I've started a new blog

Hi everyone.



I have started a new blog today. This is the third one. The first was written while Nan was battling so bravely with the GIST cancer that eventually claimed her life. The second was written as I dealt with the immediate recovery from the terrible loss and learning to live without her with me. Today I venture into a new blog called Life with Mustard. you can easily access it at lifewithmustard.blogspot.com and I hope you can make the leap with me over to the new blog.
Thank you faithful reader.

Tim
If you have trouble reading the new blog, click over at the side to see the second version, not sure what happened to the very first blog, its hidden and I don't know why.

Spring comes to my yard

Keanna loves her music class. She is posing with her loving teacher this afternoon.

Have a good evening,

love to all

Tim

Join the fun

I'm just back from a lovely evening with Mary Puentes, Discovery Bay Travel. She invited me to join her and her husband, I can't spell his name. As always the mean was wonderful and ended with fresh strawberries from a local farm. She even sent some of them home with me. So good.
Today I finally was able to take my precious little Starr to the groomer where she had her teeth brushed, her nails clipped and ground down, her coat washed and groomed with a special brush and other things little doggies need. She seems happy and contented to be home. I had a coupon for $5 off and they had a special for nail clipping as well. I'm so glad to have it done.
I woke this morning to the most amazing epiphany, I am lazy. Not that admitting to such a behavior flaw is easy but I thought that perhaps by my admitting it you might consider your own life too. As I slowly woke up I was recapping how my yard, deck, side yard area looks and frankly it needs attention. I thought of painting that needs to be done inside, about baseboard that needs to be installed. I know how to do all of that and do it well. Interesting observations one can have at 6 am. Of course after Ken called to report it was raining I was able to roll over, pull the blanket up higher and go back to sleep so the insight must not have been to inspiring.
How easy it is to put things off, now there are people like Sylvia who have never put off anything in their entire life and of course they would just shake their head at the rest of us who major in procrastination and delay. Once a person lives alone there are no honey do lists posted for Sundays, we have to make our own lists and as we grow used to the way it is we fail to see how it could be.
I would like to challenge you or prompt you just a bit to join in the fun of rediscovering life. I know Jason is deep into his program that he has been attending at a local church, a program that had him walking 7 miles yesterday, wow. I think the program is called CHIPS and he is learning a lot of new things regarding his life and health. Nikki is deep into some very challenging exercise programs at the gym and would do more if there were more hours available. I am discovering a shift in my habits part of which changed when I was sick for a few days. That helps to shrink your capacity to eat so much. I have a few things I have learned, 1) keep drinking water near at all times and find a bottle that you find easy to drink from, avoid cold water, room temperature can go down much easier, 2) find foods that you can stuff yourself with that have few calories and carbs, you will not stay fat eating Romaine hearts, tomatoes, beans, boiled eggs, berries, oranges. 3) move more, do things that will get your heart rate up to (formula - 220 - age x 75%) your working fat burning heart level, vary between walking, biking and strength training and do it 6 days a week for one hour the rest of your life. We are either building our bodies or they are falling apart, we don't hold our own, it either goes one way or the other. I'm no expert but I do know what is working for me. Portion control is vital except when you are eating free foods, you can eat a lot of pinto beans or salad and still be in great shape. I include steel cut oats with ground up flax seed and a bunch of fiber powder. The fiber grabs fat and takes it out the chute instead of on the thighs. I've discovered that one can eat at Olive Garden without eating the bread sticks, one can have senior portion size at Spaghetti Factory and make it whole wheat pasta. Friends and family, we can win this thing, we can be better, healthier, live longer, live better, fit in our clothes better, we can do this and now not later.
Examples: my brother Jerry walks nearly every day for at least 2 to 4 miles in the wilderness near his house, since retiring and being home with Donna's excellent cooking he has lost a lot of weight and feels better than he has in years. He is 71 years old. Art and Connie walk nearly every day in their retirement, yesterday they walked nearly 10 miles in the hills.
Be encouraged, get up and tackle life, stay around longer and annoy your kids, play with your grandkids, amaze your friends and stomp on your enemies.

love

tim

11.8

Yep, that's the official number at tonight's weight watchers meeting. I'll take it. To celebrate I went to dinner at UNO's over in Antioch but brought half of the pizza home in a box. Oh it was so good and I was so ready to eat. Had to measure a house in the wind and chilly night air so the warm soup and food was extra special.
Ken and I did our normal 5K event this morning around Willow Lake and then went our own ways to work. After my shower and breakfast I sat down in the work chair for a minute and an hour later I was waking up stiff and sore. Once awake I drove to Stockton to do a review for a new company, yea!, came home and wrote it up, emailed it out and on time. Then I headed for Antioch but discovered along the way that I had left the file at home yet upon arriving at home I discovered that the file had actually been in the car the entire time but was buried deep in my brief case. It happens but I hate to make a misstep when I'm working, oh I hate to even make one wrong turn during the day.

My brother Jerry is arriving Thursday afternoon from Weed. He will be with me for the weekend and we enjoy time together. He is older but in better shape than I am. We'll probably take an overnight up at Jackson Rancheria and enjoy their wonderful RV park.

So I'm going to sign off now. I woke after falling asleep last night and came down to work from 11:30 until about 12:45, I was wide awake and just wasting time. Hope to sleep the entire night tonight without interruption. That is unless you want to call. I always want to hear from you!

So good night,

love

tim

A Perfect Sunday

Wow the weather was great today. I'm just back from a ride with Ray around the lake on his missionary launch. Little wind, warm weather, busy ducks and geese and on occasion a dog to run out to the end of his dock and bark at us. We sipped ice tea and solved many of the world's pressing problems.

The day started with drill Sargent Ken commanding a 3 mile endurance walk around Willow Lake. Next was a breakfast of 2 links, one wheat toast and a mug of steel cut oats with black berries and raspberries.

I then dutifully went to my desk and in a few minutes was hard at work on an appraisal. Once that was completed I took a break to throw the ball for Jazz so she could swim and enjoy herself. Ken and LeAnn gave me a vessel full of water with energizer for the tomato plants which I applied to them.

Then it was back to work. Of course lunch popped up and I decided to do a salad. Using romaine hearts as the base I started. Lois was in the kitchen and pointed out that I had a nice little machine to chop up food items so I began to use that for the lettuce and tomatoes. It worked great. Then I added sauteed mushrooms that had a touch of sesame oil, chopped up string cheese, sliced olives and a hard boiled egg.

Once the salad was tossed and smothered in non fat Italian dressing I headed for the table that Nikki and Steve provided, cleaned a section of the top and settled in to enjoy the great taste of the salad. I brought out the little radio that Jason and Jo gave me for Christmas and enjoyed the beauties of the lake while eating, classical music in the background. A very nice lunch.

At some point Lois called to let me know about a duck with her babies swimming by. I've included a couple photos of a very precious little family. Some of the joys of living on the lake.

After all the fun I came back to the desk and wrote a tough appraisal and its already emailed to the client.

Now evening is descending and while rain is rumored for tomorrow this has been a great day.

A side note: we are pretty sure that raccoons have been visiting the dog food bowl during the night. This morning the floor was a mess with footprints all over the place. I don't like the idea of them in the house so tonight the dog door is going to be locked up tight. Moo moo and George will have to adjust to not being able to come in and out all night, sorry guys.

I'm hoping for a great week with new work for Steve and me, its time for our luck to change for the better.

I'm hoping things are good for you and your loved ones. Relationships are precious and we need to care of them while we have them, that is now, not tomorrow or later. Love your kidos and let them know how precious they are to you, don't assume that they know, tell them over and over. Do at least 2 positive things or comments for every negative thing you say.

Love to all,

Tim

Olympics

Good evening,
I'm back, rested and feeling mellow. This morning I enjoyed a very charming couple of hours as Kallie went to Sabbath School. Today there were many children there and she fit right in. The teacher though new did a great job and even Luke, grandson of the Dunston's was visiting. He and Kallie were so cute together, both with blond heads and about the same size. What fun to see her begin to learn about prayer, the bible stories, right the bell, put in the offering and even leave it there in the little boat. She was a little angel and I loved every minute of the time I had her with me.
Once back we found mother Nikki and Keanna at some sale at a school in Brentwood, they next went to sign up for soccer and then ended up at the Black Diamond Gymnastics facility where the Olympics was being held. What a big deal, hundreds of kids took part and had a blast all doing their thing. I have great video of the event. Keanna is really learning a lot from her time spent there.
After the completion of the Olympics I headed home via Taco Bell and have enjoyed time on the back deck talking to Lois, talking to my best friends the doggies and a little while ago I made dinner, sauteed mushrooms with chopped up asparagus and a microwaved vege with cheese sauce. A totally enjoyable meal and of course I added a couple chopped tomatoes to the top of the dish. Now the dishwasher is humming and I'm watching a past episode of Bones, a program Nan introduced me to years ago and which I continue to enjoy.
This evening I had the chance to speak to Sharon, sister in law, in Texas and she is doing well, keeping very busy running her important business, adult day care, taking classes to stay current, meeting with inspectors and staying healthy.
I'm so thankful that Nikki and Steve allow me to take the girls to Sabbath School. I really believe it is a very strong and good thing to do for their futures plus they love it there. Keanna was just to booked today to go but Kallie sure had fun. The entire trip she was finding birdies, cows in the fields which she identified as cows and then enjoyed doing her moo moo for a bit. As we headed home we stopped at Burger King but she told me, no food so I just got milk for her to enjoy in her cup and I grabbed a Mocha Joes, I'm sure it has about 5 points and is filled with a lot of bad stuff but today I didn't much care about that, just wanted something to enjoy. It tasted great all the way home. Yes it was that large.
Ken is through his tax season now so is ready to start walking again. I'm ready too so in the morning at 7 we hit the road. Should be fun to walk again and share war stories about life.
So I send my love to all and wish you the very best as you face a new week. What does God have in store for each of us? Where is He leading us? What missions would He like for us to attend to this week? If we are available He will use us.
Love

tim

Whew, its over

11 pm and I'm so glad this week is over, gone, done, finished.

I have almost nothing to say tonight so this will be very short. The one really special thing that happened today was the arrival on my door step of Keanna, Kallie and their mother. I've included a couple photos of the girls as they played, munched and lifted my spirits in a way only little people can.

Nikki had important wrapping work to do so I kept the girls busy. Keanna turns 7 on the 30th, can you believe it? Already 7 years old. Kallie is her happy busy self and loves to play with my dogs since they are so much shorter than her doggie which is tall and very strong. My little girls are short, pretty friendly and Kallie loves to play with them, she also enjoys playing with her dolls, their little bed, their stroller etc. Once they arrive all the stuff that tends to occupy my mind, work concerns, money concerns, tax concerns, health, you get the picture, all of that is forgotten and these two little ones fill the screen with their cuteness and busy play. Keanna wanted crackers and ate a bunch, she also wanted water and nearly finished an entire bottle, Kallie ask for a drink so when I opened the frig door she saw the apple juice containers which I keep on her level in the door and asked for that. She drank it all and then handed it to me with a single word, gone. As always I hated to see them leave and did my funny little dance in the driveway as they drove away, they expect it and scream with delight as I rush the car or do something else totally silly. Somehow it does not matter at the moment, the kids are everything.

Tomorrow morning I'm taking Kallie to Sabbath School, Keanna appears to be busy with something and then in the afternoon Keanna is taking part in a kids olympics at her gym so I'll be there with the camcorder at 2:30.

This afternoon Keanna looked up at the frig door and saw a picture of Nan and me. She looked up and said papa and I told her as I pointed to Nan, this is Grammy. She looked and looked, its the start of introducing her to Nan, Nikki says she has a book with photos of Nan that she shows to Kallie..

I'm fading so I'll bid you goodnight now.

Love

tim

What a day

I knew when I woke this morning that today was going to be busy, I had no idea of just how busy. Yet it ended in such a dramatic and wonderful fashion it was worth it all.
Steel cut oats and a banana, then do research for two properties, then leave for an on time arrival at Dr. Jim's office, unfortunately he was running way behind so I did not get to see him until 1 hour and 45 minutes later, that sort of ruined some of my plans to see an Antioch property. I drove directly to my 1 pm appointment and found a beautiful home in a quiet neighborhood. Once I reached my car I discovered that it was already 2 pm and Sylvia was returning from her bird watching tour in Butan, a country located adjacent to India.
I headed toward Dublin and the BART station where she was waiting. She filled me in on many of the wonderful adventures of her trip and we both rejoiced that she was home safely ahead of many cancelled flights due to the volcano in Iceland. Having delivered her to her front door I drove back to Discovery Bay and did a bit in the office, then to Brentwood to turn in prescriptions Jim had written for new meds and then drove to Stockton to attend the symphony with a friend. Tonight we heard music written by Saint-Saens, Schumann and Respighi. I've loved the music of Respighi for years but never seen it performed live before. It was everything I had hoped, it is exciting music and many extra members were added to the orchestra for its performance. One simply could not sleep during the performance, impossible, loud, subtle, fragile, atonal, interesting. Great experience just hearing it, seeing it performed and the conductor, Peter Jaffe not only does a great job but also stops to explain what is going to happen. Makes it so much more interesting then to hear what he has just explained. Amazing.
Tomorrow is another day but this evening was magic for many reasons.

love
tim

Back to the spinning wheel.........

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Improving

Dear Family and Friends,
I've just come in from a few minutes of total peace. I happened to be in the back by the lake and the sun was preparing to set over the palm trees on the island, Lois was feeding ducks and my dogs were watching, my cats were also out there. We chatted about owning pets and younger years. I sat down in a chair that used to have a cushion 10 years ago but the cushion has failed yet the plastic chair is remarkable comfortable on its own.
Ken was not able to walk this morning, it is tax season and he is working very long days and nights. I have been listening to this marvelous book, Younger Next Year. It really puts it all together for those of us who are getting a little older, just outstanding science, advice, inspiring stories and the bottom line is 1 hour of exercise 6 days a week for the rest of your life, on days when there is no exercise the body stores fat, becomes inflamed in the cells and makes us older, exercise changes all of that. Well in light of what I'm learning I decided to dust off the Nordic Treadmill. I've never enjoyed it more. As I watched the tragic news conference for the missing miners I walked, never letting my heart rate get much more than 110. I managed to select a program that changed the pace of the machine and also elevated the angle so part of the time the working was harder. I only went 30 minutes but it felt great.
I had a breakfast that included something produced by Kashi, sort of a combo of weeds, puffed rice and who knows what else. The package says it is a great healthy breakfast so I ate it. Its OK.
After breakfast I left to inspect the head quarters of EAS, the windpower company located in the Altamont Pass area. Knowing the manager from last time we caught up a bit on the business and I learned the government is messing with them also. Their 10% of the total wind machines in the area are aging fast and within 3 years will need to be re powered, that is all new machines need to be installed at a cost of nearly a million dollars for each new windmill. So they have the company on the market but he expects no buyers. The industry is waiting year by year to see what congress is going to do about tax breaks for investors and such. But the congress is only dealing with one year at a time, far too short for possible investors who want to know what is happening in the next 10 years. He showed me the machine shop where they create many of the parts that wear out, they create them using lathes, presses and other machines. It was totally fascinating to see up close.
The last time I did this same appraisal they were being offered money by the golf course that is adjacent to their property. The principal owner turns out to be a crook. The golf course is worth about 6 million dollars and this guy has investors money close to 22 million dollars for the golf course. He just kept selling to willing investors with nothing to back it up. So the golf course is locked up solid and will sold at a court house sale soon. Greed is not very pretty and it hurts so many trusting people wiping out life savings or retirement funds. Malof over and over.
After finishing the inspection I drove back home and started a relocation appraisal. Then at 12:45 I picked up Keanna. She was full of ideas and comments. She was bummed that she was not able to have a cupcake like all the other kids due to possible allergies.
We went to McDonalds and this time she had both fresh fries and apple pieces, it was Nikki's suggestion and it turned out to be a very good one. She ate the apple pieces and the dogs at the fries. We went by her house so she could change into cooler clothes, the day had turned warmer than expected. We got to see Steve for a minute, he was painting cabinets for his master bathroom remodel project. Then we hit Blockbusters, she rented a movie, the post office to mail an appraisal and then we headed home.
Upon arrival she needed a jello, crackers, strawberries and water. She settled in watching the movie she had rented and I went back to work. I felt so weak and frail for most of the afternoon but I stayed with the plan to head to the club after I dropped her off. While the machines were a challenge and my muscles burned as I neared the end of the 3rd rep of 12 I felt better as I moved from machine to machine. Once I left I felt like a human being again.
Once I arrived home I decided to fire up the little weed eater / rototiller machine and I worked in a flower bed in the front yard for a bit. It works really great, that was fun as soon there will be some color there, I love flowers blooming, to me it says life. Steve and Jason both love to plant things and see them grow and I usually just dream of it, not make it happen, maybe this time I can follow through.
I feel the best I have felt in a long time this evening and that is encouraging.
I just can't recommend the book, Younger Next Year enough. Yes you need to prepare yourself for some talk about evolution yet even in that there are things to learn. Such as, in nature other animals do not overeat even when there is plenty of food. When a modern human being eats too much the body thinks there must be a famine coming and quickly stores the extra food to head off the crisis. When day after day the person eats too much the fat is stored. On the other hand when someone exercises the body responds by sending help to repair the slight damage that the exertion has done and ends up repairing the muscle to make it a tiny bit stronger than it was before the exercise. There is a web site, Younger Next Year.com, at least the book says that. I've not looked yet. This book is inspiring, hard to refute and lays out a pathway so even people in their 50s and 60s can be younger next year. For me I see myself behind the boat on my water ski and coming up out of the water to enjoy jumping the waves and being back. I can see myself heading down the mountain on snow skis laughing and loving the show and nature all around. Or in spin class without being concerned about still being alive at the end of the 40 minutes of hell.
Can I ask you, have you given thought to where you are heading with the habits you are promulgating? Is there life after this year? Better life!
My purpose in writing this blog is to be as transparent as possible while preserving some items of a personal nature. You've been with me in the pit of gloom and depression, with me when all seemed lost, you've been along for the ride when I've questioned my faith or fragments of my faith, when I've complained about the bland experience of being alone, alone, alone. And now I'm urging you to find inspiration to examine yourself, don't lie, don't promise that you'll do something about inactivity later, don't say well this is just the way it is, I'm destined to be heavy or I can't change at this age. Calmly conjure up an image of yourself doing what you would really like to do, it can happen, there are amazing stories of people starting to move again, to walk, swim, bike, ski in their 50s or 60s and then continuing to do so until they are 90. Only 10% of men exercise after age 50, that is appalling and has been totally true for me for years.
My low point came slightly after Nan had passed away and thanks to Steve and Sylvia's kindness with miles for a ticket I found myself in Kona with the kids for a few days. We even had Christmas there at the timeshare. One evening we decided on a luau and we walked downhill to the setting by the water. Afterwards thinking the car was still in the same place I climbed back up the hill to the car only to find the car was missing, Steve had gone for it and was waiting for me by the luau so I wouldn't have to make the climb. Once I saw the car I lumbered up and sat down. I was wet with sweat and my heart was beating hard. I actually thought I might die on the spot.
Time magazine did an article several months ago taking a hard look at health and fitness of people here in America. After examining all the diet plans, the fitness books, the latest studies on primary point emerged on why some people are carrying extra weight and why others don't gain extra pounds. The overriding difference was whether people moved or not, whether a way of life they found ways to be stingy with their movements or enjoyed moving about. For years I found having to walk a ways after parking the car a big pain, about having to carry something heavy as torture instead of celebrating movement.
I hope we can all bring fitness to the forefront of our minds as we move into the spring season.
For me I used to weigh 236 or 237 on a bad day. Now I'm running about 221. The new medicine I'm taking has dramatically reduced my constant craving to be eating something, that was just the break I needed, I've often prayed about it, asking the Lord to help me find a trigger to break habits and move in a new healthy way.
If any of these ideas prompt you to consider how precious your life is, how much your kidos love and need you, how nice it would be if you could keep up with them, how impressive it would be to drop some pounds and puff less when moving then go for it. Our bodies rapidly respond to change, muscles quickly adapt and grow, pounds melt away when we get rid of junk out of our diet. Make oatmeal or steel cut oats your friend again, find free foods, like pinto beans or tomatoes, or mushrooms, or celery (which I can't stand), Romaine hearts are great and packed full of goodness. And the starting point is find a way to drink water all the time. For me it was seeing a sports bottle of water in Nikki's car and thinking, well thats a good idea. I buy them by the case at Costco, little blue lid, opens easily, seals perfectly for no leaking, easy to hold and so so good.
We are here, lets make it as good as it can be while we are here, join me in choosing life.

love

tim

Strange

Hi
Once again I've managed to get a late start to going to bed. But its been so nice to talk with friends this evening.
This has been a strange day for me. I've encountered a new experience. Probably due to the new medicine I've been having a confusing array of emotions and physical symptoms. Today it was like I had downed a gallon of coffee. I could not stop the sensation of needing to keep moving all the time, nerves were on edge and I could not concentrate on work or anything else. Finally I decided to wade through a deep stack of papers that needed to be filed or put away, then I discovered that the business line was dead, no wonder the calls were not coming through. About an hour later and thanks to the second tech the digital line was working again. While he was at it he also called me on my video phone and the picture was perfect, he there in his office in N. Carolina and me sitting at my desk in California. Once the phone line began to work again I tried to settle down and get a report written. I finally finished the report and decided to go to the gym but then doubt clouded that, I would be alone and what if my body did not react to exercise well and I passed out or something.
I had taken my blood at around 5 and it was down to 106 which for me is low. Now two hours later I finally decided to eat so I made a small baked potato, sauteed some mushrooms and added cottage cheese. I drank a class of V8 juice and after the meal was over my inner world of the jitters finally started to calm down a bit. Dr. Jim thought perhaps it was due to the new medicine and getting used to it. So now I'm heading to bed.
The antibiotic has slammed the illness I was having on Sunday and I'm feeling pretty well on that front, little coughing, less stuffy head.
I'm also suffering from a chronic lack of new orders. I'm writing up orders I have already seen but unless something changes soon I'll be out of work soon. Can we pray for work for all who need it.
So I'm going to say goodnight now. Its been a strange day for sure.

Love

tim

Feeling Better

Dear Family and Friends,
My last night was pretty awful, heavily congested, coughing, trying to use the cpap mask, awake and finally the alarm at 5:45. How I wished at that point that I had never agreed to walk but having made the commitment I walked. It turned out very good. Although most of the walk was sort of a shuffle I made my three miles and stumbled in the house, to my work chair, fell asleep for a few minutes with the little heater blasting my cold feet.
Finally the smell of steel cut oats lured me to the kitchen and along with a slice of bread that is backed with about 10 kinds of grain and some excellent jam made by a friend I had breakfast. Then it was off to the shower where I steamed off a layer of walking sweat, unstuck my eyes which had been totally crusted over when I woke.
I came down and prepared for an appointment of a wonderful Italian Villa on 11 acres. You just would not believe how special this home really is, so tastefully created, decorated, it is joy to photograph. Pizza oven by the pool in the outside kitchen, Grecian reflecting pools, professional kitchen with huge stainless steel frigs, theatre room with cushy chairs, every bedroom perfectly decorated, wow. After seeing this spectacular property once again I came back home and began to write on two appraisals that were due tomorrow. I wanted to be a day ahead of schedule.
This evening I was so ready for weight watchers, I just knew I had lost a bunch of weight but when I arrived there was no one there, oh now I remember, no meeting this week due to Easter. Bummer.
Good news for Ray and Lois. Today their heard a kitty crying and discovered to their joy that Cassie had returned. Of course catching her will be a bit more difficult as she is very frightened so at this point they still do not have her captured but at least they know she is alive. Great news.
The mail has been good to me lately so now I can restore the savings account until the next crisis.
As the day progressed today I gradually felt better and better. I keep water close by and drink a lot now which seems to help so much. At about 1 pm I was feeling pretty weak, this new medicine, Victoza seems to really be working to drive down my blood sugar levels. I decided to check it out on the web and found out interesting things like it helps one lose weight, individuals who had written comments all mentioned dropping 4 or more pounds right away. It seems to inhibit appetite as well as drive down the sugar level. When I had my salad ready with tomatoes, pinto beans, romaine hearts, small cheese pieces and 0 fat dressing I paused to check the blood level. It was 85, the lowest in over a year. It is hard for me to get used to how ones feels at 85 when one is used to it being 140 or so. Yet this is huge progress and I am gratified. Now to get the insurance company to pay for it in the future when the samples run out. This morning when I weighed I saw a 221 instead of the old 236. That is encouraging.
I'm listening to an audio book Lois was kind enough to put on CDs for me. It is called younger next year and it the most amazing book. It not only lays out solid reasons for aerobic exercise at least 6 days a week but explains what is taking place inside the body and how if we don't exercise than the body is breaking down. Its an every day struggle, exercise and be younger or stagnate and be older, sicker, sluggish and defeated. Roxanna and Rick gave me the book several years ago and I read it as I was flying home from Boston after visiting Nan who was in a trial program. The book is amazing, I mean really amazing and I can't recommend it highly enough.
So in contrast to the last few days which have been pretty much downers today was a good turning point. Someone suggested a new tooth brush after illness, great great idea and since I use a sonacare I'll just put a new head on it. I now use wipes that kill germs on my mask each morning when I rise. Got to fight back against illness. I don't get to see my kidos when I'm sick and I don't get my work done either.
So on this upbeat note I'll sign off.
Exercise 6 days a week for the rest of your life, don't push your heart rate above 110 if you are my age, just get your body up to that rate and keep going.
Love to all,

Tim

Bleak Easter

Dear Family and Friends,
This has just been a chilly rainy day. Anyone searching for eggs today needed a rain coat. I woke up feeling very ill and have spent the majority of the day sleeping, drinking water, making little meals and just trying to stay warm. Mid day I built a fire with piece of wood I had borrowed from Lois and Ray weeks ago. It made a perfect fire and it heated things up for hours. For lunch due to a severe ache in my mid section I decided to try to put some good things in for a change. I prepared some mushrooms and asparagus in a fry pan with olive oil, headed half a can of pinto beans and then had that for lunch. It tasted wonder. For breakfast I once again had steel cut oats. I've not been eating very much since I've been feeling so rough. I have kept water beside me all day long and drank several large bottles. I started on antibiotics again today to try to head off this increasingly ugly illness. I hope it can turn things around. I also located a large container of special bug killing wipes. From now on I'll wipe out the mask each morning with a wipe, try to kill the bugs and no reinfect myself.
Late this afternoon I decided I needed to get some work out so a while ago I emailed a report and I'm working on another one now. As I work I can hear the rain really coming down outside. At least the tomato plants will get a nice soaking by nature.
I'm heading to bed even though it is only 9:10. I hope and pray that I'll feel better soon. This is very depressing.
Hope your Easter was a bit more exciting than mine but it felt good to stay in, stay warm and get lots of rest.
Sending love to all,

Tim

The girls hunt easter eggs

Dear Family and Friends,

As I write I am so tired I can hardly move. I honestly don't think I've recovered yet from the spinner class plus hay fever and chest congestion and low blood sugar.

Ken and I walked this morning at 7, it was cold and we were glad to get home. Then at 9:30 Nikki, Steve and girls parked in my driveway and we all ended up at the nearby park where the Lions Club hosted a huge Easter egg hunt. The search areas were divided into three age groups and hundreds of kidos appeared. The easter bunny was there for photos. I've included a few photos from the exciting time we had. Kallie did a new behavior that was so cute. All throughout the Easter egg hunt she kept asking if we could go to the slides. So when we got a minute I took her to the slides. She learned how to climb the stairs safely and slid down several times. When her parents arrived on the scene she walked to the top of the slide and reached up to get a hand hold on little bars that are above the slide, then she lifted her feet up and began to make money sounds. She was laughing and swinging back and forth by her arms and saying monkey. It was so cute.

This year Keanna was not shy and raced onto the collection field when it was time and she collected a lot of eggs, more even than her friends, later I heard her say she was going to go share some of them with a little girl who didn't find very many.

After we walked back the kids loaded and left and I went in to take a rest and get warm. I built a fire using the last piece of wood I had brought back from Jerry and Donna's house last summer. The fire was nice and I rested. I woke and turned on Loma Linda broadcasting. They were showing the worship hour at the Loma Linda church, sort of a high church. Randy Roberts was preaching and he delivered an outstanding sermon, really moving and the moment he concluded brass and the orchestra began, they were joined a few seconds later by the pipe organ and then the choir. Each verse was more exciting with more bombastic music. By the time they finished I was in tears, it was just so beautiful. Thank you Donna and Shawn for the satellite dish, it is still wonderful.

Eventually I woke enough mess around outside, knocked down some weeds, talked to Lois and then Ray arrived from San Jose. This evening I planted some tomato plants in the planters on the back deck. Steve had all the old stuff pulled out.

This evening I'm feeling very rough, I think I might need more antibiotics again as I'm being hit by the same mess as before. Also the new medicine is driving my blood sugar levels down so much that I'm feeling different than usual.

Anyway it was a very special day, seeing the kids have so much fun and just getting to spend time with them, its very special and I appreciate it.

Love to all

Tim

At last its Friday evening

Dear Family and Friends,
As days go this is a gray day, misty rain, overcast skies, windy weather. Mid day I measured a big house in Vallejo, some of the belongings of the former owner were still there including a computer and monitor in the living room. Once I was through with that house I found Olive Garden and had a bit of lunch. Then it was on to Concord to do a driveby of a condo that is being foreclosed.
Upon arriving at home I rested a bit, since the spinning class and the start of the new diabetes medicine I've felt pretty wasted and catching some rest is great.
After the nap I took time to clean the van as a friend is using it this weekend. I even had it washed but of course the rain will quickly make that a mute point. Lois has returned from her time in San Jose and was willing to help me deliver the van to where it needed to be. As we drove back in the bug I noticed that the fuel was very low. By the time we pulled into the driveway here in Discovery Bay the mileage shows 600 miles on this tank. Wow that is the most I've ever driven on a tank.
I had a nice surprise when I opened the email this evening. Capital One is depositing money for more appraisals I have completed. What a great way to begin the Sabbath.
Good night friends and family, may you have a meaningful Easter weekend and take time to remember the most important reason, He is risen.

love to all

Tim

Aftermath

Dear Family and Friends,
I woke this morning to discover that I was not feeling well at all. Gradually as the warm shower and moving about kicked in I started to feel somewhat better. After breakfast I took my pills as I normally do but this time I also included the new shot. This time I decided to do it in my lower tummy and the reaction was swift, pain lingered for minutes afterwards. Yesterday when I gave it in the upper arm there was no reaction. Today for several hours I felt strange in the area of the shot. Did I hit a nerve or what? Couple that with the fact that I felt a Mack truck had hit me. The 35 minutes of spinning class really did a number on me. So it has been a very strange day. I worked this morning and got one out, then I went to a Brentwood property to do a relocation appraisal. This property was really nice, excellent landscaping, side hill mounted pebble tec pool with spa and waterfall.
By the time I got through with the inspection I was feeling pretty rough so I went to Diggers, a funky little diner located nearby and had a vegetarian sandwich on rye. It was great. I then drove home and collapsed into the recliner where I slept until 5:30. Nikki called to let me know they were just going into the gym for Keanna's class. So I roused myself and drove in to witness her lively activities and to help with Kallie.
Now I've just arrived home from having dinner at La Villa, a place we all love. Kallie has learned to dig her chip into the beans so that was her entire meal and at times she had a fully loaded chip to me.
At this point I'm heading to bed. Tomorrow I hope to feel much better, recovered from the spinning class enough to do an appraisal in Concord and another in Vallejo.
Good night to all,

love

tim

Interesting day

Good evening friends and family,

Of course the high point of the day was picking up Keanna, seeing her little face light up knowing her Papa was on time and there for her. We drove to MacDonald's for a snack (happy meal) and spotted Steve's car. She was so excited to get to see her daddy that she stayed with him at Strawhat and I went for the Happy Meal. We enjoyed lunch together and I was impressed again with how many people Steve knows as customers came in to order Steve knew many of them. Our local Strawhat is under new ownership and what a big improvement. Its worth going there again.

After lunch we drove to Keanna's house, picked up her music homework bag and then drove to my house where I went to work and Keanna picked up her eating, 5 or 6 huge strawberries, crackers, a jello cup. That girl can put it away. She created a great picture for me, took her time until she had it the way she wanted it. Once I completed my report we went to the park where she played. Soon it was time to leave for Brentwood and the music class. After buying her a cookie that looked like an egg I left for the club. I actually did not care to get soaked so I took a nap in the van. Once the rain stopped I headed in and I looked longingly at the spin class sign up. I did not understand it so just skipped it. As I entered the workout area I decided to just go up the stairs to the spin room, a room with about 30 bikes mounted on the floor and facing the front where a very positive Kim sat on her bike with a microphone on her cheek. I peered into the room through the glass door and was about to leave when she waved me in. She got off her bike, found me a bike, adjusted it to fit me and then talking all the while told me to take it easy. Soon we were spinning, riding and for the next 40 minutes or so I entered spinning hell. We never stopped spinning and were told to stand up and pump, that was beyond my ability so I just sat on a horribly uncomfortable seat and tried to keep up. The towel was soon soaked, my glasses were soaked, the bike was soaked, my shirt was like rain had fallen. The pace was amazing and for a while I thought my heart would probably just throw in the towel and quit but it did not quit. Every few minutes I would peek at the clock on the side wall and just pray that it would be over, I considered stopping and walking out while I could still walk yet I kept spinning. Well I'm writing to you now loyal reader to you know I survived. Will I got back, you bet, my goal now is to be able to hold my own with the many other riders who all were obedient and leaned forward when they were told to, adjusted the tension ever tighter and stayed with the driving beat of the music and Kim's relentless browbeating. She is not only not hard to look at but also an outstanding teacher and leader.

After we finally stopped I was amazed to discover I could still stand up and the ground did not shake. Lets just say I walked through the weight machines, tossed the towel and drove directly home. I did not pass Starbucks or anything else. I've been in the recliner for 2 hours catching my breath. All in all a great experience.

This morning I met with Jim Edwards, my doctor and we went over the recent blood tests. While there were some less than ideal signals most of the reports were very good. Vit D was low and a friend recently supplied me with just the right bottle of pills to solve that. My cholesterol was an amazing 96 and my bad cholesterol was within the proper range but my good cholesterol was low. My A1C, a long term look at the blood sugar levels was up, 7.1 this time from 6.5 last time a year ago. PSA was very low which is good.

I had taken logs of blood sugar sticks and also records of many blood pressures over the past month. Jim took everything into account and then made some changes in my medications, one move from Crestor to a less expensive one will help financially. He also gave me samples of a brand new drug that is given sub que, the needle is so tiny you don't feel it. This drug helps draw down blood sugar levels and instead of prompting weight gain this one actually enhances efforts to lose weight. I'm excited about that one. Jim also pointed out that there is a difference in the actual levels of omega 3 delivered between the brands that are sold as prescriptions and the ones sold by CostCo and CVS. I checked my bottle this evening and it only delivers 300 mg of omega 3 yet is sold have having 1,000 mg. That was very good information to know. My time there was well spent.

So today I've survived the doctor's office, the spinning class, Keanna's visit and the writing of an appraisal.

I have to close tonight with the perfect ending to a busy day. I know from checking on line banking that I had about $1,400 toward the house payment that had to be made today which is $2,518. I've been waiting for payment from Capital One for over two weeks with nothing being deposited to my account. This evening there was an email informing me of payment for 4 appraisals which is being direct deposited into my account. I now can make the house payment. Living this close is very unnerving but also a real faith builder. I've done nothing to deserve His help but I certainly appreciate it deeply and constantly.

Love to all,

Tim

A long but safe day

9: pm. Home at last. Ken dragged me out into the cold this morning to walk, well actually he asked me if I would like to go and I said yes. At first it was very windy and cold but it got better as we walked and talked.
Once I was back, had breakfast and a shower I loaded up and left for Livermore. As the Yamaha Golf Cart center neared suddenly the rain began to fall. The manager was kind enough to lift the batteries out of the back of the bug and I asked about a replacement cushion for the rear seat of the golf cart, amazingly they had one on the shelf which they sold to me for just $25.
I then dialed the GPS in for Hollister and began the trip. It promised an arrival time of 11:30 and it was very close. I inspected the empty house, shot 8 comparables and then left for Jason and Jo's place at MBA. In a few minutes I was at their front door and Timothy ran out to greet me. He was having a good day with his mother and after a few minutes I left for my next appointment in Lodi.
Now I'm home and very ready to head to bed. I see that I have a Doctor's appointment at 8 in the morning which I'm looking forward to. Then I'll probably run over to Concord to do a driveby and then back to pickup Keanna at school.
While I've driven about 300 miles today I'm thankful for a safe day and one with all kinds of weather, from driving rain to sunshine. Its a beautiful time of the year with everything green, flowering and giving off tons of pollen, lovely for us hay fever sufferers.
So good night all,

love

tim

Varied tasks

Good evening
As I'm heading to bed I thought I would bring you up to speed on my day. First to Vacaville to see a nice little place, then to CostCo for cat food, mundane stuff, then home to work for awhile, then off to Weight Watchers where amazingly I've lost yet another pound. Now its 8 lbs down. I really don't deserve it.
Then to the club to watch Keanna in her swimming lesson and Kallie running, playing, eating Cheerios and smiling a whole lot.
Then home to do some heavy lifting. The batteries, all 6 of them needed to be transferred to the bug so I could get them back to the Livermore company to honor my word. While I was in town I picked up a 3 dollar device that lets you grab batteries and lift them. They are very very heavy and would break your foot if they fell. Well the device worked perfectly on two of the batteries but the other 4 had a different terminal which did not stick up enough for the device to get a hold. What to do, lifting the batteries with bare hands was out of the question for me, just two heavy. So what to do. Using two nails as pins I devised a way to make the lifting device stay connected the battery, it worked and all 6 batteries are now safely loaded in the back of the bug for delivery tomorrow morning. I think I will just keep going then to Hollister to do an appraisal that came in today and then hurry back for a dinner appointment tomorrow evening which I do not plan to miss.
I must say the bug sure drives nicely now with its new tires and quieter engine. It starts rapidly now and seems to run perfectly.
Now off to bed since neighbor Ken has decided that we should walk in the morning at 6 am. Too early!
Love to all,

Tim

Rested

Hi

I'm just home from driving back in the motorhome from MBA. Along the way I stopped to see Ron Wing, Irene's husband. We lost Irene Jan. 26 and Ron and I have been able to have a couple meaningful times when we can talk. Tonight was one such night. He took his son Eric and me to Hometown Buffet and we all ate like there was no Weight Watchers, yikes. We were able to share important stuff and just had a good evening.

This morning Jason and I walked Timothy and my dogs to the beach. It was a splendid morning, not a bit cold and clear. During the day we tackled several projects. With a fresh charge in the newly installed batteries Jason took Timothy and me on a ride around campus. The golf cart performed perfectly in spite of Jason's horrific driving, who taught that boy to drive? Mmmm. While we were out we toured the administration building where Jason's classrooms are located. During spring break a dedicated individual has been painting and after 4 coats of paint has the walls and ceilings of the hallways beautifully white. The ceiling had not been painted since the building was constructed many many years ago. They are doing many updating things to the halls and entry which will bring the building up to date.

Jason then planted me on his riding lawnmower and I mowed his huge yard, besides putting the wrong gas in the tank and popping off a belt my work went smoothly. He has a very cute little compressor and we managed to get all his tires, car, golf cart, bike, bike trailer, all of them to the correct levels. He repaired the recliner which had lost a nut, we fixed the windshield on the golf cart, we were awesome in the repair department.

Finally this afternoon it came time to unplug from the house, button down all the loose stuff in the motorhome and drive home. Oh how I hate to drive out from MBA. Sometimes it feels like driving out of heaven and back to earth.

Yes, the trip to MBA has done its refreshing magic once again. I want to thank Jason and Jo for their generous hospitality, for sharing Timothy in so many ways and for providing a safe haven to visit once in awhile to settle the tumult of life just a bit.

Love

Tim

PS What fun to share photos of family and especially Kidos.

A Great Family Day

Dear Family and Friends,
What a beautiful day? I slept in until almost 8:30 this morning, amazing really. Then I had some breakfast and watched a bit of 3ABN which varies from good at times to very boring. Using the little shower in the motorhome I prepared for the upcoming day expecting we would be going to Sabbath School. Plans changed as Timothy slept in very late, a rest he really needed. Jason and Jo decided we would go to Monterey and enjoy the sunny day. Jason prepared a great picnic lunch and we drove down. Finding a parking place nearby we ventured into a really enjoyable kids park where Timothy enjoyed going down a slide that is composed of a series of rollers, he loved it. He also like the maze and other play structures. Then we went to a really terrific newly created park which serves as an access point for divers wanting to enter the ocean. We found a picnic table and ate our lunch which seemed to taste even better in such a stunning spot with Monterey Bay on one side and a vast expanse of lawn on the other. Afterward we walked around for a little bit and then headed home.
Once home we all took needed naps including Timothy who slept for over 2 hours. Jason and I puttered around after he woke up and this evening we have the golf cart running again. The new batteries worked great and now it is ready to go and to sell.
Once again this evening it is cold and in spite of having the furnace on I'm sitting in shorts at the table as I write and I'm cold. The dogs are ready to go to bed and are carefully watching me for cues as to when to run to the bed and jump up.
What is really exciting around here is the great news that Jason and Jo are going to make Timothy a big brother! Timothy called me last week to tell me the news and we are all very excited, well Jo is not quite so excited as she gets to endure the side effects of the whole process.
As I sit here this evening if I strain to hear I can detect the sounds of the surf which is a few blocks away. In the morning we will head to the ocean for a nice walk.
I'm certainly hoping your day was great too. I'm reminded that the Sabbath is a time to recharge our batteries, God knew what we needed and in the same manner as my new cell phone battery which arrived on Friday in the mail is now fully charged and working great. Without the chance to recharge we run out of emotional energy, with a huge dose of nature and family today I'm feeling much better about life again.
So I'm sending love to all,

Tim
ps I'm sure enjoying the new ipod that Marilyn sent. What fun to learn how to make this amazing device work. Jo is a good teacher as she has one too.

Catching my breath at MBA

Dear Family and Friends,
I'm writing to you this evening from the motorhome, it is parked by the ocean at Jason and Jo's house at Monterey Bay Academy. If I try hard I can hear the breakers on the shore and otherwise there is a huge wall of silence, what a place to recharge ones emotional batteries.
I had hoped to get away fairly early this morning from home but one thing after another kept popping up to block my progress. A MLS board I needed to access to complete a report suddenly was blocked and the tech people did not solve it until late this afternoon. I had a mini battle with my bank, conditions kept coming in and I was stressing over whether I should make the trip or stay home and work. A friend called at a crucial moment and the advice given was right on so I loaded up the coach and hit the road.
I decided to try to obtain batteries for Jason's golf cart we had given him years ago. Its batteries had failed and I hoped I could purchase some used ones. I had no idea of helpful the manager would be. He took me to a pallet that had 6 batteries sitting on it. He said they were about a year old and were still good. He charged me $100 for the 6 when they are usually at least $25 each. He loaded them in cardboard boxes and sat them on the floor of the motorhome. What a blessing.
Then I was able to locate a place nearby that sells propane and since I was on empty I was able to purchase 13 gallons or pounds. finally I was on the road.
When I arrived I found Nikki and the girls were here visiting, the kids were playing and sharing nicely. Eventually we discovered that we were hungry and Jason and Jo guided us to a nice Italian place in Santa Cruz. What fun to share time with my precious people, the kids enjoyed their dinners, the adults talked, it was good. Well worth the trip just to be together like this.
After we returned to MBA Jason guided me in so I could park sort of level. Then we put these little egg crate leveling squares down and instantly the motorhome was perfectly level. Its rare to get it this good.
I am anticipating that you will have a blessed weekend.

love

tim

It was beautiful

Dear Family and Friends,
This morning I drove to Stockton to conduct an inspection for a bank, the one funding the construction of the home. I was not prepared for what I found. The contractor met me at the street and the home was nearly completed. It backs to the Stockton Channel and has a direct view of Mt Diablo from the center kitchen window. The home was what the term high end really means. From the carefully installed solid wood doors to the $100,000 of tile work to the 4 bathrooms filled with marble, everything was perfectly done. The detail that went into this home was really amazing and the contractor was very proud of his work. They are a few weeks from completing the home and it will be masterpiece when completed. So I shot dozens of photos of the details, emailed them to the lender and come some day I'll get a check for $50 for my troubles but it was worth it this time just to see a home like this. Our mansions in heaven must be like this one.
Although I've hardly coughed at all today my chest has pain and heaviness. It may be from the workout at the club but it sure is no fun. Every movement comes with great effort.
This evening I drove over to Mountain House to inspect what they call a condo. It is really a very nice property and is going out at $205,000. Nice thing about this order is I've already been paid for my work on this one.
This evening I brought the motorhome home so I could load it and prepare for a trip to see Timothy and his parents. Part of me just feels to tired to even think of loading up but I know trips there are always a lift. I'm very tired of being ill, of feeling poorly and frankly I'm depressed. By doing all the work to keep the company thriving I now do what the accountant used to do, the phone person and the writer. I don't have any time to keep up with the house and all that goes with that. I long to attack the garage, locate Nikki and Jason's old toys, throw trash away, long to get the house painted, long to get a stone in place to mark Nan's grave site, long to knock down the tall grass and weeds and so the list goes.
Along with challenges I also want to be reflective of blessings that come nearly every day. I get to set my own hours, its basic, if I'm awake I need to be working, I get to live by Willow Lake with its geese, ducks, fish etc. Money is still coming in to cover the basics but every month the tax bill gets higher.
I hope your day has been more positive.

love

tim

Another day and the mail delivers

Dear Family and Friends,
The mail was finally kind to me today. Combined with the fee I collected at my 10 am appointment here in Discovery Bay I received almost enough to pay the house payment. What a huge blessing. I am grateful.
This morning at the inspection here in Discovery Bay I noticed something that rarely happens. When I was measuring the huge U-dock and admiring a handsome yacht moored there I happened to look at the water, it was totally still and looked like black ink. Almost always there is some ripple on the surface of the lake and other bodies of water here in the development but it was so still.
This afternoon I was honored to pick up Keanna after her gymnastics camp let out. We discussed what to do first and she eventually settled on McDonalds and then home to watch some Clifford the Big Red Dog on the DVR. She went through a jello and a popcorn and then we drove back to the fitness club where her mother was doing kick boxing, beware of Nikki, she is lethal. Keanna went to their play area and I went to work on the machines. I knocked off after friend insisted that working out and a fever really was not a good idea.
Now this evening I'm back home and heading for bed early. I have to be a Nikki and Steve's in the morning at 6:50 since Steve has a side job and the kidos need care when they wake up. It will be fun. After I am finished with getting them to their respective places for the day then I'll drive to Stockton to do a quick inspection and perhaps see a condo in Mountain House.
I am humbled by the manner in which work arrives. At just the moment when it looks like I've caught up and there is no more work to do, something else arrives, often from a source I don't even know.
These are trying times for our business. The feds announced today that the starts of new homes is at its lowest point ever since records have been kept. Don't they get it in Washington? People cannot and will not purchase homes when their own income is so iffy. Washington cannot produce enough jobs to employ America. It has to be small business and loading us up with tax after tax just makes us more determined to NOT hire anyone. If instead of the poorly planned stimulus package that at best hires people for a very short term, the government would have given everyone a payroll holiday on their deductions, lowered the tax burden for those who actually hire people and helped create a friendly environment for people who are willing to take a chance on new ideas the economy would be in a much better place by now. No government has ever spent its way out of a recession, Japan tried and has suffered years later for its efforts, Germany is doing much better than we are and they resisted the huge government spending ideas opting instead for ways to encourage small businesses. France also resisted huge spending by the government. Americans do their best when they are free, not loaded down by worry about huge new taxes, not swamped by government regulations or the idiotic cap and trade ideas.
I fear it will take new people in office with ideas that work, people who have run businesses, who have had to work for a living and know how to produce, people like that are needed in Washington. There are very few people in the White House that have ever had to meet a payroll, to cope with the challenges of running a business and it shows by the endless drivel that comes on a day by day basis from Gibbs.
I just hope American can hold out long enough before there is a huge housecleaning, before people who believe in America, who think we are actually a good people, that know America is special, who remember all that America has done to free the world, the hundreds of thousands who have died defending England, freeing France, pushing back Hitler. I read with interest an email that came through today, about the population centers that voted in the last election, about the numbers of people who were on public assistance compared to the areas where the majority of the people actually hold jobs and pay their own way, then take a look at how they voted. Lets just say the present president was elected by huge numbers of people who rely on government. And now that number is growing fast again. What happened to welfare reform under Clinton? Its all gone now, forgotten as the mass looks to the government for their hope instead of to themselves.
I find it amusing how today Democrats are crying out about the hate messages. What do they really expect when they break every norm of decency, do they think they will be loved? There is never an excuse for violence but I seem to remember some very hateful things repeated over and over during the Bush years even by the leaders of the democratic party but of course those didn't get any play since the press and democrats are pretty closely aligned. Actions have consequences, when you ignore the American people who 2 to 1 did not want this bill, do they think people are just going to get over it, forget it?
It is an interesting time and I just hope American can hold on a bit longer, resist the explosion of government as it creeps into every facet of our lives.
America has been very good to me and whenever I have traveled out of the country I always have a very emotional time when I touch down or step ashore after being anywhere else. This is my country and I'm proud of her.
So take care this evening, love those around you, touch people, hug often and plan to vote soon.

Love to all,

Tim