Dear Family and Friends,
What a day this has been. In sharp contrast with yesterday which is a day well forgotten today has been mellow, spiritual, restful and filled with beauty.
I woke at 7:30 and dressed and took the dogs with me to the beach. The morning light was splendid with pastels, gentle layers of fog, rolling breakers. It was a magic time.
When we returned Jason and Timothy had breakfast ready. Later we went to Timothy's sabbath school which was filled with children and guests. It was a very special time.
The worship hour celebrated the senior class and was a very interesting and worshipful service. Then it was a senior class and staff potluck. By then a nap was in order and I stretched out in the recliner I carry in the motorhome, the one Sharon slept many nights in Nan's room at the hospital. I took a long nap under the awning facing the ocean and watched the shimmering waves. Later as the afternoon cooled I heard stirring and Jason, Jo and Timothy were loading up for a trip to the beach. Timothy played in the sand and his little buddy joined him, they built sand castles and dug holes until the fog crept in. Then we headed up the hill to the house and to its warmth. Jo and Jason made dinner which was delicious. Jo had tried her hand at a vegan pumpkin pie and it was great, you really knew it had some good things in side.
Soon it was time for Timothy to head to bed. Does he like to go to bed, well actually NO. He enjoyed the routine of reading books, singing songs and then finally praying with his mommy and daddy. He went right to sleep and I never heard another word.
Jason and Jo attended a birthday party and I was able to help by staying with him while they socialized. I enjoyed a good movie about prisoners of war escaping through a tunnel they built. It was really worth watching and had lots of the big names of the era in it.
So this has been a tremendous day and it has calmed my spirts, did what nature does best, how can one observe the endless waves without finding hope, courage to face the future. Is life easy? No, is it fun, not often. Is it worth it? Not sure yet but I do intend to keep on trying. How is it with you? Are you finding meaning and joy in your life? Are you spending a great deal of time listening to those you love? Are you engaged in the process of family? I'm one who believes it is never to late to try again.
Sending love and good thoughts to all those who happen to read my musings. Even those in Hawaii!
love
tim
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
At Jason and Jo's finally
Dear Family and Friends,
What a day this has been! As you know my kidos are the most important part of my life. This morning when I finally got up I felt horrible. My chest felt funny and I couldn't seem to cough very well at first. Steaming hot water in the shower helped to loosen things up a bit. After stumbling downstairs and making some toast and Stripples I went to the office. There I discovered two missed calls from Nikki on the cell. Then it hit me, I was supposed to be at their house this morning at 6:30 to care for the kidos so Steve could go to his job. I had totally forgotten my appointment. At that point it was too late to do anything helpful so I called Steve, he told me Keanna was coughing and was not going to school anyway. I think he was awful nice about the whole mess I had created.
So since I was not going to be helpful there I turned to the two appraisals that had to be written before I left for the coast. But the computers were not working. Calls to Comcast let me know that the cable was working so then I called Jim my IT guy. He was not answering his phones. I tried everything I know, I tried it over and over again with no success. Much later I reached him and he had me bypass the router taking the signal from the modem directly to my own computer, it worked. So then I decided to drive to the store, any store and get a new router. But when I was leaving I thought, just wire around the router, that should work. So I hooked up the two ACN phone lines, the 10/100 switch and the modem. It worked but the network which connects to my server would not work, what was wrong. Finally I reached Jim and he told me, if you want the signal from the modem to work with more than one computer you need a router which can generate up to 256 different IP addresses. He suggested I use the tiny router which comes with the APN phone line. So I did just that and after moving cables around with Lois handing me things from my desk as I rolled around on the floor it all worked. The little router was able to assign IP addresses to all the various pieces of the system and I was in business. So at 2:30 this afternoon the systems were finally working. A quick lunch of sauteed mushrooms in olive oil, some long grain wild rice I had cooked and a griller chopped into little pieces with a dollop of cottage cheese hit the spot.
Then fortified with a Doctor Pepper Marilyn had kindly left I set to work. Between 3 and 6 I managed to get two Oakland appraisals written and shipped to their lenders. Then it was time to do research for the appraisals to be seen on the trip and pack. The short end of this story is I pulled in at Jason's at 10 pm. I'm here now and getting ready to settle in for the night. Jason warns me that it has been cool at night lately and I'll keep that in mind.
There were other little events during the day. I've decided to share Nan's bike with Jo who needs a bike. So I reached up to get it down from the hangers on the garage ceiling. That was fine until it came down rapidly and over my head. Then trying to load it onto the bike rack on the back of the motorhome proved to be very challenging as well. But its here, I'm here and the day from H.... is over and done with.
I'm looking forward to time with Timothy and the kids, breezes from the ocean and calm moments to recharge these shattered mental batteries. How I miss the sanity that Nan brought to our lives.
So good night to all,
love
tim
PS, thanks Lois for your encouragement and help today.
What a day this has been! As you know my kidos are the most important part of my life. This morning when I finally got up I felt horrible. My chest felt funny and I couldn't seem to cough very well at first. Steaming hot water in the shower helped to loosen things up a bit. After stumbling downstairs and making some toast and Stripples I went to the office. There I discovered two missed calls from Nikki on the cell. Then it hit me, I was supposed to be at their house this morning at 6:30 to care for the kidos so Steve could go to his job. I had totally forgotten my appointment. At that point it was too late to do anything helpful so I called Steve, he told me Keanna was coughing and was not going to school anyway. I think he was awful nice about the whole mess I had created.
So since I was not going to be helpful there I turned to the two appraisals that had to be written before I left for the coast. But the computers were not working. Calls to Comcast let me know that the cable was working so then I called Jim my IT guy. He was not answering his phones. I tried everything I know, I tried it over and over again with no success. Much later I reached him and he had me bypass the router taking the signal from the modem directly to my own computer, it worked. So then I decided to drive to the store, any store and get a new router. But when I was leaving I thought, just wire around the router, that should work. So I hooked up the two ACN phone lines, the 10/100 switch and the modem. It worked but the network which connects to my server would not work, what was wrong. Finally I reached Jim and he told me, if you want the signal from the modem to work with more than one computer you need a router which can generate up to 256 different IP addresses. He suggested I use the tiny router which comes with the APN phone line. So I did just that and after moving cables around with Lois handing me things from my desk as I rolled around on the floor it all worked. The little router was able to assign IP addresses to all the various pieces of the system and I was in business. So at 2:30 this afternoon the systems were finally working. A quick lunch of sauteed mushrooms in olive oil, some long grain wild rice I had cooked and a griller chopped into little pieces with a dollop of cottage cheese hit the spot.
Then fortified with a Doctor Pepper Marilyn had kindly left I set to work. Between 3 and 6 I managed to get two Oakland appraisals written and shipped to their lenders. Then it was time to do research for the appraisals to be seen on the trip and pack. The short end of this story is I pulled in at Jason's at 10 pm. I'm here now and getting ready to settle in for the night. Jason warns me that it has been cool at night lately and I'll keep that in mind.
There were other little events during the day. I've decided to share Nan's bike with Jo who needs a bike. So I reached up to get it down from the hangers on the garage ceiling. That was fine until it came down rapidly and over my head. Then trying to load it onto the bike rack on the back of the motorhome proved to be very challenging as well. But its here, I'm here and the day from H.... is over and done with.
I'm looking forward to time with Timothy and the kids, breezes from the ocean and calm moments to recharge these shattered mental batteries. How I miss the sanity that Nan brought to our lives.
So good night to all,
love
tim
PS, thanks Lois for your encouragement and help today.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
So blessed
yes, in spite of hacking my lungs out and having to sit in this chair for the last 16 hours I feel very blessed. For some reason I am alive. I have no idea of the bigger scheme of things, of how various factors, bugs, infections, cancers end up doing what they do. I cannot begin to understand what is taking place in Washington right now. There seems to be a huge disconnect from hard working people who live their lives faithfully, paying their bills, avoiding debt and the crowd in Washington that just keep spending as if somehow it does not matter, of course it matters, it is real money and someone someday will have to pay it back. Things that were promised to be done in the clear light of Cspan are hammered out behind locked doors and we are supposed to be excited.
Yet in spite of the insanity they call Washington I feel blessed. I have a host of terrific friends who are intelligent, witty and genuine, a great family of hard working honest people who dare to dream dreams, do a great job with their kidos and care about country and each other.
This morning when I was awake but unwilling to expose my feeble body to the extreme temperatures of the bedroom I came up with this plan, get exercise and accomplish a mission too. So I jumped out, shivered and dressed to ride. I grabbed my bicycle with its automatic transmission and headed out for the motorhome storage lot which is several miles away. It was not easy but it was great and the morning was perfect. Finally I arrived, started the motorhome and loaded the bike on the rack, drove home and came into the office and went to work. I've been cranking out appraisal work ever since. I've dealt with incoming phone calls, orders and actually got some serious work accomplished.
Since I'm driving to see Jason and Jo with Mr. Timothy tomorrow I've now had two orders and perhaps three come in that can be done while I'm that way. What a nice blessing that is. I do look forward to seeing these special people and enjoy the beauty of their location near the ocean. The dogs are already very excited as they caught sight of the motorhome through the garage door and they know a trip is coming!
So in spite of the mess on the other side of the country we still have our freedoms for now and we can enjoy family, nature, friends and yet another day on this earth.
Love to all
Tim
Yet in spite of the insanity they call Washington I feel blessed. I have a host of terrific friends who are intelligent, witty and genuine, a great family of hard working honest people who dare to dream dreams, do a great job with their kidos and care about country and each other.
This morning when I was awake but unwilling to expose my feeble body to the extreme temperatures of the bedroom I came up with this plan, get exercise and accomplish a mission too. So I jumped out, shivered and dressed to ride. I grabbed my bicycle with its automatic transmission and headed out for the motorhome storage lot which is several miles away. It was not easy but it was great and the morning was perfect. Finally I arrived, started the motorhome and loaded the bike on the rack, drove home and came into the office and went to work. I've been cranking out appraisal work ever since. I've dealt with incoming phone calls, orders and actually got some serious work accomplished.
Since I'm driving to see Jason and Jo with Mr. Timothy tomorrow I've now had two orders and perhaps three come in that can be done while I'm that way. What a nice blessing that is. I do look forward to seeing these special people and enjoy the beauty of their location near the ocean. The dogs are already very excited as they caught sight of the motorhome through the garage door and they know a trip is coming!
So in spite of the mess on the other side of the country we still have our freedoms for now and we can enjoy family, nature, friends and yet another day on this earth.
Love to all
Tim
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Transition
Dear Ones,
This was another busy day with some big decisions made. Woke this morning after an interesting night of dreaming. It was cold in spite of the windows being closed, the wind was howling again. A hot steamy shower helped kick start the day.
Breakfast consisted of a piece of wheat toast and two Stripples since the Soy milk is gone. I'm trying not to mix fruit and any other fruit after reading something that Barbara sent via email. It made great sense and I hope its right.
I settled in to write an appraisal but had decided last night that I would join Club One today. Its the health club that Nikki has enjoyed for several years. When the report was completed it seemed that the gods were transpiring to keep me from getting there, call after call came in with questions or problems. I finally just walked out. Loree has come in a few minutes earlier and I just let her handle the calls.
At Club One I realized that I only had a very limited amount of time. They handled the signing up process very quickly and gave me a tour of the facilities. I've included a few photos to show at least part of the club. I especially enjoyed learning that the club was often nearly empty in the evenings, a time that I think I could really benefit from. Suddenly it was time to leave if I was to reach Keanna in time at school. I drove to DB and arrived just in time to greet her. She hoped for McDonalds and I had planned to take her. We did that and rented a movie too since I needed her to go with me to see a new house in Tracy to make a quick bank inspection. She was a great trooper and enjoyed lunch and her movie on Nan's little DVD player. We arrived back in Brentwood with 15 minutes to spare before music class. So we did homework and she got one page done before it was time to go in. Once I had Keanna safely placed I headed home to take care of some pressing business for clients and then relaxed a bit.
Lois invited me to join her at McDonalds for a salad which I enjoyed. This evening I just had lemon for a dressing and it tasted great, no calories! Then it was time for grief group at the nearby Methodist Church. Tonight the group started sort of slow and my coughing did not help. But as the evening progressed several important gems emerged which I will apply in my own experience. It was a great time together.
After group I drove into Brentwood to the club and just walked around checking out all the facilities. Two wonderful racquet ball courts were still and dark, no one playing. Oh how I love to play racquet ball, now to coax someone else to join that loves to play. I priced a gym bag but at $39 I decided that CostCo would be a better choice.
Now I'm home, completely tired but relieved that the day went so well. Joining the club has been on my mind as you know dear reader. What finally drove me to consider joining is that the trend of my life since I became an appraiser has been to gain weight. When I started 22 years ago I was about 155 lb and now I'm 236. My body is not built for 236 and I spend quite a bit of my time just figuring out how to get my socs on, my nails clipped, how not to fall when the room spins around, finding pants that still fit, those of you who have gained weight will know all the sad details that go with weight. None are pretty. So do I lament that I'm heavy or face it? I decided that the $55 a month amounts to about 3 less times at Olive Garden when I'm by myself. The club offers two sessions with a trainer as an introduction to the club. I'm hoping they can help me set out a basic plan that will include the machines, cardio etc.
Over a year ago Roxanna was in the kitchen and we were talking and she handed me some money to get started at the club. I kept that money for months until finally some crisis ended up sucking up the money, well today Roxanna I'm moving forward, thanks!
Take care my friends, family.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A hard day with success at the end
Dear Family and Friends,
What a day! It started during the night when the wind started to whirl around the house and even caused drafts through the bedroom, enough that the dogs and I woke several times. At 7 I was up and in the warm shower, it felt so good in the freezing room. Then it was down for an Oatmeal breakfast. I drove out at 8:30 for a 9:30 appointment in Richmond. Traffic was decent and the inspection was fun, two young people who bought a house in terrible repair and have it in good updated condition now. Yes they are making a lot of money for their efforts and that's good too.
After I left Richmond I headed for Oakley to shoot comps for the one I saw yesterday. Then on to a ranch on 1.88 acres. What a cute place. It was about 40 years old, had perfect hardwood floors, updated windows and kitchen, the entire site had been cleared of debris. It was the kind of place that makes you think. How I would love to have some space to park the motorhome, the boat, a shop, grow a huge garden like my brothers. All for less than $350,000 at today's prices. No wonder there are multiple buyers bidding for these properties.
Then it was to CVS to buy some meds, a new battery for one of the multiple phones I have scattered over the house and a new pen to do my inspections with.
Before I left Richmond this morning I happened on a Taco Bell and had an interesting experience! The wind was blowing pretty hard and the lady who didn't speak English had a hard time making out my order, hard enough that when I bit into the burrito it was BEEF, not bean! Yuk. Oh wow do I not like that taste! So I drove through again and she got it this time and when she handed me the burrito she gave me back a dollar. Nice touch!
When I arrived home I sat right down and went to work writing appraisals. I was able to quickly complete the one I wrestled with last night as they decided they could live with a lower sale price. Then I wrote two more reports and now I'm very tired of writing.
This evening Joyce called to tell me she was listening to Grieg on a Sacramento public station. She knows I love Grieg and everything he ever wrote. We figured out how I could access the station through my computer and I caught the last of the piece she was listening to. Plus I've kept it on the rest of the evening and its a great great station. Wonderful music and just now something by Grieg is playing again. Wonderful wonderful music.
I am thankful for the increased work load right now. And I am thankful that Marilyn did reach her Rhode Island destination ahead of time. She and James, 9 year old grandson, were on their way to lunch when I spoke to her. She is 3030 miles from Discovery Bay according to her GPS.
Good night all,
love
tim
What a day! It started during the night when the wind started to whirl around the house and even caused drafts through the bedroom, enough that the dogs and I woke several times. At 7 I was up and in the warm shower, it felt so good in the freezing room. Then it was down for an Oatmeal breakfast. I drove out at 8:30 for a 9:30 appointment in Richmond. Traffic was decent and the inspection was fun, two young people who bought a house in terrible repair and have it in good updated condition now. Yes they are making a lot of money for their efforts and that's good too.
After I left Richmond I headed for Oakley to shoot comps for the one I saw yesterday. Then on to a ranch on 1.88 acres. What a cute place. It was about 40 years old, had perfect hardwood floors, updated windows and kitchen, the entire site had been cleared of debris. It was the kind of place that makes you think. How I would love to have some space to park the motorhome, the boat, a shop, grow a huge garden like my brothers. All for less than $350,000 at today's prices. No wonder there are multiple buyers bidding for these properties.
Then it was to CVS to buy some meds, a new battery for one of the multiple phones I have scattered over the house and a new pen to do my inspections with.
Before I left Richmond this morning I happened on a Taco Bell and had an interesting experience! The wind was blowing pretty hard and the lady who didn't speak English had a hard time making out my order, hard enough that when I bit into the burrito it was BEEF, not bean! Yuk. Oh wow do I not like that taste! So I drove through again and she got it this time and when she handed me the burrito she gave me back a dollar. Nice touch!
When I arrived home I sat right down and went to work writing appraisals. I was able to quickly complete the one I wrestled with last night as they decided they could live with a lower sale price. Then I wrote two more reports and now I'm very tired of writing.
This evening Joyce called to tell me she was listening to Grieg on a Sacramento public station. She knows I love Grieg and everything he ever wrote. We figured out how I could access the station through my computer and I caught the last of the piece she was listening to. Plus I've kept it on the rest of the evening and its a great great station. Wonderful music and just now something by Grieg is playing again. Wonderful wonderful music.
I am thankful for the increased work load right now. And I am thankful that Marilyn did reach her Rhode Island destination ahead of time. She and James, 9 year old grandson, were on their way to lunch when I spoke to her. She is 3030 miles from Discovery Bay according to her GPS.
Good night all,
love
tim
Monday, October 26, 2009
Marilyn wings her way home
Dear Family and Friends,
By now Marilyn should be home, not that she has called today to let me know how she is doing, she could easily be stuck in Vegas tonight since there were only 19 seats out of Vegas to the east coast and 69 seats out of Oakland. I hope she is home secure in her little bed. The dogs are wondering what happened. Again it is too quiet for them.
I've been fighting a tough appraisal tonight and have finally come to the conclusion that the comps just do not support the purchase price. I've got hours into this one. In the morning I'm racing off to Richmond for a rush appraisal, a nice lady Stephanie, called this evening from a management company and had forgotten to order a second appraisal, needs it quickly so I'll try to help out.
Now that the antibiotic is through I think I might be getting sick again. I sure hope not and I'll try to think positive and eat and drink only good things. This evening is pleasant as cool breezes are wafting through my office. This evening I warmed up some long grain rice and then had some of Joyce's amazing soup she provided. This is the second meal I've had from the carton and I think I can get 2 more meals yet. Its so good!
Transitions are interesting to cope with. Now I go from someone here to the quiet of being alone. Its not a negative thing but certainly different. I know Marilyn is where she needs to be to help with James and to keep her young adult kids in line, like that is going to happen ever!
Ray and Lois came over to tell her goodbye this morning and that was very nice of them. We've all had some fun and the California economy has been boosted by Marilyn and her spending habits. She sure gave me a boost at a critical time, groceries, fuel you name it.
Well at this point I'm heading to bed. Love to all of you.
tim
ps I had a bit of fun this evening. I took a file over to Steve and ended up seeing the girls, Keanna was making beautiful somethings on her desk and Kallie was raising cane with her smiles and wildly waving arms and legs. She made it down the stairs by herself and was so proud. I tell you Nikki and Steve have their hands full with these two little ones. They are full of life and energy. Tomorrow morning Steve has the sad task of taking them for some shots, never a fun thing to do.
By now Marilyn should be home, not that she has called today to let me know how she is doing, she could easily be stuck in Vegas tonight since there were only 19 seats out of Vegas to the east coast and 69 seats out of Oakland. I hope she is home secure in her little bed. The dogs are wondering what happened. Again it is too quiet for them.
I've been fighting a tough appraisal tonight and have finally come to the conclusion that the comps just do not support the purchase price. I've got hours into this one. In the morning I'm racing off to Richmond for a rush appraisal, a nice lady Stephanie, called this evening from a management company and had forgotten to order a second appraisal, needs it quickly so I'll try to help out.
Now that the antibiotic is through I think I might be getting sick again. I sure hope not and I'll try to think positive and eat and drink only good things. This evening is pleasant as cool breezes are wafting through my office. This evening I warmed up some long grain rice and then had some of Joyce's amazing soup she provided. This is the second meal I've had from the carton and I think I can get 2 more meals yet. Its so good!
Transitions are interesting to cope with. Now I go from someone here to the quiet of being alone. Its not a negative thing but certainly different. I know Marilyn is where she needs to be to help with James and to keep her young adult kids in line, like that is going to happen ever!
Ray and Lois came over to tell her goodbye this morning and that was very nice of them. We've all had some fun and the California economy has been boosted by Marilyn and her spending habits. She sure gave me a boost at a critical time, groceries, fuel you name it.
Well at this point I'm heading to bed. Love to all of you.
tim
ps I had a bit of fun this evening. I took a file over to Steve and ended up seeing the girls, Keanna was making beautiful somethings on her desk and Kallie was raising cane with her smiles and wildly waving arms and legs. She made it down the stairs by herself and was so proud. I tell you Nikki and Steve have their hands full with these two little ones. They are full of life and energy. Tomorrow morning Steve has the sad task of taking them for some shots, never a fun thing to do.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Apple Hill Rules
Dear Family and Friends,
As I write this evening I am fully aware that my life is about to change. Marilyn is flying home tomorrow since her kids need direction and can no longer cope without her! Actually they are looking forward to seeing her but needing direction is probably not the reason. She has been here for several months and I've grown used to having a second person in the house. She has been helpful in many ways and it will take a bit to adjust to being alone again. She has been generous with her funds, time and help but the thought of her grandson singing before a major sports event and she not being there, well that was a strong reason for her return.
This morning we all loaded up the van and headed for Apple Hill which is a couple hours away. I drove up and Steve drove back. It takes a lot of support supplies to carry two little ones for the day. Kallie rode in her car seat and faced back which means she got to spend a couple hours of fun seeing both mommy and daddy. Keanna sat in the back with her daddy and watched some DVDs. We arrived to find our favorite place hopping with people and ended up parking between the apple trees. We checked out the fishing pond where several kids caught fish. Kallie and her daddy got within a foot of a big white duck and Kallie was saying quack quack. I have a photo at the top of this blog. Keanna rode a pony and loved it. We purchased apple donuts which were as good as ever.
When I went to use the restroom something happened. My wallet fell out of my pocket and later when I was preparing to pay for a make it yourself candle for Keanna I felt and there was no lump. In desperation I went to the counter where they were selling drinks. The girl dropped everything and ran up to the office to check. She came back smiling, yes they had my wallet and she would take me there. So we walked back to the office and there it was with the MONEY still inside. Wow was I thankful. So I went back and left a tip for the girl that helped.
We walked through many craft booths where they sell nearly everything and finally loaded up and headed home. Marilyn kept Steve awake by talking to him and the rest of us fell asleep all the way home. It was a full and wonderful day. What a great family God has blessed me with.
So I send my love to one and all,
Tim
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Family and friends
Dear Family and Friends,
Ken and I walked this morning, Keanna slept until after 8 and then we quickly made breakfast which she ate rapidly, dressed and headed for church. We arrived late and the gang was already doing their thing, Wes, Rod and Sylvia were leading out in the children's division. Soon after the group divided into age appropriate groups and Sylvia set out the program for the children. It was inspired. She has the kids get right into the middle of the story and then around the table they assembled a puzzle. They had a great time and it was fun to watch Keanna more than do her part in putting the puzzle together. When it was over Keanna and I hung around for a bit and we got a chance to talk with Jeffery Huffman who with his beautiful significant other were home to celebrate Zack turning 30. Wes and Nanette were so happy to have them all home.
Keanna selected Olive Garden for lunch and when I called Nikki she was able to change her trajectory and join us. Service was terrible today, I mean totally slow, not like our beloved Tracy Olive Garden at all. Finally we were all finished and went our own ways.
I came home to rest a bit and then we invited Lois and Ray to go with us to Jackson to the Indian Casino where Marilyn loves to work her pennys and nickels into big winnings. Tonight someone else had her machine and they were not about to give it up but for the whole evening she still came out close to breaking even. Ray used his free $5.00 and I played 1 buck without winning anything. We had a bit of dinner and then arrived home. Marilyn drove, I slept and we all had a good time. Lois was not able to go with us since her fall on the wet day has left her with quite a bit of pain that is relieved primarily by lying down.
Tomorrow morning we all load up in the van and drive to Apple Hill for our yearly traditional trip for apple donuts, apple juice, apples and fun. We will have a great time for sure. The girls love all the excitement, face painting, crafts, sunshine and joy.
I hope your day was special and brought you what ever you needed. Our God is busy yet he cares deeply about each of us. He is not put off by our detours but loves with a persistence we will never understand. This week I hope to be able to find more balance in my life and move in a new direction exercise wise. I'm very grateful that Ken is back so we can walk more often and I think I will take the big leap and join Option One, a total gym and health spa in Brentwood. I look forward to evening workouts with machines, weights and a fitness guru who can help me find a plan. Being sick has somewhat broken the hold food had over me and I just want to build on the momentum. How bout you? Is it time to do something more for your health? Join me as we attempt to be "better next year", "younger next year".
Love
tim
Ken and I walked this morning, Keanna slept until after 8 and then we quickly made breakfast which she ate rapidly, dressed and headed for church. We arrived late and the gang was already doing their thing, Wes, Rod and Sylvia were leading out in the children's division. Soon after the group divided into age appropriate groups and Sylvia set out the program for the children. It was inspired. She has the kids get right into the middle of the story and then around the table they assembled a puzzle. They had a great time and it was fun to watch Keanna more than do her part in putting the puzzle together. When it was over Keanna and I hung around for a bit and we got a chance to talk with Jeffery Huffman who with his beautiful significant other were home to celebrate Zack turning 30. Wes and Nanette were so happy to have them all home.
Keanna selected Olive Garden for lunch and when I called Nikki she was able to change her trajectory and join us. Service was terrible today, I mean totally slow, not like our beloved Tracy Olive Garden at all. Finally we were all finished and went our own ways.
I came home to rest a bit and then we invited Lois and Ray to go with us to Jackson to the Indian Casino where Marilyn loves to work her pennys and nickels into big winnings. Tonight someone else had her machine and they were not about to give it up but for the whole evening she still came out close to breaking even. Ray used his free $5.00 and I played 1 buck without winning anything. We had a bit of dinner and then arrived home. Marilyn drove, I slept and we all had a good time. Lois was not able to go with us since her fall on the wet day has left her with quite a bit of pain that is relieved primarily by lying down.
Tomorrow morning we all load up in the van and drive to Apple Hill for our yearly traditional trip for apple donuts, apple juice, apples and fun. We will have a great time for sure. The girls love all the excitement, face painting, crafts, sunshine and joy.
I hope your day was special and brought you what ever you needed. Our God is busy yet he cares deeply about each of us. He is not put off by our detours but loves with a persistence we will never understand. This week I hope to be able to find more balance in my life and move in a new direction exercise wise. I'm very grateful that Ken is back so we can walk more often and I think I will take the big leap and join Option One, a total gym and health spa in Brentwood. I look forward to evening workouts with machines, weights and a fitness guru who can help me find a plan. Being sick has somewhat broken the hold food had over me and I just want to build on the momentum. How bout you? Is it time to do something more for your health? Join me as we attempt to be "better next year", "younger next year".
Love
tim
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday night finally arrives
Dear Family and Friends,
9:20 and Keanna is just about asleep on the floor in the family room. Marilyn made a nice dinner which was delicious. Earlier in the day we did two appraisals in the flatlands of Oakland. Both were little houses and GPS faithfully guided us to all the comps. It is always a bit unnerving to work where there is so much poverty and many rough looking people standing on street corners or driving old cars too fast. Yet the work needs to be done and I'm so thankful I have the work to do.
This has been a week of slow recovery for me. Marilyn coughs from time to time but swears she is not getting sick. I hope she is right. The last thing she needs to take home is a cold to her family in the east. I can tell she is anxious to see all three of them and just after she gets home her little guy is singing in a choir for a baseball game somewhere. James is growing fast and calls his grandma from time to time. She shoots photos of interesting things to take home for him to enjoy.
Keanna is here this evening as Nikki is at her scrapbooking class. For both of us the traffic we faced as we were driving home was pretty awful. Vasco Road is being rebuilt and so it was down to one lane with a flag person guiding you when you could go. We waited a bit going to Oakland and I'm sure Nikki waiting much longer as she drove home. I decided to not use Highway 4 to get home and instead went through Walnut Creek, Clayton and then used Marsh Creek Road to come home. It had no waiting traffic and is beautiful as our recent rain has awakened the green grass everywhere.
As I contemplate the weekend I think it includes a trip to Apple Hill on Sunday. Apple Hill has been a family tradition for many many years. How Nan loved to head to Placerville and visit many of the farms, enjoy the apple donuts, shop the craft booths, bring home apple juice and apple pies. Many of the little dishes and bowels we have came from her friends who man the booths from year to year. We used to buy a center piece each year from a group of ladies we have worked with several times at Christmas Tree Land.
How life changes, time passes by, little ones grow up, we adults become more adult, more set in our ways which somehow seem outdated at times. I often think, if I could have just one more day with Nan, all the things I would tell her, all the love I could share with her and how proud I am of her life.
Now about you, you still have a special someone who is alive and well, what could you tell that special someone that would make their day and make you glad you had shared. Why hold back on love? Why wait for a better time? We who are making our way alone do not envy you your good fortune, as we watch you we gain additional strength from our memories. You just can't ever begin to understand being alone until you are there. Its not awful, its not the end of the world, it just feels like it at times.
When I pause to remember the love and positive strokes from my family and friends it is almost overwhelming. No one could ask for more. You have all done your part very well. Now its time for me to respond with forward steps into the unknown. I work very hard, Marilyn can attest to that but I don't play well or do things that could be seen as exercise very well. So at this point I sleep well and I work well but I know that is not balance.
love
tim
9:20 and Keanna is just about asleep on the floor in the family room. Marilyn made a nice dinner which was delicious. Earlier in the day we did two appraisals in the flatlands of Oakland. Both were little houses and GPS faithfully guided us to all the comps. It is always a bit unnerving to work where there is so much poverty and many rough looking people standing on street corners or driving old cars too fast. Yet the work needs to be done and I'm so thankful I have the work to do.
This has been a week of slow recovery for me. Marilyn coughs from time to time but swears she is not getting sick. I hope she is right. The last thing she needs to take home is a cold to her family in the east. I can tell she is anxious to see all three of them and just after she gets home her little guy is singing in a choir for a baseball game somewhere. James is growing fast and calls his grandma from time to time. She shoots photos of interesting things to take home for him to enjoy.
Keanna is here this evening as Nikki is at her scrapbooking class. For both of us the traffic we faced as we were driving home was pretty awful. Vasco Road is being rebuilt and so it was down to one lane with a flag person guiding you when you could go. We waited a bit going to Oakland and I'm sure Nikki waiting much longer as she drove home. I decided to not use Highway 4 to get home and instead went through Walnut Creek, Clayton and then used Marsh Creek Road to come home. It had no waiting traffic and is beautiful as our recent rain has awakened the green grass everywhere.
As I contemplate the weekend I think it includes a trip to Apple Hill on Sunday. Apple Hill has been a family tradition for many many years. How Nan loved to head to Placerville and visit many of the farms, enjoy the apple donuts, shop the craft booths, bring home apple juice and apple pies. Many of the little dishes and bowels we have came from her friends who man the booths from year to year. We used to buy a center piece each year from a group of ladies we have worked with several times at Christmas Tree Land.
How life changes, time passes by, little ones grow up, we adults become more adult, more set in our ways which somehow seem outdated at times. I often think, if I could have just one more day with Nan, all the things I would tell her, all the love I could share with her and how proud I am of her life.
Now about you, you still have a special someone who is alive and well, what could you tell that special someone that would make their day and make you glad you had shared. Why hold back on love? Why wait for a better time? We who are making our way alone do not envy you your good fortune, as we watch you we gain additional strength from our memories. You just can't ever begin to understand being alone until you are there. Its not awful, its not the end of the world, it just feels like it at times.
When I pause to remember the love and positive strokes from my family and friends it is almost overwhelming. No one could ask for more. You have all done your part very well. Now its time for me to respond with forward steps into the unknown. I work very hard, Marilyn can attest to that but I don't play well or do things that could be seen as exercise very well. So at this point I sleep well and I work well but I know that is not balance.
love
tim
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Good moments
Dear Ones,
Well my days started with Keanna and Kallie. Both were in good spirits and they just make all the other stuff recede for a few minutes with their smiles, ideas and actions. When we arrived at the sitters today Keanna discovered that Kallie had brought a little pend from the house and had written all over her knees as we drove.
I cam home at 8:35 to eat a quick but yummy breakfast and then wade into an appraisal for a fine house in Oakland. Then it was some quick work setting up things and we left for Novato. We arrived nearly on time to find a townhome which has been purchased recently and then totally updated. It was great. We found our comps and then asked the GPS for dinner. Rather than feed us it guided us to an Applebees in nearby San Raphael. The place had just been totally updated and the food was great. For those of you looking for a good vege meal all Applebees now offer a garden burger in the small print on their burger page in the menu. Mine was grilled to perfection, what a delight to relax and eat good food. Marilyn enjoyed her meal very much too.
We left to cross the San Raphael/Richmond bridge, took the bypass and then up 80 to 4 and toward home. Even at 7:30 the traffic was badly backed up in Pittsburg. We finally arrived at home at about 8:30. I have until Monday to get the report written.
Marilyn and Lois went library hopping today, found some closed but found some open. They are both very much into finding good books to read and listen to on tape.
Well I'm heading to bed now. The coughing is pretty intense this evening and I resorted back to codeine again. Need the rest.
On the thank the Lord side of things, more orders have come in and several have paid up front. What a blessing indeed.
For lunch today I enjoyed some homemade soup created by Joyce Conner. It was outstanding, better than anything from a can. I only used about 1/3 so I have more for lunch tomorrow. Talk about nice gestures! Thanks
love
tim
Well my days started with Keanna and Kallie. Both were in good spirits and they just make all the other stuff recede for a few minutes with their smiles, ideas and actions. When we arrived at the sitters today Keanna discovered that Kallie had brought a little pend from the house and had written all over her knees as we drove.
I cam home at 8:35 to eat a quick but yummy breakfast and then wade into an appraisal for a fine house in Oakland. Then it was some quick work setting up things and we left for Novato. We arrived nearly on time to find a townhome which has been purchased recently and then totally updated. It was great. We found our comps and then asked the GPS for dinner. Rather than feed us it guided us to an Applebees in nearby San Raphael. The place had just been totally updated and the food was great. For those of you looking for a good vege meal all Applebees now offer a garden burger in the small print on their burger page in the menu. Mine was grilled to perfection, what a delight to relax and eat good food. Marilyn enjoyed her meal very much too.
We left to cross the San Raphael/Richmond bridge, took the bypass and then up 80 to 4 and toward home. Even at 7:30 the traffic was badly backed up in Pittsburg. We finally arrived at home at about 8:30. I have until Monday to get the report written.
Marilyn and Lois went library hopping today, found some closed but found some open. They are both very much into finding good books to read and listen to on tape.
Well I'm heading to bed now. The coughing is pretty intense this evening and I resorted back to codeine again. Need the rest.
On the thank the Lord side of things, more orders have come in and several have paid up front. What a blessing indeed.
For lunch today I enjoyed some homemade soup created by Joyce Conner. It was outstanding, better than anything from a can. I only used about 1/3 so I have more for lunch tomorrow. Talk about nice gestures! Thanks
love
tim
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The work is coming in.....
Dear Family and Friends,
Just as I'm starting to feel better, to be able to function without constant coughing suddenly someone opened the flood gates and orders are gushing in. Am I thankful? Oh yes but am I overwhelmed? Very much so. Many of the orders are on extremely short turn times. Today was really nice as all 4 paid all or at least part of their appraisal fees at the time of inspection. Boy did it feel good to come home with some checks. Nan used to meet me at the door with her hand playfully extended, give me the money and you can come in! I thought of that today as I headed home.
I started the morning by caring for the girls. These two little tykes are so cute and so much fun. Keanna was a very big helper today and Kallie was beaming until I tried to put her cute little tennis shoes on, that was when she decided to start kicking me with the shoe I already had on. Of course all the time she was kicking she had a grin from ear to ear. Yikes, these two are dangerous.
As soon as I had them delivered to school and sitter then I headed to Oakland and arrived 7 minutes late. I met Charles, a local realtor who was funny, helpful and just a great friend. The buyer was also there and she was a delight. We laughed and enjoyed working the inspection. Then I was on my way to take a phone call from an unhappy client. They were saying that my appraisal was still not there and was 7 days overdue. Funny thing is, I wrote and emailed the appraisal the same day I did the house, over a week ago. It never came back so where did it go? This happens once in a while so I was glad they spoke up. Yet another call was asking for a 7th comparable that never made it to the lenders. I took care of that this evening.
As the morning went forward a phone call came in advising me that I was now to proceed on an extra appraisal I had carried with me in hopes it would come through. She proceeded to give me a Discover Card number as payment, now those are calls I can appreciate. The house was older, beautiful and grand, hardwood floors everyplace, wood sash windows, new roof, big lot, a whole lot of house.
Then the next stop was to see a little house with non English speaking owners who were facing financial hard times. The appraisal was for the lawyer. The house was so cute, the little couple so precious and they showed me family photos and we were able to communicate in spite of the language barriers.
Finally I ended up going to a house that as of this morning I had no order for at all but when I pulled up I remembered seeing the house before. The young mother had lost both mother and father to old age since I was there last so we took some time to talk about adjusting to loss.
By this time I was hungry and ready to head back to Brentwood to pick up Keanna from a Blue Birds meeting and take her to her music class at Willys Bagels. We enjoyed a bit of time together and I bought her a cookie. Then I headed home.
This evening we went to the final of the 6 week series of 40 days of love. Sylvia was our group leader, did a great job and brought me a care package of homemade soup, Thank You Joyce. She also included some cans of scallops, oh how I love them! Thanks Sylvia.
Now I'm heading to bed as 6 comes early and I get to help the girls wake up tomorrow also. I'm very happy to report that I'm feeling better, not well yet but certainly better than the last 10 days.
So I send my love, something that at times I think I sort of understand, I know what love does, it stands by someone you love no matter what happens, I got that part but now without any one to focus my love on directly 24/7 its a bit more challenging to really determine how to love, on the job, with my time, with my home. I really want to be useful to God to care for people but I'm still trying to find a balance in life between work and pleasure, rest and eating, finding the will and time to exercise and face my 100 lb that I don't need. You might say that I'm troubled a great part of the day by my own failures or lack of discipline yet there are moments of job.
As I was driving this morning through the hills surrounding Vasco Road between Byron and Livermore it was a calm and beautiful trip. Low banks of fog hung over the hills, bits of green are trying to find moisture to explode into life, colors were subdued by the early morning light. For a moment life seemed to be beautiful again.
Good night,
Tim
Just as I'm starting to feel better, to be able to function without constant coughing suddenly someone opened the flood gates and orders are gushing in. Am I thankful? Oh yes but am I overwhelmed? Very much so. Many of the orders are on extremely short turn times. Today was really nice as all 4 paid all or at least part of their appraisal fees at the time of inspection. Boy did it feel good to come home with some checks. Nan used to meet me at the door with her hand playfully extended, give me the money and you can come in! I thought of that today as I headed home.
I started the morning by caring for the girls. These two little tykes are so cute and so much fun. Keanna was a very big helper today and Kallie was beaming until I tried to put her cute little tennis shoes on, that was when she decided to start kicking me with the shoe I already had on. Of course all the time she was kicking she had a grin from ear to ear. Yikes, these two are dangerous.
As soon as I had them delivered to school and sitter then I headed to Oakland and arrived 7 minutes late. I met Charles, a local realtor who was funny, helpful and just a great friend. The buyer was also there and she was a delight. We laughed and enjoyed working the inspection. Then I was on my way to take a phone call from an unhappy client. They were saying that my appraisal was still not there and was 7 days overdue. Funny thing is, I wrote and emailed the appraisal the same day I did the house, over a week ago. It never came back so where did it go? This happens once in a while so I was glad they spoke up. Yet another call was asking for a 7th comparable that never made it to the lenders. I took care of that this evening.
As the morning went forward a phone call came in advising me that I was now to proceed on an extra appraisal I had carried with me in hopes it would come through. She proceeded to give me a Discover Card number as payment, now those are calls I can appreciate. The house was older, beautiful and grand, hardwood floors everyplace, wood sash windows, new roof, big lot, a whole lot of house.
Then the next stop was to see a little house with non English speaking owners who were facing financial hard times. The appraisal was for the lawyer. The house was so cute, the little couple so precious and they showed me family photos and we were able to communicate in spite of the language barriers.
Finally I ended up going to a house that as of this morning I had no order for at all but when I pulled up I remembered seeing the house before. The young mother had lost both mother and father to old age since I was there last so we took some time to talk about adjusting to loss.
By this time I was hungry and ready to head back to Brentwood to pick up Keanna from a Blue Birds meeting and take her to her music class at Willys Bagels. We enjoyed a bit of time together and I bought her a cookie. Then I headed home.
This evening we went to the final of the 6 week series of 40 days of love. Sylvia was our group leader, did a great job and brought me a care package of homemade soup, Thank You Joyce. She also included some cans of scallops, oh how I love them! Thanks Sylvia.
Now I'm heading to bed as 6 comes early and I get to help the girls wake up tomorrow also. I'm very happy to report that I'm feeling better, not well yet but certainly better than the last 10 days.
So I send my love, something that at times I think I sort of understand, I know what love does, it stands by someone you love no matter what happens, I got that part but now without any one to focus my love on directly 24/7 its a bit more challenging to really determine how to love, on the job, with my time, with my home. I really want to be useful to God to care for people but I'm still trying to find a balance in life between work and pleasure, rest and eating, finding the will and time to exercise and face my 100 lb that I don't need. You might say that I'm troubled a great part of the day by my own failures or lack of discipline yet there are moments of job.
As I was driving this morning through the hills surrounding Vasco Road between Byron and Livermore it was a calm and beautiful trip. Low banks of fog hung over the hills, bits of green are trying to find moisture to explode into life, colors were subdued by the early morning light. For a moment life seemed to be beautiful again.
Good night,
Tim
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
At last I'll live........
Good evening,
Well today has been a turning point for me personally. When I woke things seems about the same but once I was up I discovered less coughing and that blessed condition has continued all day. Yes I have moments when it seems the lungs are going to explode with the deep coughing but overall I'm much better.
I worked at getting a report completed this morning, then got ready for a trip to Oakland for a rush appraisal only to be called back at the last minute since the buyer was not willing to come up with the fee for a second appraisal. I don't blame the guy at all but for FHA jumbo loans two appraisals are required and I was the second one.
So Marilyn and I changed courses, had lunch at the Red Robin and then drove to a nice newer neighborhood in Stockton where it seems nearly every other house has been reclaimed by the bank. Homes that sold for well over $500K are now selling for less than $200K. Our mission was to find the value of a home that is about to go into foreclosure. I just completed it with 6 comparables and its on its way via email to the east coast as I write. On this one I'm three days ahead of the due date.
In the morning I get to observe my little girls as they eat breakfast since Steve has a paying gig for a couple days and needs to leave early. I've gotten better just in time. Then when I drop off the girls I head for Oakland for a 9:30 appointment and then one at 11 before heading back this way. At 3:30 I'll collect Keanna from Loards Ice Cream where she is on a exercise with the Blue Birds and then convey her to Willys Bagels where the music class she is in convenes in a large back room. Then I'm free until the evening meeting which I am going to try to attend. That will depend on the work load and the process of catching up.
So now you know everything and I'm heading to bed, 6 is an early hour to rise.
Thank you for your prayers and concern. While I'm not well I do feel much better than I've felt in over a week.
Love
tim
Well today has been a turning point for me personally. When I woke things seems about the same but once I was up I discovered less coughing and that blessed condition has continued all day. Yes I have moments when it seems the lungs are going to explode with the deep coughing but overall I'm much better.
I worked at getting a report completed this morning, then got ready for a trip to Oakland for a rush appraisal only to be called back at the last minute since the buyer was not willing to come up with the fee for a second appraisal. I don't blame the guy at all but for FHA jumbo loans two appraisals are required and I was the second one.
So Marilyn and I changed courses, had lunch at the Red Robin and then drove to a nice newer neighborhood in Stockton where it seems nearly every other house has been reclaimed by the bank. Homes that sold for well over $500K are now selling for less than $200K. Our mission was to find the value of a home that is about to go into foreclosure. I just completed it with 6 comparables and its on its way via email to the east coast as I write. On this one I'm three days ahead of the due date.
In the morning I get to observe my little girls as they eat breakfast since Steve has a paying gig for a couple days and needs to leave early. I've gotten better just in time. Then when I drop off the girls I head for Oakland for a 9:30 appointment and then one at 11 before heading back this way. At 3:30 I'll collect Keanna from Loards Ice Cream where she is on a exercise with the Blue Birds and then convey her to Willys Bagels where the music class she is in convenes in a large back room. Then I'm free until the evening meeting which I am going to try to attend. That will depend on the work load and the process of catching up.
So now you know everything and I'm heading to bed, 6 is an early hour to rise.
Thank you for your prayers and concern. While I'm not well I do feel much better than I've felt in over a week.
Love
tim
Monday, October 19, 2009
Working and coughing
Dear Ones,
We are just back from a nice dinner in Brentwood. I had their wonderful zucchini soup and their house salad which is packed with all kinds of lettuce, walnuts and other goodies. Its been a grueling day and at this point I'm glad it is nearly over.
I left the house this morning at 11, then discovered no phone so I had to come back. I finally reached the first property, the agent was there and we had a good time as I inspected the property. Then it was off to see the next one for him. My car was running with the low fuel light on and 560 miles travelled. After the next appointment was over I hit a diabetes wall, low blood sugar was making me not think straight and I was compelled to get food in me and diesel in the car. I asked the Lord to help and first I found a new gas station that carried diesel for a great price, it took 13 gallons and it holds 13 gallons, whew! Then in a couple blocks I found my least favorite Taco Bell, it surrounded by pretty rough characters, car alarms going off, people hanging around and eyeing you, yikes. You wonder if you will be on the 6 pm news as a shooting victim. After the food was in I then had to shoot the comps for both appraisals and then it was home. Well traffic was in shock over the heavy rains that had been falling so it snail pace for the next 1.5 hours but finally I reached home, a bathroom, Marilyn and the little ladies who greeted me at the door.
I've been doing office work since and Loree came today to help out and she really worked over the piles of files. She is a wonder worker when I can afford to have her come and work. She showed us photos of Tamara's new truck, what a great looking Dodge Truck and she is so proud of it, been saving her money for years and working hard at the ranch to be able to get it.
Well I'm in that lovely position of having a bit more work than I can handle since I feel so rough all the time. The coughing is still very much with me and the resulting head ache and stiff neck is there too. Jim has gotten a lot of the kinks out of my neck, he is a wonder worker for sure.
This evening as we were driving in to Brentwood the phone rang and a desperate loan agent was asking if I could do a rush job on an appraisal so I'm off to Oakland tomorrow and Stockton as well.
I do wish I could regain my normal health, I'm taking the antibiotic faithfully and I'm so hoping that it along with lots of fluids and decent rest will get me going again.
I send my best wishes to you and try to avoid getting sick. It sort of takes the joy out of living.
Love
tim
We are just back from a nice dinner in Brentwood. I had their wonderful zucchini soup and their house salad which is packed with all kinds of lettuce, walnuts and other goodies. Its been a grueling day and at this point I'm glad it is nearly over.
I left the house this morning at 11, then discovered no phone so I had to come back. I finally reached the first property, the agent was there and we had a good time as I inspected the property. Then it was off to see the next one for him. My car was running with the low fuel light on and 560 miles travelled. After the next appointment was over I hit a diabetes wall, low blood sugar was making me not think straight and I was compelled to get food in me and diesel in the car. I asked the Lord to help and first I found a new gas station that carried diesel for a great price, it took 13 gallons and it holds 13 gallons, whew! Then in a couple blocks I found my least favorite Taco Bell, it surrounded by pretty rough characters, car alarms going off, people hanging around and eyeing you, yikes. You wonder if you will be on the 6 pm news as a shooting victim. After the food was in I then had to shoot the comps for both appraisals and then it was home. Well traffic was in shock over the heavy rains that had been falling so it snail pace for the next 1.5 hours but finally I reached home, a bathroom, Marilyn and the little ladies who greeted me at the door.
I've been doing office work since and Loree came today to help out and she really worked over the piles of files. She is a wonder worker when I can afford to have her come and work. She showed us photos of Tamara's new truck, what a great looking Dodge Truck and she is so proud of it, been saving her money for years and working hard at the ranch to be able to get it.
Well I'm in that lovely position of having a bit more work than I can handle since I feel so rough all the time. The coughing is still very much with me and the resulting head ache and stiff neck is there too. Jim has gotten a lot of the kinks out of my neck, he is a wonder worker for sure.
This evening as we were driving in to Brentwood the phone rang and a desperate loan agent was asking if I could do a rush job on an appraisal so I'm off to Oakland tomorrow and Stockton as well.
I do wish I could regain my normal health, I'm taking the antibiotic faithfully and I'm so hoping that it along with lots of fluids and decent rest will get me going again.
I send my best wishes to you and try to avoid getting sick. It sort of takes the joy out of living.
Love
tim
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Non productive day
Dear Family and Friends,
The main thing I accomplished today was a nice walk with Ken around the lake. After that I've just lazed around and rested accomplishing almost nothing. This evening Ken called and he sounded rough. He is just back from two weeks of vacation and it sounds like he came home with a bad cold.
Well in fact I just set up some orders that have come in over the weekend and if I felt great there is lots to do, so I've got to find a way to feel great and get to work.
Once a person is feeling poorly it sure makes it easier to know how others are feeling as they wrestle with illness. This afternoon I found a burst of energy and cleaned the kitchen counters, threw some stuff away, found places for other things in the shelves and cabinets and was able to wash the tile countertops from end to end.
Mid afternoon Marilyn came bursting through the door with gossip and tales of her adventures moving from casino to casino and purchasing food for friend and foe alike. She is home and seemed tired for some reason, could it be late night forays into dens of iniquity? Who knows, she is telling all.
Tomorrow it is supposed to rain, well that's according to Ray, and of course I'm scheduled to conduct a couple inspections. Rain and inspections do not go well with each other but as I think back I've measured homes through all kinds of challenges. I've had to climb piles of junk, old cars, boats, dense foliage, deep oozing mud, overflowing pools, down pouring cloudbursts, 3 foot deep snowbanks, 115 degree heat and yapping dogs that "never bite", yea right! Beware of homes in brand new subdivisions that are built on fill dirt, one can lose a shoe or even a pair of pants by sinking deep into the mud. Yet my least favorite thing is to be upstairs in a house that has stood empty for months and the temperature is close to 120.
Every job has its ups and downs and for an appraiser it is the inspection in less than ideal conditions. This is really a great job, one gets to see all kinds of houses, furniture, paint colors, cute kids and sullen teens who tend to lock their bedroom doors and refuse you entry even though you have to see the whole house.
Well the rambling has to come to an end. My head is feels like it is splitting due to the constant coughing for the last hour. Its time to rest up for tomorrow.
I send you my best wishes for an excellent week.
love
tim
The main thing I accomplished today was a nice walk with Ken around the lake. After that I've just lazed around and rested accomplishing almost nothing. This evening Ken called and he sounded rough. He is just back from two weeks of vacation and it sounds like he came home with a bad cold.
Well in fact I just set up some orders that have come in over the weekend and if I felt great there is lots to do, so I've got to find a way to feel great and get to work.
Once a person is feeling poorly it sure makes it easier to know how others are feeling as they wrestle with illness. This afternoon I found a burst of energy and cleaned the kitchen counters, threw some stuff away, found places for other things in the shelves and cabinets and was able to wash the tile countertops from end to end.
Mid afternoon Marilyn came bursting through the door with gossip and tales of her adventures moving from casino to casino and purchasing food for friend and foe alike. She is home and seemed tired for some reason, could it be late night forays into dens of iniquity? Who knows, she is telling all.
Tomorrow it is supposed to rain, well that's according to Ray, and of course I'm scheduled to conduct a couple inspections. Rain and inspections do not go well with each other but as I think back I've measured homes through all kinds of challenges. I've had to climb piles of junk, old cars, boats, dense foliage, deep oozing mud, overflowing pools, down pouring cloudbursts, 3 foot deep snowbanks, 115 degree heat and yapping dogs that "never bite", yea right! Beware of homes in brand new subdivisions that are built on fill dirt, one can lose a shoe or even a pair of pants by sinking deep into the mud. Yet my least favorite thing is to be upstairs in a house that has stood empty for months and the temperature is close to 120.
Every job has its ups and downs and for an appraiser it is the inspection in less than ideal conditions. This is really a great job, one gets to see all kinds of houses, furniture, paint colors, cute kids and sullen teens who tend to lock their bedroom doors and refuse you entry even though you have to see the whole house.
Well the rambling has to come to an end. My head is feels like it is splitting due to the constant coughing for the last hour. Its time to rest up for tomorrow.
I send you my best wishes for an excellent week.
love
tim
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Rest rest rest
Per the advice from friends I've taken it easy today. I did not even wake this morning until almost 9 am and the doggies were pacing about worried that I was sleeping so long. Finding my green robe I headed down to sip hot tea and snuggle under a blanket in the recliner. I tuned in the SDA dish and enjoyed great music and pictures from nature, some really enjoyable preaching. Lois crept in at some point to see if I was OK and finding that I was she sat and we talked for a minute or two. While we talked the dogs were in constant motion, their ceramic bowl was empty and they were not happy about it. Finally I took pity on them and retrieved the 30 lb sack of food from the trunk and fed them. Lois fed the cat who was also fussing. I settled for one piece of whole wheat toast with peanut butter and avocado, took my meds and rested some more.
This afternoon I took a little trip down to San Jose to deliver Nan's blue walker to Irene. We were thinking that having a good walker with wheels and a seat might help her move about a little better. Unfortunately I did not dare spend any time with her as this cough and illness I have might infect her. Getting additional illness is NOT what she needs right now.
As the sun was setting my lawn called out for attention so I quickly edged and mowed it. My how it likes the rain, so green and fresh. Then I came in and went to work on the filter for the reef tank. I have noticed that any time I do anything that even resembles work I begin to pour sweat, it happened again for these simple activities. Dr. Sylvia (a promotion) told me she thinks the sweating is related to the general condition I'm in right now, that I'm weakened a bit and exertion comes at a cost now.
Tomorrow is a very important day work wise. There are several that just have to be written so I hope I have another good night of rest. It helps to just lay around and take it easy.
Thank you for your concern re: illness. I'm better than yesterday.
love to all
Tim
This afternoon I took a little trip down to San Jose to deliver Nan's blue walker to Irene. We were thinking that having a good walker with wheels and a seat might help her move about a little better. Unfortunately I did not dare spend any time with her as this cough and illness I have might infect her. Getting additional illness is NOT what she needs right now.
As the sun was setting my lawn called out for attention so I quickly edged and mowed it. My how it likes the rain, so green and fresh. Then I came in and went to work on the filter for the reef tank. I have noticed that any time I do anything that even resembles work I begin to pour sweat, it happened again for these simple activities. Dr. Sylvia (a promotion) told me she thinks the sweating is related to the general condition I'm in right now, that I'm weakened a bit and exertion comes at a cost now.
Tomorrow is a very important day work wise. There are several that just have to be written so I hope I have another good night of rest. It helps to just lay around and take it easy.
Thank you for your concern re: illness. I'm better than yesterday.
love to all
Tim
Friday, October 16, 2009
At long last Friday
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes its finally Friday and this has not been one of my most fun weeks. While the number of orders has increased nicely my ability to focus and crank out work has diminished by 50%. Even this evening after a day when I think I am recovering to a degree I've coughed hundreds of times. I'm just keeping a throat drop by Ricola in my mouth back to back.
I slept great last night, codeine sure seems to help at night. I woke early, showered and left for a 9 am appointment in Richmond. I was early and so were the rest of the trades, the whole house inspector was there, so was the termite lady and the buyer and a bunch of other people. But oh what challenge this place turned out to be. Get this, its a duplex modular home without any concrete foundation and the comps are 30K below the purchase price. After I was finished I headed home to write up an appraisal that was due today. But when I was all through the management company had still not supplied the FHA case number so I could not email it in. That was a huge disappointment. I called and left messages, I emailed several times but there was no response.
As the day wore on the coughing intensified to a point that this evening I'm just in constant misery with the coughing.
Right now I'm going to turn in and sleep until I wake naturally in the morning, then try to get a walk in and pretty much take it easy and rest.
I thank God for the abundance of work He has provided and He has given me enough brain power to get several reports out but there are so many left to write, Sunday becomes an important work day.
So I'm sending me love to each of you.
love
tim
Yes its finally Friday and this has not been one of my most fun weeks. While the number of orders has increased nicely my ability to focus and crank out work has diminished by 50%. Even this evening after a day when I think I am recovering to a degree I've coughed hundreds of times. I'm just keeping a throat drop by Ricola in my mouth back to back.
I slept great last night, codeine sure seems to help at night. I woke early, showered and left for a 9 am appointment in Richmond. I was early and so were the rest of the trades, the whole house inspector was there, so was the termite lady and the buyer and a bunch of other people. But oh what challenge this place turned out to be. Get this, its a duplex modular home without any concrete foundation and the comps are 30K below the purchase price. After I was finished I headed home to write up an appraisal that was due today. But when I was all through the management company had still not supplied the FHA case number so I could not email it in. That was a huge disappointment. I called and left messages, I emailed several times but there was no response.
As the day wore on the coughing intensified to a point that this evening I'm just in constant misery with the coughing.
Right now I'm going to turn in and sleep until I wake naturally in the morning, then try to get a walk in and pretty much take it easy and rest.
I thank God for the abundance of work He has provided and He has given me enough brain power to get several reports out but there are so many left to write, Sunday becomes an important work day.
So I'm sending me love to each of you.
love
tim
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Progress?
Dear Family and Friends,
For having such a rough day yesterday last night was fine, took two teaspoons of codeine cough medicine Dr. Jim had prescribed a while back. That seemed to calm things down in a hurry.
I woke this morning to a hazy world. After a long hot shower I drove to Dr. Jim's office for an 8:30 appointment. By the time I got to see him it was 9:45 but I dozed while waiting. After he heard my cough he switched meds to another kind he had samples of, a sort of Leviquin I think. I've had it before and it helped. He also sent me for an xray. After that ordeal I headed for Richmond to pick up a key for a empty house. The key was waiting for me in willcall. When I arrived at the house I was accosted by an Asian neighbor who in broken English urged me to make kids stop using drugs in the outbuildings behind the house. When I told her the house had been sold she brightened and thanked me profusely and I was able to get down to work. How I dreaded climbing out of the bug but there were no options really. The report is due on Friday and includes a late fee. The house took me back many years. Some time after world war II a basic house with a flat roof was constructed in hundreds of neighborhoods all over the west. Nan and I lived in one in Tracy which Dr. Glover kindly let us occupy in exchange for our working to fix it up, he paid for the materials. We added central AC, painted, installed some new appliances and enjoyed our time there. Here I was set to measure the same model but located in San Pablo. Someone had added a pitched roof solving an innate problem with the original design, keeping a flat roof from leaking. The house was basic but clean and had a new kitchen. After measuring and photographing the home I then drove the comps some of which still had a flat roof design. Then a quick phone call confirmed that the next property I was to see in Richmond was not going to work out. It was a duplex and one side was not available for me to inspect, tenants were not there. But I was offered the chance to come back at 9 in the morning since everything would be open at that time. So it means another trip back, about 55 miles, in traffic but since it is work I was willing to comply.
After a tasty garden burger at Applebees I headed up Highway 80 toward Fairfield and calling ahead confirmed that I could see that house sooner than planned. It was a Mexican family with 3 little ones that were so cute and polite and very curious. Their little dogs that were not supposed to bite sure looked like biters to me so I let the tenant stay between me and the dogs.
Finally the blessed moment arrived, the moment when I can point the bug toward home. It used to mean more when there was someone there to inform of my arrival time but the dogs were happy to see me.
While I really wanted to just go to bed instead of working in the office and fielded three very nice phone calls which tended to relieve my feeling alone and sort of beaten down. First Lois called to inquire about my day, then my sister Sibyl called from Ohio to offer cheer and to let me know she was proud of me, a somewhat startling thought at the moment and then Dolly called. These calls were wonderful and provided a great lift. I've just come back from dropping off a few things and got to see the family for a minute. Then I stopped by the shopping center to first make a deposit of a check and then pick up a few things like orange juice, wheat bread and aspirin. Now I'm home and after this little epistle I'm heading to bed. I find if I can keep the coughing down then the head does not hurt so much and I don't break into a sweat. I've found Marilyn's stash of throat lozenges and I'm keeping them going.
I hoping, praying that I can begin a recovery and get caught up with the loose ends of my life.
Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. I got a nice email from Bob and Carrol and it looks like she can have a knee surgery done soon to relieve the lack of mobility of late. They are such inspirations to observe and lots of emails with wisdom from Carol in N. Carolina so I know she is feeling well and sassy. I also got a great encouraging email from friend Joyce. We just love to talk about our most recent contact with our little kidos.
Good night to one and all,
Love
tim
For having such a rough day yesterday last night was fine, took two teaspoons of codeine cough medicine Dr. Jim had prescribed a while back. That seemed to calm things down in a hurry.
I woke this morning to a hazy world. After a long hot shower I drove to Dr. Jim's office for an 8:30 appointment. By the time I got to see him it was 9:45 but I dozed while waiting. After he heard my cough he switched meds to another kind he had samples of, a sort of Leviquin I think. I've had it before and it helped. He also sent me for an xray. After that ordeal I headed for Richmond to pick up a key for a empty house. The key was waiting for me in willcall. When I arrived at the house I was accosted by an Asian neighbor who in broken English urged me to make kids stop using drugs in the outbuildings behind the house. When I told her the house had been sold she brightened and thanked me profusely and I was able to get down to work. How I dreaded climbing out of the bug but there were no options really. The report is due on Friday and includes a late fee. The house took me back many years. Some time after world war II a basic house with a flat roof was constructed in hundreds of neighborhoods all over the west. Nan and I lived in one in Tracy which Dr. Glover kindly let us occupy in exchange for our working to fix it up, he paid for the materials. We added central AC, painted, installed some new appliances and enjoyed our time there. Here I was set to measure the same model but located in San Pablo. Someone had added a pitched roof solving an innate problem with the original design, keeping a flat roof from leaking. The house was basic but clean and had a new kitchen. After measuring and photographing the home I then drove the comps some of which still had a flat roof design. Then a quick phone call confirmed that the next property I was to see in Richmond was not going to work out. It was a duplex and one side was not available for me to inspect, tenants were not there. But I was offered the chance to come back at 9 in the morning since everything would be open at that time. So it means another trip back, about 55 miles, in traffic but since it is work I was willing to comply.
After a tasty garden burger at Applebees I headed up Highway 80 toward Fairfield and calling ahead confirmed that I could see that house sooner than planned. It was a Mexican family with 3 little ones that were so cute and polite and very curious. Their little dogs that were not supposed to bite sure looked like biters to me so I let the tenant stay between me and the dogs.
Finally the blessed moment arrived, the moment when I can point the bug toward home. It used to mean more when there was someone there to inform of my arrival time but the dogs were happy to see me.
While I really wanted to just go to bed instead of working in the office and fielded three very nice phone calls which tended to relieve my feeling alone and sort of beaten down. First Lois called to inquire about my day, then my sister Sibyl called from Ohio to offer cheer and to let me know she was proud of me, a somewhat startling thought at the moment and then Dolly called. These calls were wonderful and provided a great lift. I've just come back from dropping off a few things and got to see the family for a minute. Then I stopped by the shopping center to first make a deposit of a check and then pick up a few things like orange juice, wheat bread and aspirin. Now I'm home and after this little epistle I'm heading to bed. I find if I can keep the coughing down then the head does not hurt so much and I don't break into a sweat. I've found Marilyn's stash of throat lozenges and I'm keeping them going.
I hoping, praying that I can begin a recovery and get caught up with the loose ends of my life.
Thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. I got a nice email from Bob and Carrol and it looks like she can have a knee surgery done soon to relieve the lack of mobility of late. They are such inspirations to observe and lots of emails with wisdom from Carol in N. Carolina so I know she is feeling well and sassy. I also got a great encouraging email from friend Joyce. We just love to talk about our most recent contact with our little kidos.
Good night to one and all,
Love
tim
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Ill
Hi
I'm feeling pretty sick this evening, constant sweating, constant coughing, heading to bed now. Sorry for the brevity of this report.
Tim
I'm feeling pretty sick this evening, constant sweating, constant coughing, heading to bed now. Sorry for the brevity of this report.
Tim
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The wind did blow.........
Good evening
Just a quick word to say hello. Today has been a blur. Low points were when Lois took a tumble on my slippery tile floor by the front door, I've not heard this evening how she is but it was bad.
I built a fire this morning to keep Marilyn and me warm as we did our thing. My thing was to set up orders and work on a difficult one for Tom. I coughed all day and this evening I'm pretty miserable. I'm debating beginning a second round of antibiotics. I picked them up this evening from Safeway and I think I probably should get them started as I'm not well. The coughing is so intense that I end up sweating from the exertion, not fun at all.
This afternoon an order came in for a favorite client, it was for a purchase in Patterson so in spite of some very nasty weather we headed out. Our area has received a lot of rain today along with intense winds. The fire felt good. We drove to Patterson under a low very dark cloud, so dark that the lights came on automatically in the van. When I arrived I stepped out into some pretty hairy wind and rain. Since the house was empty I was able to do some measuring inside and what I had to do outside. It was a one story and in very good condition. Listed for $127 and is selling for a lot more than that. What a different 6 months makes in the Patterson market. The REOs are almost gone and real buyers are stepping forward to purchase dream homes for less than $200,000. These homes were all over $400,00 at the high point and they are nice.
After we finished shooting the comp photos we hit the local Taco Bell. Its brand new and nice. We snacked on tasty food and then headed home, this time with the wind so our trip back was quiet and nearly rain free. Then a quick stop at Safeway for the meds and an evening of cranking here at home. In fact the order that came in midday is already completed and emailed to the broker. Feels nice and has a good fee too. Yea!
So in the early morning I get to observe as the kidos wake up and get them to school and the sitter. Then I race to Tracy to see Jim since my neck is still really hurting a lot, then back to pickup Keanna at school and later in the afternoon deliver her to her music classes in Brentwood. Marilyn was supposed to go to her friends this afternoon but chickened out not wanting to drive on the Levee roads in the high winds and rain. She has a point. She will go in the morning I guess.
Good night to all, please pray that God will guide my life back into normal, feeling better, have energy to keep up with the work, stuff like that.
love
tim
Just a quick word to say hello. Today has been a blur. Low points were when Lois took a tumble on my slippery tile floor by the front door, I've not heard this evening how she is but it was bad.
I built a fire this morning to keep Marilyn and me warm as we did our thing. My thing was to set up orders and work on a difficult one for Tom. I coughed all day and this evening I'm pretty miserable. I'm debating beginning a second round of antibiotics. I picked them up this evening from Safeway and I think I probably should get them started as I'm not well. The coughing is so intense that I end up sweating from the exertion, not fun at all.
This afternoon an order came in for a favorite client, it was for a purchase in Patterson so in spite of some very nasty weather we headed out. Our area has received a lot of rain today along with intense winds. The fire felt good. We drove to Patterson under a low very dark cloud, so dark that the lights came on automatically in the van. When I arrived I stepped out into some pretty hairy wind and rain. Since the house was empty I was able to do some measuring inside and what I had to do outside. It was a one story and in very good condition. Listed for $127 and is selling for a lot more than that. What a different 6 months makes in the Patterson market. The REOs are almost gone and real buyers are stepping forward to purchase dream homes for less than $200,000. These homes were all over $400,00 at the high point and they are nice.
After we finished shooting the comp photos we hit the local Taco Bell. Its brand new and nice. We snacked on tasty food and then headed home, this time with the wind so our trip back was quiet and nearly rain free. Then a quick stop at Safeway for the meds and an evening of cranking here at home. In fact the order that came in midday is already completed and emailed to the broker. Feels nice and has a good fee too. Yea!
So in the early morning I get to observe as the kidos wake up and get them to school and the sitter. Then I race to Tracy to see Jim since my neck is still really hurting a lot, then back to pickup Keanna at school and later in the afternoon deliver her to her music classes in Brentwood. Marilyn was supposed to go to her friends this afternoon but chickened out not wanting to drive on the Levee roads in the high winds and rain. She has a point. She will go in the morning I guess.
Good night to all, please pray that God will guide my life back into normal, feeling better, have energy to keep up with the work, stuff like that.
love
tim
Monday, October 12, 2009
Dizzy but productive
Hello all you out there in blog land!
What a night last night turned out to be. I went to bed shortly after completing the blog. In a short time I woke and was sort of unsettled, could not get the mask to fit correctly and I tossed and turned. Finally at about midnight I slipped out of bed leaving the dogs to slumber on. How I wish that had turned out to be true. I came down and did an intense saline wash of my nasal passages so I could breath and took a slug of codeine for the persistent cough. Then I sat down at my computer and wrote an appraisal. At some point I heard the sound of one of the dogs getting off the bed upstairs. But when I finally went upstairs and opened my door the odor was overwhelming. Starr had a huge problem and it was all over my floor. So here I am trying to see the humor of the event scrubbing the floor endlessly in a vain attempt to save the carpet. Finally I gave up and went to bed. Starr said she felt fine and settled right down for the night. So did I. At 7 this morning I woke and in my robe came down and went right back to work writing appraisals. It was 3 this afternoon when Nikki called to lure us out of the house for pizza that I dressed. Of course both pizza joints were closed up solid so we ended up in McDonalds with the kidos and had a happy time.
I've continued to work this evening after whipping up some eggs this evening for Marilyn and myself. They turned out good. This afternoon it was chilly so I had my first fire of the season and what made it so special was this, the wood was from Jerry's backyard brought home in the motorhome. Seemed to burn a little extra warm.
Now its time to head to bed. I think to be honest I feel a little better than a day ago. I hope so. This has been a long ordeal and its extra hard to keep working when all I really want to do is nap. But napping does not pay the bills.
Sending love to all,
Tim
ps The photos are of photos that Nikki gave me over the weekend. I just love sharing photos of the little kidos.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Marilyn to the rescue again
Dear Family and Friends,
We are back from a long trip to Windsor where I inspected a nice house. The trip was a couple hours but Marilyn was kind enough to drive while I rested. I can't seem to get well but today I've written a report this morning, inspected a local 2900 sf home here in Discovery Bay at noon, then shot a couple comps in Antioch, did the trip to Windsor and back via Olive Garden, endless pasta bowl ends today, boo hoo. Marilyn like to drive and I like to ride and rest if I can. Her driving reminds me a lot of Nan's driving, passenger hold on to something solid and think of things to add to your will.
When we drove in I came to the office and went to work. I've sent out the report for Windsor, sent out a revised report for Antioch, written most of a new report for Antioch and now I'm tired and going to bed. The coughing is pretty rough and causes headache, still neck, sore chest from the effort of coughing. I long to be well again.
A few minutes ago Jason called to inform me he had landed in San Jose. I'm so glad they are back safely from their extended trip to Italy and I know one little boy who is going to be very excited to see his mommy and daddy. Julie has done a super job of caring for him and I think she will probably sleep for days with relief.
I just spend a few minutes reading from the blog from a time shortly after we lost Nan. What I enjoyed most was not my comments but yours. They were so lifting then and I found them lifting again tonight.
The life I live now is sort of like stumbling through an old house with the lights off, there is no time for peace and joy or a chance to relax in a partners love, life is a huge void with glimpses of life but they are fleeting. I don't know when or how to discover how to live now, I mean really live, not exist. My kids certainly do their part, they are marvelous to me, this is a journey I have to discover on my own and at this point I'm no closer to some reason for life, for purpose than I was 2 years ago as Nan was losing ground. In some ways I feel like much of my life died that day too and I'm just too dumb to realize that its over.
I was so relieved to have a call from Irene today. This modern job certainly is being tested and tried. Now she has shingles with the pain and suffering that come with them. Oh how we need the healing hand of the Lord.
love to all,
Tim
We are back from a long trip to Windsor where I inspected a nice house. The trip was a couple hours but Marilyn was kind enough to drive while I rested. I can't seem to get well but today I've written a report this morning, inspected a local 2900 sf home here in Discovery Bay at noon, then shot a couple comps in Antioch, did the trip to Windsor and back via Olive Garden, endless pasta bowl ends today, boo hoo. Marilyn like to drive and I like to ride and rest if I can. Her driving reminds me a lot of Nan's driving, passenger hold on to something solid and think of things to add to your will.
When we drove in I came to the office and went to work. I've sent out the report for Windsor, sent out a revised report for Antioch, written most of a new report for Antioch and now I'm tired and going to bed. The coughing is pretty rough and causes headache, still neck, sore chest from the effort of coughing. I long to be well again.
A few minutes ago Jason called to inform me he had landed in San Jose. I'm so glad they are back safely from their extended trip to Italy and I know one little boy who is going to be very excited to see his mommy and daddy. Julie has done a super job of caring for him and I think she will probably sleep for days with relief.
I just spend a few minutes reading from the blog from a time shortly after we lost Nan. What I enjoyed most was not my comments but yours. They were so lifting then and I found them lifting again tonight.
The life I live now is sort of like stumbling through an old house with the lights off, there is no time for peace and joy or a chance to relax in a partners love, life is a huge void with glimpses of life but they are fleeting. I don't know when or how to discover how to live now, I mean really live, not exist. My kids certainly do their part, they are marvelous to me, this is a journey I have to discover on my own and at this point I'm no closer to some reason for life, for purpose than I was 2 years ago as Nan was losing ground. In some ways I feel like much of my life died that day too and I'm just too dumb to realize that its over.
I was so relieved to have a call from Irene today. This modern job certainly is being tested and tried. Now she has shingles with the pain and suffering that come with them. Oh how we need the healing hand of the Lord.
love to all,
Tim
Saturday, October 10, 2009
SABBATH
How nice that God in his wisdom gave us a day to reflect, to recharge and to rest in His infinite love.
My sabbath began with a wake up at 6:30 and a quick decision to get the exercise back on track. I dressed quickly and did the three miles, yes I coughed and wheezed for most of the walk but I made it. Then I took a way long shower, dressed and had an oatmeal breakfast with cinnamon, soy milk and flax seed, homemade toast and a banana. Then it was a mad rush to pick up Keanna and get to Sabbath School on time. On the way I remembered and relayed to Keanna that her favorite Sylvia was not going to be there, that she was at women's retreat. Keanna missed her but enjoyed Wes, Pat and Rod and the other kidos.
After Sabbath School we stopped by Burger King where she had lunch and played. Then all too soon I returned her to her mother, came home and regrouped and left for MBA and Timothy. Grandma Julie is doing a wonderful job of caring for him and he was happy, healthy and relaxed. We had fun playing and then I headed back home. As I crossed over on Mission from 880 to 680 I noticed that the bug had 582 miles and needed fuel. Not bad for the old girl with her 204,000 miles.
When I pulled in at home I noticed that wandering Marilyn had found her way home and was getting settled after her overnight trip of mercy to friends and family in Sac.
Tomorrow promises to be a huge day with many miles to travel and lots of work to get done.
My health has not been the best today. I've been very congested and have had serious bouts of coughing all day. I'm not well yet.
I've included a couple photos of Timothy I took while I was visiting. It was very special to get to see all three little ones in one day, I love them all.
love
Tim
Friday, October 9, 2009
A week in a daze
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm nearly asleep so this will be brief. I'm not to keen on this week, its been a bummer mostly. Last Sabbath morning I woke with a very nasty sore throat. As the day progressed the sore throat was joined by fever, head congestion and coughing. Sat. night was pretty awful with fever and pain. Sunday found me taking a Tylenol and having almost instant breaking of the fever. Marilyn was amazed how fast it happened and how soaked my shirt was after just a few minutes. Jim started me on some meds Sunday afternoon and Marilyn drove me to appraisal appointments that were many miles away. That was very kind of her and really helped. During the week I've gotten some better but have a terrible cough which is so intense that as a result my head hurts most of the time.
Today has been very long. I had to drive to Mi Wuk Village which is located above Sonora on Highway 108. The house was interesting and the comps I had selected were just too nice so a very kind real estate person helped me with better data. It took all day to make the long trip up, search for comps and then drive back. I arrived home at 6 and then got to have dinner with the girls at Strings at about 7:30. Tonight Kallie used her fork and fed herself the spaghetti sauce directly, don't bother with the noodles, just eat the sauce. What a huge mess she ended up being but she left happy. As I drove away she turned and waved and say, bye. Both girls were so cute, they had just come from having professional photos taken and their hair was up.
So now I'm home alone and heading for bed soon. I'm totally worn out from driving, coughing and stressing out.
Coming home this afternoon I just was hit with the reality of once again coming home with no Nan there to greet me, how awful life becomes when your special someone is taken. Its more like existence, not living.
Have a good weekend,
love
tim
I'm nearly asleep so this will be brief. I'm not to keen on this week, its been a bummer mostly. Last Sabbath morning I woke with a very nasty sore throat. As the day progressed the sore throat was joined by fever, head congestion and coughing. Sat. night was pretty awful with fever and pain. Sunday found me taking a Tylenol and having almost instant breaking of the fever. Marilyn was amazed how fast it happened and how soaked my shirt was after just a few minutes. Jim started me on some meds Sunday afternoon and Marilyn drove me to appraisal appointments that were many miles away. That was very kind of her and really helped. During the week I've gotten some better but have a terrible cough which is so intense that as a result my head hurts most of the time.
Today has been very long. I had to drive to Mi Wuk Village which is located above Sonora on Highway 108. The house was interesting and the comps I had selected were just too nice so a very kind real estate person helped me with better data. It took all day to make the long trip up, search for comps and then drive back. I arrived home at 6 and then got to have dinner with the girls at Strings at about 7:30. Tonight Kallie used her fork and fed herself the spaghetti sauce directly, don't bother with the noodles, just eat the sauce. What a huge mess she ended up being but she left happy. As I drove away she turned and waved and say, bye. Both girls were so cute, they had just come from having professional photos taken and their hair was up.
So now I'm home alone and heading for bed soon. I'm totally worn out from driving, coughing and stressing out.
Coming home this afternoon I just was hit with the reality of once again coming home with no Nan there to greet me, how awful life becomes when your special someone is taken. Its more like existence, not living.
Have a good weekend,
love
tim
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Living life one day at a time
Dear Family and Friends,
I've just read through a few items of interest in the latest GIST magazine from the LifeRaft.org. I read a sad obit about a mother of 2 boys who has just died at age 46 from GIST. Boys of 15 and 17 who are active in sports and loving life now must cope with life without their beautiful mother. Oh where is the justice or fairness in such a world? I've not figured out yet how to be at peace with gross unfairness, our families loss of Nan who died without a good reason. Struck down by a below the belt illness that no one could see coming. She lived her life carefully, never strove to be on the edge or to push the boundaries yet she ended up being one of the longest living victims of GIST with her 5 huge surgeries, hundreds of days in the hospital, endless trial drugs and procedures in about 5 different hospitals. I miss her, I resent the fact that she is gone, I lament the loss of a great happy woman who made our world a much better place.
Just now Marilyn, Lois and I have come home after having dinner with the girls at a local Mexican place, our course once our girls are through the fire hoses have to come out to clean up the floor and chairs. Kallie gets the spoon but by the time it is to her mouth it is upside down and with rise and gravity well you can just see the rest. After a long day of work we had headed out to see Keanna and Sophie at gymnastics. Sophie is Lois's little 4 year old granddaughter and a quick learner. Keanna is doing some pretty neat stuff now and loves her classes.
At dinner I got to hear about her recent trip to Arkansas where she had a great time with several relatives. Keanna told me tonight that she enjoyed meeting her grandpa, Steve's dad, but she held a special place in her heart for her pappa, me. That was nice.
This morning we finally gained entrance to that Stockton property after two other tries failed when the key that was supposed to be there was not there at all. So we got in. The home was an older one with lots of evidence of bad care. It smelled, reeked actually and needs just about everything redone to make it right. We were glad to have finally gained entry.
Now its time to take some time to unwind and then sleep. Tomorrow I drive to Sonora to MiWuk Village to see a house. Also on the agenda are properties in Windsor, above Santa Rosa, Oakland and Stockton. While I'm thankful to have work I could use a little less travel involved.
Good night all,
love
tim
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Dr. Jim says.........
Dear Family and Friends,
This morning started with a very long hot shower in which the effects of the current illness tried to melt away.
Dr. Jim was his wonderful self and assured me that it is his opinion that I'm getting better. It was good to see him again. As I drove away I remembered Sylvia's, a great breakfast cafe so as I self tempted myself I turned in, ordered oatmeal and toast and enjoyed a wonderful break.
When breakfast was over I drove to a nearby neighborhood and conducted a full appraisal of a newly purchased and then remodeled home. It is in perfect condition and will sell soon. Then I drove home to begin office work.
Once I arrived home my head was so full of pain and congestion that I resorted to a Tylenol. I hate to take them but I had a full day of work to deal with. Well it has helped some but the stiff neck and congestion plus coughing just keeps on.
This evening we left early and ended up at IHOP for dinner. Lois was kind enough to pick up the tab which ended up being slightly lower due to a special for seniors they run on Wednesday evening. The food was great. Then we drove to our meeting which is under Sylvia's direction. Now we are back home and winding down for the night.
The weather this time of year is wonderful, cool, comfortable, bright, beautiful. In spite of financial challenges, less than ideal health and business challenges life continues to be good.
So this evening I send each of you my love,
tim
This morning started with a very long hot shower in which the effects of the current illness tried to melt away.
Dr. Jim was his wonderful self and assured me that it is his opinion that I'm getting better. It was good to see him again. As I drove away I remembered Sylvia's, a great breakfast cafe so as I self tempted myself I turned in, ordered oatmeal and toast and enjoyed a wonderful break.
When breakfast was over I drove to a nearby neighborhood and conducted a full appraisal of a newly purchased and then remodeled home. It is in perfect condition and will sell soon. Then I drove home to begin office work.
Once I arrived home my head was so full of pain and congestion that I resorted to a Tylenol. I hate to take them but I had a full day of work to deal with. Well it has helped some but the stiff neck and congestion plus coughing just keeps on.
This evening we left early and ended up at IHOP for dinner. Lois was kind enough to pick up the tab which ended up being slightly lower due to a special for seniors they run on Wednesday evening. The food was great. Then we drove to our meeting which is under Sylvia's direction. Now we are back home and winding down for the night.
The weather this time of year is wonderful, cool, comfortable, bright, beautiful. In spite of financial challenges, less than ideal health and business challenges life continues to be good.
So this evening I send each of you my love,
tim
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Progress of sorts
Good evening,
In spite of just wanting to rest and recoup my business world is coming alive again, this happens in spurts and I must step up and make things happen when I get the chance. Have to admit that most of the day my head has hurt badly, my head is stuffed and I've coughed to a point where my chest is sore. I see Jim at 8 in the morning and I hope he can provide some guidance and help. One things about being sick is my total desire to be eating at all times is broken up and I've lost a couple lbs already. I am drinking large amounts of water and eating small meals.
I rose at 7 determined to walk, came downstairs ready to go, sat down in the office chair and hours later was deep into work, writing rebuttals, setting up new orders, making appointments, doing research, taking calls.
Early this afternoon I went to see a house in Antioch. It has an interesting story. A couple years ago the structure was about 70% destroyed by a huge fire so most of the house is new or nearly new. It is a perfect property and is being sold due to a relocation of its owner. I'm being rushed in to provide a value for the relocation company so the move can happen smoothly. It was a lovely afternoon and as I worked I began to feel better and better, fresh air is such good medicine and warm sunshine is great too. The wheel I use to measure homes is failing and becoming very untrustworthy so I visited Home Depot, Lowes and Osh without finding a replacement. Now I'm concerned, surely somewhere they still make my trusty measuring wheel! Many appraisers are using the new digital devices that measure from a distance but they cost nearly $500 and to spend that money right now would be unthinkable even though it would enhance my ability to measure quickly at each house.
This evening Ray and Lois had invited us to join them for a burrito at a little hole in the wall in Brentwood so we took the van. It felt funny to ride in the far back seat with no seats in the middle. I'm keeping them out since Marilyn is going to use the van to purchase a mattress for a relative in Sac on Friday. So Ray and I rode in the back and had a good time. After eating we went to FoodMax and found lots of bargains including cheap vege food. Now we are home unwinding from a day mixed with suffering, fatigue and good news, yes another check arrived today paying for two appraisals. Great news and yes my lender on the house called at least 15 times today with its auto dialer since I owe a $40 late fee on the second loan. They must have a fortune to spend on personnel. I find them very irritating. I would guess that they have called at least 50 times in the last two weeks even though neither of the house payments have exceeded the 30 day late point.
I am thankful for new orders, for friends, for feeling some better and for so many blessings.
Love to all,
tim
In spite of just wanting to rest and recoup my business world is coming alive again, this happens in spurts and I must step up and make things happen when I get the chance. Have to admit that most of the day my head has hurt badly, my head is stuffed and I've coughed to a point where my chest is sore. I see Jim at 8 in the morning and I hope he can provide some guidance and help. One things about being sick is my total desire to be eating at all times is broken up and I've lost a couple lbs already. I am drinking large amounts of water and eating small meals.
I rose at 7 determined to walk, came downstairs ready to go, sat down in the office chair and hours later was deep into work, writing rebuttals, setting up new orders, making appointments, doing research, taking calls.
Early this afternoon I went to see a house in Antioch. It has an interesting story. A couple years ago the structure was about 70% destroyed by a huge fire so most of the house is new or nearly new. It is a perfect property and is being sold due to a relocation of its owner. I'm being rushed in to provide a value for the relocation company so the move can happen smoothly. It was a lovely afternoon and as I worked I began to feel better and better, fresh air is such good medicine and warm sunshine is great too. The wheel I use to measure homes is failing and becoming very untrustworthy so I visited Home Depot, Lowes and Osh without finding a replacement. Now I'm concerned, surely somewhere they still make my trusty measuring wheel! Many appraisers are using the new digital devices that measure from a distance but they cost nearly $500 and to spend that money right now would be unthinkable even though it would enhance my ability to measure quickly at each house.
This evening Ray and Lois had invited us to join them for a burrito at a little hole in the wall in Brentwood so we took the van. It felt funny to ride in the far back seat with no seats in the middle. I'm keeping them out since Marilyn is going to use the van to purchase a mattress for a relative in Sac on Friday. So Ray and I rode in the back and had a good time. After eating we went to FoodMax and found lots of bargains including cheap vege food. Now we are home unwinding from a day mixed with suffering, fatigue and good news, yes another check arrived today paying for two appraisals. Great news and yes my lender on the house called at least 15 times today with its auto dialer since I owe a $40 late fee on the second loan. They must have a fortune to spend on personnel. I find them very irritating. I would guess that they have called at least 50 times in the last two weeks even though neither of the house payments have exceeded the 30 day late point.
I am thankful for new orders, for friends, for feeling some better and for so many blessings.
Love to all,
tim
Monday, October 5, 2009
Into a new week
Dear Family and Friends,
I'm writing this evening while sitting watching antique roadhouse, no not watching my friends, its a TV show on public television. Something Marilyn found and so I decided to write to you faithful blogger while I watch.
This morning I could not stay in bed after 6 am due to extreme back pain. So I got up in the cold air, we actually had a light frost last night, and dressed in walking clothes. I was so stiff and sore from coughing that I could hardly reach my feet to put the socs on. I brought my tennis shoes downstairs, a big mistake. The dogs grew so excited upon seeing the shoes that they could hardly contain themselves. I stumbled to my work chair, reclined and slept for the next two hours. The dogs were at my feet waiting anxiously for any sign of life from me. When I finally woke and stirred they started dancing. I could not deny them so I slipped the shoes on and we headed to the park where they danced, sniffed and ran about in pure joy. While I did like the walk I certainly did not dance or experience much pure joy. By the time I returned I had no back pain and I was able to settle in to working. I wrote an appraisal and emailed it out, talked to Ray and Lois for awhile and enjoyed some lunch of cottage cheese and fresh tomatoes that were just picked. Then it was back to work. This evening Nikki and Kallie came over and ate some pizza here. We enjoyed seeing them.
For dinner tonight Marilyn uncovered the wok that Ray and Lois gave me some time ago. She prepared a great meal with Orzo, fresh veges, mushrooms. What a great feast.
Now in a few minutes I'll go to Nikki and Steve's house to sit with Kallie who will be sleeping while Nikki drives to Oakland to pick up Steve and Keanna.
Regarding my health I slept better last night with less chilling. I'm using my nasal wash system to clear my head and taking the antibiotic that Dr. Jim prescribed. I'm also making a huge effort to drink enough water. I'm feeling better but am very sore from coughing. It has been a difficult day in a lot of ways with calls from my home loan company. Yet each person has been helpful in their own way. No one could explain why the new percentage rate of the loan has gone down over a point and yet the monthly payment has gone up over $400 starting in November. After a 20 minute wait the lady came back without an answer. Interesting time indeed. They raise the monthly payment but don't know why.
Well I'm starting to fade and I have awhile to go yet tonight before I go to bed. I miss my walking buddy who makes me get up and walk every morning. Ken, hope you are having fun down there.
Take care my friends and family,
love
tim
I'm writing this evening while sitting watching antique roadhouse, no not watching my friends, its a TV show on public television. Something Marilyn found and so I decided to write to you faithful blogger while I watch.
This morning I could not stay in bed after 6 am due to extreme back pain. So I got up in the cold air, we actually had a light frost last night, and dressed in walking clothes. I was so stiff and sore from coughing that I could hardly reach my feet to put the socs on. I brought my tennis shoes downstairs, a big mistake. The dogs grew so excited upon seeing the shoes that they could hardly contain themselves. I stumbled to my work chair, reclined and slept for the next two hours. The dogs were at my feet waiting anxiously for any sign of life from me. When I finally woke and stirred they started dancing. I could not deny them so I slipped the shoes on and we headed to the park where they danced, sniffed and ran about in pure joy. While I did like the walk I certainly did not dance or experience much pure joy. By the time I returned I had no back pain and I was able to settle in to working. I wrote an appraisal and emailed it out, talked to Ray and Lois for awhile and enjoyed some lunch of cottage cheese and fresh tomatoes that were just picked. Then it was back to work. This evening Nikki and Kallie came over and ate some pizza here. We enjoyed seeing them.
For dinner tonight Marilyn uncovered the wok that Ray and Lois gave me some time ago. She prepared a great meal with Orzo, fresh veges, mushrooms. What a great feast.
Now in a few minutes I'll go to Nikki and Steve's house to sit with Kallie who will be sleeping while Nikki drives to Oakland to pick up Steve and Keanna.
Regarding my health I slept better last night with less chilling. I'm using my nasal wash system to clear my head and taking the antibiotic that Dr. Jim prescribed. I'm also making a huge effort to drink enough water. I'm feeling better but am very sore from coughing. It has been a difficult day in a lot of ways with calls from my home loan company. Yet each person has been helpful in their own way. No one could explain why the new percentage rate of the loan has gone down over a point and yet the monthly payment has gone up over $400 starting in November. After a 20 minute wait the lady came back without an answer. Interesting time indeed. They raise the monthly payment but don't know why.
Well I'm starting to fade and I have awhile to go yet tonight before I go to bed. I miss my walking buddy who makes me get up and walk every morning. Ken, hope you are having fun down there.
Take care my friends and family,
love
tim
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Not feeling so good.
Dear Family and Friends,
Its evening and we are back after of day of Marilyn driving and me snoozing. We drove to Cotati to do a driveby and then to Stockton to see the interior of a house we were not able to get into last week. Well the key was not there again so now its getting serious.
Last night was one of those nights you just want to forget. As the evening progressed I could feel myself getting worse and worse. By the time I went to bed I had a temp of over 100 and it was 101 this morning. When I undressed for bed the chilling started. Each time I had to get up to go to the bathroom was misery with my body shaking with cold and each time felt wonderful when I could slip back into the warm bed and Starr would help warm me up. The breathing mask tended to make things worse as it forced everything from my head into my lungs.
This morning I stumbled out of bed and into the shower where I stayed for a long time. That plus a Tylenol broke my fever this morning and in a few minutes my shirt was soaked with sweat. Finally I could put off the days business no longer so we headed out. Marilyn did all the driving and it was a pleasant day but as the day progressed I started coughing and now the cough is back.
This morning I called Dr. Jim and caught him during his walk around the lake. He was kind enough to call in some meds which I have started.
When I have a day of illness I am reminded of how blessed I am to have normally pretty good health. This week I'll see Jim as he requested I come in for an appointment to make sure everything is OK.
Well there is a new week ahead and I'm praying for health, for lots of work, for a safe trip home by Steve and Keanna tomorrow night and for God's will to be done.
love to all
Tim
Its evening and we are back after of day of Marilyn driving and me snoozing. We drove to Cotati to do a driveby and then to Stockton to see the interior of a house we were not able to get into last week. Well the key was not there again so now its getting serious.
Last night was one of those nights you just want to forget. As the evening progressed I could feel myself getting worse and worse. By the time I went to bed I had a temp of over 100 and it was 101 this morning. When I undressed for bed the chilling started. Each time I had to get up to go to the bathroom was misery with my body shaking with cold and each time felt wonderful when I could slip back into the warm bed and Starr would help warm me up. The breathing mask tended to make things worse as it forced everything from my head into my lungs.
This morning I stumbled out of bed and into the shower where I stayed for a long time. That plus a Tylenol broke my fever this morning and in a few minutes my shirt was soaked with sweat. Finally I could put off the days business no longer so we headed out. Marilyn did all the driving and it was a pleasant day but as the day progressed I started coughing and now the cough is back.
This morning I called Dr. Jim and caught him during his walk around the lake. He was kind enough to call in some meds which I have started.
When I have a day of illness I am reminded of how blessed I am to have normally pretty good health. This week I'll see Jim as he requested I come in for an appointment to make sure everything is OK.
Well there is a new week ahead and I'm praying for health, for lots of work, for a safe trip home by Steve and Keanna tomorrow night and for God's will to be done.
love to all
Tim
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A day with Kallie, sickness and fevers
Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a pretty interesting day. It started this morning early as Kallie woke up around 6:30. I woke feeling terrible, nasty sore throat, stuffed head, painful neck and lower part of my head. I stumbled in and met Kallie with a huge smile. Nikki had clued me in to hide her bottle until after changing her. So I quickly changed her in the limited light coming from the curio cabinet in the hall. Then I offered her the bottle and she settled down for another hour. While she was confined in her little bed I took a quick shower drying to make my head and shoulders feel better.
When I went down to breakfast in my raggy old green robe I cut up some grapes, heated up some meat pieces and brought Kallie down. She started eating quickly and did a great job. Then it was time to head out to Sabbath School. Marilyn was already ready to go and we arrived late. Kim had a great program and Kallie seemed to fit in. Perhaps the thing she enjoyed most was the little cup of treats at the end of the program. By this time I was feeling so ill that I cancelled my trip to have lunch with Bob and Carrol. Instead I came home and by the time we drove in Kallie was asleep. So I scooped her up and carried her upstairs, not the easiest of tasks. I laid her down and she went back to sleep. She then let us nap as well for the next three hours! At that point I had to leave to pick up Pam and Terry who were arriving on Amtrack in Sacramento. Although I felt really rough I drove there and picked them up, delivered them to Lodi and then back home where I've made tomato soup and have been in the recliner under a blanket since. While I was gone Marilyn stepped in and cared for Kallie. She had a great time and Kallie was so happy to see Nikki when she arrived.
This evening I know I'm spiking a bit of a fever and I can only hope some rest will help.
Kallie is really a job to have. She smiles, is pleasant and loves to explore. She brings a tough of God to my life. What a wonderful experience.
love
tim
This has been a pretty interesting day. It started this morning early as Kallie woke up around 6:30. I woke feeling terrible, nasty sore throat, stuffed head, painful neck and lower part of my head. I stumbled in and met Kallie with a huge smile. Nikki had clued me in to hide her bottle until after changing her. So I quickly changed her in the limited light coming from the curio cabinet in the hall. Then I offered her the bottle and she settled down for another hour. While she was confined in her little bed I took a quick shower drying to make my head and shoulders feel better.
When I went down to breakfast in my raggy old green robe I cut up some grapes, heated up some meat pieces and brought Kallie down. She started eating quickly and did a great job. Then it was time to head out to Sabbath School. Marilyn was already ready to go and we arrived late. Kim had a great program and Kallie seemed to fit in. Perhaps the thing she enjoyed most was the little cup of treats at the end of the program. By this time I was feeling so ill that I cancelled my trip to have lunch with Bob and Carrol. Instead I came home and by the time we drove in Kallie was asleep. So I scooped her up and carried her upstairs, not the easiest of tasks. I laid her down and she went back to sleep. She then let us nap as well for the next three hours! At that point I had to leave to pick up Pam and Terry who were arriving on Amtrack in Sacramento. Although I felt really rough I drove there and picked them up, delivered them to Lodi and then back home where I've made tomato soup and have been in the recliner under a blanket since. While I was gone Marilyn stepped in and cared for Kallie. She had a great time and Kallie was so happy to see Nikki when she arrived.
This evening I know I'm spiking a bit of a fever and I can only hope some rest will help.
Kallie is really a job to have. She smiles, is pleasant and loves to explore. She brings a tough of God to my life. What a wonderful experience.
love
tim
Friday, October 2, 2009
Kallie is here
Dear Family and Friends,
Tonight as I write Kallie is sleeping in her room upstairs. I picked her up about 4:30 at the sitters and once we arrived home she went to work playing with her toys, exploring the house, observing the reef tank and then after Marilyn made dinner she had her dinner and she did pretty well with it. Finally it was time to let her go to sleep. I broke out in a sweat as I wrestled with getting her out of her play clothes and into PJs for the night. She was helpful and before too long I had it done. What a precious little girl, all smiles, all busy, all figuring out how things work.
This morning started out with a quick trip to Walnut Creek to see a very nice condo for a relocation. Then after a quick sandwich at Subway I drove back, rested a bit and then drove to Tracy where Jim Miller worked on my neck and using deep massage and pressure really improved everything that was hurting. This guy is good, I mean really good. I can now move my head from side to side, the headache is gone and I feel like great progress has been made. I would recommend him to anyone, he is that good.
I am thankful that enough money came in to come within $175 of covering the house payments which are always the final things to pay at the end of the month. Talk about being blessed.
Nikki has been working at the big Twins Sale at the county fairgrounds for Alameda County in Pleasanton. Tonight she is very tired and sleepy and will rest well. Steve and Keanna continue to have a very good time on their catch up with the relatives tour of the south. Jason and Jo are flying all night tonight to Italy and they are pretty tired as well having started their day at 3 am this morning.
Tomorrow we get up and go to Sabbath School with Kallie, then have lunch with Bob and Carrol and then do some resting up.
I hoping all of you can enjoy each other this weekend and find time to give God glory for His amazing love.
love
tim
Tonight as I write Kallie is sleeping in her room upstairs. I picked her up about 4:30 at the sitters and once we arrived home she went to work playing with her toys, exploring the house, observing the reef tank and then after Marilyn made dinner she had her dinner and she did pretty well with it. Finally it was time to let her go to sleep. I broke out in a sweat as I wrestled with getting her out of her play clothes and into PJs for the night. She was helpful and before too long I had it done. What a precious little girl, all smiles, all busy, all figuring out how things work.
This morning started out with a quick trip to Walnut Creek to see a very nice condo for a relocation. Then after a quick sandwich at Subway I drove back, rested a bit and then drove to Tracy where Jim Miller worked on my neck and using deep massage and pressure really improved everything that was hurting. This guy is good, I mean really good. I can now move my head from side to side, the headache is gone and I feel like great progress has been made. I would recommend him to anyone, he is that good.
I am thankful that enough money came in to come within $175 of covering the house payments which are always the final things to pay at the end of the month. Talk about being blessed.
Nikki has been working at the big Twins Sale at the county fairgrounds for Alameda County in Pleasanton. Tonight she is very tired and sleepy and will rest well. Steve and Keanna continue to have a very good time on their catch up with the relatives tour of the south. Jason and Jo are flying all night tonight to Italy and they are pretty tired as well having started their day at 3 am this morning.
Tomorrow we get up and go to Sabbath School with Kallie, then have lunch with Bob and Carrol and then do some resting up.
I hoping all of you can enjoy each other this weekend and find time to give God glory for His amazing love.
love
tim
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The wonderful world of Kallie
It was magic. I had just scooped her up from her little bed, changed her and then we came downstairs. At the foot of the stairs I put her down so she could walk and as she moved about Keanna's play room she moved from toy to toy and pushed buttons that made them come to life, finally she reached a long white toy which had buttons on it and she moved around until she could push one of the buttons, then a loud drum sound started and continued. She moved back into the middle of the room and started dancing to the music, this terrific little 15 month old was dancing up a storm in her PJs and grinning up at her pappa. I won't forget that moment, it was just too cute.
Then I delivered her to the sitters where she did not want me to leave at all, finally she began to play a game of hide and seek with Sam and I was able to slip away. How anyone could willingly miss out on moments like these I just don't know. I kept thinking how much Nan would have loved to see her in action.
This evening when I delivered the van to Nikki Kallie was eating and she had discovered tator tots and little grapes. Between sipping water from her cup she was putting down grapes as fast as she could and dipping her tator tots in her catchup. What a kid! She had just talked to her daddy who is visiting his father in Arkansas with Keanna, they were having a great time. Tonight Nikki is loading the van for the twins sale, a huge sale of childrens items that takes place at the county fair grounds.
Marilyn and I went to inspect an old house for a bank but the key was missing. We still walked the grounds and measured the house, shot photos and lamented how sad that the once beautiful property had been allowed to fall into such disrepair.
Over the last few days I've been taking dozens of calls from the lender who holds the loans on my house. Now mind you I'm not late at least not over 30 days but this month it seems they have a direct line to my desk. Some are respectful, others are pretty bad, none ever read the notes on my file before they call so they always ask for Erin or Tim Mustard and each time I have to let them know that Erin has died and that I'm trying as hard as I can to keep the payments coming and so far have never missed one yet they are relentless. Really tries ones patience of which I seem to have little any more.
This evening Marilyn prepared a meal of whole wheat pasta and some good sauce with vege meat in it. Even Lois decided to give it a try. It was great and I'm so glad to discover a pasta that has some good stuff in it. She did a great job.
Right now I'm very sleepy and more than ready to head to bed. I'm hoping that your weekend coming up with be filled with meaning and peace. I know mine will be very special. I'll pick up Kallie tomorrow afternoon and she will spend the evening, night here with Marilyn and me. We will have her all day Sabbath as well and look forward to meeting Bob and Carrol at Olive Garden if they are up to a special guest, Kallie, coming along. It is hard to be to discouraged or depressed when Kallie is around. She smiles, plays, teases and smiles some more. She is GREAT!
Love to all,
Tim
Then I delivered her to the sitters where she did not want me to leave at all, finally she began to play a game of hide and seek with Sam and I was able to slip away. How anyone could willingly miss out on moments like these I just don't know. I kept thinking how much Nan would have loved to see her in action.
This evening when I delivered the van to Nikki Kallie was eating and she had discovered tator tots and little grapes. Between sipping water from her cup she was putting down grapes as fast as she could and dipping her tator tots in her catchup. What a kid! She had just talked to her daddy who is visiting his father in Arkansas with Keanna, they were having a great time. Tonight Nikki is loading the van for the twins sale, a huge sale of childrens items that takes place at the county fair grounds.
Marilyn and I went to inspect an old house for a bank but the key was missing. We still walked the grounds and measured the house, shot photos and lamented how sad that the once beautiful property had been allowed to fall into such disrepair.
Over the last few days I've been taking dozens of calls from the lender who holds the loans on my house. Now mind you I'm not late at least not over 30 days but this month it seems they have a direct line to my desk. Some are respectful, others are pretty bad, none ever read the notes on my file before they call so they always ask for Erin or Tim Mustard and each time I have to let them know that Erin has died and that I'm trying as hard as I can to keep the payments coming and so far have never missed one yet they are relentless. Really tries ones patience of which I seem to have little any more.
This evening Marilyn prepared a meal of whole wheat pasta and some good sauce with vege meat in it. Even Lois decided to give it a try. It was great and I'm so glad to discover a pasta that has some good stuff in it. She did a great job.
Right now I'm very sleepy and more than ready to head to bed. I'm hoping that your weekend coming up with be filled with meaning and peace. I know mine will be very special. I'll pick up Kallie tomorrow afternoon and she will spend the evening, night here with Marilyn and me. We will have her all day Sabbath as well and look forward to meeting Bob and Carrol at Olive Garden if they are up to a special guest, Kallie, coming along. It is hard to be to discouraged or depressed when Kallie is around. She smiles, plays, teases and smiles some more. She is GREAT!
Love to all,
Tim
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