Dear Family and Friends,
What a great weekend. Last evening I got to have dinner with the girls, then caught up with Steve who was enjoying time with his friends, they often gather on Friday nights. This morning I took stock of the day and decided to drive to MBA.
I wasn't sure when Jason and Jo would return but I just decided to go visit the kiddos and their caretakers, Julie and Clayton. I encounters severe weather on the way, high winds, heavy rains and as much challenge as California weather can throw at a little car.
I was glad to arrive and discovered that the power had been out for a couple hours. So after greeting the kiddos Clayton and I went to Watsonville to get take out chinese from the Golden Dragon and pick up a few things from Nob Hill Foods. Then it was back home where after a few minutes the lights came back on.
We enjoyed a very good lunch and the kids did such a great job of eating. Julie and Clayton have really done a great job caring for the children over the 10 days Jason and Jo were gone.
Our travelers were tired but very happy to see their little ones. The kids just could not get enough of their parents and enjoyed the gifts that kept popping out of the suitcases. It was a happy time.
About 6:30 I started on my journey home and before long the weather was really bad again, not so much wind as just a lot of rain. But here I am now safe and sound and there was money in the mail today!
Now tomorrow I'll have to settle down and get some serious work done. There are many orders that say that they are due on Monday. Plus I have to deliver the motorhome to a Pittsburg address where people will live in it for 2 days while their rental home is tented and processed for termites. I'm being paid well for the rental and I hope it all works out well for the people. Just wish it was not raining as the motorhome has been know to leak a bit here and there!!
Well its bed time now and up early to work tomorrow. I have felt God's blessings this weekend and I'm thankful.
Love to all
Tim
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
A Varied Friday
Good evening
Its started with the alarm at 6, roll out, shower, breakfast and office. Then it was research the three properties for the day.
Eventually it was time to start the little diesel and rattle out and down the road. How I appreciate that little car. This morning was yellow light time, that is when the fuel is down to about a gallon. So even though I was starting late I stopped at Safeway for $4.30 diesel. The car had 565 miles on the tank and I spent about $54 filling it, count it up, that's less than .10 a mile, not bad for these times and in solid comfort, XM radio, Ipod for books, water for sipping, Starbucks for waking up and plenty of power to keep up with traffic.
My first stop turned out to be very interesting. A lovely young woman met me at the door with her Mercedes coup in the driveway. She and her husband are Iranian but met in San Jose. Three years ago they purchased this Glen Cove area of Vallejo home near the straits. It was totally bare inside and out. Now it burst with color, new paver sidewalks and patios, terraces, fruit trees loaded with citrus and a large chicken house with special chickens. I had such fun inspecting the home and my client was so proud of her husbands work. While we were in the backyard she cried out in anger, there up on the top of the fence between her back yard and an open area was a opossum looking at us. They are not friends.
As I left she packed up eggs for me to take and they now rest in the frig in my kitchen. What a special visit with Persian rugs everywhere, lots of evidence of updating work, just a great visit.
Once I was through with this neighborhood I set the GPS for San Francisco. There I found a totally different kind of house. Two story with both sides constructed with about 1 inch of air space between they and the neighbors, very interesting and the two teens showed me through the home. Once I left San Francisco I then headed to Antioch and amazingly the traffic was good even over the Bay Bridge, through the Caldicot Tunnel and Highway 4.
This little home was a gift to the young couple three years ago when they got married. They have been doing their magic on the place and its coming along nicely. Once I left that final inspection for the day I went by and Amber cut my hair. What a great job she does. Then I talked to Nikki and enjoyed dinner with she and girls at Bethel Island at La Villa. Super food and fun times with the girls. Did I mention that my phone is dead this evening, games wore it down.
Tomorrow I may just climb out and drive down to see Timothy and Mia and Julie and Clayton. Not sure yet how I feel. I'm so tired and wiped out from the week. I know Jason and Jo get back tomorrow but I'm not sure when. I'll check all this out in the morning. right now BED.
Love to all, thank you Lord for watching over all of us this week. guide us every step as we try to live loving lives for you and for each other.
Tim
Its started with the alarm at 6, roll out, shower, breakfast and office. Then it was research the three properties for the day.
Eventually it was time to start the little diesel and rattle out and down the road. How I appreciate that little car. This morning was yellow light time, that is when the fuel is down to about a gallon. So even though I was starting late I stopped at Safeway for $4.30 diesel. The car had 565 miles on the tank and I spent about $54 filling it, count it up, that's less than .10 a mile, not bad for these times and in solid comfort, XM radio, Ipod for books, water for sipping, Starbucks for waking up and plenty of power to keep up with traffic.
My first stop turned out to be very interesting. A lovely young woman met me at the door with her Mercedes coup in the driveway. She and her husband are Iranian but met in San Jose. Three years ago they purchased this Glen Cove area of Vallejo home near the straits. It was totally bare inside and out. Now it burst with color, new paver sidewalks and patios, terraces, fruit trees loaded with citrus and a large chicken house with special chickens. I had such fun inspecting the home and my client was so proud of her husbands work. While we were in the backyard she cried out in anger, there up on the top of the fence between her back yard and an open area was a opossum looking at us. They are not friends.
As I left she packed up eggs for me to take and they now rest in the frig in my kitchen. What a special visit with Persian rugs everywhere, lots of evidence of updating work, just a great visit.
Once I was through with this neighborhood I set the GPS for San Francisco. There I found a totally different kind of house. Two story with both sides constructed with about 1 inch of air space between they and the neighbors, very interesting and the two teens showed me through the home. Once I left San Francisco I then headed to Antioch and amazingly the traffic was good even over the Bay Bridge, through the Caldicot Tunnel and Highway 4.
This little home was a gift to the young couple three years ago when they got married. They have been doing their magic on the place and its coming along nicely. Once I left that final inspection for the day I went by and Amber cut my hair. What a great job she does. Then I talked to Nikki and enjoyed dinner with she and girls at Bethel Island at La Villa. Super food and fun times with the girls. Did I mention that my phone is dead this evening, games wore it down.
Tomorrow I may just climb out and drive down to see Timothy and Mia and Julie and Clayton. Not sure yet how I feel. I'm so tired and wiped out from the week. I know Jason and Jo get back tomorrow but I'm not sure when. I'll check all this out in the morning. right now BED.
Love to all, thank you Lord for watching over all of us this week. guide us every step as we try to live loving lives for you and for each other.
Tim
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Good Thursday evening
I'm told I failed to produce an epistle last night, shame on me. You see I had worked just about 16 hours straight and after completing a difficult relocation report I just fell in bed. I honestly thought I had blogged but obviously I had not as my brother and friend Karen both reminded me of the error of my ways.
Today has been yet another whirlwind. By 8 I was in Stockton inspecting a short sale, then on to Brentwood to inspect an incredibly nice place with pebbletec pool, waterfalls etc. Then it was back to the office to work up some things Steve had written between 9:30 and 2 am. Talk about dedication.
All too soon I ran out of time trying to learn how to create a special document on the San Jose MLS board. When I left I still was running in circles and their help department wasn't much... They tried.
I drove to Pleasant Hill and searched for 20 minutes for an obscure condo development. I finally found it and found some grown up hippies, all doing very well but with a highly unusual living model. Here is this condo project, they look just like townhomes. Their heat and hot water comes from a common boiler at the end of each building, they have a common garden plot, a meeting building with large meeting hall, kitchen, small den, two apartments for guests, kids room, teen room, pool and a while lot more. Turnover in the development is very low so there are no sales since last spring and nothing else like it in the whole area. So what do I do for comps for this one? I've done one years ago and remember pulling my hair out over it then too.
So I limped home without shooting any comps, stopped by CostCo, oops the food is still in the car, and now I'm home trying to work but dead tired. Tomorrow morning I hit the ground running again by going to Vallejo, then San Francisco and back to some other place with mean dogs or not!
The one thing that makes this week really positive is enough money in the bank to stop worrying for a week or so. Finally the mail lady has been nice this week. Keanna was here that day and she called me to tell me that lots of checks had arrived. It made us both happy.
Well I'm signing off now, love to all and please join me in prayer for my family tomorrow. Jason and Jo are flying home from Paris and Steve and Nikki face their own challenges. We all need to pray for one another.
Love
tim
Today has been yet another whirlwind. By 8 I was in Stockton inspecting a short sale, then on to Brentwood to inspect an incredibly nice place with pebbletec pool, waterfalls etc. Then it was back to the office to work up some things Steve had written between 9:30 and 2 am. Talk about dedication.
All too soon I ran out of time trying to learn how to create a special document on the San Jose MLS board. When I left I still was running in circles and their help department wasn't much... They tried.
I drove to Pleasant Hill and searched for 20 minutes for an obscure condo development. I finally found it and found some grown up hippies, all doing very well but with a highly unusual living model. Here is this condo project, they look just like townhomes. Their heat and hot water comes from a common boiler at the end of each building, they have a common garden plot, a meeting building with large meeting hall, kitchen, small den, two apartments for guests, kids room, teen room, pool and a while lot more. Turnover in the development is very low so there are no sales since last spring and nothing else like it in the whole area. So what do I do for comps for this one? I've done one years ago and remember pulling my hair out over it then too.
So I limped home without shooting any comps, stopped by CostCo, oops the food is still in the car, and now I'm home trying to work but dead tired. Tomorrow morning I hit the ground running again by going to Vallejo, then San Francisco and back to some other place with mean dogs or not!
The one thing that makes this week really positive is enough money in the bank to stop worrying for a week or so. Finally the mail lady has been nice this week. Keanna was here that day and she called me to tell me that lots of checks had arrived. It made us both happy.
Well I'm signing off now, love to all and please join me in prayer for my family tomorrow. Jason and Jo are flying home from Paris and Steve and Nikki face their own challenges. We all need to pray for one another.
Love
tim
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Slow day before the storm
Good evening
I woke before the alarm this morning and was so hungry and even weak. Breakfast helped a bit but my blood sugar was not low, can't fully understand why the weakness other than advanced age!
I was set to walk out the door to drive to an appointment when the lady called to say she was ill and going to the doctor. So I regrouped and took a healthy deposit down to the bank and went to Brentwood for a few comp photos, phone rang and it was client, could not see doctor, could I come after all. So I restarted my plans and was there at 12:10. I found one of those places that a few years ago was a dump but the present owners have just done everything to the entire property, pool is perfect, pavers are in, flowers are blooming, interior is updated, I just want to say to people like that, good job. You've made the whole area better for your investment and dreams.
By the time I finished up I was so hungry and weak so I went to Spaghetti Factory. They know how to deal with weak there! Senior citizen portion of whole wheat pasta but the bread got me along with the dish of ice cream. Wow I felt different once I left than when I arrived.
Home to put in orders, many of them, so many due on the 2nd. Wow how can I do all this? Help!
And they are located in SF, Vacaville, Stockton, Livermore, Pleasant Hill, Brentwood - some driving coming up I think.
So now its bed time, love to all, how I treasure hearing from you. Please keep my family in your prayers. Jason and Jo will be heading home on Friday I think and we are all trying to survive this winter with all its challenges.
Love to all,
Tim
I woke before the alarm this morning and was so hungry and even weak. Breakfast helped a bit but my blood sugar was not low, can't fully understand why the weakness other than advanced age!
I was set to walk out the door to drive to an appointment when the lady called to say she was ill and going to the doctor. So I regrouped and took a healthy deposit down to the bank and went to Brentwood for a few comp photos, phone rang and it was client, could not see doctor, could I come after all. So I restarted my plans and was there at 12:10. I found one of those places that a few years ago was a dump but the present owners have just done everything to the entire property, pool is perfect, pavers are in, flowers are blooming, interior is updated, I just want to say to people like that, good job. You've made the whole area better for your investment and dreams.
By the time I finished up I was so hungry and weak so I went to Spaghetti Factory. They know how to deal with weak there! Senior citizen portion of whole wheat pasta but the bread got me along with the dish of ice cream. Wow I felt different once I left than when I arrived.
Home to put in orders, many of them, so many due on the 2nd. Wow how can I do all this? Help!
And they are located in SF, Vacaville, Stockton, Livermore, Pleasant Hill, Brentwood - some driving coming up I think.
So now its bed time, love to all, how I treasure hearing from you. Please keep my family in your prayers. Jason and Jo will be heading home on Friday I think and we are all trying to survive this winter with all its challenges.
Love to all,
Tim
Monday, March 26, 2012
Another long one
Good evening,
So glad to be back home. Left this morning after finishing a desk review only to be blocked when I tried to submit it to the lender, bummer. Drove to Castro Valley, enjoy meeting some really sweet people with a cute place, then on to Berkeley where I found a work in progress, pretty amazing what people do. The drove to San Jose to see a perfect property both outside and in.
At that point I turned to Highway 17 and drove to MBA to see the kiddos. Mia was already down for the night but Timothy was up and we had a great visit. Julie and Clayton are doing a super job of caring for the kiddos but are axiously awaiting the return of Jason and Jo this Sabbath afternoon. They both look tired but are doing a great job.
Now I'm worn out, have driven about 250 miles today, have been blessed with safety, saw some nasty accidents and was able to drive by and keep going.
Today was a banner day, money actually came in so tomorrow I can pay the house payments, yea, thank you Lord for that!
Love to all,
Tim
So glad to be back home. Left this morning after finishing a desk review only to be blocked when I tried to submit it to the lender, bummer. Drove to Castro Valley, enjoy meeting some really sweet people with a cute place, then on to Berkeley where I found a work in progress, pretty amazing what people do. The drove to San Jose to see a perfect property both outside and in.
At that point I turned to Highway 17 and drove to MBA to see the kiddos. Mia was already down for the night but Timothy was up and we had a great visit. Julie and Clayton are doing a super job of caring for the kiddos but are axiously awaiting the return of Jason and Jo this Sabbath afternoon. They both look tired but are doing a great job.
Now I'm worn out, have driven about 250 miles today, have been blessed with safety, saw some nasty accidents and was able to drive by and keep going.
Today was a banner day, money actually came in so tomorrow I can pay the house payments, yea, thank you Lord for that!
Love to all,
Tim
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Snow Country
One thing about this job, every day offers something new! Today it was driving up into an area where last night and this morning snow was falling. I was even a bit concerned that I might encounter it on the road but the roads were wet but clear of snow.
I found a very nice place, set in mature trees, hand constructed and in good condition. The father had passed away in December and was a pretty amazing guy, life time military, wood working craftsman with a full shop of tools, love parent and all around good guy. Now the family must decide how to settle the estate and an appraisal was needed. I enjoyed my time with the older of the three children and found out they had driven up from Brentwood. Amazingly the comparables I had found were all within a few blocks so once I was through with the home the comps were quick and easy.
Once through with the work my condition told me I needed to locate food and soon. So I asked my faithful GPS to find lunch. The first place it found was also located in Pollock Pines and it was long closed up tight, the second looked inviting but a warning on the door sent me back to my car, no credit cards or ATM but checks were welcome. The third place was perfect. It was a burger joint but they gladly made me a garden burger, it was great, filled with shredded lettuce, got to learn how to do that and sweet potato fries. That was my second and last time to enjoy those. I had two huge diet cokes in real coke glass filled with ice, they kept filling it. That was good at the time....
As I started down the mountain to Sacramento it became more and more apparent that I would need a restroom, could I hold out for the one off Florin Road? Sure, but then I took the wrong exit and wandered through a neighborhood becoming more and more desperate. Finally I found the Burger King and all was well.
The entire day involved about 250 miles and a lot of boring driving but with XM radio and an ipod loaded with good books I managed just fine. All day long the diesel prices were $4.49 so I just purchased a couple gallons and got home. My own Safeway had the best prices of the day and with discount I paid just $4.30 so I felt good about that.
Tomorrow I'm off to Castro Valley, Berkeley and then San Jose. If I feel up to it I'll slip over the mountain and see the kiddos and Julie and Clayton for awhile.
Right now its bedtime, long day, had those traveling mercies I spoke about for which I'm grateful.
Sending love to all and lets make this a week of getting those things done we have been putting off. For me that means a 1 hour phone call to IRS, never fun but can't avoid it any longer.
Tim
I found a very nice place, set in mature trees, hand constructed and in good condition. The father had passed away in December and was a pretty amazing guy, life time military, wood working craftsman with a full shop of tools, love parent and all around good guy. Now the family must decide how to settle the estate and an appraisal was needed. I enjoyed my time with the older of the three children and found out they had driven up from Brentwood. Amazingly the comparables I had found were all within a few blocks so once I was through with the home the comps were quick and easy.
Once through with the work my condition told me I needed to locate food and soon. So I asked my faithful GPS to find lunch. The first place it found was also located in Pollock Pines and it was long closed up tight, the second looked inviting but a warning on the door sent me back to my car, no credit cards or ATM but checks were welcome. The third place was perfect. It was a burger joint but they gladly made me a garden burger, it was great, filled with shredded lettuce, got to learn how to do that and sweet potato fries. That was my second and last time to enjoy those. I had two huge diet cokes in real coke glass filled with ice, they kept filling it. That was good at the time....
As I started down the mountain to Sacramento it became more and more apparent that I would need a restroom, could I hold out for the one off Florin Road? Sure, but then I took the wrong exit and wandered through a neighborhood becoming more and more desperate. Finally I found the Burger King and all was well.
The entire day involved about 250 miles and a lot of boring driving but with XM radio and an ipod loaded with good books I managed just fine. All day long the diesel prices were $4.49 so I just purchased a couple gallons and got home. My own Safeway had the best prices of the day and with discount I paid just $4.30 so I felt good about that.
Tomorrow I'm off to Castro Valley, Berkeley and then San Jose. If I feel up to it I'll slip over the mountain and see the kiddos and Julie and Clayton for awhile.
Right now its bedtime, long day, had those traveling mercies I spoke about for which I'm grateful.
Sending love to all and lets make this a week of getting those things done we have been putting off. For me that means a 1 hour phone call to IRS, never fun but can't avoid it any longer.
Tim
Saturday, March 24, 2012
A Sad Service
Her name was Jennie, a person I've never met but through her mother and dad I've felt I knew her a bit. One of two children she was 40 when last Tuesday she died.
This morning Patty and I attended the service for her. We knew her mom and dad well as they were part of the grief group we attended at the local church. Pastor Dan led that group and gradually we grew to know each other. The Tiptons were there because Dave was struggling with Multi meloma and sometimes had great weeks, other times they were terrible. A fireman all his life he was a man's man and a great guy. We finally lost him about 7 months ago, then Sandy, his wife had a heart attack a month later and this week her daughter dies, perhaps as a suicide. Pastor Dan led us through a very remarkable service and openly spoke about how much we need to move beyond what is obvious with each other to hearing what is really happening inside, about how this could possibly been avoided if somehow someone would have known the suffering Jennie was feeling. The church was packed with so many from the community and it was the right thing to go and be there.
After coming home and finding just one letter in the mail, something worthless I came in and rested for a bit, then baked a potato and along with peas and some other good things enjoyed a real meal. Late this afternoon I was bored with doing nothing productive. The Christian dish was fading in and out due to past wind storms and even after I found a long extended pole and pushed on it the service still was not perfect.
So I decided I would try to trim some bushes in the front yard, dump the motorhome tanks, park the motorhome back beside the garage, start the weedeater (never an easy process) and give some attention to my front yard. Well of course the 4 stroke weedeater did not want to cooperate at all and I discovered a broken line that carried excess fuel back to the tank. A quick trip to Ace solved that and then it still would not start. So for the first time in my 63 year old life I used starter fluid. And after a few cranks it tried to start, then it tried more and finally it came to life. I was so pleased, felt like I won the lottery. I quickly used it to trim the edges of the lawn, cut out all stray weeds growing up through the driveway and then I attached the blower and blew it all into the street. Feeling like I was on a winning streak I pulled out the lawn mower and it started on the first pull. Quickly the front lawn was knocked down and tonight as it rains everything looks much better. I am so sore from actually doing something but its a very good sore! I think you know what I mean.
During the day I heard from Nikki who was driving back with the girls up Highway 99. They were hoping to stop and see friends but I've not heard. I do know they were all looking forward to sleeping in their own beds tonight, hotel beds are different. But they got to visit their Grandmother and ride her ponys, stay the night there and that is a very important part of the trip.
Tomorrow morning I'm driving to Pollock Pines and I'm hoping that there is not snow falling up there. I'm doing one of those personal appraisals for a private individual and it will be cash at the time of inspection. It will be a nice adventure and I pray for traveling mercies as we used to say, I like that term.
Patty and I talked about some of our religious journey today and we both decided that knowing how to love like Jesus is the bottom line of being connected to Heaven. Yes there are rules for living, commandments which protect us from sadness and pain but most importantly is caring for individuals whether family or friends with genuine compassion and love.
Once again tonight I urge you to reach out in your own ways to those you love, those around you and hold them, listen to them, support them and let them know you are in their corner, that you have their back in this very crazy and fast paced world.
Love to all,
Tim
This morning Patty and I attended the service for her. We knew her mom and dad well as they were part of the grief group we attended at the local church. Pastor Dan led that group and gradually we grew to know each other. The Tiptons were there because Dave was struggling with Multi meloma and sometimes had great weeks, other times they were terrible. A fireman all his life he was a man's man and a great guy. We finally lost him about 7 months ago, then Sandy, his wife had a heart attack a month later and this week her daughter dies, perhaps as a suicide. Pastor Dan led us through a very remarkable service and openly spoke about how much we need to move beyond what is obvious with each other to hearing what is really happening inside, about how this could possibly been avoided if somehow someone would have known the suffering Jennie was feeling. The church was packed with so many from the community and it was the right thing to go and be there.
After coming home and finding just one letter in the mail, something worthless I came in and rested for a bit, then baked a potato and along with peas and some other good things enjoyed a real meal. Late this afternoon I was bored with doing nothing productive. The Christian dish was fading in and out due to past wind storms and even after I found a long extended pole and pushed on it the service still was not perfect.
So I decided I would try to trim some bushes in the front yard, dump the motorhome tanks, park the motorhome back beside the garage, start the weedeater (never an easy process) and give some attention to my front yard. Well of course the 4 stroke weedeater did not want to cooperate at all and I discovered a broken line that carried excess fuel back to the tank. A quick trip to Ace solved that and then it still would not start. So for the first time in my 63 year old life I used starter fluid. And after a few cranks it tried to start, then it tried more and finally it came to life. I was so pleased, felt like I won the lottery. I quickly used it to trim the edges of the lawn, cut out all stray weeds growing up through the driveway and then I attached the blower and blew it all into the street. Feeling like I was on a winning streak I pulled out the lawn mower and it started on the first pull. Quickly the front lawn was knocked down and tonight as it rains everything looks much better. I am so sore from actually doing something but its a very good sore! I think you know what I mean.
During the day I heard from Nikki who was driving back with the girls up Highway 99. They were hoping to stop and see friends but I've not heard. I do know they were all looking forward to sleeping in their own beds tonight, hotel beds are different. But they got to visit their Grandmother and ride her ponys, stay the night there and that is a very important part of the trip.
Tomorrow morning I'm driving to Pollock Pines and I'm hoping that there is not snow falling up there. I'm doing one of those personal appraisals for a private individual and it will be cash at the time of inspection. It will be a nice adventure and I pray for traveling mercies as we used to say, I like that term.
Patty and I talked about some of our religious journey today and we both decided that knowing how to love like Jesus is the bottom line of being connected to Heaven. Yes there are rules for living, commandments which protect us from sadness and pain but most importantly is caring for individuals whether family or friends with genuine compassion and love.
Once again tonight I urge you to reach out in your own ways to those you love, those around you and hold them, listen to them, support them and let them know you are in their corner, that you have their back in this very crazy and fast paced world.
Love to all,
Tim
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