Dear Family and Friends,
Having the whole day to relax and work on appraisals I intended to do the lawn and trim the tree in the back. Recently while sitting and watching the sun set it became obvious that there were just too many branches obscuring the view of the setting sun over the island and lake. So this afternoon after tired of balancing the checkbook and writing appraisals I waited until the temperature dropped to 70 and headed out with saw, gloves, plastic sack, extension cord, clippers. I studied the tree and decided that two branches had to go so reaching up with the sawzall I cut them off. The result was an immediate opening up of the lake view. Then I set to work trimming the little branches off each limb and cramming them into trash sacks. Several phone calls gave me welcome breaks and suddenly it was dark with the sun having set while I enjoyed a call. As I was nearing the end of the call I noticed that my left elbow was wet, I was curious how that could be so I reached with my other hand and when I turned the light on my hand was covered in blood. A branch had poked a pretty good hole in my arm near the elbow and blood was streaming out. Well that ended the phone call and I set to work washing it off and then stanching the flow of blood. In a few minutes it had stopped and I was able to retrieve the tools and roll the trash can to the street for tomorrow's pickup. I've been noticing that I bleed very easily now and my skin appears to be thinner and easily damaged. This growing older should be avoided if possible, things change even though you don't feel a day older, the body changes.
How like life to be surprised by an unexpected injury. I was wearing gloves, I was being careful and at no time did I feel a branch attack me but the bleeding was proof that in fact a branch had fought back. Many times when we are sure we have every possibility covered something totally unexpected hits us in shocking ways. I remember the experience of learning to drive way back then and learning to keep looking when you are backing up in a parking lot, just checking once is not enough as other people are on the move too.
As I look forward to this week some special people are going to make it great. On Wednesday Jerry and Donna are planning to drive down to pick up Suzie and her furniture and then drive back on Thursday. That means I get to see them all on Wednesday night. What fun it will be to have every room used in the house, to host guests! Sometime this week I will have lunch with one of my clients who I have worked with for months but never met, just emails and faxes. She says we should meet and it sounds great to me, another client has also ask if we could do lunch and I know I will enjoy seeing her again after nearly a year since that last time we met just briefly. This is such an impersonal world, faxes, emails, phone calls with little time to connect.
Are there times when you feel like you live in a world now that has gone over the edge, become crazy. Advertising is all aimed at kids and young people, popular music has little beauty in it anymore, more like noise to a beat. All around everyone is texting, phones are glued to the ears or ipod earphones prevent any conversation or even a meaningful hello to fellow walkers in the morning. The government is spending huge amounts of money when they in fact are out of money, acting as if there is no tomorrow. We have to buy these stupid light bulbs that cost a fortune, last even shorter lengths of time and are horrible to dispose of, yet that is progress, everyone wants things to be green but one gets the sinking feeling that we are spending a fortune on a fad with little proof behind it, as regular people lose their jobs, lose their houses the number of federal employees is skyrocketing, why?
In my own world I am forbidden to communicate with clients I have worked very hard for 22 years to care for, now orders have to come from third party clients who don't care at all just want a cut for existing. Appraisers are quitting in droves as the job and meaning has been forced out by FNMA, the very people who did a lot of the bad things that caused the current crisis, now they dictate future behavior.
I sometimes am drawn to the big band sounds, of meaningful vocals, of decent jazz. I appreciate good service at ACE or at Olive Garden and I hate the phrases like "no problem" or "you guys" when some in the group are ladies.
Its easy to be critical of the new generation, its been true as long as time existed. Yet there are some basics that seem to be slipping away that are based on eternal principles that cannot be changed. How refreshing then to find young parents trying to instill values and meaningful self control in the little ones.
As I worked this afternoon by the lake and felt the breezes move the warm air, watched as geese passed by with their young, as fish jumped for flys, as my animals stayed near enjoying my presence outside on their turf, it was a refreshing experience. In my aloneness I search for meaning and hope and treasure little moments that remind one of the goodness of life, that the race against financial ruin is worth fighting, that there is a tomorrow when perhaps I'll not be alone forever.
And so it goes, watch those trees, and watch the waves and listen to the ducks quack and the geese honk and the little birds tweet. This business of living, always challenging, sometimes rewarding and on occasion worth it all.
love
tim
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Kallie's big day!
What fun Kallie had today at her party. Her mom and day worked real hard to have everything perfect for friends and family. Kallie especially liked the new pool which she spent as much time in as she could but then there was all that nice work of opening wonderful presents with toys, clothes, games, books, oh wow, what a day. She was so busy that she even had to take a short nap in the middle of the afternoon.We missed Uncle Jason and Aunt Jo but they were in the middle of a graduation weekend and Jason is a senior class sponsor so there was no way they could break away for 4 hours of travel plus party time. We'll see them soon.
What a fun party and in the afternoon as the kids played in Steve's Disneyland backyard with spa bubbling, slip and slide in full swing, cold drinks in a tub and games galore it was a magic sight.
Kallie has added so much fun to the family and her first year has zipped by it seems. She is now walking across rooms at times, loved to be in the action, feeds herself, has no obvious food allergies so far and loves life, admires her big sister and loves her parents and even has a place in her heart for her pappa. It always feels good when she reaches for me to hold her. What total bliss.
So good night to all and happy birthday little angel!
love
tim
Friday, May 29, 2009
The seasons of life, constant change
Dear Family and Friends,
so here we are, at the end of yet another week, this time a short one with Monday being a holiday. I have no complaints. I've had some work to do which has kept me busy, the weather has not been too brutal and is wonderfully cool at night.
As I cast a eye about I find a landscape littered with people in crisis of one kind or another. For some long time relationships have been lost, for others work is in doubt, for some the stress of keeping going in a financial world of higher taxes, high fuel costs, higher grocery bills is overwhelming. Some face health problems with outcomes unknown, some are wondering if things will ever get closer to normal again.
Yet in the midst of the unease it is also a time of graduations, of young people brimming with hope and accomplishments, filled with dreams and unaware of the mine fields ahead for them. Good thing, let them have their day, its a good thing for all.
This afternoon I had a call from a long time friend, Liesl, whose Father and Mother were the Duerksons, had a Frank Lloyd Wright house in West Covina Hills. They were so good to our family, we often visited there and went to Disneyland or the Hollywood Bowl for concerts or the LA zoo and often to the Spaghetti Factory nearby. Liesl had called to just let me know that at a recent Sandy Patty concert many warm memories of Nan and our family came back to her and she wanted to say how sorry she was that Nan had died and to express her love for all of us. It was a touching call and meant so much to me.
Then this evening Barbara Lammerding wrote an email in which she mentions that she is having surgery soon to remove a tumor which is pressing on her spine. I know she will appreciate our prayers as does Suzie and Irene.
Tomorrow afternoon Kallie gets to celebrate being alive and with us for 1 full year. What a thrilling experience to have her in all of our lives. She is a lively little girl with a great personality and adores her sister Keanna. It is a wonderful time to look forward to and Steve and Nikki have everything in readiness for a wonderful afternoon of celebration.
So for now as life keeps being boring in its sameness and surprising in its changes I am along for the ride. While life is not what it used to be it still is better than it could be and even has moments that are downright wonderful, not many but some.
love, have a great blessed weekend!
Tim
so here we are, at the end of yet another week, this time a short one with Monday being a holiday. I have no complaints. I've had some work to do which has kept me busy, the weather has not been too brutal and is wonderfully cool at night.
As I cast a eye about I find a landscape littered with people in crisis of one kind or another. For some long time relationships have been lost, for others work is in doubt, for some the stress of keeping going in a financial world of higher taxes, high fuel costs, higher grocery bills is overwhelming. Some face health problems with outcomes unknown, some are wondering if things will ever get closer to normal again.
Yet in the midst of the unease it is also a time of graduations, of young people brimming with hope and accomplishments, filled with dreams and unaware of the mine fields ahead for them. Good thing, let them have their day, its a good thing for all.
This afternoon I had a call from a long time friend, Liesl, whose Father and Mother were the Duerksons, had a Frank Lloyd Wright house in West Covina Hills. They were so good to our family, we often visited there and went to Disneyland or the Hollywood Bowl for concerts or the LA zoo and often to the Spaghetti Factory nearby. Liesl had called to just let me know that at a recent Sandy Patty concert many warm memories of Nan and our family came back to her and she wanted to say how sorry she was that Nan had died and to express her love for all of us. It was a touching call and meant so much to me.
Then this evening Barbara Lammerding wrote an email in which she mentions that she is having surgery soon to remove a tumor which is pressing on her spine. I know she will appreciate our prayers as does Suzie and Irene.
Tomorrow afternoon Kallie gets to celebrate being alive and with us for 1 full year. What a thrilling experience to have her in all of our lives. She is a lively little girl with a great personality and adores her sister Keanna. It is a wonderful time to look forward to and Steve and Nikki have everything in readiness for a wonderful afternoon of celebration.
So for now as life keeps being boring in its sameness and surprising in its changes I am along for the ride. While life is not what it used to be it still is better than it could be and even has moments that are downright wonderful, not many but some.
love, have a great blessed weekend!
Tim
Still working
Dear Family and Friends,I'm writing late tonight. This evening Keanna was in a school concert and it is always so much fun to see her in action. She has been singing the song for weeks and knows it very well. Kallie was full of action too and seemed to like having so many people around.
Earlier in the day I wrote an appraisal and made appointments. I also discovered that my fax line has been turned off. When I signed up for this phone service I asked that it be paid directly from my account. Somehow that did not take place and even though they stated that they have send turn off notices I've seen none. So orders that were expected could not get in. I was livid and ended up not seeing too well for awhile, I think I drove my blood pressure up.
Mid day I finally got away to see properties and inspected the strangest little house in Oakland. It has a very unusual shape and a tiny second floor with 45 degree angles on two of the corners. The bank wants to know what it is currently worth so they can set a price and market it. It has brand new carpet installed today, remodeled bathroom, newer kitchen and a little single car garage. After that inspection for Chevy Chase I next drove to San Lorenzo where I met some very nice people who plan to have a manufactured home constructed on the rear half of their large lot. The appraisal will be a terrific challenge to be sure. I kept an eye on the clock as I wanted enough time to fight traffic and get back to the school to save seats per Nikki's request. I made it with 30 minutes to spare and it all worked out well.
I'm keeping busy to a point so far this week but do not feel well. I'm facing a cross roads regarding the volume of what I eat. Breakfast and lunch are usually planned and prepared using the head but from then on its sort of keep stuffing it in and I feel it the next morning.
Well it is past my bed time so I'll say a quick goodnight or good morning.
Sending love to all,
Tim
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Good day
Dear Family and Friends,
This has been a pretty normal day with only a few bill collectors on the phone, some orders in and some work out the door, by shutting the doors early this morning the house stayed cool in spite of the heat until about 6 tonight when the big AC came on for a bit. Now the outside air is starting to cool off.
For lunch today I decided on healthy. I took pieces of Romain and tore them up, then cut olives in half, warmed mushrooms in the microwave, cut up a fresh tomato and had some light dressing. It turned out to be very tasty. Felt good to eat something decent.
Late this afternoon Lois treated me to a subway and then I drove to a place south of Tracy to do a construction inspection for the bank. It is coming along nicely and has a great location out in the country. It is so different to see a house like this being built compared to how they build homes in a tract. Here quality is evident throughout, no signs of someone being in a rush, just trying to do it right.
Now I'm home and getting ready to head to bed. How I love to sleep and with a few exceptions over the past few years I've been able to rest pretty well. Sometimes when there are lots of concerns on my mind I will wake up and try to solve them. I often would wake during the night when we were searching for medical answers, then I would come down early and write emails to Boston to the medical team. They always responded with answers which was so nice and helpful.
I do wish I could get the coughing solved. Its been bad this evening and it does concern me when my head spins after a bout of coughing. I'm really reluctant to head back to doctors again since none have found answers so far. They have tried their best but still I cough.
Good night to all,
sending love
tim
This has been a pretty normal day with only a few bill collectors on the phone, some orders in and some work out the door, by shutting the doors early this morning the house stayed cool in spite of the heat until about 6 tonight when the big AC came on for a bit. Now the outside air is starting to cool off.
For lunch today I decided on healthy. I took pieces of Romain and tore them up, then cut olives in half, warmed mushrooms in the microwave, cut up a fresh tomato and had some light dressing. It turned out to be very tasty. Felt good to eat something decent.
Late this afternoon Lois treated me to a subway and then I drove to a place south of Tracy to do a construction inspection for the bank. It is coming along nicely and has a great location out in the country. It is so different to see a house like this being built compared to how they build homes in a tract. Here quality is evident throughout, no signs of someone being in a rush, just trying to do it right.
Now I'm home and getting ready to head to bed. How I love to sleep and with a few exceptions over the past few years I've been able to rest pretty well. Sometimes when there are lots of concerns on my mind I will wake up and try to solve them. I often would wake during the night when we were searching for medical answers, then I would come down early and write emails to Boston to the medical team. They always responded with answers which was so nice and helpful.
I do wish I could get the coughing solved. Its been bad this evening and it does concern me when my head spins after a bout of coughing. I'm really reluctant to head back to doctors again since none have found answers so far. They have tried their best but still I cough.
Good night to all,
sending love
tim
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Another day, another dollar
Dear Friends and Family,
The dryer is buzzing telling me that the sheets are dry. For the first time that I can remember the dryer actually dries the whole load the first time. It seems so special to do laundry now and have it work.
This has been a fun day, Ken and I walked this morning and it seemed like he was on fire, we walked fast all the way around. Then I had an oatmeal breakfast with strawberries and soy milk, took my pills and waded into the desk work. In spite of my best intentions I did not get a lot done for the first part of the day. Suddenly it was 2 pm and time to pick up Keanna. At that same moment Steve arrived with his box trailer to store it beside the house. We already had the boat and his pop up camper trailer but he managed to move things about and in amazing short time had all three trailers parked behind the fence and out of sight. Now he has more room for guests to park for the Kallie 1 year bash this weekend. Steve is really amazing. He does not know how to just stand still and contemplate a job. He wades in and before I would be through thinking about it he has it done. I am in awe.
Keanna and I went to McDonalds for our usual Tuesday lunch and had fun discussing nearly everything. Then it was back home where she made drawings, they keep getting better and better and before much time her mom was here to pick her up.
This evening Nikki took Kallie and Keanna to swimming lessons. Kallie loved the water and Niki was pleased to have both girls learning.
Just now after completing a challenging appraisal for the sale of a Loft up in Sacramento I drifted over to Ray and Lois's house for pie and to have Lois download IM, instant messenger, for the little laptop I am typing on right now. We purchased it for Nan when she could not handle the heavy laptop. This little one is light and lasts about 5 hours on the battery which is nice. So now I have IM on it. I'm going to start taking it with me to the field more so I can use my time better between appointments. With IM I can be in touch with Loree at the office and Terry who is my contact for lots of Reverse Mortgage appraisals. And now I can talk to Lois and Ray also who have IM on their computer.
Our weather has suddenly turned warm here and so the ACs have been cranking today. How I wish I could install a new one for the house, a new ones with the new higher rating instead of my old energy hog. However we are looking at thousands in a time when hundreds are impossible so for now its use little room ACs which are light on the energy use and cool where you are at the time.
Orders continue to trickle in and so far they are enough to keep me pretty busy. I could do with more work of course but at least orders are still coming in which is a huge blessing and a couple more checks came in today as well so I can make this weeks payroll soon and the car payment and the house payment for the second and on it goes.
I tried to eat a bit more healthy today and for lunch I had lentils, peas in their pods and some brown rice, cottage cheese and a fresh tomato chopped up. No bad.
Please keep Barbie, Suzie, Irene in your prayers. yes God is fully aware of what they need, much better than any human could know yet when we pray it is good for us and I believe it allows God to be involved in a manner that He might not be able to were we not to ask. What do you think?
Sending love to all,
Tim
The dryer is buzzing telling me that the sheets are dry. For the first time that I can remember the dryer actually dries the whole load the first time. It seems so special to do laundry now and have it work.
This has been a fun day, Ken and I walked this morning and it seemed like he was on fire, we walked fast all the way around. Then I had an oatmeal breakfast with strawberries and soy milk, took my pills and waded into the desk work. In spite of my best intentions I did not get a lot done for the first part of the day. Suddenly it was 2 pm and time to pick up Keanna. At that same moment Steve arrived with his box trailer to store it beside the house. We already had the boat and his pop up camper trailer but he managed to move things about and in amazing short time had all three trailers parked behind the fence and out of sight. Now he has more room for guests to park for the Kallie 1 year bash this weekend. Steve is really amazing. He does not know how to just stand still and contemplate a job. He wades in and before I would be through thinking about it he has it done. I am in awe.
Keanna and I went to McDonalds for our usual Tuesday lunch and had fun discussing nearly everything. Then it was back home where she made drawings, they keep getting better and better and before much time her mom was here to pick her up.
This evening Nikki took Kallie and Keanna to swimming lessons. Kallie loved the water and Niki was pleased to have both girls learning.
Just now after completing a challenging appraisal for the sale of a Loft up in Sacramento I drifted over to Ray and Lois's house for pie and to have Lois download IM, instant messenger, for the little laptop I am typing on right now. We purchased it for Nan when she could not handle the heavy laptop. This little one is light and lasts about 5 hours on the battery which is nice. So now I have IM on it. I'm going to start taking it with me to the field more so I can use my time better between appointments. With IM I can be in touch with Loree at the office and Terry who is my contact for lots of Reverse Mortgage appraisals. And now I can talk to Lois and Ray also who have IM on their computer.
Our weather has suddenly turned warm here and so the ACs have been cranking today. How I wish I could install a new one for the house, a new ones with the new higher rating instead of my old energy hog. However we are looking at thousands in a time when hundreds are impossible so for now its use little room ACs which are light on the energy use and cool where you are at the time.
Orders continue to trickle in and so far they are enough to keep me pretty busy. I could do with more work of course but at least orders are still coming in which is a huge blessing and a couple more checks came in today as well so I can make this weeks payroll soon and the car payment and the house payment for the second and on it goes.
I tried to eat a bit more healthy today and for lunch I had lentils, peas in their pods and some brown rice, cottage cheese and a fresh tomato chopped up. No bad.
Please keep Barbie, Suzie, Irene in your prayers. yes God is fully aware of what they need, much better than any human could know yet when we pray it is good for us and I believe it allows God to be involved in a manner that He might not be able to were we not to ask. What do you think?
Sending love to all,
Tim
Monday, May 25, 2009
I celebrated the holiday by working
Dear Family and Friends,
I sincerely hope you were able to pause today and reflect on just how fortunate we are to live where we live, to be surrounded by people we love and enjoy the fruits of so many people who have gone before us believing in the simple truth, freedom is worth fighting for. Think of the people who are stuck in North Korea or Iran or in many of the African countries where there is very little freedom and life is very tough to live. Here we are with our current economic mess yet we have so many many things, circumstances to be totally jazzed about. As I drove into my driveway tonight after a very long day of driving and inspecting I just said a quiet thank you to God for yet another safe day with work to do and energy to carry it out.
This morning Ken and I walked at 7:30 and then I had breakfast and did some office work. Suddenly it was time to leave and I needed to shower.
My first stop was in one of the worst hit places in the US, Stockton. I saw a very nicely maintained home with over 2,100 sf that is in contract for $233K. After measuring, inspecting, photographing I found the comps and then discovered I was feeling fairly faint and very hungry. The GPS directed me to a Marie Calenders in Elk Grove. After a lunch of soup and a huge salad, corn bread and ice tea I felt like myself again. While I was there I decided to divert from my plans a bit and take a pie to Barb and Gerry who live in a 55 and over Del Webb development near Roseville. But before I could go there I had to do a loft property in downtown Sacramento. It was the purchase of a nice three story property right in the heart of Sacramento. Then it was out to see Barb and Gerry in their beautiful home. When I left later I pointed the bug toward Fairfield to finish the appraisal that I could not complete the other day due to a key being removed from the lockbox. This time it was there as promised.
From Fairfield it was a hour home. As I neared home I decided I had better do the shopping list that has been prepared for a week. So $86 later and a few sacks I'm caught up.
Now I'm home and ready to call it a day. You ask why work on a holiday? Well first off I had work to do, secondly the timer is ticking on these orders, they all have to be done either tomorrow or by Thursday and I had no better offers or plans for the day. For excitement I picked up dog droppings on the back deck!
It feels good to be home tonight, very good.
Sending love to all,
Tim
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