settled into deal with the emails, conditions and write one more report. Its done now and shipped out via their web site. I'm counting on getting money in the mail tomorrow. It is overdue now and I'm ready for some bucks, Steve too as some of the money is his once the check arrives. I was suppose to see a speech therapist in the morning, she is going to teach me how to swallow more strongly to head off the cough. But I wasn't sure how I could pay the possible co pay so I cancelled and I'll use the time to get ready for the day.
We have had incredible wind all night and most of the day today, white caps on the lake and diving birds, one stayed down so long I thought he had drowned but pretty soon up he popped.
I had a chance to talk to friends today as I drove and it was great. There is nothing more precious than family and friends, words exchanged calm inner fears, help us feel better about ourselves, help us feel human again. Never underestimate the power and value of your words invested in another human being. They can make a huge difference, I know, I live in a lonely world a lot of the time, I'm busy and I'm surrounded by beautiful music, my cats and sometimes by the kiddos which makes it great but caring words are very precious to me.
Please keep praying for my loved ones.
Love to all
Tim
What a day, Ken insisted on walking in the tornado, well the winds were blowing pretty hard all night. But once we got out there it wasn't bad. Does that mean I'll walk on my own tomorrow since Ken has meetings on Friday mornings, no way. I'm taking a break. Besides I have tons of work to do and a very busy day ahead.
Today I thawed out a beautiful loaf of bread Jo had made recently and toasted a couple slices, wow was it great, Felt like you were eating something like a work of art, very very good and for lunch I had a griller on toasted Jo bread, tasted great again. How fun, to eat something created by hand instead of a huge machine somewhere. Thanks Jo!
I've been cranking work out like mad today. For a change I've had some easy direct forward stuff instead of complicated multi million dollar ones. Its been a nice change and the new computer can keep up with me no matter how fast I want to type, slam photos in, sketch, whatever its there and ready.
Late this afternoon I decided it was time to head to Hayward, an hour drive to do a driveby review, its due tomorrow and needs the field work to be done. Traffic was pretty good but the diesel in my tank was pretty low and I wasn't sure how I could get more but I took off. On the Livermore side of the hill the light came on at 560 miles which gave me about a gallon left. So I stopped at a station but it would not take the American Express card so I put in what I had, $5.00 and got 1.2 gallons. That took me to Hayward and back to the station across the street which did take the AMEX card this evening. $53 to fill a little VW but I'll get nearly 600 miles so its still cheap enough. I'm bless with this little bug and then I have the nice Civic as a backup so car wise I'm doing pretty well right now.
Once I got home I settled into deal with the emails, conditions and write one more report. Its done now and shipped out via their web site. I'm counting on getting money in the mail tomorrow. It is overdue now and I'm ready for some bucks, Steve too as some of the money is his once the check arrives. I was suppose to see a speech therapist in the morning, she is going to teach me how to swallow more strongly to head off the cough. But I wasn't sure how I could pay the possible co pay so I cancelled and I'll use the time to get ready for the day.
We have had incredible wind all night and most of the day today, white caps on the lake and diving birds, one stayed down so long I thought he had drowned but pretty soon up he popped.
I had a chance to talk to friends today as I drove and it was great. There is nothing more precious than family and friends, words exchanged calm inner fears, help us feel better about ourselves, help us feel human again. Never underestimate the power and value of your words invested in another human being. They can make a huge difference, I know, I live in a lonely world a lot of the time, I'm busy and I'm surrounded by beautiful music, my cats and sometimes by the kiddos which makes it great but caring words are very precious to me.
Please keep praying for my loved ones.
Love to all
Tim
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