Dana takes her place in the kitchen, we feast.

Dear Family and Friends,
I wish you all could have been here this evening to enjoy the feast Dana prepared. Ronnie was busy with the BBQ and Dana created cottage cheese loaf, mashed potatoes, greens, gravy and white corn. What a great time we had as Nikki and Steve with kidos joined us. Actually Keanna joined us this morning and spent the day with Anthony, they were in the lake with their life jackets on most of the day and then in the cold spa in between. It was a nice day only a bit warm this afternoon.
Meanwhile I settled down in the office to crank out an appraisal for a high dollar property in Santa Cruz and then one in San Jose. Then Jean, the writer, had one completed and that one went out as well. After dinner I had to drive to Richmond which is a place you think twice about going to since it is so dangerous and whites are at risk in some neighborhoods. Well the house I had to see tonight was right in the middle of one of the worst areas and I was thankful to be safely driving out just before dark. What a rough house. How people can take a house just built in 1996 and have it that bad, it blows the mind. The carpets looked like nothing had ever been picked up, filthy.
Now I'm home and pretty depressed after listening to the horrible news from Washington, the Cap and Trade details are starting to leak out, no one had read it when they voted on it and every person in the US will pay dearly for living, freedoms we have come to accept as normal will be gone, choices about how to live, what to buy, well they will be regulated in a manner that is just incredible. How can this be happening to our free society? What has America done to itself? I urge you to become aware, read up on what has been voted on, find out if that is what you want and if its not then speak up. The winds of change are already taking place, polls show twice as many Americans consider themselves Conservative as liberal already and today's polls show Americans consider the democratic party to far to the left. Duh!
I experienced a sad situation today. A friend of mine who sells real estate offered a little house for sale which had recently been purchased and totally updated, everything is new and nicely done. She had me do an appraisal on the property for the seller just to get a sense of where the market was. She had 30 offers on the property including one that offered $20K over the asking price. Finally the seller accepted an offer and the buyer selected a lender, the lender selected a management company who ordered an appraisal. Today it was completed and the appraiser cut the value of the purchase by nearly $40,000. Mind you there are 30 people ready to purchase the house at $180K or above and the appraiser comes in at $143K. Of course it kills the deal but I find it hard to understand how he could arrive at such a number in light of the condition of the house and the sales of other homes with extensive updating that supported it. My first impression is to report him to OREA. I am in shock over this and the same thing is being reported all over now as deal after deal falls apart over bad or poor appraising. But what do you expect when you only pay these new appraisers or hacks $175 for a $400 job. This is progress!
I know of very few things that the government does well, I happen to think that Nikki does one of those things, she does audits of how people are spending money, that is a good thing and I think she earns her paycheck and there are many in government that do their best but the idea that government can run healthcare, manage energy use, spend our way out of a recession, no way!
It is so nice to have the house full of happiness and good smells as food cooks or laughter as the kidos play. This is a time of joy.
Tomorrow morning I'll be in Livermore at 10 am, then back to write a report, then off to Petaluma for a 4 pm appointment and then drag myself back home.
I hope your life is making more sense on a personal level right now than mine is.
Sending love to all,

Tim

The family has arrived

Dear Friends and Family,
Its 11:12 and we are home and getting settled in. We located the coffee box with the various types of coffee which Sylvia purposely saved out for when Dana and Ronnie come to visit. The boys are getting used to their room and Jonathan has cranked the AC as low as it will go, he likes it cold.
Their plane was on time from Houston and amazingly all found seats in spite of flying on pink passes which are like standby tickets. Everyone arrived happy and ready to enjoy California.
This afternoon I drove down to San Jose and managed to be allowed into a gated golf course community to do a pre foreclosure appraisal on a very nice home. It was supposed to do my work from the street and not be seen and I think I managed it. Then I had just enough time to drive up to the airport.
How nice it is to have the house filled with loved ones and how Nan loved these moments when she could see her dear sister and they could catch up. There is nothing fair about the loss but there is the need to accept and be at peace with it. Having Dana and family here is a very nice addition to life and I'm so thankful that they still allow me to be a part of the family even though Nan is gone.
Tomorrow is the final day to make the house payment and it is looking good as more money came in the mail today, almost enough to cover the house payment and I feel blessed and humbled but the manner in which God cares for all of us.

So now its bed time and I'm ready to sleep. For once it is not alone, there are people in all the bedrooms. Only someone who has been alone for awhile will appreciate how special this time is, you sort of get used to just being alone where nothing matters, no one cares and you just make your own way during the day. For the next couple months things are different, wonderfully so.

love to all

tim

Timothy's 2nd Birthday Party

Dear Family and Friends,

While many were sweltering in 100+ degree heat we shivered a bit in the 65 degree temperature at Timothy's party. Jason and Jo had set up several pools and water oriented play areas and the kids all had a great time getting wet, splashing and shivering a bit too. Parents were quick with the warm towels and hugs. It was a great event and so fun. Jason and Jo had carefully planned everything and even ordered sunny weather but the order got lost so we had cool instead. For those of us from warmer climes it was very refreshing to enjoy a time of cool foggy breezes. I've included a few photos that sort of capture the day. Timothy received lots of very nice presents, clothes, books, toys and from pappa a little piano but the think he seemed to like most from me was a card that played music. Every time he opened it he began to dance, it was so cute. What a great group of people came to celebrate this milestone in Timothy's life. You can catch the flavor through the photos.

It was very special for me to have the family playing together. Timothy is such a kind little guy and Kallie and Keanna enjoyed playing with his toys and with him. We even tried another Pappa and kidos photo shoot but now came out perfectly, oh well.

I am so glad I got invited to join in this happy event. Timothy is one special little person. Of special note, check out Jason and Jo in the background of one of the photos, they were tired after a non stop day of fun.

Now we are all back safely with memories safely tucked away. Thanks Jason and Jo for making it so fun.

love

Tim

The end of a perfect day

Dear Everyone,
As I write the dogs are resting after a big day and I'm winding down as well.
The day started with Jason standing in my hallway asking if I want to go for a walk. He's been up for hours and is bored since both Timothy and Jo are still sleeping. Well I jump at the chance and we walk our dogs to the beach and back in the cool foggy air. Later I go in and find them all ready for Sabbath School. I had dressed in shorts so went that way. I ended up helping Jo by playing the piano for the program which she was in charge of. The kidos are so cute. Then we went to church where I'm sorry to say I nodded off. Or was it a very long prayer?
For lunch Jo made me a wrap. Say now that was great. It had an amazing 13 grams of fiber and was filled with salad, tomato and my 0 calorie dressing. It tasted amazing and I will start to prepare those at home. I've got lots of ideas for fillings and it s simple way of getting the salad down quickly. Jo had made some incredible muffins as well.
After lunch Timothy was ready to nap and so we all did. Then we went to a park in Felton and Timothy showed his stuff on the slides and swings. We had dinner at Mama Mia's, a place that Nan and I used to enjoy going with Steve and Nikki when they lived in Felton. We came home through pretty dense traffic and found the fog had come in so the evening was cool
Jason decided to perform a ritual over my ears with wax, fire and a paper plate. The amount of wax he got out of the ears is amazing and no I did not get burned or damaged although you really have to wonder while it is going on.
Now I'm back in the motorhome to head to bed. In the early morning I'll take Jason's car to Santa Cruz to do a driveby appraisal on a house that is a pre foreclosure and was purchased in 2007 for 2.5 million dollars. This one will be interesting for sure. Then I'll come back to help with prep for Timothy's big 2nd year birthday party. Nikki and the girls are coming along with about 20 other kids so it should be pretty exciting.
I'm told it was 107 at home today so I'm pretty happy about being here instead of there.
All in all this has been a great day, just spending time with these precious people and seeing Timothy in action, he says please, thank you, look, eat, pappa and a whole lot more.
Good night my friends,

love

tim

At MBA

Dear Family and Friends,

As I write I can hear the distant whisper of the breakers as they crash on the shore. It is a cool evening and I'm back in the motorhome after spending a delightful evening with Jason and Jo. We put Timothy to bed and he is in great form. Smiling, laughing, running and giving high fives what fun he is. He knows a birthday party is coming up soon and he is excited.

I rolled out early this morning knowing I had a lot to do and still in the mode, Do it now. So by 1 pm I had written two appraisals, worked on some conditions, did research for the two appraisals to be done while I'm down here, loaded up the motorhome and finally hit the road.

It was a pleasant trip with just one mishap. A truck had blown a tire and a large piece of it was in the lane and try as I might I could not avoid it totally. It hit the motorhome hard and as soon as I could pull over I did so. I found the gas line for the BBQ had been pulled off its connection and was rubbing on the concrete. So after a few moments on my back a single screw seemed to be enough to hold it in place.

My wonderful Nikki had helped me locate the right present for Timothy at a Toys R Us in San Jose and the GPS guided me to the parking lot. After making the purchase I was back on the road and soon I was on 17 going over the mountain. Its a challenge in a car and even more interesting in a 29 foot long motorhome. Yet I 've discovered that if you just stay in your lane and keep alert it is possible. It is always wonderful to top the hill and begin to feel the ocean air as you drop down past Scot Valley and then through Santa Cruz. By the time I had reached MBA the marine layer had cooled the air.

This time I am parking at a different place so to wave the place I usually park for the party on Sunday. Jason suggested a place next to the driveway and with a few plastic blocks I carry the motorhome is level and I'm very comfortable.

The dogs are so excited to be here. I am too. Funny how a few miles and a new setting can give the emotions a boost. Its been a very good week and I've accomplished a lot for which I give God thanks. I am humbled by how things continue to work out in spite of my mistakes and missteps.

I am looking forward to tomorrow but will miss taking Keanna to Sabbath School in Tracy. I do treasure the opportunity to take her to the programs there. such caring teachers and excellent programs, very special.

This evening I am happy to report that Lydia has been allowed to go home from the hospital so I'm assuming that her white count is improved and that she is doing better.

My hope and prayer is that each of you will have your spiritual and social batteries recharged this weekend. Take care to love the one you are blessed with. As I walked the dogs this afternoon I was swamped with the memories of so many happy times spent here at MBA with Nan. How she loved to visit Jason and Jo, to be here by the ocean and to relax in the motorhome away from home. Suddenly I remembered how she loved the MBA experience and I sensed the present state of being so alone and sad. Yet so it goes, for years those alone have tried to share with me what it was like and I thought I understood, but no I didn't get it at all. Now I do.

Lord, please stay in charge, forgive our many detours even our rebellions. We do love you and we know you care for us with a love we don't understand.

love to all,

Tim

ps. The photo shows Timothy as he is enjoying brushing his teeth with his tiger electric toothbrush.

Nice 12 hour day.

Dear Family and Friends,
Today was another successful day in my new "do it now" campaign. This morning I rolled out at 6:30 and wrote an appraisal, did research, took more orders and then left for Santa Rosa. What I forgot was the road construction on Highway 101 near Rohnert park. They slowed things down a lot. When I got to the property I found a young guy waiting and as we talked we discovered that we both went to PUC and his parents had also gone there. The house was clean and priced right, the comps all within a few blocks and then I was on the road again. As I started home it dawned on me that I had skipped lunch. Asking the GPS for a Taco Bell it took me to downtown Petaluma. I made a tiny mistake, I forgot to have them exclude onions from my burrito. Oh wow suddenly I was very close to being sick so sipping ice tea I cleared my mouth and sought a new burrito. The really funny lady behind the counter was glad to help and the day was saved.
I arrived home early evening and went right over to get the motorhome. Now it is sitting in the driveway getting its old batteries charged and in the morning I'll give it a bit of a cleaning and then head out after a couple reports are written. In the afternoon I'll do a driveby appraisal in San Jose and then head over to MBA and set up near Jason and Jo's house. I have all kind of fun little wading pools left over from Kallie's party. Timothy is feeling much better now and I think is looking forward to being the big 2.
I'm heading to bed now and will rise early in the morning to begin work again. On my heart tonight is Suzie, she is just now finally getting through all the paperwork so she can get care and chemo, meanwhile the tumor continues to grow, oh how I wish people that push paper would put a rush on it when people's lives are at stake, and we want to turn all health care over to these paper pushers, are we crazy?
Also on my heart is Lydia who is Connie's sister. Connie is married to Art. Lydia was placed in the hospital when they discovered she had no white count at all, no white cells were showing. She is in isolation now since she has no immunity at this point. I know these two ladies, Suzie and Lydia would appreciate being remembered in our prayers. Lydia's husband Ron has been a friend for many years and I know he must be worried sick over this development.
This morning when I heard the news about Farrah it made me cry. I thought about how many families are robbed of loved ones for no reason other than cancer, that hateful disease that respects nothing, just grows and grows. What a waste cancer is for all of us, taking our loved ones one by one.
Sending my best thoughts to all,

love

tim

Tired and satisfied

Good evening
Its 11 pm and I'm bone tired. At my age it does not take a lot to make me tired, drive 100 miles, inspect 3 houses, write two appraisals, do a load of wash, walk 3 miles. Yep, that will do it.

Suddenly I'm busy, really busy and my dear writer jean is recovering from surgery. I am always amazed how orders come out of thin air, one from this new management company, another gives me a chance to bid on one up in Sonoma, others are coming in for Richmond and this afternoon a rush order for Discovery Bay, so rushed that I saw it this evening, have just finished writing it and will deliver it in the morning, even been paid and the money is safely in my account through a credit card. For once the cell phone really came through as it delivered the order and got me set up. What was nice is that the house is less than a block from my own house, what was sad was the selling price, pretty soon you will be able to buy a house or groceries for the same price. Where will it end? Might help if Washington would stop with the spending and printing money. I can't live like that, spend what I don't have, why should the government. There seems to be a huge disconnect between reality and what those in power are doing, like pretending that there is money when there is not. There are no signs that things are getting better, everything that has been done so far has made it worse and yet they just keep on. I'm glad the Lord is in control of eternal matters because we as men and women can sure mess things up down here.
I have great news, Timothy is vastly improved today, much like his old self again and of course that takes a huge load off of Jo and Jason's shoulders, they might even be able to sleep again.
I'm heading to bed, good night to all.

love

tim

alive

Dear Family and Friends,
Well that magic hour has arrived when I need to head to bed. This has been a day of "do it now". This morning I came across a little video message from a guy who pushes eat it raw on Internet quite a bit. His talk was on discipline, well as you know I've been thinking quite a bit about disciple and self control lately mainly from an angle of having almost none in my life. The talk was great and the thing I took away from it was, do it now, don't wait, cluster jobs that you have the skills to do and use them to do it now.
so with that fresh in my mind I waded into learning how to hook up to a new management company called Mercury and after several hours of battle it is working well now and I got a new order from the process. Then I set my sights on getting some things done for my friends at Reverse Mortgage and tonight just a few minutes ago I emailed out the second report. I also tried to understand a review that someone had done on an appraisal in Newark. They ended up cutting the value by a lot but when I tried to replicate their data it was not there. Not sure what is going on but I raised a red flag and will have to dig deeper tomorrow.
When I tried to make my spa work on Sunday all I managed to do was get it full of water but the heater refused to budge. So Ray came over this afternoon and dismantled it and will take it to a spa friend in San Jose who will know quickly what to do to cure its ills. What a relief to get that kind of help on something so obscure as a spa.
Now I'm winding down after making a shocking discovery today. I knew my license was in need of renewal but when I found the letter from OREA at the state I discovered they were requesting 56 hours of new class work and 90 days from submitting paperwork to issuing a new license. Well you do the numbers, the license expires August 10 and today is June 23. Yikes. So I did some digging and found this little on line school located in Southern California who sell classes for hours on line. So for a mere $508.50 the on line classes are now waiting in my inbox and then of course it takes another $450 to the state at time when you send in the paperwork. Oh wow this gets exciting and of course the house payments are coming due fast.
The good news is several orders came in today, true they range in location from Petaluma, Santa Rosa to Santa Cruz but they are still orders and I'm thankful.
Very sad news today for Loree, long time personal assistant to our company. Someone she knows pretty well and who works for a local ranch was found today in his trailer, he had taken his life on Sunday. So sad and he has a 5 year old. These are the sad facts of life we have to cope with.
So for now I bid you all a warm good night.

love

tim

A day of variety

Our weather continues to be pleasant and that helps with everything else it seems.

I worked in for awhile this morning and dealt with conditions and wrote the last of the 5 brentwood appraisals. I'm still working with trying to hook up with more management companies and faxed a page to a promising company.

I had an early afternoon lunch appointment with a friend and that was so incredibly fun. Then on to Sacramento to take 5 photos and turn around and drive back. Its called a 442, or reinspection. It is a confirmation that the finishing touches have been performed on a property just before the people can move in. In this case it was beautiful hardwood floors throughout. After seeing the property I drove back to see a property on the golf course. It is one of those properties where the people are older and have everything in nice condition and nicely decorated, nothing seems out of place, rooms were large and attractive and wonder of wonders the property located directly across the street just sold for a very good price. That will make the appraisal much stronger with such data to support.

As I drove home I realized that the dogs were out of food so off to Brentwood and PetCo. Then back home to mow the lawn and socialize with the neighbors. Now I'm indoors and after finishing this blog I'm going to bed. Its been a worthwhile day and two new orders came in, one for Petaluma and the other for Antioch so one will take 1.5 hours to reach and the other will take 20 minutes, not bad and both pay a decent fee.

In my personal life I'm searching for discipline, something I have totally let slip over the months. For me that means to bed on time, up and walk, meditate, eat right, do my work on time, be on time for appointments and be ready to go on God's errands.

As I was driving back this afternoon I had a chance to talk at length with Barbara Lammerding. She had been to the doctors today and then the lab and she was very tired and sore. However the reports she is receiving are good, her incision is healing well, pain is managed well and she is moving about well. She is in physical therapy which she enjoys and making really good progress. Gerry, her reluctant nurse is doing a pretty good job too but will certainly be glad when his patient no longer needs his special skills. It was fun to just talk to a very good friend as I blasted down the freeway. Good friends are a very precious commodity.

I thrive off the outstanding emails so many people share, especially I enjoy ones from Steve and Di Souza, Yvonne Miller and Barbara Lammerding. I just don't know where they find so many good ones but they are often a huge lift to the spirits, contain beautiful photographs or comments that are right on for the times we live in.

Wishing each of you a good night,

love

tim

kidos are amazing

Dear Friends and Family,

A little after noon Nikki called today to invite me to join them for a late lunch at the new Byron Inn in the Safeway Shopping Center. We have always loved the Byron Inn on the way to Tracy and know some of the people that run the place. Well now they have opened a second place and it has the same good food and friendly staff.

What fun to watch Kallie work her way through her meal with food flying, some actually making it into her mouth and Keanna full of fun comments. They were on their way to the city but only got as far as Tildon Park above Berkeley. Nikki says they got to take both girls on a merrygo round and had a blast together as a family. I'm sure Steve is delighted that Nikki has come home so they can share the duties of parenthood. Kallie now has 8 teeth and is using them all as she munches her way through just about anything put in front of her.

I decided to fill the spa and get it going this morning. Well it is full but the heater won't work at all, not sure what happened but no heat. It is not too fun to sit in at 66 degrees.

I worked some, napped some and mostly wasted the day. I did get to talk to Jason and Jo a couple times and Timothy is starting to improve now gradually. He has been one sick little guy and next weekend is his birthday party before they all fly to Denver for a few days.

I hope you had a great Fathers day. While the importance of fathers pales in comparison to that of mothers we still have our place and while I wish I could go back and correct my egregious mistakes I'm so proud of my children and their children.

So for now I wish you all a good night.

love

tim

ps Keanna took the photo of Kallie

Keanna in action!

How I wish I could include a clip of her doing her things today. Keanna was in two shows and even though she was just involved in one number it was great to watch. I just held my breath hoping she would not fall. She knew her steps and movements and seemed to have a great time. There were over 200 kids involved in the show and the parking was pretty awful. I got Keanna there right on time so we found parking nearby but when Nikki arrived a few minutes later she had to park across the street in a park. It all worked out great and Keanna was so pleased that she had the chance to dress up so cute and perform.
After the fun was over I stopped at our new Red Robin at the Streets of Brentwood shopping center. They have a wonderful gardenburger and salad there. Once I got home Starr joined me for a long nap in the recliner. During the afternoon the wind grew very strong and even blew some things over next door nearing pinning Lois to the rail. She escaped injury but the umbrella was broken in the process and couple plants went overboard.
So now its time to sleep and I have many fond memories of Keanna in action today. Thank the Lord for family.
Jason and Jo were bringing Timothy up this afternoon for a visit but his fever returned yesterday and he is not feeling well at all. They have really had quite a battle with a nasty virus that keeps him coughing and not feeling well at all. Timothy needs all of our prayers tonight. Needless to say they could not make the trip.

Love to all

Tim

Nikki returns, Keanna prepares for her recital, Steve is unsung hero

Dear Family and Friends,

This morning I woke, jumped up and came down to the computer and started to write instead of the normal messing around I end up doing. By 8:30 I had an important appraisal completed and emailed. Then I waded into the next report and before I left I had that one done as well. Steve dropped Keanna off about 9 and she played on her new Vsmile game as I worked. Finally I hit the shower and then we hit the road. We drove to Nikki and Steve's which is located on the other side of Discovery Bay and picked up her Pilot which steve had loaded with all the dance outfits etc. Then we raced as fast as pokey drivers would allow to the high school theater where tomorrow's recital is to take place. Before long I found myself lost in a swirl of mothers as we all settled in to watch the little ones make their moves. If you've not been to such a performance before you really need to attend. When you get kids from 3 year old to teen years on the stage in cute costumes and ask them to remember their little dance moves, well its going to be very enjoyable to say the least. Of course I think Keanna was precious and she really did show a lot of improvement over last year. Her costume is white with lots of fabric and fluffy stuff. So cute!

After Keanna was through with her part of practice we were free to leave but Keanna wanted to stay and watch and an hour later we were still watching. Finally I firmly said we needed to leave to go eat and then pick up her mother. We went to Olive Garden and while they rushed it we still took too long. We ended up picking up Nikki 20 minutes late and then we fought our way home through traffic which was horrible. This evening Keanna, Kallie and Nikki are reunited with Steve and I'm sure they are all very pleased to be together again. Nikki got to tour the nuclear museum this morning but said it was not as interesting as the one she toured before that was classified and she could be there due to her high clearance with the government.

Tomorrow is going to be a special day. Keanna's program starts at 10 and lasts until 11. Then they have an hour between and do it again for a second audience. I'll catch the first program and then boogie home to wait for Jason, Jo and Timothy to arrive. They are coming for the afternoon which is just wonderful. They are coming providing Timothy is feeling better, he's been battling a fever this week and a cough.

It is wonderful to look forward to being with people I love tomorrow. I hope that is your experience too.

So I bid each one of you a happy evening. Earlier today I spoke to Barbie and she sounds great. Today she had physical therapy and a nurse there and she enjoyed their help and Gerry learned more how to do stuff. I sure know how he feels, a reluctance to give medical help for fear of doing something wrong and yet knowing you need to try because someone you love very much needs the help that only you can give.

Sending love to all

Tim

the last of the three photos depicts a 3 year that is the daughter of one of Nikki's friends.

Keanna swims up a storm.

Good evening

Last night our neighbors a couple doors away decided to have a party, at 1 this morning they were still going strong on their back deck and the noise was pretty loud. At 11 I got up and closed the window, turned on the little AC in the bedroom and went to sleep, others were not so lucky. Seemed strange to have such noise on a weeknight but so goes life.

This morning Ken and I walked, chatted and then parted ways to go to work. I drove to Oakland and circled the block time and time again searching for a parking space. A huge motorhome was parked next to the condo project and a film crew was working in a park nearby. Finally the owner called to check up on me and directed me to park in the front of the project under the watchful eye of the doorman. What I found upstairs was pretty amazing. Her unit was on the 15th floor and two of the walls were just glass. The views were amazing, of the hills, the lake, the distant neighborhoods. I wonder how long it takes to get used to such views. She was very sweet and showed me all around the complex. Then it was back on the street to shoot photos of comps and head home. As I began to drive home the blood sugar took a dive and I knew I had to eat. I found a Red Robins in the mall and enjoyed a very good garden burger. Fortified I drove home to find I was so sleepy I could not work.

At 5 I picked up Keanna and delivered her to her swimming lesson. Some positive thinking people turned their ranch into a swimming school complete with parking lot, dressing rooms and a bank of young people read to teach little ones. The setting is really beautiful and the lessons were on point and well done. Then Keanna dressed into her pjs and we headed back to her home. She filled me in on how much she is missing her mom and how well her day is doing caring for she and Kallie. It is always very interesting to have a conversation with Keanna, tonight I introduced her to my WC Fields voice, oh yes. She was amused.

Now I'm back home and am listening as the ACs hum to hold off the heat. Today has suddenly grown much warmer, perhaps up to 100 or so but we could not have cool weather for ever.

Tomorrow I take Keanna to dance rehearsal at around noon and then afterwards we will drive on to Oakland and she will get to welcome her mother home. She can't wait and I'll be very happy to see Nikki home as well.

I've had a very hard time this week getting any office work done. Just so tired all the time! Not fun and I'm not sure what is going on.

Dana has called to say that Ronnie and Jonathan might arrive as early as Sunday for their vacation. It will be so good to have family here again.

Tonight I wish all of you a good night.

love

Tim

ps In the photo Keanna is swimming in the middle of the pool with her head under water!

Whew, its finally over.......

Dear Family and Friends,
I'm just in a few minutes ago.
This morning I took the dogs to the park for a short walk and then started working through the day at my desk. Even though very few new orders have arrived I still have things to work up. I decided to venture to Cameron Park to see a purchase. It was a pleasant drive and I listed to a James Patterson book as I traveled.
I talked to Gerry Lammerding and he confirmed that Barbara was to be released today. We agreed to talk later. When I was through seeing the condo and had shot the comps I headed down the hill and called Gerry but only got the message machine. He called this evening to let me know that once he got to the hospital to pick up Barabara he did not feel well and had to drink apple juice and lie down for some time before he felt strong enough to drive home. He confirmed that they had made it home and that Barbara was in her hospital bed and that both of them were looking forward to a night of rest. I wish I could be more helpful to them.
When I arrived at the home today I reached for my camera only to discover I had left it on my desk. I ended up taking all the photos with my phone and I certainly hope they turn out well. That is a new one for sure.
As I was driving across the levee road I decided to stop at a place called Union Point for a sandwich. It is a little bar which also serves food and is built over the water. I was delighted to have a table near the water and watched the afternoon sun and texted friends. When the bill came it was just $6.98. Now that is a price I can handle!
Now I'm home and ready to fall into bed. I feel blessed that the trip was safe and without any kind of danger. Once again I drove over 500 miles before filling the tank. Unfortunately the price for a fill up has now slipped over the $30 mark!
Tomorrow I have an appointment to see a house in Oakland at 10 am after which I'll run home and work and then take Keanna to swim class in the evening.
I just spoke to Art who reported that he spent time with my brother Jerry and Donna today in K Falls. He and Connie are working their way home and have two little grandchildren Gage and Macy with them. The children will be staying until July 5. Wow, that is devotion! Tonight they are in Redding and tomorrow will sight see there before coming on home.
So for now I bid each of you good night!

love

tim

Sluggish

Dear Family and Friends,
Routine day with walk this morning, nap in the chair mid morning, work for awhile midday and then into the field this afternoon. Saw a place that had been totally redone after purchase a couple months ago. Now it is being resold with 30 offers so far. It is really in good condition with everything new throughout. Then to do a follow up on my five little houses in Brentwood and some additional work that is needed to complete the reports. Tomorrow I'll write them up and get back into the field for more work.
This evening I went to pick up Keanna but discovered that she didn't really need to be taken to the dance studio tonight. I enjoyed watching as Steve expertly handled feeling the two of them. kallie is trying all kinds of things and is working on getting used to cows milk. So far she is not too excited about it but is giving it a try.
For the fun of it I replaced the instant hot water heater under my sink in the kitchen. First I tried plugging the old one in, wow the sparks that blew everywhere so that settled the issue about the old one, I replaced it with the exact same new one and finally reached all the places I needed to reach to get it installed. Now it is working well I think. But there are those sudden bursts of steam which do not seem quite right.
At the present time I am very poorly motivated and eating very poorly. Somehow I need to get ahold of myself and get going again. Depression is a strange beast which can strike out of the blue and sort of grip you until you can break free.
Wishing all of you a pleasant night.

love

tim

Back to work and then play

Dear Family and Friends,
Its about bed time now. I just finished up a rather challenging appraisal involving a manufactured home to be located in an area where they are as rare as peace and quiet in the inner city. I just hope it works out.
This evening I got to stop work, picked up Keanna who was already dressed in her ballet dance class tights and delivered her to her studio where I sat with about a thousand screaming little girls who ran back and forth. It was great fun to see Keanna go through her paces and she came out once in a while for a drink of water and to just check in to see if I was watching. Then we drove her back home and I went grocery shopping. Tomorrow evening after their day at day care I pick them up and bring them home. Then at 6:30 I take Keanna to dance class once again so she can go over her dance routines for the recital this weekend. As soon as Steve can finish up his work he'll be back to collect the girls and take them home. On Thursday evening I'll take keanna to swim class and then on Friday take her to a mid day rehearsal. Friday afternoon I'll pick up Nikki who is already anxious to come home to her family.
Today she had meetings all day long with big wigs from washington. Her room sounds nice and while we were on the phone her laptop started working with the wireless system at the hotel.
Our weather is remaining cool and very comfortable which is just great. Some checks came in the mail today but I've been too busy to even open them so far. How times change and of course will change again in the future.
Right now I'm heading to bed. For lunch today I made a huge salad with a whole tomato cut up, lots of Romaine lettuce torn up, olives cut in half, mushrooms warmed in the microwave and a new salad dressing that has 0 fat and very few calories. It was a great lunch and I ate in on the back deck. This evening I baked a potato and had it with cottage cheese and butter.
Good night to all,

love

Tim

Nikki takes to the air, Steve to run daddy day care!

Dear Family and Friends,
Well tonight Nikki is winging her way to Albuquerque and Steve has a real challenge on his shoulders for the next five days. Kallie just turned 1 and Nikki just turned 6. Steve is excellent with the kids and knows his way around caring for them. Still this will be a real challenge for all. I drove over with Nikki to the airport this afternoon for moral support and she called later to say she had been able to both check in and get some food as she arrives there late tonight. I'm not much into partings and it was very sad to observe as she and girls said their goodbyes. Oh that she did not have to work but at this point her job is the most secure of all three of us. She is going to meetings which include the secretary of the department of energy in Washington and other high officials. Her department has been charged with trying to make sure that stimulas money is not wasted or improperly used. They have 30 million to keep 50 billion in the right hands, do the math, there is no way they can keep up with all the dollars and they know it but they must try.
This morning I inspected 5 little houses located on adjacent lots in Brentwood. The owner of all five has them fixed up so nicely with good yards, excellent fences and fresh paint. Now all I have to do is locate perfect comps for each. I have my work laid out for me tomorrow.
Our weather continues to be just wonderful and I keep thinking about the next utility bill, it should be much much lower. One can hope.
Today is our anniversary and from time to time I've thought about different aspects of our years together. I continue to live in a world that seems like someone turned out the lights as I muddle through in the darkness of living alone. I would not wish this on my worst enemy and I could never have imagined what it would be like to live this way. Oh I can pretend its great to be free and make my own decisions or I don't have to worry about Nan's spending on QVC but somehow having her with me would be worth it all.
This week I will concentrate of being a resource to Steve, to back him up when he needs help with the girls and try to get some work done too. I pray for more orders. At this point I have two left to see, one in Antioch from my good friend Barbara and one up in Cameron Park. I have several to complete and I need to keep working on getting approved with management companies. I now have several approvals but no orders from any of them. I just have to keep placing the whole situation in the good Lord's hands and then trust that He will make it all work out according to His riches.
I wish for each of you a good strong week filled with meaning, growth and love.

Tim

Love those kids, Barbie improves

Dear Ones,
Just back from Sacramento where I spend time with Barb and Gerry. She is improving so much each day and the followup MRI confirmed that all the tumor had been removed. Barb was moved from ICU to a regular ward room today, enjoyed company and was her old self again.
Gerry and I went to dinner at Leatherbys, a local place with home made ice cream and sandwiches. We had Garden Burgers and they were great.
Ken and I started the day with a 6:30 walk and then I went to the Relay for Life event that was held in Brentwood. This 24 hour event has people walking in relay fashion for the entire 24 hour time period around the high school track. Many local businesses had booths set up and raffles were held for many appealing items. Nikki is waiting by the phone to see if she has won anything. Keanna is sporting a unicorn on her face that was face painted on and each of the girls came away with a little bear from Kohls booth. We also wandered by the farmers market and fresh strawberries from Watsonville caught our eye. They are so good, best of the season. I was amazed to discover Kallie loved the berries and ate about three of them while we walked around. Nikki was spending even more time with the girls since she flys out Sunday afternoon to New Mexico for a week of meetings and training sponsored by her branch of government, the department of energy. She will return on Friday afternoon and dreads the whole trip. This is not a trip she can miss though as her department is entrusted with more and more oversight of the massive stimulus spending.
When I came home after walking about in the fresh air and bright sunshine I took a brief nap before driving to Sacramento. One does want to stay awake while hurdling down the freeway in a tiny car.
Tomorrow I have the high privilege of appraising 5 little houses in Brentwood. They are all located in a single block and are for the same client. Frankly I'm glad to have the work.

I sincerely hope your weekend is going well and that you've had some good family time. I have an interesting item to report. When I looked closely at my PG&E bill this time I noticed that the gas used had dropped from $34 to about $26 and I think that is totally a response to the dryer working so much better now. Nice to have things working right.

Sending love to all,

Tim

A conflicted day

Greetings fellow lifers,
Interesting day with large doses of the human condition. This morning I just rolled out and went straight to work, I'm dealing with the proposed construction of a manufactured home in San Lorenzo on the back half of a lot that has been in the family for 100 years. Needless to say there are not many sales of manufactured homes in San Lorenzo or even with 15 miles. I knew this one would be touch when I took it and now I'm in the middle of writing it. Word came in this morning as to the details for Don's funeral. Don was a person I never met who ordered reverse appraisals once in a while. He was always pleasant on the phone and in his emails. I liked him. His brother has provided me with more work over the past 2 years than any other source. Tom and Don were just one year apart and not only brothers, they were great friends. The service was held in the lamest funeral home I have ever seen. Located between a house cleaning service and a auto body shop on an industrial row this little funeral home seems totally out of place. It has no parking other than what you can find on the street and a chapel so small that most of us spent our time in the hallway peeking in the door. The service was nicely conducted and tom spoke for his brother with honest and caring words.
While I was driving to Modesto Jason called and in the conversation he reminded me that this Sunday would have been our 38Th anniversary. Well the combination of the flood of memories and then the funeral experience really sent me reeling. Mind you these are not bad or dangerous emotions but they are strong just the same, powerful mind videos of happy times, other anniversaries. Nan always planned them careful and we were either at Reno, Vegas, Tahoe, somewhere special to enjoy our day. I painfully remember the anniversary just after her surgery on June 4 when she was not even awake yet as she clung to life in the ICU at Brigham and Womens in Boston. I remember the pain of that day, the first without Nan making it a big important deal and she slept right through the day. I thought my heart would break as it filled with fear and foreboding.
So as I drove to and then from the service today my heart was not light or carefree. To ease the passing of time I reached out to Art, my sister Sibyl and I tried others but didn't make contact. Pam was not answering her phone since she is just one day out of a pretty nasty surgery herself and Sylvia is in Russia on a tour.
This process called living life grows harder as difficult events stack up. Every time I hear of a long time marriage breaking up, about someone else with health issues, about cancer, about loss it just seems harder and harder to slap a smile on your face and pretend things are OK. Things are not OK, we live in a mess. Now some of you may not know it yet because things have not gone bad but we live in a mess. I have come to accept that God is even more troubled about the mess than we are since He sees it completely.
I've just lived through a week with almost no business calls. With interest rates climbing again and a growing concern about future inflation the loan business has almost shut down completely. Every loan agent I know has many loans in the pipeline that are not being completed since the rates began to climb up. The spending in Washington is having the total opposite effect of what was promised. Government cannot spend us out of the crisis but so far they have not caught on. I think the people have as they are spending less, being much more careful with what money have and even saving more. But the federal government is doing just the opposite. One wonders what they could be thinking. This is disaster in the making for not only our generation but for the little kidos, why should they have to pay for our messes.
This afternoon I had soup and salad at Olive Garden in Modesto, a place that I figure Nan and I ate at at least 50 times over the years. When I left I decided to pick up a couple things at WalMart. For those of you who know me at all you know I despise WalMart, not that I think it should not be there I just don't like being in a place where 98 of the items they sell just arrived from China. I'd rather pay more and have less and have it made in America by my neighbors! Warning, the next couple sentences are not going to be very PC. I have the feeling that I've just traveled to a very poor third world country when I'm in WalMart, much of the stuff is junk, gaudy and trashy and as far as lower prices, there is a reason in many cases. Now I know many of the same items sold there can be found elsewhere for more money and for that reason I found myself parking and walking into WalMart. Now this was not a super WalMart, in fact I stopped someone and ask if they were closing the store as so many racks were empty and the place looked like a wreck. No was the answer, they are just redoing the store. Well I found the little bulb for my desk lamp, some laundry soap, first I've had to buy since company was here and then I went to the garden section. I ended up with a hanging flower arrangement and a couple other pots of plants but even they looked pathetic. They can't afford water for the plants in WalMart? So I took my little basket of winners to the car and headed home. the poor flowers seemed to be saying, feed me, water me please. I feel like I've been a part of a plant rescue operation.
When I got home my desire to go back to work was a quart low. But then I had an infusion of life and fun. Kallie, Keanna and their mother burst through the door. Kallie started charging about on her newly acquired sea legs staggering from time to time but doing pretty well, Keanna set to work helping her mother sort through some shipping and we all had fun for awhile. Then they had to go home to feed Kallie and I was alone once again.
I summoned up my gardening skills such as they are, mowed the front lawn which is actually a grouping of weeks and crab grass and began to trim the beautiful bush that had grown nearly over the front window. Not wanting my house to look like the home of the Adams Family I cut and trimmed until the bush was groomed (can we say attacked) and Lois stopped by and helped me bag it up.
While I was on the back deck I discovered that one tomato had turned red enough to pick. It became the center of my dinner, tomato and peanut butter on thin slices of my most recent loaf of bread. Totally yummy! Tomatoes do taste better when they grow in your own back yard.
Sort of to round out the uplifting nature of the day I put on a video that came from Netflicks called Into Thin Air. For those of you who know the story you know that uplifting it is not. Its the tragic story of two teams of mountain climbers on Everest where things went wrong, judgements were made poorly and 5 people ended up dying including the leaders of both the expeditions, Scott Fisher and Rob Hall. So on that encouraging note I'm ending my day.
Tomorrow I plan to go with the kids to visit the walk for life cancer walk in Brentwood and then drive upto visit Barbie in Sacramento in the afternoon. Gerry says her recovery seems on track but I want to put in my personal appearance having spent dozens of days in hospital rooms I know the excitement of seeing new faces and feeling the love that walks in with those you love.
I hope your week has been meaningful and I want to encourage you yet once again to carefully consider how much time you are spending to share your feelings and words with those you love, think about what you would say at their funeral service and then say it now instead of then. Am I blunt? I mean to be. In our case due to Nan's gradually weakening condition we had lots of time to share everything we felt but without the pressure of the an upcoming deadline it is very tempting to just think the other person already knows how you feel so why bother to express it. Nan and I never went to sleep angry, some nights were so awful between us that we didn't go to sleep for awhile until we talked it through. Because of both our experiences with our parents we knew better than to let stuff go without fixing it. Its too easy to just begin to let it go and things get worse and worse and that becomes the new relationship, a sad one with less love in it.
A word on being alone. I guess there are some people that love it and others who lie and say they love it but I've been alone now for 18 months and together with Nan for 37 years. There is no comparison. Life is dreary being alone, oh yes it is livable and even enjoyable once in awhile but mostly it is just alone. Once again you could become alone in any one of several ways that are not up to you so while you are not alone make the best of it, just a thought!
So I bid you a warm goodnight and I do appreciate every one of you.

love

tim

Finally getting some traction

Good evening to all,

This has been a day with a lot of low key rest and then finally production. Ken and I walked as usual this morning in the cool air. Then I came back, added water to some very dry coach batteries in the motorhome, rehung the curtain I had washed and then drove it back to storage where Lois was kind enough to come rescue me. Then it was back home to work, only problem I just wanted to sleep and I did, it seemed like hours in my chair. I finally woke and made a salad for lunch and came back determined to get some work done.

I waded into a relocation appraisal for a local property and about 4:20 emailed that one to the Cartus company. Then I started on the next one that had to be done today. After a couple hours I took a break and had another salad at McDonalds with Lois where we talked to Ray. he had a big day cleaning filters for pools and was tired and finally back to their home in San Jose. After the dinner I came home and have just now completed the second appraisal.

Art and Connie are traveling with their new to them 5th wheel on a trip to see Matt graduate from fireperson school up in Oregon somewhere. They had stopped in Weed for the night and he called my brother Jerry and they talked trucks for a few. Now Art has told me he is going to bed, tired from a day of driving and amazingly he found a RV place for $27.50 for the night. Thats amazing! Tomorrow they will drive on up to where Matt is and be ready for a Saturday graduation service. Then I think they plan to bring their two grandchildren back with them for a few days to visit. Sounds totally fun.

Gerry said that Barbie is continuing to make progress although she is still in ICU at this point. They had her sitting up several times today and she is eating, all signs of progress. For some reason they took another MRI which had to be painful for her. One wonders why the second MRI but of course no one is telling them anything. Why don't medical people communicate. We patients are not idiots, we need to know what is going on, include us in your thinking, it is our bodies after all. But I digress.

This evening I am totally worn out from basically doing nothing but sitting and typing. Oh well the dogs were delighted that I could be home for the day. they love it and sit close by watching and snoozing in delight.

I've included a couple photos from Jason and Jo that were taken at the Oakland Zoo as they met Scott Miller and his family there for the day. Looked like they had a great time.

Well good night to all,

love

tim

Finished

Dear Friends and Family,
Just back from one more attempt at the grief group which meets on Wednesday night and as a result I'm not going back. As usual the group of people who were there were very honest in sharing your feelings and emotions but I just sort of have a feeling that I don't really belong there so I'll just let my group of friends and family be my wonderful grief and getting on with life support group.
This evening Gerry Lammerding and I made contact and he reports Barbie is progressing well and is feeling better and better. She remains in ICU for yet another day and Gerry could only see her briefly along with Jenny and her friend and a sister. We are all thankful for her really good progress and if all continues to progress then she's be able to go home next Sunday.
Its been sort of a dull day spent fixing things, doing value checks and general appraisal work. I'm loving the cool weather which continues to bless us. I just keep thinking the central air conditioning is not having to work and money is saved.
Well I think thats about it for the evening. Nothing too earth shaking happening here.
I did hear some bad news today. A person, Don, who orders appraisals and talked to me just last week died of a heart attack this morning. He was having a hard time breathing and by the time he got to the hospital his heart was failing. I was so saddened to hear the news and think about his family tonight.
Oh that we would live our lives each day with care for each other!

love

tim

A long day for Barbara

Dear Family and Friends,

Many of you know Barb and Gerry Lammerding. We have traveled extensively with them and worked with Barbara years ago in Sac Central SDA Church when I was just starting as a youth pastor. This morning Barb and Gerry arrived at the Kaiser Hospital in Central Sacramento for her surgery. They arrived early, about 6 am and then waited as they were processed. I arrived at 8 to sit with Gerry in the surgery waiting room and her surgery was supposed to begin at 8. We later learned it did not get started until 10. We waited all day, until 4:30 without one word from the operating room. I've been in probably 30 different waiting rooms over the last 12 years and always was kept informed by someone from the actual operating room how things were going but not today. After the promised 5 and 1/2 hours had passed we began to grow more anxious and a bit angry. We were given a little device that will flash but not told what the flashing meant. At about 4:30 it flashed but there was no one to tell us what that meant. Eventually we found out that means the surgery was over and she was being moved to recovery. At about 5 we were finally allowed to see Barbie for a few minutes. She was talking but was very connected to various monitors and IVs. She was squeezing her hands and moving her arms as they told her to do and trying to cough to clear her lungs. A surgeon spoke to us and said that everything had been a success but everything also took longer than expected. He said the tumor was larger than anticipated and was very stuck to her spinal column but they managed to remove it safely. They do not think it is cancer but that will be a for sure in two weeks based on lab results. So the outcome appears to be very good but Barbie has a pretty serious recovery to work with now and physical therapy for the next month. Gerry is doing fine and regaled the entire waiting room with his stories and thoughts. The volunteer who manned the desk for most of the day was outstanding and kind. This hospital needs to give serious thought to communicating in a professional manner. The whole waiting room was filled with very anxious loved ones with no communication taking place at all. Its the one sour note to a otherwise positive day.
I had a bit of traffic coming home and discovered my tank was nearing empty with over 500 miles driven. Where to find diesel? I chanced it on Florin Road and found the best price I've seen all day, $2.59.
Now I'm home and feel worn out. I was delighted to discover as I read my emails that several management companies sent emails indicating their willingness to add me to their approved list. Loree has been hard at work chasing these companies and results are starting to come in.
Thank you Lord for guiding the gifted medical team today.
Love to all and please pray for our friend Clare Johnson who has his own medical challenges right now. He is the wonderful tenor in the Adoration Singers.

love

tim

Back to work, boring!

Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a quiet day. I've written an appraisal, worked up another one only to be told when I was done that the value was too low and they could not use it. Ray was starting his new chain saw so I took a break and helped him get it all set up and running, what a sweet machine and cuts wood like butter. I also did a bunch of value checks and then research for the property in Hercules I inspected at 4:45. Then I shot a photo for another report and stopped in at UNO's for salad and a personal pizza. Now I'm home and winding it down for the day. I did loads of laundry today and I'm still like a little kid in awe when the dryer has everything dry in just one cycle. So nice. Nan would have been thrilled right after she stated, I told you so.
I'm running very low on future work, in fact I have one to see tomorrow and then I'm out of orders. I keep hearing some are coming in but I've not seen them yet. Oh well.
In a few minutes I'm going to bed and then getting up as early as I can to get up to see Barbie and sit with Gerry. Tomorrow she has surgery to remove a tumor which is lodged on her spine between her shoulder blades. They are anticipating a 5 hour surgery and I don't want Gerry to sit there a lone, I've done that one in Boston and it was pretty awful. I know Barbara would appreciate prayers in her behalf tonight.
So my life is pretty much on course. I'm thankful for much and fearful at times of the unknown. I am lonely some of the time but so far I've not done anything about it. I am really looking forward to Dana, Ronnie, Jonathan and Anthony visiting soon and then Marilyn too. It will be really nice to have family visit for a bit.
For now I wish you all a good night,

love

tim

With a grateful heart.........

This has been an interesting Sunday. First the walk which went very well. Then breakfast which this morning had links, oatmeal, egos, banana. Then off to help a friend moves boxes and furniture. Home again about 5 and began to work on appraisals, then a load of washing and once again enjoyed getting the clothes dried in ONE cycle of the dryer, I'm still in owe of that as for many years its taken two to four cycles before the clothes are finally nearly dry. Oh the energy I have wasted in the process!
This evening Lois and Ray invited me over for banana bread which was perfect and now I'm back ready to go to bed. Tomorrow will have to be a intense work day as I have things that are stacking up now. Am I complaining? No way, I'm reveling in having work in this terrible time for America where so many have lost their jobs or been cut way back. I'm thankful for the blessings I received. And while I'm on the subject of thanks.
When ever I reflect on the past few years I am struck with how many times friends and family came to the rescue. As Nan's condition worsened she had just one request, I'd like to see everybody. I let that be know and in 24 hours family and friends came to be near her. While I slept on a little cot in her room Sharon slept in our portable reclining yard chair and Dana made frequent trips back and forth to home. Nikki and Jason came as often as they could and Jan made the trip from Denver, a little earlier David and Jo had come out too. Irene came to visit as did Pam and George and Yvonne, Art and Connie, Dolly came to pray and dozens of friends and family were with us through phone calls and emails. Sometimes I hear people who have gone through the same process of losing a loved one and they have horror stories of negative comments, bazaar behaviors. I have only positive memories of how well we were supported and cared for. Our beloved pastor Jim came and nan shared her heart, Mary from travel came, Sylvia came.
I have known an experience that few will ever know, I have been humbled by it, lifted through it, guided and blessed. While Loree kept the business going with Steve's help I was freed to be with Nan as often and as much as we wanted. If one has to face such a death sentence one could only hope and pray for such a support group. From George and Yvonnes perpetual box of Sees Candy in the room to their always being there during surgery to wait with us to the patience of my clients who understood and were supportive.
So I am grateful for the support of Barbara in Texas, Aunt Ann in Oklahoma, John and Karen in Denver. Then there is Marilyn, dear tender hearted Marilyn who helped in ways that no one else could have, days, weeks, months she shared life with Nan and never shrank from anything that needed to be done. If you take anyone of the many who helped out of the equation it would have been harder to cope, to care and to help Nan. You all were there over and over again and because of you Nan never felt lonely or forgotten. Instead she knew she was supported and surrounded by love and compassion. Truly you helped ease the pain of what was eventually to happen.
So a huge heartfelt thanks to all of you for your part in this chapter of our lives. You were there and I'll not forget every.
love to all,

tim

Kallie's first Sabbath School

Dear Family and Friends,

Last evening Keanna had a sleep over. I think when I wrote she had finally fallen asleep and she was up early this morning. She made fast work of her breakfast and then we drove to the Tracy SDA Church where we all went to Sabbath School, It was Kallie's first time I think and she was enjoying the walking experience. She ventured all over the room and smiled as she cleared the felt board, explored the back drop for the program and observed the other kids. Keanna came with us today too and enjoyed the program. I've included a photo I shot with my phone of Kallie at the craft table with teacher Kim and Nikki. It was a very enjoyable morning having my girls there.

We next went to Olive Garden but took a bit of time as Kallie had fallen asleep and needed some rest. She was missing her morning nap which she never misses. She woke up in a pleasant mood for Olive Garden and they are probably still cleaning the floor after she got finished. The food was great and Keanna ate everything in sight. After lunch we each went our own ways as Keanna had a birthday party for a little boy who lives across the street. He is part of a very very nice family, is polite and all boy, always riding his bicycle, his dirt bike or anything with wheels. It is amazing to see he and his brother with their riding outfits on riding their 50cc dirt bikes. Here are these two little guys just blasting along over hills and trails.

Late this afternoon after resting for awhile I ventured into the motorhome to try to solve some little problems. A cupboard door which would not stay closed, a drawer that Nan always used for her personal stuff had broken away from the wall, its support system and it was hanging crooked and useless for about the last year. When I opened it today I found nylons and other things left by Nan, it was a catch your breath moment. Then when I ventured to the next project, repairing the collapsed floor in the closet which I use for a pantry I found yet another strong reminder, two night gowns that she loved. These finds brought back pleasant memories of our travels in the motorhome, usually to Jason and Jo's home but sometimes to LA to city of hope medical center or Tahoe for campmeeting or Homewood to Lammerdings cabin. Nan was a great traveler, she would settle in with drinks for both of us and a book ready to load for us to listen to while we traveled. She would hop up and go get snacks and I can even remember when she made grilled cheese sandwiches as we drove down the freeway, that one was a little wild and I can't recommend it. She would sit in the front passenger seat with a pillow on her lap so the dogs would not hurt her and both dogs were usually on her lap. Nan did not know how to nag and for those of you who either do nag or get nagged at, well you should consider stopping it. Its unpleasant and wastes a lot of good caring time. Nan would be on the phone to Sharon or Dana or one of the kids and would just be happy and contented to be on the road yet again. Last Thursday was the one and a half year point since losing Nan. In some ways it seems like a very long time ago and in other ways it still seems almost unbelievable that she is not here generating joy and happiness.

While I was cleaning out the bottom of the closet I found a beautiful sweater, perhaps even a sweater dress still in the QVC package. Oh how they loved her. It was yet another reminder of how she lived. Ready for anything, cold or hot, winter or summer.

Our weather is wonderful right now. We have been cool for days and no warming trend is expected for several days. I tend to think of it as being a blessing, less expensive since little AC is needed and its easier to work in the cool weather.

So as I head to bed tonight I do so with happy current memories, talks with Jason and Jo and little conversations with Timothy, longer talk with Art, spending time with the girls and friends at church, catching up with Ray and Lois who came over as I was finishing up in the motorhome and now planning to walk in the morning with Ken. I always enjoy talking to Jerry too in Weed.

Got to say our Creator knew what He was doing when He also created a Sabbath, tonight there was beautiful music from Loma Linda on the dish, no work related stresses today, just family and rest.

So I'm sending love to all,

Tim

At last its Friday evening

Dear Family and Friends,
Another week winds down, its has been interesting! High points include the family coming to visit, Keanna coming for a sleep over, being able to pay some bills this week, having safety on the roads and getting to talk with Jason and Nikki several times this week over the phone, having Keanna become a first grader.
It has been very interesting to see how the Lord blesses in spite of how faulty this recipient is. My moods swing back and forth and I wrestle with keeping the faith sometimes losing it all together yet His blessings continue. Not that things are easy, I would not want to convey that impression but when I take a moment to ponder the challenges others face then I'm more content.
This evening as I've fed Keanna her pasta, popcorn and apple juice and she has played her new VSmile game and we've had a chance to read together, say our prayers and tuck her in about 5 times I'm reminded of how blessed I am to have the three little ones in my life. They make sense out of the noise of life.
This evening Lois invited to feed me at Subway and Nikki brought Keanna and Kallie and met us there. Kallie let me hold her for a bit and then she settled into my arms acting as if she could just go to sleep. When we fed her some went into her mouth, some ended up amazingly on the floor! She was just smiling and watching everyone and enjoying life.
This evening as I read to Keanna I purposely changed words as I read and she quickly corrected me each time, it was a game and she was very good at it.
I write about my three kidos and in no way mean to diminish your love for your kidos, but these are mine and they are what I know, they are so important to me and remind me of happier times, of carefree times when our kids were little and Nan did all the work and I got all the fun. Well with her gone I end up doing more than I would have otherwise but that's fine. I love grabbing Kallie or taking Keanna by the hand, helping with Timothy so his folks can slip away for a bit.
As I write tonight there are people in our friendship circle that are hurting, discouraged, lonely and send my best hopes and thoughts to them. These are not easy times for most of us, for many of us they will get better, for some they will worsen before they get better yet there is an eternal answer for everything and its found in our Lord. Somehow He will make sense out of everything someday and we will understand better, this is my hope.
Please enjoy your time together with your loved ones and do your best to touch, encourage and build this weekend.
love to all

Tim

All quiet

Good evening,
As I write the house is deathly quiet, not a mouse, dog or cat is stirring....... you see the family all went home! Last night every room was filled with laughter and conversation, some enjoyed the back deck and "smoked", others sipped hot mochas and observed the fish tank. It was a great evening. During the night we were struck with a highly unusual event, a lightning storm accompanied by hail, lots of it. I was sleeping soundly in the motorhome and suddenly tapping noises started on the roof and a minute later it was a roar as hail pelted the motorhome, it crossed my mind that motorhome roofs are not very strong, Starr made a quick retreat under the covers and Lady just cowered. Then the thunder began to resound and the lightning lite the sky. It made for a short night.
This morning my phone alarm woke me to walk and I remembered my tennis shoes were safely put away in the closet in the master bedroom where Jerry and Donna slept. So I did the 3 miles in my street shoes and so far there does not seem to be any ill effects other than some soreness on the bottom of my feet.
We all enjoyed a breakfast of belgium waffles and fresh strawberries, orange juice and good conversation. Then it was time for the group to begin the drive to Weed, a 300 miles trip and I was slated to see a local property at 10. Just a few minutes ago I confirmed that they made it fine and are already unloaded and relaxing in their comfortable home.
This afternoon I met with two ladies who order appraisals. They had been asking for a lunch time when we could put faces behind the phone calls. We had a really nice time and shared war stories from the loan business. They are both lovely ladies and it was enjoyable to make new friends and commiserate over the sorry state of the business in general and the new rules we all have to live and work with.
After lunch I drove to a house to do an inspection. The first impressions were so bad. The front yard was 5 feet deep in weeds and thistles, cats were going through the garage cans, I thought oh no! But when I used the lockbox and made entry I found a different story. All the walls were freshly painted, the carpets were decent, the heating and cooling systems worked and the property was really decent, all of this nearly 1,700 sf for $110,000. Who says California real estate is expensive? Not so any more.
Now I'm back home and I'm going to be in bed by 9 pm. I'm tired, sleepy and need rest, lots of it.
How is your life going these days? Are you enduring now that we have a world where 1 out of 6 checks being written are being written by a government agency, wow that is scary, who is left to pay the bills, well you know the answer, anyone who is having an success, tax them to cover the rest. No wonder Microsoft is going to move more jobs overseas if the new tax measures go through. When will this madness stop? The government cannot spend money it does not have, someone somewhere has to say NO and let normal market forces work this out.

My friend, the weekend is coming, wonderful news!

love to all

Tim

Family in town, very nice!

Dear Family and Friends,
This evening my house is filled with family, its great. Suzie, Cindy, Jerry and Donna all tucked away in their rooms for the night, so much nicer than an empty house with just me and the dogs. I'm sleeping in the motorhome which is parked in the driveway.
We went to Olive Garden in Tracy this evening and Steve graciously loaned me the van so we all got to travel together. The service was excellent and the food tasted unusually good, could it be the company?
Earlier today Ken and I walked and I wrestled with a recalcitrant phone line this afternoon. I did some basic moving of clutter to less obvious places, hosed down the deck and pretended to be working but didn't get much done for the day.
Now its past time to be asleep.
Life throws strange things at us. Out of the blue I got a call from Marriott today. I own a time share down in Palm Desert at a beautiful location. I've never used the week I am entitled to each year, wasted it so far but every month I attempt to find enough money to pay the $190 payment. I have it nearly paid off now and it is rumored to be worth nearly twice what I paid for it several years ago. Today a nice lady called to say that Marriott is celebrating their 25Th year and to help people out they will take 25% of any late payments away as a discount to help all owners celebrate. I did the numbers and since I owed three payments it was quite an amount they were willing to wipe out just to get me current. So I went for it. In the process I'm a lot closer to having the property paid off and I partly did it with their money. Then AT&T called about my cell phone service. In the process of discussing it I learned that my contracts are up and that I'm entitled to an upgrade, not sure what that means but I will be looking into it. Internet unlimited usage is $15 a month and texting is $5 a month for a whole lot of text messages. So more things to think about. Then the house line quit working. So I called ACN and a very knowledgeable lady helped get the phone working again but in the process I discovered that I still had the router that was used for Vonage in the line. Since that makes no sense I have removed it completely and now the phones lines seem to work a little better. So it was a day of getting on my back and sliding under the desk, then back up again. Each time the room would spin for about 30 seconds, not a good feeling but having the phone working again, well that is nice enough.
Tomorrow morning after we have breakfast I'm set to see a house located on the lake at 10 am. After traveling all over this week it will be very nice to enjoy a local inspection. Then later in the day I'll have a late lunch with a couple ladies I work with on a regular basis, they are loan brokers. That will be fun to put a face with a voice, I'm not so sure of myself but I'm going through with it just for the experience, they have been asking and asking.
I certainly hope to see more business come in. I'm nearly out of orders and the one management company that was ordering, well nothing this week. I wonder what happened.
OK, time to crash.
Have a good night, morning.

love to all

tim

Lunch with the Pedens

Dear Family and Friends,
This morning started with a brisk walk in some rather cool air. A few minutes into the walk raindrops became a downpour so we hurried up and found a tree for shelter. After just a few minutes the rain had stopped and there was that wonderful fresh smell when rain reaches the earth.
After breakfast I continued work on putting things in order and then drove to Stockton to meet Roger and Carol at the new Olive Garden. After a very nice lunch we continued our time of sharing right to their rental and then they were gone. What a blissful time it is when you get to relax with genuine friends. These are wonderful people with deep faith, strong convictions, enormous talent and abiding friendships. It was a great time!
Feeling a bit melancholy I drove back to Discovery Bay to continue to work on appraisals. Later in the day Nikki called to see if I could help with Keanna who needed a quick ride to her dance class in Brentwood. Since meds awaited me in Brentwood I quickly agreed and enjoyed our drive as she filled me in on the field trip to Micke Grove Zoo with her class and her mother who took the day off. After seeing her safely into the dance studio where dozens of little dancers were milling about in the hallway I drove over over to Longs, now CVS and picked up 3 of the 4 meds I expected. Then it was back to the pizza parlour to pick up the $5 pizza special for Ray and Lois. We enjoyed the good food. Then it was back to the house for some serious attention to clutter that has grown in my bedroom and a bit of trash collection. In the morning I'll do even more to get ready for the GUESTS, Jerry, Donna, Cindy and Suzie. We will have some fun tomorrow night!
I just fed the fish and you can almost see them skitter about in their freshly updated water. The 4 snails I purchased are really going to town on the algae too. Some efforts do pay off rapidly. This evening I've had a chance to talk to my close friends and had a call from out of the blue which was rewarding. A 31 year old lady to has worked in loans for some time is moving to a new company soon and was offered her choice of appraisers. She remembered that at our company we always went out of our way to do the right thing, to listen, to respond and so she wanted to know if I minded her referring me to her new loan bank, well actually I think its a great idea but it was nice to be remembered as someone who cares and has done good work.
Now its past time to be asleep. One would think that it was like the impossible dream to actually be in bed before 10 pm. No matter how much I plan and try its always 11 and getting up at 6:15 makes for a night that is too short.
So I send my love to each of you this evening and I'm relishing the short term memories of time spent with Roger and Carol today.

love

tim

45 mpg, its a guy thing!

Dear Ones,
This has been a day of diverse tasks and accomplishments. Ken and I walked our 3 miles, then I worked in a bit and left on time at 9:30 to drive to Newcastle. I miscalculated and arrived early! So I shot comps first and then inspected this nice little ranch on a hillside with barn, garden area, large garage with an in law, panoramic view of distant hills. It was a perfect day. Driving all the comps for a ranchette property can take some time. The GPS is a huge help and found every property no matter how small the road. Then I found the downtown area of Newcastle which is a few blocks in size. My discovery of the day was a small store with a huge variety of things, all cute, all unusual, all country and all were left in the store. I have enough yard sale items without buying more to add to the stack. They did have a nice deli and made me a cheese sandwich on multi grain bread, wow was it good and along with a coconut and strawberry smoothie the meal was perfect.
I left this small mountain village and traded the peace and calm for a loft property located in walking distance of the capital building with all the noise and traffic of the urban area. That stop only took a few minutes since I've already measured the buildings and know the basic scoop on the property.
I headed home and noticed that I was approaching 500 miles on the current tank of diesel. Yet as I drove home the gauge hardly moved and I reached Discovery Bay before the warning buzzer sounded and the yellow warning light lite up. All in all it was 571 miles which yielded a mpg of over 45. That felt nice even though the costs of the fuel are on the rise. Knowing I have wonderful guests on Wednesday evening I have prepared a brief list of things to do. This afternoon it was edge and mow the lawn, change water in the fish tank and make a bank deposit. When I opened the mail I found to my shock and delight 5 checks and I had brought one home from the ranchette. So I deposited these 6 checks along with the two I already had and it was the largest deposit in over a year. With payroll to cover, both vehicle payments behind and Blue Cross coming up soon the money will soon find a home, yet I was humbled and thrilled to see several checks for appraisals I did months ago, loans are finally starting to close!
This evening I found a 5 gallon bucket in the garage and a tube to syphon with and drew out 25 gallons of fish tank water 5 gallons at a time. I lugged each bucket to the street as the sale water would kill my growing things. The I started to put fresh salt water in 5 gallons at a time. Mind you each 5 gallons is about 40 lbs and I can feel it. Between edging next to roses bushes and working on the fish tank I have about 4 open bleeding spots on my arms and hands. I'd actually prefer to keep the blood inside where it does the most good.
Now the tank is clearing and I was even able to use the new scraper and get some of the brown algae off the glass. Its a start at least.
Tomorrow's list will be a challenge but the thrill of having family here is well worth it.
Tomorrow morning I'll drive up to Sacramento to meet Roger and Carol who are arriving to visit their children for a few days. Since they have a few hours between arrival and when the kids all get home from school I'll get to have lunch with them and do some catching up. These are the dear people that Nan loved to visit in North Carolina and she and Carol were regulars at Dollywood in Pidgeon Forge TN. They drove night and day to Boston to be with Nan after her surgery and to give her a lift, it was an act of kindness I'll never forget and it touched Nan so deeply she never forgot either. It will be great to just see them and feel the warm embrace of a most valuable thing, friendship.
So good night my friends and family,
love to all

Tim