Dear Family and Friends,
Just back from an enjoyable dinner with Nikki, Keanna and Kallie at Olive Garden in Tracy. After they completed a bit of trick or treat activity over at Kevin's house they were hungry. It was a nice calm moment to unwind.
This has been a pretty good week. Last Sunday was the walk for GIST research in San Jose, then appraisal inspections for the next four days. Meanwhile Sylvia was making huge inroads into the contents of the kitchen cabinets. This afternoon I had the distinct joy of carrying several bags full of food items to Patty's car. She said they could use it all. No wonder. She is the caretaker of 5 children who all have huge appetites. What a privilege to give a tiny helping hand to such a courageous lady. Nan would have been very pleased as I am. Thank you Sylvia for making this happen.
It has been quite a week financially. I've been chasing money all week to try to cover bills and so far everything is covered, well that is except for the little matter of the house payment and I'm on my way to getting that covered as well. The Lord has been very merciful to me this week as work related bills kept popping up and yet each day new orders would be called or faxed in and most were COD. I certainly would not want to live my entire life this close to the precipice for for now this is where I am and I'm not going to run away. In spite of the worse downturn in property values, high foreclosures rates and unease in the lending industry I am still afloat and in business.
There are so many things to be thankful for, events, people, special moments. Life is really quite challenging, almost never boring and full of opportunities.
Tonight I am worn out and really ready to sleep. While I feed candy to the masses knocking at the door tonight I was on the phone with Sharon in Texas. She too was glad the week was over and it was good to catch up with how she is doing which is fine. She has started bible studies in her home for a group of ladies and the first week was a great success. Nice going Sharon.
So good night my friends and family,
love
tim
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Timothy feeds himself / Sylvia finds gold in the kitchen cabinets!
Dear Family and Friends,
Well not gold really but a whole lot of good things I will never use. Sylvia arrived this morning and by the time I returned from work the kitchen appeared much like a grocery store, colorful items were everywhere, cabinets stood open and bare and she was busy cleaning and sorting. Once again she found boxes of items that can be used by others who might need them, vases, glasses, cooking, storing items, she found it all. Also among her discoveries were many spices, often backed up by one or two identical items. It is really amazing how well she works and in such an organized manner. I am the grateful benefactor of all this productive work and I'm promised so much empty cabinets space that the counters can be clear, just the way I like them.
Sylvia worked until 6:30 this evening when she reminded me that I needed to grab a quick bite and head to grief group. I did just that arriving a few minutes late. It was the largest group ever and the heartbreaking stories of what people are now going through or have gone through in the past are almost unbelievable. The group can go from mirth to tears in 30 seconds as reality hits over and over again.
I started this day off with a quick walk around the lake with Ken. Then a quick shower and early departure to Oakland where I met a buyer who handed me a check for an appraisal I was to do later in the day. Then I drove to a duplex which is always kept in perfect condition, then I drove to Pittsburg to inspect a big beautiful bank owned home. From there I detoured to Staples for file folders and then to Oakley to see yet another lovely home. All FHA inspections today and of the three two were COD. What a blessing that is. As of tonight I have about $300 toward the house payment which I must make tomorrow. That means tomorrow's mail and the mail on Saturday. I am humbled by how God has worked this week generating funds from orders I had no idea were coming in earlier in the week. I was able to cover the cost of the MLS for another year and that was $660 plus $121 for the lock box key. Now the only thing left to pay is the house payment. Of course I have several appraisals to write up and Jean is helping too with some of them.
Tomorrow Keanna's school has a parade with all the children wearing their Halloween costumes. They walk to the little shopping center and collect goodies from the merchants. I plan to be there with the video camera since Steve and Nikki won't be able to attend.
We had rain today, honest to goodness rain. It was nice to see it and I hope we get days and days of rain this winter. We all need it and the earth needs it too. The almanac is promising a rough winter with lots of rain and snow in the mountains. Bring it on.
Jason and Jo were kind enough to include some photos of Timothy as he is beginning to feed himself now. It brings back so many memories of when Nikki and Jason were going through this process, its cute but wow is it messy! Hope you enjoy the photos Jo shared in an email. Timothy is so cute especially with a big of extra food there and there.
Love to all,
tim
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
George Harty - a friend is lost
Dear Family and Friends,
Sylvia called this evening to let me know about the tragic loss of George Harty today. He appears to have died from natural causes. I have enjoyed the various times I have spent with George. He was a dedicated christian, good husband, father and loyal servant of our Lord. He will be missed and I understand how Gloria feels tonight, like someone just took all the light and hope away.
I've had a decent day with a safe trip to Sac, then down 80 to Martinez where the second home was located, then a quick trip home to deposit a check, then an even quicker trip to Antioch to pay the yearly MLS dues where were overdue. Upon arriving home I discovered a new order which is also COD and I'll pick up that check in the morning in Oakland. Just now I discovered yet another order for a local property and it too is COD. Thank you Lord for your blessings.
Sometimes I listen to Dr. Laura as I drive and I am amazed at how petty some spouses are when they call in with tiny little flaws they have discovered in their significant other, they are ready to file for divorce over the smallest issues. My favorite type call is when someone calls to complain about a parent or in law. Dr. Laura really sets people straight and gets to the real issues. I am amazed at the selfishness that pervades our society now. Me first, me me me. Our poor Heavenly Father, so burdened with our petty little problems when He just wants us to reach out and love one another, to treat others kindly and to be a support.
A couple nights ago the dogs were barking wildly which signalled to me someone was at the front door. I don't hear the door bell anymore. When I answered the door a young black man stood there and immediately started into a spiel to sell me something. I urged him to stop as I really was not in a position to purchase anything from anyone. He stopped and then totally startled me by asking, do you have a granola bar or anything I could have to eat, I've been working all day from door to door and I'm beat and hungry. I remembered I had one bar left in a box I had purchased to try them out so I ran and got it. The poor guy wolfed it down as he thanked me. Such a tiny thing. It seems we hardly ever get even a chance to help someone, we are so insulated from each other that we don't even know there is a need.
This morning the agent who met me at the house in Sac was a delight, Not only was she beautiful but even more important she had compassion. We talked of her husband's needs as he had just lost his auto sales business and of how challenging it was to make a living selling real estate in this market. I told her of Nan and of rebuilding life over the past 11 months and her eyes began to grow moist. She was a christian and encouraged me to look to eternity, that our best days were ahead. It was such a delight meeting her and having a moment of mutual encouragement. she had arrived at the inspection ready with records of recent sales in the area and timidly handed them to me, other appraisers have barked at her when she tried to offer assistance so she had learned to be very careful. Wonderful human behaviors pop up in the most unexpected places and she was one of them.
Good night my friends, this is proving to be an amazing week.
love
tim
Sylvia called this evening to let me know about the tragic loss of George Harty today. He appears to have died from natural causes. I have enjoyed the various times I have spent with George. He was a dedicated christian, good husband, father and loyal servant of our Lord. He will be missed and I understand how Gloria feels tonight, like someone just took all the light and hope away.
I've had a decent day with a safe trip to Sac, then down 80 to Martinez where the second home was located, then a quick trip home to deposit a check, then an even quicker trip to Antioch to pay the yearly MLS dues where were overdue. Upon arriving home I discovered a new order which is also COD and I'll pick up that check in the morning in Oakland. Just now I discovered yet another order for a local property and it too is COD. Thank you Lord for your blessings.
Sometimes I listen to Dr. Laura as I drive and I am amazed at how petty some spouses are when they call in with tiny little flaws they have discovered in their significant other, they are ready to file for divorce over the smallest issues. My favorite type call is when someone calls to complain about a parent or in law. Dr. Laura really sets people straight and gets to the real issues. I am amazed at the selfishness that pervades our society now. Me first, me me me. Our poor Heavenly Father, so burdened with our petty little problems when He just wants us to reach out and love one another, to treat others kindly and to be a support.
A couple nights ago the dogs were barking wildly which signalled to me someone was at the front door. I don't hear the door bell anymore. When I answered the door a young black man stood there and immediately started into a spiel to sell me something. I urged him to stop as I really was not in a position to purchase anything from anyone. He stopped and then totally startled me by asking, do you have a granola bar or anything I could have to eat, I've been working all day from door to door and I'm beat and hungry. I remembered I had one bar left in a box I had purchased to try them out so I ran and got it. The poor guy wolfed it down as he thanked me. Such a tiny thing. It seems we hardly ever get even a chance to help someone, we are so insulated from each other that we don't even know there is a need.
This morning the agent who met me at the house in Sac was a delight, Not only was she beautiful but even more important she had compassion. We talked of her husband's needs as he had just lost his auto sales business and of how challenging it was to make a living selling real estate in this market. I told her of Nan and of rebuilding life over the past 11 months and her eyes began to grow moist. She was a christian and encouraged me to look to eternity, that our best days were ahead. It was such a delight meeting her and having a moment of mutual encouragement. she had arrived at the inspection ready with records of recent sales in the area and timidly handed them to me, other appraisers have barked at her when she tried to offer assistance so she had learned to be very careful. Wonderful human behaviors pop up in the most unexpected places and she was one of them.
Good night my friends, this is proving to be an amazing week.
love
tim
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A clean sweep
Dear Friends and Family,
Walk at 6:30, freeze by 7, shower and thaw at 7:30, breakfast at 7:45, research at 8:30, on the road at 10, Berkeley at 11:30, leave Berkeley at 1 pm, drive very fast back to pick up Keanna but Steve has to bale me out to be sure someone is there to pick her up. All the while Sylvia was busy cleaning the frig, its now so bright I don't even recognize it, has a deli sectionn, bread, cheeses, salad, condiments, simply amazing what she can do. Steve dropped by with Keanna and Kallie and we all just enjoyed a moment, then Sylvia directed her efforts to Keanna's toy corner, tonight its all organized, they worked well together and all the little sets of toys are back together, the little frig where I kept Nan's supplies is now cleaned and turned off since I was down to one drink and two bottles of water in there. More cupboards are cleared and up to date and Sylvia told me tonight that some of the things that I no longer could use have helped people in need, isn't that great news! It was so funny, this afternoon I had her tasting different tupperware containers of flour, sugar, wheat germ, pancake mix since most had no labels at all. I'm sure her tummy is sick this evening from all the things she had to sample but we moved out the white rice and lots of other things I just will never use or need. Ray brought a sample of banana nut bread she made last night and it was totally wonderful, she also sent a sample of her first successful loaf of bread. How nice.
Nikki came after Kallie woke up and spent the early evening with us, what fun as Keanna played, Kallie played, we all talked and shared stuff, really a great time and Sylvia just kept working working. She reminds me of Art who can work for 12 hours without letting up. While I admire that kind of work ethic it makes me have to sit down and rest just thinking about it. And get this, Sylvia is willing to come again to work on even more cabinets, her obsession in my gain and I'm beginning to think she really does enjoy cleaning. Its a new concept to me and one I really enjoy.
I'm going to put a few photos we took this evening of our little ones. Kallie is growing so fast. She is fitting in 9 month clothes and she is just turning 5 months. One sturdy little baby!
Keanna gets her pins out next week but you would never know she has a broken arm now. She held a puppet show for Sylvia and I this afternoon as well as constructed houses with blankets and tables, really amazing.
So good night my friend. Tomorrow morning I care for the girls and then leave for Orangevale to do one and then down 80 to Martinez. Mary from travel has returned from an overseas trip and has invited me to dinner tomorrow evening. It should be a good day.
So good night my friends and family,
love
Tim
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thoughts about the walk
Dear Friends and Family,
How good it was to see Barbara and her husband again. She is one of those GIST warriors whose body is still responding to Gleevec well. How Nan loved to see her and talk to her. We first met when we were both going to be a City of Hope at the same time for appointments. Nan loved seeming them and what followed was very enjoyable as they attended a GIST gathering we had at the house, we got together in Vegas once and another time at a place in LA with several GISTers. In this old world with all its ups and downs special people are really the frosting on the cake of life. The walk brought many people together, some had just heard about it and like to help, others were walking almost in distress from the effects of the disease. Irene did a very good thing for her GIST community and her extensive efforts were rewarded richly.
For me today was, walk 3 miles, drive 55 miles, see properties in Pleasant Hills and Oakland, drive back to DB, pick up Keanna, visit McDonalds, deliver Keanna to her daddy, back to the office to write an appraisal, make appointments, then have an inspiration after reading over the helpful material Sylvia had produced to go to Raley's. Since it was my first time there it took awhile but I now have many more of the pieces of the puzzle which will lead to balanced meals. When I got home I discovered that a check had arrived in the mail, one more very welcome piece in the puzzle of this week, how to pay, pay, pay.
Tomorrow we walk at 6:30 in the total darkness, then I drive to Oakland for appointments, then back to collect Keanna. Keanna is the bright spot in a ordinary days, its fun to see her explore math, spelling, phonics, writing.... she is delighted with it all, who can resist the excitement of a child learning to read. I sure can't!!
Well its off to bed now, eyes are dry, tired, yes its time.
love
tim
How good it was to see Barbara and her husband again. She is one of those GIST warriors whose body is still responding to Gleevec well. How Nan loved to see her and talk to her. We first met when we were both going to be a City of Hope at the same time for appointments. Nan loved seeming them and what followed was very enjoyable as they attended a GIST gathering we had at the house, we got together in Vegas once and another time at a place in LA with several GISTers. In this old world with all its ups and downs special people are really the frosting on the cake of life. The walk brought many people together, some had just heard about it and like to help, others were walking almost in distress from the effects of the disease. Irene did a very good thing for her GIST community and her extensive efforts were rewarded richly.
For me today was, walk 3 miles, drive 55 miles, see properties in Pleasant Hills and Oakland, drive back to DB, pick up Keanna, visit McDonalds, deliver Keanna to her daddy, back to the office to write an appraisal, make appointments, then have an inspiration after reading over the helpful material Sylvia had produced to go to Raley's. Since it was my first time there it took awhile but I now have many more of the pieces of the puzzle which will lead to balanced meals. When I got home I discovered that a check had arrived in the mail, one more very welcome piece in the puzzle of this week, how to pay, pay, pay.
Tomorrow we walk at 6:30 in the total darkness, then I drive to Oakland for appointments, then back to collect Keanna. Keanna is the bright spot in a ordinary days, its fun to see her explore math, spelling, phonics, writing.... she is delighted with it all, who can resist the excitement of a child learning to read. I sure can't!!
Well its off to bed now, eyes are dry, tired, yes its time.
love
tim
Sunday, October 26, 2008
GIST fund raising walk a great success
Dear Family and Friends,This morning Pam arrived about 8:30 and we had breakfast, then loaded the wheel chair into the van and started our journey to San Jose. We found the Almaden Lake Park without any trouble, signed in and began to talk to friends, fellow GISTers who we have enjoyed being with in the past. Although Irene thought there might be over 130 people there were actually well over 200 who attended and walked to raise funds for a cure for this dreaded disease. I was reminded once again of the daily challenges people with GIST face as we had lunch with a young mother who has two young boys and has already had to move from Gleevec to Sutent to control the tumors. She has had 6 surgeries already and faces more in the future.
Irene and her friend did a wonderful job of organizing the event and God cooperated with perfect weather. Before the actual walk began a researcher from Stanford spoke briefly about his efforts to find both treatments and an eventual cure for GIST. Irene led out in a brief ceremony paying tribute to 4 GISTers who had died in the past year and candles were lit and a moment of silence observed. The organizers had prepared a table with photos and a brief story of each of the four including a story about Nan. It was a very emotional moment as Irene mentioned each of the 4 people concluding with her comments about Nan and her legendary courage and spunk. It was an honor to hold a candle and remember the bravery and love of life exhibited by Nan through her 12 year battle with the disease.
Since Pam is only recently back on her feet after her fall in the shower and subsequent surgery she could not walk the three miles so I pushed her in the wheelchair.
I think everyone there was moved by the experience of the day. Irene did a really outstanding job and I'm sure thousands of dollars were raised to be eventually donated directly to the researchers who daily pursue the cure in Portland, Houston, New York, Stanford and Boston.
I've included several photos I took of the crowd. The lady in the dark hair is Irene and in the one photo which has a man speaking if to look to the right in the photo you will see the display mentioning Nan.
During the day I was happy to hear from Jason and Timothy and later from Nikki.
I have another loaf of bread baking now as this evening I made eggs and finished up the last piece of toast.
Several new orders were faxed in today. They are the ones I expected from last week so I'm seeing a couple tomorrow and then will be back in Discovery Bay to pick up Keanna from school at 2 pm. That will be the high point of the day for me.
I went to bed last night right after Irene's loaf of bread finished baking, 12:15 and woke at 4 this morning and could not get back to sleep. I'm hoping for better sleep tonight but Ken and I are walking at 6:30 in the morning.
On a different subject Barbara Lammerding called this evening to just check in. She gave me a full report on their most recent trip, one to Australia and New Zealand with Tahati too. They really enjoyed themselves but are very glad to be home once again.
So for now I'm extending a very warm good night to all, seeking your prayers yet again for God to work his financial magic. I still need about $3,000 or so before Friday, God did great things last week and I await His directions for this week.
Sending love to all,
tim
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A full Sabbath
Dear Family and Friends,
Tomorrow is the GIST walk in San Jose. It starts at 10:30 at Almaden Lake Park and over 130 people have signed up to be involved.
Ken and I walked this morning in the twilight the there was a quick shower, even quicker breakfast and then it was to Nikki and Steve's where they were all ready to go to Sabbath School. It was Kallie's first Sabbath School and she seemed to enjoy it once she decided to wake up. The program was great and it went quickly. Then we had lunch at the Olive Garden. This evening we all attended the Boo Ville program at Keanna's school. It was cute and they really had lots to do. Keanna loved it and Kallie was smiling and watching all the events, kids and sights. This evening has gone by rapidly as I've enjoyed phone calls with Jerry, my elderly brother!!, Art, Sylvia and Pam. I am so blessed to have such quality friends and family. How different life would be if I had to live day by day without my kidos, my kids and my friends. I like the phone calls and emails, no one I know is just a "yes" person, that is they challenge my thinking, my moods, my plans, make suggestions, offer help and give reassurance that things are going to be OK. How can one ask for more. I believe that these wonderful people are guided by God to live out what they believe. I love them all.
I'm looking forward to being a part of Irene's dream tomorrow. She and some friends have long dreamed of having a west coast GIST walk to raise funds for research, for pathways to a cure, to keeping people alive in the horrible fight with tumors that won't quit easily. This is a people based fund endeavor, not a corporation and Irene, in spite of recurring tumors, has been the spark that lite the fuse for the walk. Irene is one of those special people who can share the love and caring of Jesus without being preachy or phony in any way. She is the real deal and lives her life on the line for her Lord. I don't think I've ever met anyone exactly like Irene. You get a much better idea of what God is thinking when Irene talks with you.
Thank you Lord for your help, encouragement, ideas, love, fellowship and motivation this past week.
Love to all,
tim
Tomorrow is the GIST walk in San Jose. It starts at 10:30 at Almaden Lake Park and over 130 people have signed up to be involved.
Ken and I walked this morning in the twilight the there was a quick shower, even quicker breakfast and then it was to Nikki and Steve's where they were all ready to go to Sabbath School. It was Kallie's first Sabbath School and she seemed to enjoy it once she decided to wake up. The program was great and it went quickly. Then we had lunch at the Olive Garden. This evening we all attended the Boo Ville program at Keanna's school. It was cute and they really had lots to do. Keanna loved it and Kallie was smiling and watching all the events, kids and sights. This evening has gone by rapidly as I've enjoyed phone calls with Jerry, my elderly brother!!, Art, Sylvia and Pam. I am so blessed to have such quality friends and family. How different life would be if I had to live day by day without my kidos, my kids and my friends. I like the phone calls and emails, no one I know is just a "yes" person, that is they challenge my thinking, my moods, my plans, make suggestions, offer help and give reassurance that things are going to be OK. How can one ask for more. I believe that these wonderful people are guided by God to live out what they believe. I love them all.
I'm looking forward to being a part of Irene's dream tomorrow. She and some friends have long dreamed of having a west coast GIST walk to raise funds for research, for pathways to a cure, to keeping people alive in the horrible fight with tumors that won't quit easily. This is a people based fund endeavor, not a corporation and Irene, in spite of recurring tumors, has been the spark that lite the fuse for the walk. Irene is one of those special people who can share the love and caring of Jesus without being preachy or phony in any way. She is the real deal and lives her life on the line for her Lord. I don't think I've ever met anyone exactly like Irene. You get a much better idea of what God is thinking when Irene talks with you.
Thank you Lord for your help, encouragement, ideas, love, fellowship and motivation this past week.
Love to all,
tim
Friday, October 24, 2008
A different kind of day....
Good evening,
9:30 and as soon as I complete a brief entry here in the blog I'm heading to bed. This has been an interesting day. First off it was beautiful, not too warm, just right.
After walking my 3 this morning I drove over to Steve's and pickup up the power washer. It is gas powered and very powerful. Then with Lois's help we retrieved the boat from the water and put it onto the trailer, using the van for the first time we pulled it out of the water and home. Once home I started power washing. Perhaps I should explain. When a boat is moored next to a dock and is floating all summer it picks up all kinds of algae growing on the side and bottom. Once the boat leaves the water this sticky glue stuck to the boat turns hard. I washed off what I could but even using the highest level of power much of the substance remains on the boat. Lois used a brush to try to remove it and it helped some. Finally worn out and with at least some of the grime off the boat she helped guide as I backed the boat into place beside the house where it will be stored for the winter.
After I showered we went to lunch at Boardwalk Cafe and enjoyed a light meal. By the time the meal was over I was falling asleep. You see sleep eluded me from 4 am on this morning. I'm not sure why but I had no desire to be up at that time of day. I crawled out and came down and worked until 6:30 when I walked. So I'm sleepy.
When Nikki and the girls got home from work this afternoon they called and we went to inspect the new Streets of Brentwood, a fancy new mall with dozens of stores that opened today. It was fun and thousands of people were there. Then we drove to LaVilla in Bethel Island for a nice meal. Now I'm home, yawning and ready to rest.
Good night my friends and family,
love to all
Tim
9:30 and as soon as I complete a brief entry here in the blog I'm heading to bed. This has been an interesting day. First off it was beautiful, not too warm, just right.
After walking my 3 this morning I drove over to Steve's and pickup up the power washer. It is gas powered and very powerful. Then with Lois's help we retrieved the boat from the water and put it onto the trailer, using the van for the first time we pulled it out of the water and home. Once home I started power washing. Perhaps I should explain. When a boat is moored next to a dock and is floating all summer it picks up all kinds of algae growing on the side and bottom. Once the boat leaves the water this sticky glue stuck to the boat turns hard. I washed off what I could but even using the highest level of power much of the substance remains on the boat. Lois used a brush to try to remove it and it helped some. Finally worn out and with at least some of the grime off the boat she helped guide as I backed the boat into place beside the house where it will be stored for the winter.
After I showered we went to lunch at Boardwalk Cafe and enjoyed a light meal. By the time the meal was over I was falling asleep. You see sleep eluded me from 4 am on this morning. I'm not sure why but I had no desire to be up at that time of day. I crawled out and came down and worked until 6:30 when I walked. So I'm sleepy.
When Nikki and the girls got home from work this afternoon they called and we went to inspect the new Streets of Brentwood, a fancy new mall with dozens of stores that opened today. It was fun and thousands of people were there. Then we drove to LaVilla in Bethel Island for a nice meal. Now I'm home, yawning and ready to rest.
Good night my friends and family,
love to all
Tim
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Progress
Dear Family and Friends,
When I climbed out this morning at 6:10 to a cool, dark world all I wanted to do was go back to bed. Starr thought I was nuts for staying up and pulling on sweats. Ken had a meeting so the walk was just me. When I got home I decided to tidy up a bit as I had a guest coming to help plan menus and check out what foods I had on hand. It was good to have a motivation to do a bit of cleaning, yes the vacuum still works and so does the mop. Even the fish tank lost some algae.
Sylvia arrived late morning and we set to work on the pantry, we found many items that expired in 2006 and 2007 and they are in the trash can, other items were located that I will never eat and they are going to a Tracy Interfaith Ministries. We also found many treasures that will come in handy in the days and weeks to come. I had started a loaf of bread baking early in the morning so it was finishing its baking process while we worked, oh it smelled so good. Well that loaf was for Sylvia and Kevin. Then after making huge progress on the pantry shelves we went to lunch at the Boardwalk, a little local place by the water and had salads. Then it was time for Sylvia to leave for her library day at the Mountain House Public Library and I left shortly thereafter for my appointment in Stockton. The mail box was kind again today with a check for an appraisal done long ago. I also picked up money in Stockton. Then after the appraisal was completed I drove to Tracy to see a friend who has been in the hospital since Sunday and is facing surgery soon.
By then it was time to head back for grief group. I had just enough time to prepare the deposit for the bank and then scoot back to the group. It was a very meaningful session with so much human need, so much bravery, so much loyalty to family and spouses. My dear friend Patty who lost her husband over a year ago and happens to live on my block was there with a freshly broken foot, seems a dog ran right through her. This brave soul does not need more bad things to happen to her, she already cares for 5 grandchildren who range in age from young to teens.
What a lift to get to talk to Nikki and Art today, seems they call at just the right times and its less lonely when you get to talk to a friendly voice.
A person called today with a proposal to sell the Marriott time share in Palm Desert. His offer sounds the best so far, he has a 6 month guarantee that returns the "marketing money" if the unit has not sold in 6 months. His is the first company to actually offer to return the money if they can't sell the unit. Still I wonder what I am getting into. He things it will sell for quite a bit more I owe which would be wonderful but I don't want to be taken for a ride either. Some companies want over $1,300 to try to sell the unit with no offer to return the money if they don't sell it. Any advice?
Thank you Sylvia for your help today, the menu's and the tidy pantry are a huge help. It was fun!
So my friends and family, good night to all and to the One that owns the "cattle on a thousand hills" thank you so much for the blessings you have given this week.
love to all
Tim
PS http://gistwalk.frogheaven.org/index.html has all the info about the GIST walk to raise funds for research this coming Sunday in San Jose. I hope you can be involved in one way or another.
When I climbed out this morning at 6:10 to a cool, dark world all I wanted to do was go back to bed. Starr thought I was nuts for staying up and pulling on sweats. Ken had a meeting so the walk was just me. When I got home I decided to tidy up a bit as I had a guest coming to help plan menus and check out what foods I had on hand. It was good to have a motivation to do a bit of cleaning, yes the vacuum still works and so does the mop. Even the fish tank lost some algae.
Sylvia arrived late morning and we set to work on the pantry, we found many items that expired in 2006 and 2007 and they are in the trash can, other items were located that I will never eat and they are going to a Tracy Interfaith Ministries. We also found many treasures that will come in handy in the days and weeks to come. I had started a loaf of bread baking early in the morning so it was finishing its baking process while we worked, oh it smelled so good. Well that loaf was for Sylvia and Kevin. Then after making huge progress on the pantry shelves we went to lunch at the Boardwalk, a little local place by the water and had salads. Then it was time for Sylvia to leave for her library day at the Mountain House Public Library and I left shortly thereafter for my appointment in Stockton. The mail box was kind again today with a check for an appraisal done long ago. I also picked up money in Stockton. Then after the appraisal was completed I drove to Tracy to see a friend who has been in the hospital since Sunday and is facing surgery soon.
By then it was time to head back for grief group. I had just enough time to prepare the deposit for the bank and then scoot back to the group. It was a very meaningful session with so much human need, so much bravery, so much loyalty to family and spouses. My dear friend Patty who lost her husband over a year ago and happens to live on my block was there with a freshly broken foot, seems a dog ran right through her. This brave soul does not need more bad things to happen to her, she already cares for 5 grandchildren who range in age from young to teens.
What a lift to get to talk to Nikki and Art today, seems they call at just the right times and its less lonely when you get to talk to a friendly voice.
A person called today with a proposal to sell the Marriott time share in Palm Desert. His offer sounds the best so far, he has a 6 month guarantee that returns the "marketing money" if the unit has not sold in 6 months. His is the first company to actually offer to return the money if they can't sell the unit. Still I wonder what I am getting into. He things it will sell for quite a bit more I owe which would be wonderful but I don't want to be taken for a ride either. Some companies want over $1,300 to try to sell the unit with no offer to return the money if they don't sell it. Any advice?
Thank you Sylvia for your help today, the menu's and the tidy pantry are a huge help. It was fun!
So my friends and family, good night to all and to the One that owns the "cattle on a thousand hills" thank you so much for the blessings you have given this week.
love to all
Tim
PS http://gistwalk.frogheaven.org/index.html has all the info about the GIST walk to raise funds for research this coming Sunday in San Jose. I hope you can be involved in one way or another.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sort of a miracle day....
Dear Family and Friends,
This has been some day, see what you think.
Ken and I walked at 6:30, felt like 3:30 in the morning as I slept very poorly and was not ready to wake when the alarm sounded. We had a good walk in the dark cool morning. Then I showered and made some more steel cut oats, a slice of toast with real butter and a couple links. Then I went to work. First I wrote the appraisal update for the local property and prepared it for delivery. When I did I picked up a check. Then back to the office and the mail was early, yes it contained one very thin check but for a FHA fee of $450. So I prepared a deposit of $600 and headed to the bank. When I came back to the office to continue working on conditions a new email had arrived, it was an order I could see immediatelly. So at 5 pm I was there inspecting the property for a new kind of FHA rescue program that will help them stay in their house at a lower loan amount and payment. The program is just getting started and sounds very good for people. That one was also cod. I drove home after picking up meds and frozen fish food, prepared the deposit slip and then drove back to the bank for a night deposit. Then I was invited to join the girls for dinner at their house, it was great and I've included some magic photos from my visit. On the way home I picked up some groceries, fresh fruits, flour for baking and then came home to park the cars in, unload the groceries and to begin to relax a bit. When I got home and looked at the email there was yet another order waiting. It is a driveby which needs to be seen tomorrow afternoon in Stockton and yes it is cod also. Now I call this a miracle day. With the money collected I've paid two big bills and purchased little needed things like meds, groceries and fish food. I plan to sleep very well tonight, thankful for the gifts from a very loving God.
Tomorrow Sylvia is going to help me plan some menus that I can use for both buying groceries but also knowing what to fix that is balanced and reasonable. I really appreciate her doing this as I think it will be a huge help. Over the last few days I've dumped about 3 pounds which feels good.
So my friends and family members, good night and enjoy the smiles of our little ladies.
love
tim
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A decent day
Dear Family and Friends,
Well the girls were at their very best this morning, funny, smiling and helpful. Only thing was that when we got ready to load up I realized that Keanna still have her PJ tops on, not her shirt and changing out of the PJ's and into a shirt is no easy task with the cast type thing around her arm. She and Nikki had devised a plan that works pretty well but she still has some moments of pain. Tomorrow morning Steve is in charge as his "away" job is pretty much completed in Berkeley. I hope I get to help some in the future as it is so fun and meaningful.
Nikki just called to say they were on their way home from Concord. She had Keanna's hair done and had expected to have professional photos taken of both girls but every time Kallie starting crying. That is very unusual but Nikki thinks she did not like the looks of the guy shooting the photos. Anyway excellent photos of Keanna were produced but none of Kallie.
Friend Art arrived in Discovery Bay at the same time I was delivering Keanna to school. He came over for a few minutes which was totally fun. He had a small piece of the "bread" and did not croak, that is a good thing. He was brave enough to tackle and end cut, that a pretty substantial piece of bread, I mean hard. But he braved it down.
At 9:30 several clients suddenly needed help, that was just the time I was to leave for the trip to Orangevale so the stress level went up a bit for me. Due to the holdups I got there a few minutes late. Upon arriving I found a very delightful lady who lost her husband about 9 years ago. She had some pretty profound insights on being alone and was a great encouragement. Her son lives in Bethel Island, a small waterfront community near where I live and she had agreed to call next time she is coming to see her son so we can have lunch and talk some more.
After I left her neighborhood I asked the GPS for lunch and I ended up at Fuddruckers, a burger shop. The secret is their garden burger is excellent. Then I drove home and thanked our dear Lord upon driving into the garage for yet another safe trip.
Due to several phone calls during the day I knew I had some fixing to do on several reports so I settled in and worked until about 7 when I was sort of caught up. I made whole wheat pasta with a can of soup as sauce, some peanut butter and tomato sandwiches and had some peas. Now I am stuffed and most ready to hit the hay. It was another day without any money in the mail and tomorrow an automatic payment hits for $409. Its Citibank and its the agreement I entered into for one year. They stopped charging interest, assess no fees and apply the entire payment on the balance. It really helps reduce the total amount I owe. Still it is a challenge to make sure funds are there every month to cover the charge.
I was so glad to hear from Sharon this afternoon. She was on her way home to put things just right for her first Bible Study this evening. About 20 ladies had indicated an interest in coming and Sharon was thrilled. She feels that the Lord granted her the new house and she needs to share it with others. I am so proud of her dedication and drive but I sure would have liked to be there for the desert she was serving, some esoteric walnut flake cake with coconut. It sounded wonderful!
Thank you for reading the blog. I hope you will consider coming to walk in San Jose on Sunday and or give a donation to GIST research. During the last few years government sponsorship of research has actually declined and it is more important than ever for individuals to give to research that they believe in.
Sending love to one and all,
Tim
Well the girls were at their very best this morning, funny, smiling and helpful. Only thing was that when we got ready to load up I realized that Keanna still have her PJ tops on, not her shirt and changing out of the PJ's and into a shirt is no easy task with the cast type thing around her arm. She and Nikki had devised a plan that works pretty well but she still has some moments of pain. Tomorrow morning Steve is in charge as his "away" job is pretty much completed in Berkeley. I hope I get to help some in the future as it is so fun and meaningful.
Nikki just called to say they were on their way home from Concord. She had Keanna's hair done and had expected to have professional photos taken of both girls but every time Kallie starting crying. That is very unusual but Nikki thinks she did not like the looks of the guy shooting the photos. Anyway excellent photos of Keanna were produced but none of Kallie.
Friend Art arrived in Discovery Bay at the same time I was delivering Keanna to school. He came over for a few minutes which was totally fun. He had a small piece of the "bread" and did not croak, that is a good thing. He was brave enough to tackle and end cut, that a pretty substantial piece of bread, I mean hard. But he braved it down.
At 9:30 several clients suddenly needed help, that was just the time I was to leave for the trip to Orangevale so the stress level went up a bit for me. Due to the holdups I got there a few minutes late. Upon arriving I found a very delightful lady who lost her husband about 9 years ago. She had some pretty profound insights on being alone and was a great encouragement. Her son lives in Bethel Island, a small waterfront community near where I live and she had agreed to call next time she is coming to see her son so we can have lunch and talk some more.
After I left her neighborhood I asked the GPS for lunch and I ended up at Fuddruckers, a burger shop. The secret is their garden burger is excellent. Then I drove home and thanked our dear Lord upon driving into the garage for yet another safe trip.
Due to several phone calls during the day I knew I had some fixing to do on several reports so I settled in and worked until about 7 when I was sort of caught up. I made whole wheat pasta with a can of soup as sauce, some peanut butter and tomato sandwiches and had some peas. Now I am stuffed and most ready to hit the hay. It was another day without any money in the mail and tomorrow an automatic payment hits for $409. Its Citibank and its the agreement I entered into for one year. They stopped charging interest, assess no fees and apply the entire payment on the balance. It really helps reduce the total amount I owe. Still it is a challenge to make sure funds are there every month to cover the charge.
I was so glad to hear from Sharon this afternoon. She was on her way home to put things just right for her first Bible Study this evening. About 20 ladies had indicated an interest in coming and Sharon was thrilled. She feels that the Lord granted her the new house and she needs to share it with others. I am so proud of her dedication and drive but I sure would have liked to be there for the desert she was serving, some esoteric walnut flake cake with coconut. It sounded wonderful!
Thank you for reading the blog. I hope you will consider coming to walk in San Jose on Sunday and or give a donation to GIST research. During the last few years government sponsorship of research has actually declined and it is more important than ever for individuals to give to research that they believe in.
Sending love to one and all,
Tim
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wooden it be lovely
Dear Family and Friends,
This morning I heard noises outside, it was friend Art Diaz backing a pickup to my fence loaded with all kinds of wonderful firewood. He not only delivered it but he went ahead and stacked it on the back porch in a firewood rack that Nikki and Mom provided. The wood rack includes a cover to keep the rain off. The rack is half full of wood just waiting to be burned, thanks so much Art and Ron, that's whose house it came from.
The girls were both in rare form this morning, happy and ready to face the day. Nikki had the house so tidy and all decorated for the season, Keanna was loving it, ate her breakfast right down, dressed herself in spite of the arm and then I woke Kallie who beamed as I scooped her up out of her little sleep sack. Sadly I had to leave the girls at school and sitters and then back to the house to shower, made steel cut oats, ate a pear (after days of waiting it was just the right ripeness). Then I began to work and pretty much cleared the desk. I'm seeing the last order I have tomorrow morning in Orangevale. Oh and one did come in today for Lodi. When Keanna left with her mother for dance class I hit the road and managed to get the photos shot before darkness fell. On the way home I found diesel for just $3.29 which is quite a change from the $5.00+ I was paying a few months ago. Then a quiet ride brought me home to relax and enjoy seeing cats, dogs and the fish.
Once again I've been thinking about some of the experiences I shared with Nan as we battled GIST on a daily basis. For the better part of 12 years although we had setbacks often we also had hundreds of days of happiness and warm togetherness. Even on the darkest of days when new tumors would be reported or some organ stopped working we still would hold hands, look into each others eyes and find the deepest of joy at being together. Sylvia and I were talking about characteristics the other day and she remarked that both she and Nan had a pretty level and balanced way of looking at life on a daily basis, she is right. And oh what a privilege it is to live with a real adult, a mature person who is not out to impress anyone with anything, knows the goodness of the moment and revels in the love of family and friends. We all benefited from Nan's stability and her coolness under pressure. She would say just after horrible news would be pronounced, well what can we do, what are our options? And then set out to do the right things for everyone concerned.
Soon it will be 10 months and in some ways it seems like yesterday yet in many others the pain and sense of loss is dulling into a permanent place and no longer dominating every waking moment. One of my hearts desires is to get a marker in place, a headstone that lets the world know who is resting there and is a reminder that we have not forgotten her powerful and dominate place in all of our lives. Nan was a force to be reckoned with, a real family hero.
Good night my friends, I'm sending my love to each and every one of you.
love
tim
This morning I heard noises outside, it was friend Art Diaz backing a pickup to my fence loaded with all kinds of wonderful firewood. He not only delivered it but he went ahead and stacked it on the back porch in a firewood rack that Nikki and Mom provided. The wood rack includes a cover to keep the rain off. The rack is half full of wood just waiting to be burned, thanks so much Art and Ron, that's whose house it came from.
The girls were both in rare form this morning, happy and ready to face the day. Nikki had the house so tidy and all decorated for the season, Keanna was loving it, ate her breakfast right down, dressed herself in spite of the arm and then I woke Kallie who beamed as I scooped her up out of her little sleep sack. Sadly I had to leave the girls at school and sitters and then back to the house to shower, made steel cut oats, ate a pear (after days of waiting it was just the right ripeness). Then I began to work and pretty much cleared the desk. I'm seeing the last order I have tomorrow morning in Orangevale. Oh and one did come in today for Lodi. When Keanna left with her mother for dance class I hit the road and managed to get the photos shot before darkness fell. On the way home I found diesel for just $3.29 which is quite a change from the $5.00+ I was paying a few months ago. Then a quiet ride brought me home to relax and enjoy seeing cats, dogs and the fish.
Once again I've been thinking about some of the experiences I shared with Nan as we battled GIST on a daily basis. For the better part of 12 years although we had setbacks often we also had hundreds of days of happiness and warm togetherness. Even on the darkest of days when new tumors would be reported or some organ stopped working we still would hold hands, look into each others eyes and find the deepest of joy at being together. Sylvia and I were talking about characteristics the other day and she remarked that both she and Nan had a pretty level and balanced way of looking at life on a daily basis, she is right. And oh what a privilege it is to live with a real adult, a mature person who is not out to impress anyone with anything, knows the goodness of the moment and revels in the love of family and friends. We all benefited from Nan's stability and her coolness under pressure. She would say just after horrible news would be pronounced, well what can we do, what are our options? And then set out to do the right things for everyone concerned.
Soon it will be 10 months and in some ways it seems like yesterday yet in many others the pain and sense of loss is dulling into a permanent place and no longer dominating every waking moment. One of my hearts desires is to get a marker in place, a headstone that lets the world know who is resting there and is a reminder that we have not forgotten her powerful and dominate place in all of our lives. Nan was a force to be reckoned with, a real family hero.
Good night my friends, I'm sending my love to each and every one of you.
love
tim
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Check out this loaf of bread!
Dear Family and Friends,
8:15 and the house is filled with the odors of fresh bread. Once again the loaf turned out great and I think the right yeast is the key. I'm using yeast from a bottle that says its made for bread machines. This is my second loaf that has come out full size or like Keanna says, its a really big loaf of bread.
I've settled down to trying to get a lot accomplished today and as of now I've just completed the third appraisal today. For me that is some kind of record. Jean does such a great job on these but when I have so few appraisals and nothing but time then I need to go ahead and write them myself. I'm in hopes of many orders this coming week, they've been promised but I have yet to see them.
This morning I walked my 3 miles and then came home and felt sorry for the doggies so we went to the park. How they love to smell and bark in the park. Then back to load and unload the dishwasher, mop some of the floors, clear the kitchen table and finally face the dreaded files that needed writing up.
Nikki called to say they were dining at the local pizza place around 2:30 so I met them for salad and a couple pieces of good pizza. Keanna was in her normal full speed ahead mode and is learning to play games that take two quarters. She enjoys them even after her money has run out. Kallie was all smiles and enjoying being with her mommy. Nikki has such good advice and is such a level headed good person. Yes I know she is my daughter but I would say it anyway. I value her comments and counsel. Steve has been helping his brother as they attempt to make a rental in Felton decent enough to live in for he and Lacy.
I am feeling better and have only had two calls requesting money today, sort of a low day for that part of life.
I think guys do not fully appreciate why people bother with coupons, however the new coupon that came in the mail for a certain healthy dog food cure helped last night, it saved $7 off the cost and that my friend is worth using.
Tomorrow morning I assist with the girls once again which is always a kick, then back to continue to clean up my desk in anticipation of the flood or orders that is sure to come in any hour!!
On Tuesday after I care for the girls in the morning I'm off to Orangevale to do an appraisal, then race back home to be here to collect Keanna after school at 2 pm.
I'm in hopes that your week is going to be great and that you are going to achieve something special this week. I encourage you to think about what you would really like to do at work, at home, with your kids, grandkids. I feel I am having to learn how to dream all over again. I really have very little on the futures plate, I do see a day when I can pay my bills on time and begin to pay some of them off totally. Here's hoping that the economy will improve to the point where people can buy homes again and refinance if they need to. We all know it will happen but its a matter of when and how long until.
Good night my friends,
Tim
ps I wish you could come over and we'd have a slice of bread, perhaps next time.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A beautiful time with the girls
Dear Family and Friends,
My day started with a tiny voice saying good morning Papa, Keanna can move so quietly and it was 7 am after all, time to get up and going. Nikki had come by at midnight and scooped Kallie up and took her home. Keanna and I began to work on the day and then the phone rang and it was Jason and Timothy calling, they were having a nice time and Timothy talked as best a 1+ year old can. Keanna got to talk to both Jason and Timothy on the speaker phone. What fun that was.
We had breakfast and then were off to Sabbath School in Tracy. Keanna enjoyed the program and there were several kidos there to participate with. It was a great program. Then to Olive Garden for a quick lunch with Nikki and Kallie. The Keanna and I drove home and Nikki and Kallie traveled to San Jose for a baby shower. She came back around 5:30 and I returned Keanna to her home and loving mother. Then I ventured to Staples for a box of paper and a toner cartridge. Otherwise I would have been out of business tomorrow. Since the dogs had eaten all their food on Friday it was time to think of them also. A coupon came in the mail for $7.00 off a sack of food and I found a nice natural food that seems to have fewer bad things and more good things. When I got home and fed them they loved it, even snarled at each other over it. While I was I went to a favorite place, Uno's Chicago Style Pizza in Antioch. It was great food and I brought half home for tomorrow. Finally I head home but found fuel for $3.09. That is some change in the last month and a trip in the motorhome to see Jason is getting more reasonable price wise every day now.
Finally I made it home, I'm sleepy, happily worn out. The girls put real meaning back into life again. They are both precious and bring out the best in me. Suddenly it seemed time to get the house cleaned again after the dust started bothering Keanna's nose. She and I discovered that a little blanket I had out for her to lie on when she broke her arm had been used by the dogs and was filthy. Now it has been washed and is in the dryer. Keanna really enjoyed fruit on this visit. She had one entire can of peaches and nearly finished a can of pears this afternoon. I love it. She makes me nervous as she plays on the tile floors, I just don't want her to fall and hurt herself again. When we arrived home from Olive Garden the late night bed time from last night was catching up with me. I ask her if she could play quietly so I could rest in the recliner. She not only complied but played her games, drew her pictures without making any noise.
I've included a couple pictures of her little dolls on parade on her little table. She worked to set them all up for the photo.
Hope all of you are having a great weekend and finding peace and meaning in it.
Love
tim
Friday, October 17, 2008
The girls are finally asleep
Dear Family and Friends,
As I write at about 10 pm both girls have fallen asleep. Kallie played in a device that lets a baby sit up and touch and play with attached toys which surround her, then when I had Keanna fed I turned my full attention to her. It was then that she became very upset, crying loudly and refusing to take her bottle. I knew she needed to drink the bottle before falling asleep but I was not sure what was wrong. Keanna was great about distracting her for brief moments. Finally I stood up and she stopped crying, then we walked to the stairs and up to her room. By the time we reached the guest room the aroma was pretty strong. So I tempted fate and changed a very "special" diaper. Introduce a tiny bit of food into a baby's diet and the odors begin. After her diaper was changed she calmed right down, too her bottle and finally fell asleep. By then Keanna had decided that some peaches would be good in addition to the ton of pasta and green beans she had already eaten. After downing the majority of the can of peaches she finally decided it was time to go to bed. Its not easy to get a shirt or night gown over the huge cast sort of wrap that is around her little arm but after three trys and some tears we did it. After a story and prayer Keanna fell into a deep sleep.
We spent some time with plastic magnetic letters on the compactor. Keanna spelled word after word by sounding out the letters. It was a fun exercise and she seems pretty bright and quick.
Today I cared for the girls at 6:30 and took them to school at 8:30, then came home, showered and drove to Moraga where I inspected a very interesting home. Built at the end of a very long and narrow but paved road this home with 4,700 SF is built on a steep hill and has views on all sides. It has 5 bedrooms and about that many bathrooms, multi levels and in good condition overall. Of course there were many decks affording views of hills, distant cities and a huge blue sky. Finding comparables was a bit of a challenge as was measuring this monster but a little patience and it was done. The next home was small and in the outskirts of Walnut Creek. It is older and poorly kept but still have pretty good value since it is located so near downtown Walnut Creek. Then with check in hand I headed home using back roads. Upon arriving home I discovered to my glee that there was another check in the mail. With deposit slip and two checks in hand I headed to the bank where the teller was all smiles and reported I had a positive balance for a change.
This has been some week with many blessed moments, some pretty awful ones and mostly just survival ones. The nicest moments involve people, especially the kids and their kids. Art has been such a friend this week with his many encouraging phone calls and steady advice.
So for now I'm relieved it is the Sabbath, that my precious little charges are resting and that I can be of assistance to my family in this way. Its a dream come true only I never thought I would be carrying out this dream by myself.
Love to all,
Tim
As I write at about 10 pm both girls have fallen asleep. Kallie played in a device that lets a baby sit up and touch and play with attached toys which surround her, then when I had Keanna fed I turned my full attention to her. It was then that she became very upset, crying loudly and refusing to take her bottle. I knew she needed to drink the bottle before falling asleep but I was not sure what was wrong. Keanna was great about distracting her for brief moments. Finally I stood up and she stopped crying, then we walked to the stairs and up to her room. By the time we reached the guest room the aroma was pretty strong. So I tempted fate and changed a very "special" diaper. Introduce a tiny bit of food into a baby's diet and the odors begin. After her diaper was changed she calmed right down, too her bottle and finally fell asleep. By then Keanna had decided that some peaches would be good in addition to the ton of pasta and green beans she had already eaten. After downing the majority of the can of peaches she finally decided it was time to go to bed. Its not easy to get a shirt or night gown over the huge cast sort of wrap that is around her little arm but after three trys and some tears we did it. After a story and prayer Keanna fell into a deep sleep.
We spent some time with plastic magnetic letters on the compactor. Keanna spelled word after word by sounding out the letters. It was a fun exercise and she seems pretty bright and quick.
Today I cared for the girls at 6:30 and took them to school at 8:30, then came home, showered and drove to Moraga where I inspected a very interesting home. Built at the end of a very long and narrow but paved road this home with 4,700 SF is built on a steep hill and has views on all sides. It has 5 bedrooms and about that many bathrooms, multi levels and in good condition overall. Of course there were many decks affording views of hills, distant cities and a huge blue sky. Finding comparables was a bit of a challenge as was measuring this monster but a little patience and it was done. The next home was small and in the outskirts of Walnut Creek. It is older and poorly kept but still have pretty good value since it is located so near downtown Walnut Creek. Then with check in hand I headed home using back roads. Upon arriving home I discovered to my glee that there was another check in the mail. With deposit slip and two checks in hand I headed to the bank where the teller was all smiles and reported I had a positive balance for a change.
This has been some week with many blessed moments, some pretty awful ones and mostly just survival ones. The nicest moments involve people, especially the kids and their kids. Art has been such a friend this week with his many encouraging phone calls and steady advice.
So for now I'm relieved it is the Sabbath, that my precious little charges are resting and that I can be of assistance to my family in this way. Its a dream come true only I never thought I would be carrying out this dream by myself.
Love to all,
Tim
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Grief Group was great tonight.
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm just back from a 2 hour session with the grief recovery group. While every meeting takes on its own character for the night tonight's was especially helpful. Emotions moved from tears and stilted comments due to stress to many times of the entire group in laughter. It is really amazing to observe and participate as the waves of reality move from sadness to joy and then back again. Without betraying confidences in our group we currently have several of us who have lost spouses, others who are in the midst of chemo for existing tumors while others are having follow up radiation for recently removed tumors. Some of the group are getting better, some are in a holding pattern and at least of us is slipping with more and more evidence of cancer gradually spreading. There is a level of openness and honesty that is amazing and you end up feeling like it is safe enough to go ahead and share what you really feel, what your really think. One of the group creates the most amazing snacks and it is always something we look forward to.
We have an excellent group leader who is the pastor of the little church that sponsors the group and provides a nice place to meet. He knows how to keep things moving well without the mistakes that often plague a group, people rushing in with answers, or trying to comfort people when what they really need is to let the emotion out without it being "fixed".
In our group tonight one of our members shared the terrible experience of trying to purchase groceries and not having enough strength to bag them or unload the car afterwards, how it felt when no one in the store would step forward and help in spite of tear running down her cheeks. I was inspired by what she shared, to be more aware of those around me and to be ready to render help when another human being is in trouble.
Needless to say at this point in time I am feeling much better and have decided to rejoin the human race again. I did have a shock this evening when I checked the bank account only to find that a charge for $774 had been sent to the bank. Considering I had $39 in the account that represents a problem. Tomorrow morning a credit card deposit I made from work done will kick in but it won't be enough. Where did the huge charge come from? Well when Blue Cross decided to seek their monthly payment earlier than I expected at the first of the month I did not have it covered and the bank returned their request unfunded. I was told by Blue Cross that I would have to send in a check so I'm getting my funds together so I could do just that but someone decided to just resubmit the money request without any warning. In the bigger picture its OK, it needs to be paid but with about 9 days of no funds coming in I've been sort of not spending anything so as not to drive the account into the red. Well I got caught unprepared. Fortunately two new orders came in today for the Walnut Creek and Moraga area and one of them is paying with a check. It won't be quite enough to cover the entire amount but very close. So I'm heading to Walnut Creek in the morning after I deliver my precious little girls to school and sitters. I was so happy to hear the fax grind into life today with these new orders.
I've found out that I get to care for the girls tomorrow night. It will be my first time caring for Kallie as well as Keanna but I know it will work out fine. Nikki will come at midnight to collect Kallie after her scrapbook workshop which is held locally about once a month. She loves to do it and the product is so beautiful, I think she is up to about Keanna at 3 years of age in her various scrapbooks.
Today I've made an effort to eat more healthy things. Breakfast had oatmeal, breakfast links, banana and a think 1/2 slice of my bread toasted with peanut butter on it. For lunch I had frozen peas over a boca burger with fresh cut up tomatoes fresh from Nan's vines on the back deck. Then this evening I had low salt and low fat mushroom soup and a slice of toast with tomatoes on it. I've also had large glasses of water and a couple mocha drinks.
I was so upset last night that I did not fall asleep until 3:30 this morning. In spite of the short rest I walked this morning with Ken and have not fallen asleep all day as I worked here in the office. However I intend to go to bed after this blog is through and sleep until 6:15 when I have to rise to go get the girls ready.
I hope you will consider either walking in the GIST walk in San Jose on the 26Th or make a donation to the fund. I'll be sharing the link and information about the walk. I no longer have to be the speaker and I am so relieved. We have the chance to have one of the worlds most renowned GIST researchers from Portland attend both Sat night and the walk on Sunday. To get to hear from him will be a real opportunity for the GISTers and their care givers.
So my friends and family members, good night one and all.
love
tim
I'm just back from a 2 hour session with the grief recovery group. While every meeting takes on its own character for the night tonight's was especially helpful. Emotions moved from tears and stilted comments due to stress to many times of the entire group in laughter. It is really amazing to observe and participate as the waves of reality move from sadness to joy and then back again. Without betraying confidences in our group we currently have several of us who have lost spouses, others who are in the midst of chemo for existing tumors while others are having follow up radiation for recently removed tumors. Some of the group are getting better, some are in a holding pattern and at least of us is slipping with more and more evidence of cancer gradually spreading. There is a level of openness and honesty that is amazing and you end up feeling like it is safe enough to go ahead and share what you really feel, what your really think. One of the group creates the most amazing snacks and it is always something we look forward to.
We have an excellent group leader who is the pastor of the little church that sponsors the group and provides a nice place to meet. He knows how to keep things moving well without the mistakes that often plague a group, people rushing in with answers, or trying to comfort people when what they really need is to let the emotion out without it being "fixed".
In our group tonight one of our members shared the terrible experience of trying to purchase groceries and not having enough strength to bag them or unload the car afterwards, how it felt when no one in the store would step forward and help in spite of tear running down her cheeks. I was inspired by what she shared, to be more aware of those around me and to be ready to render help when another human being is in trouble.
Needless to say at this point in time I am feeling much better and have decided to rejoin the human race again. I did have a shock this evening when I checked the bank account only to find that a charge for $774 had been sent to the bank. Considering I had $39 in the account that represents a problem. Tomorrow morning a credit card deposit I made from work done will kick in but it won't be enough. Where did the huge charge come from? Well when Blue Cross decided to seek their monthly payment earlier than I expected at the first of the month I did not have it covered and the bank returned their request unfunded. I was told by Blue Cross that I would have to send in a check so I'm getting my funds together so I could do just that but someone decided to just resubmit the money request without any warning. In the bigger picture its OK, it needs to be paid but with about 9 days of no funds coming in I've been sort of not spending anything so as not to drive the account into the red. Well I got caught unprepared. Fortunately two new orders came in today for the Walnut Creek and Moraga area and one of them is paying with a check. It won't be quite enough to cover the entire amount but very close. So I'm heading to Walnut Creek in the morning after I deliver my precious little girls to school and sitters. I was so happy to hear the fax grind into life today with these new orders.
I've found out that I get to care for the girls tomorrow night. It will be my first time caring for Kallie as well as Keanna but I know it will work out fine. Nikki will come at midnight to collect Kallie after her scrapbook workshop which is held locally about once a month. She loves to do it and the product is so beautiful, I think she is up to about Keanna at 3 years of age in her various scrapbooks.
Today I've made an effort to eat more healthy things. Breakfast had oatmeal, breakfast links, banana and a think 1/2 slice of my bread toasted with peanut butter on it. For lunch I had frozen peas over a boca burger with fresh cut up tomatoes fresh from Nan's vines on the back deck. Then this evening I had low salt and low fat mushroom soup and a slice of toast with tomatoes on it. I've also had large glasses of water and a couple mocha drinks.
I was so upset last night that I did not fall asleep until 3:30 this morning. In spite of the short rest I walked this morning with Ken and have not fallen asleep all day as I worked here in the office. However I intend to go to bed after this blog is through and sleep until 6:15 when I have to rise to go get the girls ready.
I hope you will consider either walking in the GIST walk in San Jose on the 26Th or make a donation to the fund. I'll be sharing the link and information about the walk. I no longer have to be the speaker and I am so relieved. We have the chance to have one of the worlds most renowned GIST researchers from Portland attend both Sat night and the walk on Sunday. To get to hear from him will be a real opportunity for the GISTers and their care givers.
So my friends and family members, good night one and all.
love
tim
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Passing the mid point of the week!
Good evening,
8:47, is this a record? I'm considering going to bed early tonight. Still no orders, no money in the mail and continual calls from creditors. The one for AT&T told me today through extremely broken english that they would be calling every day. After that enlightenment I called AT&T and a very nice and well spoken lady listened to my comments about the last billing, she answered some questions and said she will write it up and submit my thoughts to someone up the chain. It all has to do with my efforts several months ago to lower my costs. I asked AT&T to reduce my monthly service to the minimum instead of a unlimited full service plan, it dropped from $69 a month to $16. I explained that the only long distance I needed was a local plan to cover when I call forwarded from the business line to my cell phone. The guy assured me that was covered in the new less expensive plan. He was wrong. All forwarded calls go to Pleasanton and that ended up being a long distance call every time and was charged at their highest rate, $150 worth in one month. She said that at the most it would be been about $35. So she is going to try to help reduce the amount owed. Meanwhile I'll get the nice call from who knows what country trying to force me to pay all the while speaking broken english. At least I won't be lonely.
One nice thing did happen this morning, just as I was delivering the girls to school and the sitter a referral called with a request for a local appraisal to be paid with a credit card right then. Well I took the info as I drove and the money is already on its way to the bank and I've already seen the house. What a cute home, kitchen looked like Sunset Magazine, dock was huge and well constructed and it backs to deep water. What a gem. The buyers are just concerned that they might be offering a bit too much money in light of the falling values of homes surrounding the subject property.
I spend more hours today trying to determine what dozens of homes might be worth is we do new appraisals for them, so far, not one order out all that work. I hope it is not wasted effort.
This morning I picked up a registered letter from the board of equalization, the State of California, they are seeing about $600 from me for something from the past, I'm not even sure what is for. The humor was the direction of the letter, they were threatening to put a claim on money coming to me from the IRS, right, like I have any money coming to me in Tax refunds. I owe them over $12,000 and have just arranged a payment plan which begins in November so if the state thinks they will get money that way, good luck. I owe the money and I'll have to find it somewhere, somehow.
Have you noticed the dropping fuel prices? Our regular is now down to $3.26 and diesel is dropping also. It helps at the pump, it helps a great deal.
This afternoon I went to Modesto to inspect a property. In public record it shows as having 2,700 SF of living area but a quick check with the calculator proved the house to only have about 1,780 SF. So all of the comps I had researched were wrong and they were a long ways from the subject property. I'm afraid that the afternoon will be a waste with the only good thing to come of it was dinner at Olive Garden, eggplant! oh yum!
Sometimes I get so frustrated with the constant barrage of bill collectors, the lack of incoming checks, the long long waiting time to get payment from clients, my inability to dump weight, my various aches and pains I do not mention much. I just feel like screaming, OK that is a little more self disclosure than I intended. But I do feel somewhat trapped. I feel like most of what made life livable is gone, that were it not for the wonderful chances to see the kids and to have their friendship life would be totally bleak.
I am thankful for faithful friends who call, who write, who send thoughtful emails, I just feel like I'm impotent, that I have nothing to share or give anyone any more. For so many years Nan and I were in a position to help whenever a need came up and then as her life became more delicate I was able to focus on meeting her needs and really light up her life over and over again. Now there is nothing like that. Nikki and Steve thank me for helping with the kids but if they could only know I should be thanking them for allowing me to witness the joy and zest the little ones show for life. The drawings that reflect the maturing skills of Keanna, my doors and walls are covered with these treasures, they are like moving history of a person growing up. As friend Steve often said, "good stuff".
Art just called and what a lift a friends word convey. Do you solve any of the world's big problems? Nope but we do provided a sounding board for each other and I have learned so much about life from him. Art lived alone for years and made it successfully through that time. That in itself holds encouragement for me.
Well I sort of tell you how it is here, unfortunately I don't get to hear how it is with you. I do know that Bob and Carrol said their final goodbyes this afternoon to Bob's mom who lived a very meaningful life for nearly 94 years. Mixed feelings for them as mom wanted to fall sleep, she had lived her full life but still, when someone is gone, they are gone, no more phone calls, contact, smiles, tears, gone. Its hard no matter what age.
Good night my friends and family members,
love to all
Tim
8:47, is this a record? I'm considering going to bed early tonight. Still no orders, no money in the mail and continual calls from creditors. The one for AT&T told me today through extremely broken english that they would be calling every day. After that enlightenment I called AT&T and a very nice and well spoken lady listened to my comments about the last billing, she answered some questions and said she will write it up and submit my thoughts to someone up the chain. It all has to do with my efforts several months ago to lower my costs. I asked AT&T to reduce my monthly service to the minimum instead of a unlimited full service plan, it dropped from $69 a month to $16. I explained that the only long distance I needed was a local plan to cover when I call forwarded from the business line to my cell phone. The guy assured me that was covered in the new less expensive plan. He was wrong. All forwarded calls go to Pleasanton and that ended up being a long distance call every time and was charged at their highest rate, $150 worth in one month. She said that at the most it would be been about $35. So she is going to try to help reduce the amount owed. Meanwhile I'll get the nice call from who knows what country trying to force me to pay all the while speaking broken english. At least I won't be lonely.
One nice thing did happen this morning, just as I was delivering the girls to school and the sitter a referral called with a request for a local appraisal to be paid with a credit card right then. Well I took the info as I drove and the money is already on its way to the bank and I've already seen the house. What a cute home, kitchen looked like Sunset Magazine, dock was huge and well constructed and it backs to deep water. What a gem. The buyers are just concerned that they might be offering a bit too much money in light of the falling values of homes surrounding the subject property.
I spend more hours today trying to determine what dozens of homes might be worth is we do new appraisals for them, so far, not one order out all that work. I hope it is not wasted effort.
This morning I picked up a registered letter from the board of equalization, the State of California, they are seeing about $600 from me for something from the past, I'm not even sure what is for. The humor was the direction of the letter, they were threatening to put a claim on money coming to me from the IRS, right, like I have any money coming to me in Tax refunds. I owe them over $12,000 and have just arranged a payment plan which begins in November so if the state thinks they will get money that way, good luck. I owe the money and I'll have to find it somewhere, somehow.
Have you noticed the dropping fuel prices? Our regular is now down to $3.26 and diesel is dropping also. It helps at the pump, it helps a great deal.
This afternoon I went to Modesto to inspect a property. In public record it shows as having 2,700 SF of living area but a quick check with the calculator proved the house to only have about 1,780 SF. So all of the comps I had researched were wrong and they were a long ways from the subject property. I'm afraid that the afternoon will be a waste with the only good thing to come of it was dinner at Olive Garden, eggplant! oh yum!
Sometimes I get so frustrated with the constant barrage of bill collectors, the lack of incoming checks, the long long waiting time to get payment from clients, my inability to dump weight, my various aches and pains I do not mention much. I just feel like screaming, OK that is a little more self disclosure than I intended. But I do feel somewhat trapped. I feel like most of what made life livable is gone, that were it not for the wonderful chances to see the kids and to have their friendship life would be totally bleak.
I am thankful for faithful friends who call, who write, who send thoughtful emails, I just feel like I'm impotent, that I have nothing to share or give anyone any more. For so many years Nan and I were in a position to help whenever a need came up and then as her life became more delicate I was able to focus on meeting her needs and really light up her life over and over again. Now there is nothing like that. Nikki and Steve thank me for helping with the kids but if they could only know I should be thanking them for allowing me to witness the joy and zest the little ones show for life. The drawings that reflect the maturing skills of Keanna, my doors and walls are covered with these treasures, they are like moving history of a person growing up. As friend Steve often said, "good stuff".
Art just called and what a lift a friends word convey. Do you solve any of the world's big problems? Nope but we do provided a sounding board for each other and I have learned so much about life from him. Art lived alone for years and made it successfully through that time. That in itself holds encouragement for me.
Well I sort of tell you how it is here, unfortunately I don't get to hear how it is with you. I do know that Bob and Carrol said their final goodbyes this afternoon to Bob's mom who lived a very meaningful life for nearly 94 years. Mixed feelings for them as mom wanted to fall sleep, she had lived her full life but still, when someone is gone, they are gone, no more phone calls, contact, smiles, tears, gone. Its hard no matter what age.
Good night my friends and family members,
love to all
Tim
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Keanna takes a tumble
Dear Family and Friends,
Nikki called this afternoon to ask if I could go right to the local school as Keanna had fallen on her broken arm and was in pain. I picked her up and she was quick to assure me that there was no pain left and that she was fine. But when Nikki checked in with the orthopedic surgeon he asked that she be brought in to his office in Walnut Creek. So Nikki left work early to come home. I met her with Kallie and Keanna at their home and Nikki quickly reloaded the little girls in her Pilot and was gone. She called this evening to say that everything seems to be in place, that she had watched as the surgeon unwrapped the arm completely exposing the healing incision and the pins which are external as well as internal. She also found out that removing them in a month will be painless and can be done without any more surgery. Then the girls did what girls in this family do, they went to the mall for a little healing shopping experience. They are not home yet at 9 pm. They dined at Fresh Choice and did a bit of shopping so they could avoid the traffic jams. So a day that could have turned out badly turned out OK after all.
I started my day by spending time with the girls this morning at 6:30 and at 8:30 took them to school and the sitter. Then I worked a bit before heading off on an attic inspection in Bay Pointe. Then back to get the call I was needed at the school. I'll do the morning run again tomorrow and then come back home to jam some work out before driving to Modesto for a late afternoon appraisal. How I wish more work would come in, some checks would arrive and I could move back from the financial brink a few paces. Every other phone call today was from someone wanting me to either donate money (no) or pay them a payment. It really gets old after weeks and weeks of the same. No one is more than 30 days late but you would think they are being stiffed totally by the intensity of the calls.
Loree came in this afternoon to work on files and to help me find a special file that will yield an immediate $450. She found it and just having her here sure gave the whole office a lift, why do women smell better than men and dogs? Right now my two favorite odors in the house, baking bread and Loree working in the lower office. She is about to care for a friends 3 year old boy for a few days, boy is she adventuresome. I told her that based on all the kind things she does she is the modern Mother Teresa. She doesn't think so.
Lois invited me to have a burrito in town tonight and I had just started dinner so I turned it all off and went for the burrito. Now I'm back unwinding and heading to bed soon.
I have to admit I'm really wrestling with trying to stay positive. It just broke my heart to know Keanna was in pain again and I was so disappointed when another mail delivery brought no money. I need orders, checks now.
So good night my friends and family, it was wonderful to get to talk at length with Ronnie and Dana this evening. They are recovering from the hurricane's effects, at one point Ron said the wind was 112 miles per hour and made a lot of noise. After 9 days power was restored to their home. He has some very sad stories about FEMA but in Texas they tend to take care of each other not waiting for someone else to bail them out. He said neighbors are helping each other repair homes and the curfew was lifted two nights ago in Galveston.
Then I got to talk to Sharon who was just back from a shopping trip and a visit to the hair dresser. She sounded upbeat and talking to the family I love was a huge lift to my spirits.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Nikki called this afternoon to ask if I could go right to the local school as Keanna had fallen on her broken arm and was in pain. I picked her up and she was quick to assure me that there was no pain left and that she was fine. But when Nikki checked in with the orthopedic surgeon he asked that she be brought in to his office in Walnut Creek. So Nikki left work early to come home. I met her with Kallie and Keanna at their home and Nikki quickly reloaded the little girls in her Pilot and was gone. She called this evening to say that everything seems to be in place, that she had watched as the surgeon unwrapped the arm completely exposing the healing incision and the pins which are external as well as internal. She also found out that removing them in a month will be painless and can be done without any more surgery. Then the girls did what girls in this family do, they went to the mall for a little healing shopping experience. They are not home yet at 9 pm. They dined at Fresh Choice and did a bit of shopping so they could avoid the traffic jams. So a day that could have turned out badly turned out OK after all.
I started my day by spending time with the girls this morning at 6:30 and at 8:30 took them to school and the sitter. Then I worked a bit before heading off on an attic inspection in Bay Pointe. Then back to get the call I was needed at the school. I'll do the morning run again tomorrow and then come back home to jam some work out before driving to Modesto for a late afternoon appraisal. How I wish more work would come in, some checks would arrive and I could move back from the financial brink a few paces. Every other phone call today was from someone wanting me to either donate money (no) or pay them a payment. It really gets old after weeks and weeks of the same. No one is more than 30 days late but you would think they are being stiffed totally by the intensity of the calls.
Loree came in this afternoon to work on files and to help me find a special file that will yield an immediate $450. She found it and just having her here sure gave the whole office a lift, why do women smell better than men and dogs? Right now my two favorite odors in the house, baking bread and Loree working in the lower office. She is about to care for a friends 3 year old boy for a few days, boy is she adventuresome. I told her that based on all the kind things she does she is the modern Mother Teresa. She doesn't think so.
Lois invited me to have a burrito in town tonight and I had just started dinner so I turned it all off and went for the burrito. Now I'm back unwinding and heading to bed soon.
I have to admit I'm really wrestling with trying to stay positive. It just broke my heart to know Keanna was in pain again and I was so disappointed when another mail delivery brought no money. I need orders, checks now.
So good night my friends and family, it was wonderful to get to talk at length with Ronnie and Dana this evening. They are recovering from the hurricane's effects, at one point Ron said the wind was 112 miles per hour and made a lot of noise. After 9 days power was restored to their home. He has some very sad stories about FEMA but in Texas they tend to take care of each other not waiting for someone else to bail them out. He said neighbors are helping each other repair homes and the curfew was lifted two nights ago in Galveston.
Then I got to talk to Sharon who was just back from a shopping trip and a visit to the hair dresser. She sounded upbeat and talking to the family I love was a huge lift to my spirits.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Monday, October 13, 2008
Life moves on and on
Dear Family and Friends,
8:05 and I'm just back from dinner with Keanna, Kallie and Nikki. It was delicious and such a great break to a rather boring day. I've spent most of the day attempting to discovery what dozens of properties would likely appraise for if and when an order is placed. Of course this kind of work yields no income at all and its all done on the chance that there might be upcoming work. The results are terrible for many of the properties as values have dropped in half over the past year or so in some of these Oakland neighborhood where the really awful loans were pushed on the people. A high percentage of the loans made in this great social engineering idea dreamed up by people in Washington have failed. The poor people could not handle the payments and the resulting reality for these people is far worse than if they had never been tempted with a house purchase. Their lives are broken, their credit in shambles and no one in Washington is going to jail. When Enron failed people were tried and went to jail, not this time yet the effects of decisions made on Wall Street and in Washington are much more drastic. Few people have even fessed up and admitted making mistakes. It is very hard to take and I'm afraid we are in for much worse times ahead. It is hard for me to accept that for many of the past few years my little company has made enough income to qualify as rich, that I needed to pay more taxes. Amazing, like the huge tax bill I was paying was not enough. I've got to admit I have no interest in building the company back up to its former levels for just that reason. When one is a success it is like he has a target painted on his or her back, come tax me more. Pay health care for all employees, pay, pay pay. No thanks. And the idea of asking the current health providers to suddenly extend their same level of care to 46 million more individuals. Its not going to happen. There are reasons people who are in dire need of health care and can afford to, travel to the US for treatment. We met some in Boston, they got tired of waiting 6 months for routine care for cancer and could afford to come where they could get it. It will have to come to rationing. If you are old or have certain diseases that are not deemed economically treatable then you won't get the care you need, there is not enough care to go around so you treat the young who have a long life ahead and don't get some strange disease, no way.
I was very pleased to see the stock market find some courage today, its a sign of hope, could be a false hope but at least it moved the right direction. America for all its problems is so far ahead of the rest of the world in its quest for freedom and being there to help no matter what disaster strikes anywhere in the world. I am thankful on a daily basis to be able to have the privilege of living in this great country.
I miss Nan so much at times, she was such a great calming influence and her inner faith was so strong. She knew her Lord and trusted that He knew what He was doing for her and life in general.
Last night I was ready to go to bed at 10 and then discovered that the bread had 1 more hour to go before it was completed. It is not a good thing to leave the loaf in the machine when it is finished so I settled down with a mocha, Starr and watched a very interesting episode of CSI Miami. I turned up the sound system including the woofer and enjoyed the sound track. At 11 the little beep sounded and the bread was completed. It was the finest loaf yet, it filled the entire chamber and is so large slices won't fit in the toaster. What a winner!
Lois, next door neighbor, is back from San Jose and was kind enough to give the back deck a very complete scrubbing today. She hates spiders and webs and really attached them. She is going to give Lady a bath soon, Lady seems to be coated with grime and is itching a lot right now. Its nice that Lois knows so much about dogs and is willing to help out with them. The dogs love her, could be the treats she often throws over to them!
I'm trying to put the finishing touches on a duplex appraisal located in Oakley near Freeway 980. All of the sales I'm using as comps are bank owned, its so sad.
So life continues to move forward, like a glacier, it moves slowly forward whether we are prepared to move or not. There are so many things I long for, some I can't have, some I should not have and some I've had before and miss. Yes I've noticed the sage words of both Sylvia and Sharon always do come true, God does supply our needs, not our wants, not our excesses, just our needs.
So my friends and family members, good night to all.
love
tim
ps Tomorrow I'm needed in caring for the little ones at 6:30 am and then after school. Yes Keanna went to the doctor today and has been released to go back to school but is not to play rough or move fast for now, the fear is of falling and causing more damage to the arm. She enjoyed getting back to school today to see her teacher and her friends.
8:05 and I'm just back from dinner with Keanna, Kallie and Nikki. It was delicious and such a great break to a rather boring day. I've spent most of the day attempting to discovery what dozens of properties would likely appraise for if and when an order is placed. Of course this kind of work yields no income at all and its all done on the chance that there might be upcoming work. The results are terrible for many of the properties as values have dropped in half over the past year or so in some of these Oakland neighborhood where the really awful loans were pushed on the people. A high percentage of the loans made in this great social engineering idea dreamed up by people in Washington have failed. The poor people could not handle the payments and the resulting reality for these people is far worse than if they had never been tempted with a house purchase. Their lives are broken, their credit in shambles and no one in Washington is going to jail. When Enron failed people were tried and went to jail, not this time yet the effects of decisions made on Wall Street and in Washington are much more drastic. Few people have even fessed up and admitted making mistakes. It is very hard to take and I'm afraid we are in for much worse times ahead. It is hard for me to accept that for many of the past few years my little company has made enough income to qualify as rich, that I needed to pay more taxes. Amazing, like the huge tax bill I was paying was not enough. I've got to admit I have no interest in building the company back up to its former levels for just that reason. When one is a success it is like he has a target painted on his or her back, come tax me more. Pay health care for all employees, pay, pay pay. No thanks. And the idea of asking the current health providers to suddenly extend their same level of care to 46 million more individuals. Its not going to happen. There are reasons people who are in dire need of health care and can afford to, travel to the US for treatment. We met some in Boston, they got tired of waiting 6 months for routine care for cancer and could afford to come where they could get it. It will have to come to rationing. If you are old or have certain diseases that are not deemed economically treatable then you won't get the care you need, there is not enough care to go around so you treat the young who have a long life ahead and don't get some strange disease, no way.
I was very pleased to see the stock market find some courage today, its a sign of hope, could be a false hope but at least it moved the right direction. America for all its problems is so far ahead of the rest of the world in its quest for freedom and being there to help no matter what disaster strikes anywhere in the world. I am thankful on a daily basis to be able to have the privilege of living in this great country.
I miss Nan so much at times, she was such a great calming influence and her inner faith was so strong. She knew her Lord and trusted that He knew what He was doing for her and life in general.
Last night I was ready to go to bed at 10 and then discovered that the bread had 1 more hour to go before it was completed. It is not a good thing to leave the loaf in the machine when it is finished so I settled down with a mocha, Starr and watched a very interesting episode of CSI Miami. I turned up the sound system including the woofer and enjoyed the sound track. At 11 the little beep sounded and the bread was completed. It was the finest loaf yet, it filled the entire chamber and is so large slices won't fit in the toaster. What a winner!
Lois, next door neighbor, is back from San Jose and was kind enough to give the back deck a very complete scrubbing today. She hates spiders and webs and really attached them. She is going to give Lady a bath soon, Lady seems to be coated with grime and is itching a lot right now. Its nice that Lois knows so much about dogs and is willing to help out with them. The dogs love her, could be the treats she often throws over to them!
I'm trying to put the finishing touches on a duplex appraisal located in Oakley near Freeway 980. All of the sales I'm using as comps are bank owned, its so sad.
So life continues to move forward, like a glacier, it moves slowly forward whether we are prepared to move or not. There are so many things I long for, some I can't have, some I should not have and some I've had before and miss. Yes I've noticed the sage words of both Sylvia and Sharon always do come true, God does supply our needs, not our wants, not our excesses, just our needs.
So my friends and family members, good night to all.
love
tim
ps Tomorrow I'm needed in caring for the little ones at 6:30 am and then after school. Yes Keanna went to the doctor today and has been released to go back to school but is not to play rough or move fast for now, the fear is of falling and causing more damage to the arm. She enjoyed getting back to school today to see her teacher and her friends.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Quickbooks is up to date, yea!
Dear Family and Friends,
It started last night and slowly became an obsession. Yes I did have to write two appraisals today, no I have not done that but I stuck with quick books pro, an accounting program I have in all my computers which tracks the business income and outgo, more outgo than income it seems. Nan used to keep it reconciled faithfully but after she became to weak to sit in her work chair it lapsed. It is not the easiest work to do but as of tonight I'm 100% update to date, have every month reconciled and the great news is.................. I'm $17 overdrawn. Not the outcome I had hoped but I'm still jazzed about the progress. So I guess I'll be writing appraisals tomorrow on a full time basis.
Ken and I walked this morning at 6:30, it was dark and it was very cold. I had moved up to sweat pants and sweat shirt but quickly discovered I was very under dressed. I was cold the entire time around the lake with the wind whipping around. Ken meanwhile looked like he was bound for Alaska with plenty of warm clothes. He was the smart one. It felt so good to get home and then to my amazement the furnace decided it would work this morning so the entire day has been spent in very comfortable temperatures. After I completed the quick books pro project I decided to go get some yeast so I could make a loaf of bread, great idea but $81 dollars later I almost forgot the yeast. The bread is baking now, the kitchen is clean and when Lois came over to say hello after returning from a week in her other home in San Jose I invited her in to share a cinnamon roll fresh from the Safeway bakery. Then we tackled a project, putting the decorative ruffle back above the windows and doors in the kitchen and family room. Sylvia had so kindly taken them down and washed them but we needed to let them dry naturally, well that was two weeks ago and they are dry now. So this evening two of the 4 windows have their ruffles back in place.
I'm getting ready for the bread to finish. It always smells so heavenly when its baking. While I was shopping I got bananas, 1% milk, strawberries, apples, pears, low fat string cheese, whole wheat buns for garden burger lunches, yogurt and orange juice, some frozen vegetables and low fat wheat thins. I'm set for a few days now. Starving is constantly on my mind but so far I've managed to avoid it.
I stopped by to see the girls for a minute after shopping and you would not know Keanna had recently been injured and operated on. She was racing through the house with a broomstick attempting to fly, Kallie was on a blanket on the floor loving all the action and Nikki was just enjoying her girls.
So we all are off to a new week, lets make it a good one, touching lives, helping where we can and sharing God's external love.
love
tim
It started last night and slowly became an obsession. Yes I did have to write two appraisals today, no I have not done that but I stuck with quick books pro, an accounting program I have in all my computers which tracks the business income and outgo, more outgo than income it seems. Nan used to keep it reconciled faithfully but after she became to weak to sit in her work chair it lapsed. It is not the easiest work to do but as of tonight I'm 100% update to date, have every month reconciled and the great news is.................. I'm $17 overdrawn. Not the outcome I had hoped but I'm still jazzed about the progress. So I guess I'll be writing appraisals tomorrow on a full time basis.
Ken and I walked this morning at 6:30, it was dark and it was very cold. I had moved up to sweat pants and sweat shirt but quickly discovered I was very under dressed. I was cold the entire time around the lake with the wind whipping around. Ken meanwhile looked like he was bound for Alaska with plenty of warm clothes. He was the smart one. It felt so good to get home and then to my amazement the furnace decided it would work this morning so the entire day has been spent in very comfortable temperatures. After I completed the quick books pro project I decided to go get some yeast so I could make a loaf of bread, great idea but $81 dollars later I almost forgot the yeast. The bread is baking now, the kitchen is clean and when Lois came over to say hello after returning from a week in her other home in San Jose I invited her in to share a cinnamon roll fresh from the Safeway bakery. Then we tackled a project, putting the decorative ruffle back above the windows and doors in the kitchen and family room. Sylvia had so kindly taken them down and washed them but we needed to let them dry naturally, well that was two weeks ago and they are dry now. So this evening two of the 4 windows have their ruffles back in place.
I'm getting ready for the bread to finish. It always smells so heavenly when its baking. While I was shopping I got bananas, 1% milk, strawberries, apples, pears, low fat string cheese, whole wheat buns for garden burger lunches, yogurt and orange juice, some frozen vegetables and low fat wheat thins. I'm set for a few days now. Starving is constantly on my mind but so far I've managed to avoid it.
I stopped by to see the girls for a minute after shopping and you would not know Keanna had recently been injured and operated on. She was racing through the house with a broomstick attempting to fly, Kallie was on a blanket on the floor loving all the action and Nikki was just enjoying her girls.
So we all are off to a new week, lets make it a good one, touching lives, helping where we can and sharing God's external love.
love
tim
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Keanna recovering fast....
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm just back from a very nice day spent with Nikki, Kallie and Keanna. We have planned to go to Apple Hill as is our family tradition for the past 35 years. This is an area with many apple orchards that has joined forces and now have different features at different farms. While all sell apples and apple juice one has a lake with trout for the kids to fish for, dozens of craft booths, apples pies, apple donuts and a host of other things.. One farm has a little train ride while another has pony rides. The weather usually cooperates and with just a hint of altitude the days spend there are usually wonderful and refreshing. We were not sure if Keanna was up to such a long trip so soon after her surgery but she woke this morning asking her mom if we could go after all. So we left Discovery Bay at noon and drove there, encountered repair work on Highway 99 and very slow traffic on the country roads as we entered the Apple Hill country. Finally we parked and joined the fun. There were thousands of people milling about and after an apple donut and milk Keanna had face painting and I stood in line for a frozen apple pie to bring home to Steve. All in all we had a wonderful day. Keanna never complained of pain and has done an amazing job of adjusting to moving about with the use of just one arm. She is amazing and such a little trooper!
I've included some photos from today. The photo of Kallies footwear is showing little slippers Dana purchased for her in china town last summer, they are so cute.
love
Tim
Tim
Friday, October 10, 2008
Home at last
Dear Friends and Family,
Friday night 10:05 and its cold here. I'm reminded that the furnace does not work and for the first time in many months it would be nice to have some heat. For two days the wind has blown nearly constantly and has sent a chill throughout the house. Even the dogs are noticing the change in temperature.
Most of today has been spent driving. My good friend and client Bob Johnson who lives in Oakhurst had a person needing a reverse mortgage who resides in Rohnert Park. I was scheduled to go yesterday but when Keanna needed me I put it off a day. So this morning after nearly freezing all night under a summer blanket I rose, showered and drove for a couple hours. It was a pleasant trip with a new book playing the time sped by rapidly. The visit was another of those very special ones where the owner is such a sweet person, the property so perfect that my job is made easier. After I finished my GPS told me an Olive Garden was nearby so it was time for soup and salad. Feeling full and ready I next set the GPS for an address on 87Th Ave. in Oakland. The lender had requested I reinspect the property. They gave me no clue as to what I would find. What I found was a house that had been transformed. It is now a very attractive home with new paint and stucco, new high quality fencing, near rear deck, new floor coverings inside, updated bathroom, new kitchen. Wow, what a change and the people are so proud of their home now. I timed it just right so I would have terrible traffic all the way home and that is just what happened. Finally reaching home I eagerly scanned the mail but alas no checks, only a 48 hour notice from my good friends at PG&E. As I entered my office my computer was emitting some terrible noises and it has kept doing so from time to time this evening. I'm guessing a fan is starting to have bearing trouble, just one more little issue to deal with.
Nikki said that Keanna is doing pretty well, is resting with her arm elevated a lot and is moving around easily. She is making rapid progress but still has some pain. She refused to report the pain though as she does not want to take the pain meds.
I'm glad to be home tonight though coming home means little now compared to the prior life. One just has to deal with the process of always being alone, its sort of like a sentence, a punishment and you can't escape it for long, you just endure it and try to find diversions along the way.
Here's hoping you have a great weekend, enjoy this wonderful time of year, it is very special.
love to all,
Tim
Friday night 10:05 and its cold here. I'm reminded that the furnace does not work and for the first time in many months it would be nice to have some heat. For two days the wind has blown nearly constantly and has sent a chill throughout the house. Even the dogs are noticing the change in temperature.
Most of today has been spent driving. My good friend and client Bob Johnson who lives in Oakhurst had a person needing a reverse mortgage who resides in Rohnert Park. I was scheduled to go yesterday but when Keanna needed me I put it off a day. So this morning after nearly freezing all night under a summer blanket I rose, showered and drove for a couple hours. It was a pleasant trip with a new book playing the time sped by rapidly. The visit was another of those very special ones where the owner is such a sweet person, the property so perfect that my job is made easier. After I finished my GPS told me an Olive Garden was nearby so it was time for soup and salad. Feeling full and ready I next set the GPS for an address on 87Th Ave. in Oakland. The lender had requested I reinspect the property. They gave me no clue as to what I would find. What I found was a house that had been transformed. It is now a very attractive home with new paint and stucco, new high quality fencing, near rear deck, new floor coverings inside, updated bathroom, new kitchen. Wow, what a change and the people are so proud of their home now. I timed it just right so I would have terrible traffic all the way home and that is just what happened. Finally reaching home I eagerly scanned the mail but alas no checks, only a 48 hour notice from my good friends at PG&E. As I entered my office my computer was emitting some terrible noises and it has kept doing so from time to time this evening. I'm guessing a fan is starting to have bearing trouble, just one more little issue to deal with.
Nikki said that Keanna is doing pretty well, is resting with her arm elevated a lot and is moving around easily. She is making rapid progress but still has some pain. She refused to report the pain though as she does not want to take the pain meds.
I'm glad to be home tonight though coming home means little now compared to the prior life. One just has to deal with the process of always being alone, its sort of like a sentence, a punishment and you can't escape it for long, you just endure it and try to find diversions along the way.
Here's hoping you have a great weekend, enjoy this wonderful time of year, it is very special.
love to all,
Tim
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Keanna comes home
Dear Family and Friends,
Keanna was released from John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek this evening and is sleeping in her own bed tonight. Today she had to cope with her little body's reaction to the morphine, throwing it up, having the IV removed and getting fitted with a sling to hold the repaired arm. She watched TV and colored many pictures with her one good arm even thought it was forced to stay straight due to the IV. Nikki had to scratch her nose, wipe tears from her eyes and feed her as she could not reach her mouth at all. Nikki was a real trooper and Daddy did the Kallie care. Seems that Kallie was so glad to see daddy last night at 1:30 in the morning that she woke and stayed away for nearly 2 hours much to Steve's despair. Finally at 3 this morning she fell asleep and so did Steve. Today he mowed 19 lawns for his landscaping business, managed to get Kallie to the sitters and then to pick her up late this afternoon.
It was a very happy reunion when we arrived home, Steve, Keanna and Nikki were shedding a few tears of joy to have her home once again safely. This will be some recovery, the pain is pretty severe and she does not care for pain killers orally. Tonight will be the worst night. I've included a couple pretty cloudy pictures I took with my phone this afternoon after I arrived back at the hospital. Nikki stayed with her continuously and was a great source of encouragement but it took its toll on Nikki who got very little sleep and was emotionally drained by the suffering Keanna has been through. How we all appreciate your messages of love and support.
Once again we are all reminded of how special it is to be a part of a caring family and each do our part to help the whole. What a blessing God has given when He created families. Relationships, people sharing ideas, hopes, dreams with each other. Where ever, when ever that can happen good results.
In Tracy for the years Nan and I were the pastor team of the SDA church we fostered a concept loved by many of the church members, that of going on church sponsored campouts. Where ever we went fellowship resulted, people sitting in canvas chairs or hiking down trails deeply engrossed in conversations, learning, helping newer members feel welcome and learning from the wisdom of an Dr. Glover. I remember Jason being taught how to handle a knife by Roland Coleman, the group enjoying water vegetables (freshly caught fish) compliments of Dick Lanza, singing by George Miller and so it goes. Inter generational exchanges were common and we all grew because of the time spent. Some had pup tents, some had wonderful motor coaches but once we were camped everyone shared what they had and everyone was equal in importance. Who can forget Fern and Becky leading out in Sabbath School in the cool mist at MBA or in the shade at some warm mountain beach near a lake or the potlucks that had everything one could imagine to eat, where did it all come from?
What an environment to raise children in, what a boost to church morale, to "come apart and rest awhile" as Jesus told his disciples.
Ever look back and consider your proudest moments, was it because of some thing you purchased, won, stole, borrowed? Or is it when you helped another human being reach for his or her potential. Growing people is such an incredible adventure, Jesus was the master of it, taking rough fishermen and carpenters, tax collectors and turning them into men of stature who would change the entire world.
People matter, possessions, not so much.
What an honor to have you as a friend, a family member. You are better than gold!
love
tim
Keanna out of surgery
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm just in from Walnut Creek having brought Kallie back home to her daddy for the night. Nikki is sleeping in a little cot next to Keanna's bed. Keanna fell over a bike stand today fracturing her left arm just above the elbow. Because of where the break occurred the ortho dr felt the best outcome would result from surgery, placement of two little pins and a sling sort of arrangement for the next month. She was in surgery for about 40 minutes, Nikki's friend Stephanie brought us Taco Bell so we had some food while Keanna in surgery. Then the phone rang and Nikki was told to come back up, that Keanna was waking up.
She was a very precious and brave girl as we waiting about 6 hours in the ER. She had to endure the installation of an IV in her little arm but refused any pain meds, she said she would end up spitting them out. They kept her warm and there was a little TV with the Disney Channel, that helped a lot. Who would have guessed that Hanna Montana would have come in so helpful.
Daddy steve was working in Felton without any phone service all day so did not know what was happening until late this evening.
I'll cancel my day tomorrow and go back with Nikki's car when they are ready to come home. Nikki handled everything very well and was super supportive to Keanna.
Special thanks to Jason who blogged earlier this evening letting you all know what was happening. At that point I thought I would be staying the night at the hospital too and wanted you to know unfolding events.
I guess this will let caregivers know that just because a child can make a fist and move their hand, that does not mean nothing is broken, that was the story from the WMCA day care she was attending when this happened. However we are not upset with anyone, accidents happen and tonight Keanna is starting to heal. We thank the good Lord for His special attention to Keanna's needs today. What a great team we experienced at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek.
So good morning my friends, it is now 1:30 and I think I'll catch some winks before morning.
love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Keanna needs your prayers tonight
Hello everyone,
Tonight it's Jason that's chronicling the Mustard life. Sadly, I'm writing tonight under very stressful and painful circumstances for my oldest niece, Keanna.
Earlier today, while Keanna was playing at recess in Kindergarten, she took a fall. At the time she felt some pain, but her teachers didn't think that it was that serious. After Keanna got home, the pain in her arm was still bothering her and it was getting worse, not better.
Now remember, this is the little girl who decided to do a bodyslam off the couch when she was two and ended up with a bright pink cast to prove it. Unfortunately, it looks like she'll be wearing another cast pretty soon.
Dad and Nikki took Keanna (with Kallie in tow as well) to the hospital in Brentwood right away this evening, but they told my family to continue on to Walnut Creek for proper treatment. So, it's about 8:45pm and the current verdict is this: Keanna's arm is broken just above the elbow and she's currently got an IV going in preparation for a necessary surgery to repair the damage.
Obviously, our family is hurting for little Keanna and we're just asking that anyone who reads this sends up a prayer for this tough little 5 year-old. Dad says that Keanna has handled everything very well, but our family is facing a long night in the hospital.
I'm sure Dad will update you as soon as possible. Until then, God bless.
Jason
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What a great season, fall.
Dear Family and Friends,
The weather is so friendly now, not too hot nor too cold, just right. Our walk in the early morning is not only dark but chilly, then comes dawn and eventually the warming of the sun as it moves into command of the day.
This morning I took time to pick tomatoes and what a harvest. They taste perfect especially the little cherry ones, just right for the eating at the vine. Even Starr wanted to try one. Breakfast was oatmeal, very ripe banana, two pieces of vege bacon, all so good. Then it was time to work and after a little row with the bank I decided it was time to get out into the field. So taking the already researched files I proceeded to do three local inspections. You got to know times have changed when the first house is selling for $129,000, the second for $134,000 and the last one, a 2,200 SF beauty in a beautiful new development is going out at $305,000. These are bargain prices, just amazing and there are dozens more in each of these markets waiting for buyers at these excellent prices. Let me share this, they are very easy to appraise at those prices which is a nice change. All day I looked forward to dinner out this evening. Nikki had proposed it earlier as we did not have a chance to have our normal lunch on Saturday. She was heavily involved in the twins sale all day. So this evening we drove to Tracy and had a nice quiet dinner. I've discovered they offer whole wheat pasta at Olive Garden. I'd like to tell you that it is just as good, well not really but it was not bad and along with a huge salad the meal was probably pretty healthy. To save money Nikki and I both settled for water with a lemon. I've included some photos we took at dinner and just before dinner. The clear ones that are visible are ones Nikki took.
After we returned to the Shipley home I then headed to Brentwood where a check was waiting for one of the homes I inspected today. In these times checks are like drops of blood, very vital to keep going, the business alive! Thank you Lord for checks. Tomorrow I must talk to the IRS in anticipation of the call I have to make to them on the 10th. I'm trying to pull everything together so an agreement can be made for monthly payments with the kind folks at the IRS. It will be another important step in getting a handle on the splintered finances I have been attempting to work with for the past 10 months.
There is a local business person who has been very helpful to me (us) for the past few years. Jerry Becker owns the Mortgage Market, a very respected company with several offices and has given our company appraisal work for the past 20 years or so. He consistently pays his bills, is honest and fair to everyone involved in the business and has been a great help to me in the past year. These are hard times and people like Jerry survive them because they take care of people year after year in a fair and honest manner treating them with respect.
As we speak Art and Connie are in the air returning from Hawaii. They will arrive sometime tomorrow and will be very tired. They have had a wonderful trip including a tour of a sugar cane plantation today. I'll be glad to have them back safe and sound.
One of my newer clients in on a sad mission this evening. Her father is in very poor health, in the hospital actually and she has had to leave her business and fly to the south to be with him. Her name is Linda and she and her day need our prayers tonight.
On the 26th of this month a GIST walk will be held in San Jose to generate funds for GIST research. Every dollar raised in this walk will go directly to the research departments of the various GIST centers in Portland, New York, Boston. I have been asked to speak to the group that will be there on the night before at a special dinner. While I'm honored to be asked by Irene I'm considering if this is something I can be of assistance to. I feel like there are many more inspiring speakers on the subject so I will ask God of His guidance in my decision. I would like to invite any of you who live near or far to come walk for the cure. Nan once flew to New York and walked with her walker the 3 miles around a little lake and thanks to your generosity raised nearly $10,000 that year. I will be linking the website about the walk in the coming days and where donations can be sent for those wishing to help in this very special cause, dear to the hearts of this family. If any one you would like to fly in I can meet you at the airport, I have guest rooms for you, something to consider. A nice weekend in California with cool weather, great people and a worthwhile cause.
So its time to sign off,
Sending love to all
Tim
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