Wow, tonight I ventured back to the spinning class at my club. Kim is just an incredible leader and really wants everyone to achieve. I was the second person to the class and I just went to the bike I had chosen, climbed on and started spinning, this was a good 20 minutes before the class started. Unlike last week this time I was in better condition to begin with. In the class you keep pedaling the entire time, sometimes as fast as you can, other times much slower but with a lot of resistance dialed in. Sometimes you are on your feet while pedaling, other times you get to sit back down. I had a kind lady on the bike next to me and she offered many helpful suggestions, also went up front and got a little padded slip cover that you put over the seat and it gives you several more layers of padding, it did wonders. While I was not able to keep up with everyone all the time I did a lot of standing and a whole lot of spinning. I would say it was twice as easy tonight as two weeks ago, that is super encouraging. Soon I hope to begin playing racquet ball which is a passion for me, I love the game but have no touched it in nearly 20 years. I've had many other more important things on my plate for the last few years.
I woke with a start during the night, I started to wonder where my passport was. Well I found it today and of course it expired March 27 of this year. Well considering that I'm set to board a plane for Costa Rica on the morning of May 7 to conduct a wedding on the 10Th I decided I needed to solve this problem. I discovered no more cheap $35 passports, now they are at least $135 for a standard issue and if you are in a hurry plan to pay a lot more. Mary Puente from Discovery Bay Travel was kind enough to tell me that the post office in Brentwood has a passport office. Of course when I went there today I discovered that they close at 2:30 every day. Once I got out my file for Costa Rica I was also shocked to discover that I fly out on the 7Th and arrive back on the 18Th. The ticket was purchased for me and I understood I would be gone 5 days so this is a real shock. Financially this will be a huge hit but like many other problems that come up I'm sure that this too will work out. Costa Rica is a stunningly beautiful country and I know I will enjoy the sights very much. Art and Connie met there and fell in love several years ago.
Work continues to come in slowly, very slowly. Tomorrow morning I have a doctor visit with Jim which I'm looking forward to. We are planning for the future, deciding what meds to adjust.
My brother Jerry, who is the older and better looking one, just called to let me know he is thinking about coming for a visit the weekend of the 23rd. That will be something very special to look forward to.
Well I'm going to wrap this up now, need to get a bit more work done before the day ends.
Love to all, if you get a chance try a spinning class, its amazingly challenging!
Tim
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Where are the orders?
Dear Family and Friends,
This evening as I write the room feels chilly, the dogs are nearby expressing their desire to head up to bed, classical music is infiltrating the room through the little Bose speakers, the work chair is getting a bit hard after so many hours spent in it today.
This morning I worked for awhile then went up to shower. Then I left Discovery Bay for Concord via Marsh Creek Road. It is a beautiful but narrow country road which winds its way to Clayton. Whenever it rains you can count on some rocks in the road and some minor slides, you would think after all these years that everything that was going to slide would have done so long ago but no it never fails. The road winds through ranches, a mobile home park and follows a dry creek bed much of the way. This time of year it abounds with green and hillsides even have flowers. Once it rains then that dry creek bed gives way to a serious river.
I chose to go the country way when I can as it reflects what a prefer, if I had a choice I'd never step on concrete or asphalt again, I like the outdoors, birds singing, bees working, winds blowing through tree tops, ripples on the water of some high altitude lake or the sea rolling in relentlessly seeking more. There are many things human beings have created that are wonderful, like concert halls, beautiful homes, solemn churches, parks etc.
Tomorrow if the weather is good Keanna and I will probably find a park for a bit, she to play and for me a chance to do a recharge on nature and of course the hay fever too.
I'm living and working in a strange world right now. With rising interest rates, decreasing values in some areas and the wonderful new world of management companies I often wonder where I fit in anymore. Our kind Lord has continued to send work, much less than I would prefer and often strange and new properties with lower and lower fees paid. Yet I am still in business and I am thankful for that.
The process of being alone the vast majority of the time and remaining optimistic, energetic and up to speed is a daunting one. I often fail, I do experience depression, I'm frequently disappointed in my own performance. Yet there are things to be done. Today after seeing the nicely staged home in Concord I found the local CostCo intent on buying tomatoes. I took my time and enjoyed people watching, little people, tall people, young, older, a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds, a babble of languages yet a very happy and busy bunch of people. I not only found the tomatoes but also purchased another case of water, black berries, romaine hearts and raspberries. Of course I had to have the berry desert they sell and once outside I opened the berries and added more to the yogurt, oh it was so good. I know, probably a thousand points for weight waters. It served as lunch at least for a while until I reached Disco Bay. At that point I had a Subway with garden burger patty.
Late this afternoon I pulled out the blender, in went black berries, raspberries, low fat yogurt, low fat soy milk and some ice cubes. It was wonderful and served as dinner.
So for now I'm signing off and heading to bed. I am always thankful for special friends, my precious family who are always there for me and a special call from our pastor today.
Love
tim
This evening as I write the room feels chilly, the dogs are nearby expressing their desire to head up to bed, classical music is infiltrating the room through the little Bose speakers, the work chair is getting a bit hard after so many hours spent in it today.
This morning I worked for awhile then went up to shower. Then I left Discovery Bay for Concord via Marsh Creek Road. It is a beautiful but narrow country road which winds its way to Clayton. Whenever it rains you can count on some rocks in the road and some minor slides, you would think after all these years that everything that was going to slide would have done so long ago but no it never fails. The road winds through ranches, a mobile home park and follows a dry creek bed much of the way. This time of year it abounds with green and hillsides even have flowers. Once it rains then that dry creek bed gives way to a serious river.
I chose to go the country way when I can as it reflects what a prefer, if I had a choice I'd never step on concrete or asphalt again, I like the outdoors, birds singing, bees working, winds blowing through tree tops, ripples on the water of some high altitude lake or the sea rolling in relentlessly seeking more. There are many things human beings have created that are wonderful, like concert halls, beautiful homes, solemn churches, parks etc.
Tomorrow if the weather is good Keanna and I will probably find a park for a bit, she to play and for me a chance to do a recharge on nature and of course the hay fever too.
I'm living and working in a strange world right now. With rising interest rates, decreasing values in some areas and the wonderful new world of management companies I often wonder where I fit in anymore. Our kind Lord has continued to send work, much less than I would prefer and often strange and new properties with lower and lower fees paid. Yet I am still in business and I am thankful for that.
The process of being alone the vast majority of the time and remaining optimistic, energetic and up to speed is a daunting one. I often fail, I do experience depression, I'm frequently disappointed in my own performance. Yet there are things to be done. Today after seeing the nicely staged home in Concord I found the local CostCo intent on buying tomatoes. I took my time and enjoyed people watching, little people, tall people, young, older, a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds, a babble of languages yet a very happy and busy bunch of people. I not only found the tomatoes but also purchased another case of water, black berries, romaine hearts and raspberries. Of course I had to have the berry desert they sell and once outside I opened the berries and added more to the yogurt, oh it was so good. I know, probably a thousand points for weight waters. It served as lunch at least for a while until I reached Disco Bay. At that point I had a Subway with garden burger patty.
Late this afternoon I pulled out the blender, in went black berries, raspberries, low fat yogurt, low fat soy milk and some ice cubes. It was wonderful and served as dinner.
So for now I'm signing off and heading to bed. I am always thankful for special friends, my precious family who are always there for me and a special call from our pastor today.
Love
tim
Monday, April 12, 2010
So very slow
Dear Family and Friends,
In my 22 years I've never see it this slow order wise. A few are creeping in and I'm glad to see them. I've spent most of the day writing one report. Its for a huge house on 11 acres of grapes, the house is nearly 6700 sf and has just about everything one could wish for in a home. Writing a report for such a property really challenges the appraiser so I feel challenged.
This evening I went to Weight Watchers and the room was packed with people, talk was helpful and comments made by the audience were helpful too.
Then I went to the gym and huffed and puffed my way through the series of machines that I know about. I also met a guy who I have sort of known in the past, he plays raquet ball so there is a chance that I might get to move into that as well. I dearly love racquet ball, played at graduate school, played in Tracy but have not played for many years. In my mind it is the best game there is, better than tennis, more intense and it challenges your whole body. Once you start playing you improve physically very fast so I'm hoping something can come of that. I've not ventured even near the door to the spinning room yet. My tail bone is still bruised and sitting comes with a price so I'm going to get my bike down and start riding more, work into the spinning room experience.
I'm pretty much alone most of the time with little field work available. Its just me and the dogs and we tend to get along pretty well. Today for lunch I took the time to saute mushrooms and asparagus and then added them to a bowl of sliced up romaine hearts, chopped up tomatoes, 0 calorie dressing. It was a feast. Now the lettuce is gone, the tomatoes are gone so a little shopping trip needs to be on the horizon.
Good night all
love
tim
In my 22 years I've never see it this slow order wise. A few are creeping in and I'm glad to see them. I've spent most of the day writing one report. Its for a huge house on 11 acres of grapes, the house is nearly 6700 sf and has just about everything one could wish for in a home. Writing a report for such a property really challenges the appraiser so I feel challenged.
This evening I went to Weight Watchers and the room was packed with people, talk was helpful and comments made by the audience were helpful too.
Then I went to the gym and huffed and puffed my way through the series of machines that I know about. I also met a guy who I have sort of known in the past, he plays raquet ball so there is a chance that I might get to move into that as well. I dearly love racquet ball, played at graduate school, played in Tracy but have not played for many years. In my mind it is the best game there is, better than tennis, more intense and it challenges your whole body. Once you start playing you improve physically very fast so I'm hoping something can come of that. I've not ventured even near the door to the spinning room yet. My tail bone is still bruised and sitting comes with a price so I'm going to get my bike down and start riding more, work into the spinning room experience.
I'm pretty much alone most of the time with little field work available. Its just me and the dogs and we tend to get along pretty well. Today for lunch I took the time to saute mushrooms and asparagus and then added them to a bowl of sliced up romaine hearts, chopped up tomatoes, 0 calorie dressing. It was a feast. Now the lettuce is gone, the tomatoes are gone so a little shopping trip needs to be on the horizon.
Good night all
love
tim
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Blustery Day
Hello from the windblown shores of Willow Lake. We even had white caps today on our tranquil little lake which was sort of fun to see.
After getting to bed late last night I slept in as best I could with two noisy outbursts from Lady, my Scottish Terrier, not sure what got into her but I'm sure the neighbors did not appreciate the staccato yaps at 2:30 this morning.
This morning after a steel cut oats breakfast I immediately fell asleep at my desk and could hardly rouse myself.
In spite of many misgivings I took Starr to the clinic today which is held at the Dog Food Express every Sunday. Lois warned me of the line and so did Dana, they were so right. I've not been stuck in such a position for a very long time and I think it took over an hour to finally get up to the doctor and the shots she needed. Starr was a very good girl, no barks, no nipping at other dogs, just quiet behavior. She took the shots like it was nothing but was very glad to get out of the store and to the car. Now later in the week I can have her groomed, nails cut and teeth brushed. She is a very precious little bundle of joy for me and along with Lady helps the house seem sort of like a place to live.
This evening a friend brought back the van which helped with a project. We had a nice dinner which was a very pleasant interlude in an otherwise totally boring day.
So here we are are facing a new week, what will it hold for us? what challenges, what pleasant surprises, what opportunities, what relationship development opportunities?
For those of you who have jobs, treasure them, do your best and for those searching for work keep God close.
Love
tim
After getting to bed late last night I slept in as best I could with two noisy outbursts from Lady, my Scottish Terrier, not sure what got into her but I'm sure the neighbors did not appreciate the staccato yaps at 2:30 this morning.
This morning after a steel cut oats breakfast I immediately fell asleep at my desk and could hardly rouse myself.
In spite of many misgivings I took Starr to the clinic today which is held at the Dog Food Express every Sunday. Lois warned me of the line and so did Dana, they were so right. I've not been stuck in such a position for a very long time and I think it took over an hour to finally get up to the doctor and the shots she needed. Starr was a very good girl, no barks, no nipping at other dogs, just quiet behavior. She took the shots like it was nothing but was very glad to get out of the store and to the car. Now later in the week I can have her groomed, nails cut and teeth brushed. She is a very precious little bundle of joy for me and along with Lady helps the house seem sort of like a place to live.
This evening a friend brought back the van which helped with a project. We had a nice dinner which was a very pleasant interlude in an otherwise totally boring day.
So here we are are facing a new week, what will it hold for us? what challenges, what pleasant surprises, what opportunities, what relationship development opportunities?
For those of you who have jobs, treasure them, do your best and for those searching for work keep God close.
Love
tim
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Girls Make the Day
Dear Friends and Family,
11:40 so this will be brief. This morning I picked up Kallie and Keanna for Sabbath School. Both were in high spirits and we arrived on time. For awhile Kallie was the only child and Kim did a great job of leading out, Kallie loved everything, had fun fishing, enjoyed the snacking by the fire with Jesus, picking up toys and putting them in the box, took money out of the offering boat instead of putting it in, she went for the green stuff first and after the program was over she went to the shelves and brought the little blanket to us. We unfolded it and sat in the middle waiting for us to pick up the corners and swing her like the old Ark program called for. So we played along and she smiled her big smile as we swayed her back and forth. Keanna enjoyed her Sabbath School and had all my items from the church mailbox for me when we left.
As we left town we stopped by McDonalds, then I parked and arranged all the food in the right places for both girls and we drove home. Kallie had a bit of catsup around her mouth but did pretty well.
Once I turned the girls over to their capable mother and father I drove home to regroup and have lunch with friends in Stockton at the ever faithful Olive Garden. Then it was back home for a nap in a recliner located in my bedroom that I've not sat in for a couple years. Starr joined me and we both napped a bit.
This evening I drove to Lodi Academy for their band and choir fund raiser. What a shock to hear just how well the band was prepared to do big and difficult numbers. For a school of about 100 kids 40 were involved in band or choir or even both. They ended with the 1812 Overture and it was very well done. Then they served tasty deserts. Now I'm home safely after a day of family, friends and rest. Seeing the little ones at Sabbath School is a high point of my week. I am so honored that Nikki and Steve let me take the girls and they both enjoy it most of the time. This afternoon Keanna had a tight social schedule which included a birthday party at a ranch with horse riding and as Keanna put it, dust.
Tomorrow I'll be working feverishly trying to get some work out the door. As of last evening I had no more orders to go inspect, as of this evening I have two new orders, can we say Amen!
Love to all,
Tim
11:40 so this will be brief. This morning I picked up Kallie and Keanna for Sabbath School. Both were in high spirits and we arrived on time. For awhile Kallie was the only child and Kim did a great job of leading out, Kallie loved everything, had fun fishing, enjoyed the snacking by the fire with Jesus, picking up toys and putting them in the box, took money out of the offering boat instead of putting it in, she went for the green stuff first and after the program was over she went to the shelves and brought the little blanket to us. We unfolded it and sat in the middle waiting for us to pick up the corners and swing her like the old Ark program called for. So we played along and she smiled her big smile as we swayed her back and forth. Keanna enjoyed her Sabbath School and had all my items from the church mailbox for me when we left.
As we left town we stopped by McDonalds, then I parked and arranged all the food in the right places for both girls and we drove home. Kallie had a bit of catsup around her mouth but did pretty well.
Once I turned the girls over to their capable mother and father I drove home to regroup and have lunch with friends in Stockton at the ever faithful Olive Garden. Then it was back home for a nap in a recliner located in my bedroom that I've not sat in for a couple years. Starr joined me and we both napped a bit.
This evening I drove to Lodi Academy for their band and choir fund raiser. What a shock to hear just how well the band was prepared to do big and difficult numbers. For a school of about 100 kids 40 were involved in band or choir or even both. They ended with the 1812 Overture and it was very well done. Then they served tasty deserts. Now I'm home safely after a day of family, friends and rest. Seeing the little ones at Sabbath School is a high point of my week. I am so honored that Nikki and Steve let me take the girls and they both enjoy it most of the time. This afternoon Keanna had a tight social schedule which included a birthday party at a ranch with horse riding and as Keanna put it, dust.
Tomorrow I'll be working feverishly trying to get some work out the door. As of last evening I had no more orders to go inspect, as of this evening I have two new orders, can we say Amen!
Love to all,
Tim
Friday, April 9, 2010
Interesting week
Dear Family and Friends,
As I start this I realize I need to go take my blood sugar as I'm sort of wobbly as I sit here, I'll be right back. Its now two hours later, the blood was 113 which is fine but it seems since I've been much higher than that for the past few months when I get down into the normal range I feel strange. I'll adjust.
When I was in the kitchen I made a smoothie, banana, strawberries, berry yogurt and a little light soy milk with a few ice cubes. It was really outstanding.
Today was interesting. For the first time that I can remember I have seen the last property that I have an order for, no new orders to see right now. I guess I should be alarmed but since I have 4 to write up, I'll worry later.
Right now its the Sabbath and I'm glad it is. So far this evening Ken has not called so if I walk in the morning I'll be doing it on my own.
This morning I drove to Antioch and did an appraisal on a house that is investor owned and in the middle of the update. Wow, they really strip the house down before they start to put it back together. Then I drove to Vallejo where the agent warned me that it was not in the best part of town, he was right. The house wasn't bad but is now bank owned and empty. It had more locks on it than just about any house I've seen before. One key opened them all.
After Vallejo the next part of the day was more interesting. I think I've mentioned that I'm working on a 11 acre mini estate, a villa really and the comps would be from a widespread area. Since there are no sales of comparable homes in Brentwood I had to branch out to a regional basis. So today I shot photos of homes in Lafayette, then Livermore. After finishing up the comps for that one then I moved to comps for the big house and 5 acres which is located up on Altamont Pass. Those comps started in Livermore and then were mostly located in Tracy. By the time I finished shooting photos I had drive over 200 miles, finished the book, Younger Next Year and moved on to concert music on XM 78.
So I finally arrived at home around 7. I was tired but gratified that the day went safely, I was able to locate all the comps due to the GPS and that I was finally home. Even though being home meaning being alone I continue to treasure the experience of driving into the driveway, opening the garage door and being able to park the bug for a few hours.
There is something going on in my life that I cannot fully explain. I'm still on antibiotics and will be for several days, I'm on this new diabetes medicine and I'm dumping weight. There are times I feel so tired I could nearly fall over, other times I feel jittery, yet other times when I feel optimistic and full of energy. I know it is a nice thing to have to pull the belt two notches tighter and bending over is a bit easier.
I'm hoping to be able to take the girls to Sabbath School but I'll find that out in the morning. I know Keanna has a very busy schedule tomorrow with several social events to attend.
Art and Connie are on a camping trip yet within phone range so I've gotten to talk to him a couple times today, sounds like they are having a great time and the weather is perfect so far. How nice it is to have sun, all day today I kept the AC on low and the air recirculating instead of coming in fresh. The less fresh air filled with pollen the better. It was totally comfortable all day in the car, what a total blessing that little car is and since Steve washed it I'm enjoying walking up to it now and climbing in.
I'm about to tackle some landscaping in the front yard, I want color, rows of flowers with different colors. I admire it in other's yards and I want it in mine too. It will be a workout and I know it will turn out good, Steve won't let me fail. Doing this will mean I have to pull out bulbs that Nan put in the ground years ago but I think I can save the bulbs and replant them in a better place, any suggestions about bulbs?
Well its bed time, good night or morning. Enjoy the weekend with those you love. The book has several chapters about how important being close to people is, how much it helps us be healthy and have enjoyable lives. I am grateful for you.
love
tim
As I start this I realize I need to go take my blood sugar as I'm sort of wobbly as I sit here, I'll be right back. Its now two hours later, the blood was 113 which is fine but it seems since I've been much higher than that for the past few months when I get down into the normal range I feel strange. I'll adjust.
When I was in the kitchen I made a smoothie, banana, strawberries, berry yogurt and a little light soy milk with a few ice cubes. It was really outstanding.
Today was interesting. For the first time that I can remember I have seen the last property that I have an order for, no new orders to see right now. I guess I should be alarmed but since I have 4 to write up, I'll worry later.
Right now its the Sabbath and I'm glad it is. So far this evening Ken has not called so if I walk in the morning I'll be doing it on my own.
This morning I drove to Antioch and did an appraisal on a house that is investor owned and in the middle of the update. Wow, they really strip the house down before they start to put it back together. Then I drove to Vallejo where the agent warned me that it was not in the best part of town, he was right. The house wasn't bad but is now bank owned and empty. It had more locks on it than just about any house I've seen before. One key opened them all.
After Vallejo the next part of the day was more interesting. I think I've mentioned that I'm working on a 11 acre mini estate, a villa really and the comps would be from a widespread area. Since there are no sales of comparable homes in Brentwood I had to branch out to a regional basis. So today I shot photos of homes in Lafayette, then Livermore. After finishing up the comps for that one then I moved to comps for the big house and 5 acres which is located up on Altamont Pass. Those comps started in Livermore and then were mostly located in Tracy. By the time I finished shooting photos I had drive over 200 miles, finished the book, Younger Next Year and moved on to concert music on XM 78.
So I finally arrived at home around 7. I was tired but gratified that the day went safely, I was able to locate all the comps due to the GPS and that I was finally home. Even though being home meaning being alone I continue to treasure the experience of driving into the driveway, opening the garage door and being able to park the bug for a few hours.
There is something going on in my life that I cannot fully explain. I'm still on antibiotics and will be for several days, I'm on this new diabetes medicine and I'm dumping weight. There are times I feel so tired I could nearly fall over, other times I feel jittery, yet other times when I feel optimistic and full of energy. I know it is a nice thing to have to pull the belt two notches tighter and bending over is a bit easier.
I'm hoping to be able to take the girls to Sabbath School but I'll find that out in the morning. I know Keanna has a very busy schedule tomorrow with several social events to attend.
Art and Connie are on a camping trip yet within phone range so I've gotten to talk to him a couple times today, sounds like they are having a great time and the weather is perfect so far. How nice it is to have sun, all day today I kept the AC on low and the air recirculating instead of coming in fresh. The less fresh air filled with pollen the better. It was totally comfortable all day in the car, what a total blessing that little car is and since Steve washed it I'm enjoying walking up to it now and climbing in.
I'm about to tackle some landscaping in the front yard, I want color, rows of flowers with different colors. I admire it in other's yards and I want it in mine too. It will be a workout and I know it will turn out good, Steve won't let me fail. Doing this will mean I have to pull out bulbs that Nan put in the ground years ago but I think I can save the bulbs and replant them in a better place, any suggestions about bulbs?
Well its bed time, good night or morning. Enjoy the weekend with those you love. The book has several chapters about how important being close to people is, how much it helps us be healthy and have enjoyable lives. I am grateful for you.
love
tim
Thursday, April 8, 2010
16 pounds
Hi
I'm getting home late from shopping at Winco, sort of like going to a market in a 3rd world country but also sort of interesting. Prices on many items are lower if you can just locate them in the huge store. Selection of some items is very limited and healthy items are not a big concern there. For example there was a very small selection of soups and almost none with lower salt or lower fat. While I'm still not wild about grocery shopping and would much rather be at a concert or strolling on the beach once in awhile shopping becomes a necessary and I've learned to manage it well.
This morning I rode the tred mill for 30 minutes and then had steel cut oats, a slice of toast, OJ and a boiled egg. I've been pushing the water all day, its become a habit and I just keep a bottle where ever I happen to be, one in the car, one on my desk, one on the kitchen table.
I continue to enjoy the book that I mentioned yesterday. I did discover that they do have a web site but it does not look like much recent is happening there. Today the book was boring in on another principle, get rid of crap in your diet, fast food, white food, sugar etc. As I walked the isles of the store tonight it saddened me to observe how many of the recent immigrants were filling their cart of crap, packaged foods, fancy labels and the meat department was huge, I just shudder when I walk through the isles of dead things, no thanks.
This morning I completed the relo report and emailed it in. Then I began research for the two other big appraisals I have to complete, one for an 11 acre vineyard with a 6500 sf Italian Villa that is on the market for 4.4 million and the head quarters for EAS windpower, a 3400 sf home with 5 acres in the middle of windmills high in the hills between Tracy and Livermore. Now I've found dozens of comps for each, I need to cull them down, then drive the many miles to shoot photos of each, I will earn my money on each of these but again I'm thankful to have the work.
The weather is so nice right now, cool nights for ease of sleeping and sunny days to enjoy. Of course the devil throws in hay fever which can really ruin a good day.
Lois came over this morning to teach me how to download books from a library and put them into the IPOD that Marilyn so kindly provided me. Can you imagine that, you pick a book on line from the library, then you download it into your computer and then with a USB you download to the IPOD. Somehow the library makes the book disappear from your computer after a couple weeks, don't really get that part.
I would like to urge each one of you to join me in trying to recapture a great piece of life. With the new meds I'm having lots of trouble with energy levels and chest pains yet I have these wonderful moments as a reward of at least trying. As of this morning I weighed 220, down from 236 a few weeks ago. That means I no longer have to tell myself that I need to dump 90 pounds, now I get to say I need to dump 72 pounds, sounds much better. Also the jeans are fitting so much better and today I'm wearing a shirt that a few weeks ago was tight and now it is comfortable.
I spoke to Jason tonight and he is right in the middle of a program called CHIPS. He is very excited about it and thinks he may have already lost some weight. He got the results back from his blood workup and most indicators were encouraging but could be improved. So far his blood sugar is normal and I so hope both kids can keep away from diabetes. I earned mine the old fashioned way, got out of shape, ate everything in sight, lived with high levels of stress for years, you know the story.
My goal is simple, exercise for 1 hour 6 days a week. How you thought about your goal?
Sending love and caring to all,
love
tim
I'm getting home late from shopping at Winco, sort of like going to a market in a 3rd world country but also sort of interesting. Prices on many items are lower if you can just locate them in the huge store. Selection of some items is very limited and healthy items are not a big concern there. For example there was a very small selection of soups and almost none with lower salt or lower fat. While I'm still not wild about grocery shopping and would much rather be at a concert or strolling on the beach once in awhile shopping becomes a necessary and I've learned to manage it well.
This morning I rode the tred mill for 30 minutes and then had steel cut oats, a slice of toast, OJ and a boiled egg. I've been pushing the water all day, its become a habit and I just keep a bottle where ever I happen to be, one in the car, one on my desk, one on the kitchen table.
I continue to enjoy the book that I mentioned yesterday. I did discover that they do have a web site but it does not look like much recent is happening there. Today the book was boring in on another principle, get rid of crap in your diet, fast food, white food, sugar etc. As I walked the isles of the store tonight it saddened me to observe how many of the recent immigrants were filling their cart of crap, packaged foods, fancy labels and the meat department was huge, I just shudder when I walk through the isles of dead things, no thanks.
This morning I completed the relo report and emailed it in. Then I began research for the two other big appraisals I have to complete, one for an 11 acre vineyard with a 6500 sf Italian Villa that is on the market for 4.4 million and the head quarters for EAS windpower, a 3400 sf home with 5 acres in the middle of windmills high in the hills between Tracy and Livermore. Now I've found dozens of comps for each, I need to cull them down, then drive the many miles to shoot photos of each, I will earn my money on each of these but again I'm thankful to have the work.
The weather is so nice right now, cool nights for ease of sleeping and sunny days to enjoy. Of course the devil throws in hay fever which can really ruin a good day.
Lois came over this morning to teach me how to download books from a library and put them into the IPOD that Marilyn so kindly provided me. Can you imagine that, you pick a book on line from the library, then you download it into your computer and then with a USB you download to the IPOD. Somehow the library makes the book disappear from your computer after a couple weeks, don't really get that part.
I would like to urge each one of you to join me in trying to recapture a great piece of life. With the new meds I'm having lots of trouble with energy levels and chest pains yet I have these wonderful moments as a reward of at least trying. As of this morning I weighed 220, down from 236 a few weeks ago. That means I no longer have to tell myself that I need to dump 90 pounds, now I get to say I need to dump 72 pounds, sounds much better. Also the jeans are fitting so much better and today I'm wearing a shirt that a few weeks ago was tight and now it is comfortable.
I spoke to Jason tonight and he is right in the middle of a program called CHIPS. He is very excited about it and thinks he may have already lost some weight. He got the results back from his blood workup and most indicators were encouraging but could be improved. So far his blood sugar is normal and I so hope both kids can keep away from diabetes. I earned mine the old fashioned way, got out of shape, ate everything in sight, lived with high levels of stress for years, you know the story.
My goal is simple, exercise for 1 hour 6 days a week. How you thought about your goal?
Sending love and caring to all,
love
tim
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