Day 1805 - happy new year!

End of the year inventory

Day 1805 - a good day in the store after a very lean week, actually a very lean month. It was twice as good considering the fact that it's the end of the calendar year and i was doing our inventory report, so every item sold goes off the list, or better yet, not making it into the list. I'm curious to see our inventory this year, to see how much we are down from last year. But no matter what the numbers show, we still have so much inventory. At the rate we are going right now, it will take months to get rid of it all. But, regardless, i am sending every little item tgat leaves tge store with my blessings and hope for many more such buyers.

Going to the market

Day 1804 - we decided to use Tuesday, our short day at the store to go to the local market to buy very fresh produce. I did it last week and the combination of freshness and better prices is a winning combination. and so, after two years of absence we made our apearance again. I started this on a small scale when I took the RE course. it was very close to the market so every day I bought few things and brought it home with me. But now we get there with the car later in the day and we can do our weekly shopping. It was a very enjoyable process and the results are just great. by now we already made a vegetable soup for the next few days and hada great dinner as well; all that before our regular closing time. I love Tuesdays!
I am thankful we have such a great market in our city, and I am thankful we finally understood we can use Tuesdays for shopping there instead of going to the grocery store and pay double for lesser produce.

Let it be light

Day 1803 - more than half of the light bulbs in our store are burned by now and it's pretty dim there. We kept telling ourselves that itsr befitting a mystic store. But the truth is that it's not and if we want to sell our ibventory it better be seen. And so yesterday we bought 10 light bulbs (all special and very expensive, of course) and today for two hours we were on the ladder replacing them. And now the store is well lighted and hopefully more attractive as well. It looks much better and I'm very happy with this project.

A rare complement

Day 1802 - I had to get an x—ray to my injured elbow today. The technician took my referral letter and burst in a very surprised voice "how old are you?". I said "almost 58", to which she replied "i woudn't give you 50!". A rare and funny conliment indeed, fluttering as well, if course. So who cares my elbow hurts so much now, or that I'm loosing funcionality of this arm with every passing day, but i look much younger than I am. Right? Wekk not so much, but that's a whole different story...

Day 1801 - hiking on a beautiful and warm winter day. The sky was blue, the sun bright and warm and the wild flowers and lush green weeds just everywhere. How very special. It was good enough to make ys ignore the demanding climb up mout beautitude. How lucky i am to live in this wonderful country and have a artner who likes to hike as much as i do.
A great way to celebrate Christmas day, for sure.

Day 1800 - bad news as my aunt fell and broke her femoral bone, just as my dad did almost twobyears ago. I hope she is mot heading in the same direction. A big trauma to an elderly person can be devastating. I guess we all humans thus mortal but when it gets personal it's difficult to keep that objectivity.
So we better enjoy every moment of good we have here on this planet, we really don't know when it's gonna end. When our time of suffering and disability might come.
Not a very happy moment, but a very sombering one for sure.

Day 1799 - I love milk chocolate, sadly it doesn't like me.

Day 1798 - slow days in the store but better than last month and our inventory keeps dropping. So all is good. And imr impatiently waiting for my license so i can start working. It should be here any day now.

A date night

Day 1797 - it's Tuesday, our short day atcwork sovwe oppted for a veryvspecial afternoon. We started with a restaurant we got good recommendations for and continued with a movie night. A very fun evening indeed.

Day 1796 -

Day 1795 - done with all forms design. Tomorrow it goes to print.
Step one — done.

Day 1794 - we woke up to a beautiful day afer a very rainy week. so after breakfast we headed to the beach  for a lovely stroll along the water. It was a sunny and warm day with gentle breeze and a very calm sea. So we stayed there until sunset and the cold that followed drove us into the car and back home. Luckily for us, because half an hour later thunders started to roll and within another half an hour it was a real thunder stom complete with lightinings and pouring rain. So a most beautiful day ended very wet and wintery again. I am so thankful we got to enjoy the few hours of calm in between.
I am thankful for a very restful weekend. I sure needed it after all my travels.

Day 1793 - a rainy friday, a perfect setting for a cozy night at home. I didn't even feel like getting all bundled up and go to the movie, as we originally planned. So much better staying here at the warmth of our borrow.

Day 1792 - a drive south to see my daughter and drive my mom to my sister. I got to meet my daughter's family again and spend a lovely afternoon in their house. Much fun.

Day 1791 - starting to preoare tge next chapter.

In recovery mode

Day 1790 — a lovely afternoon after yesterday's ordeal. It always amazes me how quickly our bodies recover. A day later and it's almost back to normal; a real blessing of course. So still a little tired but that was the only reminder. I am thankdul for that, it's difficult to see someone you love suffering.

Day 1789 - to be a couple means also to see each other through illness and health. And we keep doing that. Last time it was my elbow injury, this time it's him with a serious bout of vomiting and dizziness that took all day long. But it's part of the deal and the truth is that I'm happy it happend today and mot while I was abroad. 

En route

Day 1786 — on the airplane on my way back. No way of blogging in the air.

Day 1787 — landed almost at midnight and by tge time i made it home it was 2am. No blogging either.

Last day of my trip

Day 1785 —    my last night here. Tomorrow afternoon I'll start my trip back home. I'm glad to be back home butvsad to leave. It was an amazing trip and I'm so happy it evolved the way it did. I had a great time with my daughter's family, getting to know them better, after years we were apart. And I'll try to keep thid bond alive by being better about using Skype sobwe an be in each other's life a little more. Im sad to leave and notvsee them now for a.very long time. It's not easy living on two different continents and 22 flight hours away...
I m so thankful for this visit, it was just wonderful in every way.

Oopps, i forgot to blog

Day 1783 — i drove 6 hours to see my friend that i used to stay with while visiting. Now that my daughter moved to LA I have no reason to be there. But I wanted to see my friend, so here i am a long drive for a few hours that i could see her. And so at the end f a very long day I went ti sleep and forgot to blog...

Week days are different

Day 1782 - I renewed my driving license today almost ten months after it expired. I also rented a car for my drive up north tomorrow. So running some errands was part of my day but then i also cooked dinner, taking the load off my daughter's shoylders for one day and later both grandmas took the older girl to see a movie, a fun expedition. Week days are very different and more intense than weekends and i didn't want to be in the way so I stayed out for a few hours.
I'm so grateful for this unique opportunity to be here and get involved, to be part of their life for a week.

Holiday fun

Day 1781 - spending the day at home with the fam. doing Hannukah decorations and Christmas tree decorations (the latter is my first ever). wittnessing life on the fast lane, two kids at home, high demanding job and way too many things to do in the first few months of a new baby's life. So I helped where ever I could and tried to stay out of the way for the rest. it's interesting to see that from the sideline and not as the player, much easier I would say. I admire the way they handle it all and happy to be part of it for a few days. Tomorrow is back to the grinding stone - pre-school, work, classes. and I am going to try to take care of few things as well.
I am thankful for another day here. it will be so sad to leave in a few days. I wish I could do something about it, maybe to come more often. but it's expensive and the flight is grueling.  I don't know what to say, it's the price we all pay for this travel accross the ocean almost 30 years ago...

being a grandma

day 1780 - i'm a grandma for the past 4 1/2 years, but living on the other side of the globe and visiting here only once a year makes for a very virtual experience. but this time my granddaughter is much oder and she is very open and loving and sweet and it becomes a very different experience and a very heart warming one. I'm having a great time being with her and doing things with her and i'm learning the sweet sound of the word "safta" grandma in hebrew.
getting ready for christmas and hanukka - great time to visit.
I'm so thankful for the warm welcome i got here. I am thankful for quality time with my dranddaughter. i'm thankful for great hspitality. i'm just happy to be here.

Day 1779 - i was so tired after the lng flight that I just crushed at 8:00pm and totally forgot to blog. but' i'm here and well and so happy to see my daughter and her family.

About to take off

Day 1778 - in the airplan on my way to visit my oldest daughter and my granddaughters. It's been over a year since I last visited them. A long time indeed, too long of course but living on tge other side of the globe, my very busy schedule and the price of such tickets make it harder to do. I wish things were ifferent, that we ciuld all e on tge same side of the cean, but this is not the case and the best I can do is enjoy those precious moments we can spend together.

The end of my class

Day 1777 - CRM training today, one more lecture and imr done with the course. They still have two days to go but im flying tomorrow so I'll miss that. No biggy.

A mock presentation

Day 1776 - we had a mock seller's presentation today and sadly i didn't do it very well. But itsr all new to me and will take time to master. I know that persistance will win, and i can get better only by not being afraid to fail. So here ie am almost ready to face tge world and tey it for real. I am happy for tgis experience today, even if ie didn't do it well. I will have these kind of encounters and I'd better be ready fir that.

First outing

Day 1775 - first meeting with a seller, not as my show but accompaning an agent.  Interesting, but I'll do things differently. I can't wait to start.

Another step forward

Day 1774 - a very inspiring presentation gave me some new ways to look at the issues at hand and few more tools to handle rejection and resistance. With every passing day i feel more ready for my new role as a successful real estate agent. We practice d our phone skills snd i managed to schedule an appointment for tomorrow, I will accompany one of the agents in our office, but these ate my first real experience s and imr very excited, it actually works...

A lovely hike

Day 1773 - a beautiful day, sunny and warm, a beautiful hike amid early winter flowers. We hiked this place in the middle of the summer and it was a whole different story. Now with a pleasant weather and the greenary around it was just amazing. Add to that the lower temperatures and the lovely companions and you have a wonderful day indeed. I am so very happy ir decided to join them for today's hike.

A stormy friday

Day 1772 - in the wake of a very stormy evening I decided to join my hiking group of three years ago for a saturday hike. I miss my friends and the fun of a group hiking. Three years is a very long time indeed. I'll never do something like that again. There's just no reason for this isolation. So i better go to sleep. A long day ahead of me and a short night.

A day off

Day 1771 - an unexpected event changed our schedule and we had a day off today. So after two weeks I spent a day in the store. I was happy to be there but saddened by the very low traffic  but I remind myself that this is why we are closing the store...

1940 days are a very long time indeed

Day 1770 - when I decided to write my blog I wanted to find 1000 reasons to be thankful or more accurately, to say my thanks for 1000 days. With the release of Gilad Shalit from his Hammas capture after 1940 days I decided as a salute to this young man and his strength to continue my blog for 940 more days. I am on day 1770 and it'slong, very long time and I am stil almost 200 days awaay from the target and I know where the end goal is while he didn't and he managed to keep his sanity with no end in sight that can beacon to him from afar. With every passing day I am filled with more admiration to this young man. I am thankful  for this mission I took that teaches me such an important lesson in patience and resilience.

Exceeding expectations

Day 1769 - another interesting day in my class. With every passing day I feel more ready and equippted to face real costomers. i know it won't be easy but I'm eager to try. This class is far beyond what i expected and I am so thankful I decided to join it.

Getting our feet wet

Day 1768 - another field day. This time we join agents for real time work. Much fun. With every passing day we are getting closer to our target. I dont feel I'm ready to face the music yet, but that day is coming fast. Two more weeks of training and we are there. So we got our feet wet, and our appetite is growing all part of the process, to hit tge ground running.

The chages in life

Day 1767 - it was a wonderful visit and i enjoyed it very much. We spend the day here not going anywhere just talking and eating of course. It suddenly donned on me that things are changing in an interesting way. Before it was a visit of my daughter, and pretty much the same as it was for many years. But now she is all grown up and she came with her partner and it's a serious relationship so it feels more like a family visit, like the way I visit my mom. Funny. The world is round and this young generation is taking tbeir place in the areana, as our's is moving closer to tge edges and my mon's generation is leaving or getting ready to leave the stage all together. Time never stops in it's tracks.

I am thankful for a wonderful visit. I am thankful for the oppotunity to spend time with my daughter and her BF.

A visit

Day 1766 -my daughter and her boyfriend are here for the weekend, something they haven't done in a very ling time so I'm very happy about that. I came home from work and cooked dinner for us. I haven't done that in a long time either since my partner cooks most of the time.

Anniversary

Day 1765 - we celebrate our third anniversary today. Time flies.

Patience is a virtue

Day 1764 - back to class after two days in the trenches. The funny thibg is that I am so pumped up I want to go out and try it fir real. I know a lot is still to come and patience is what is needed right now, but its pulling me in so much...
Not to worry, i can and will wait, I have the patience and the self diciplin, so it's a good time to practice that.

field work, day 2

Day 1763 - today was the second part of our field work. We had to meet with realtors and study their work. What did they do right and where did they go wrong. We had to evaluate so we can do a better job. It was very interesting and i sure learned a lot. I hope I will be able to apply it all and to avoid the pitfalls.
I am thankful for a very interesting and impkrtant day. I am thsnkful for this little break in our studys routine.

Field day

Day 1762 - a fun field day. Very informative and important. We have two days to go out and learn how the real estate market works. To talk to sellers and understand their psychology and try to draw conclusions about our future work. I sure learned a lot.
I am thankful for a day of activity and creativity. I am thankful to my partner for playing his part in this game. I am thankful fof all what I learned today. I'm sure it will bring me a lot of good.

Week 2 of training

Day 1761 - we started week two with a very interesting and important day. Its interesting to see how slowly all the pieces are falling into place and with evrry day i am a little more prepared for the work ahead of me. I know it wontt be easy but i.hope that illr be able to use the thi.gs i am learning now and will be able to use it to build my business. For sure it all makes sense in the classroom, i hope it ill do the same in.real life. Regardless, i am thankful for this vrry important and very informative class. I took several classes in the same field and non was on the same level.
I am very thankful fof the opportuniu I get here, I sure kniw to.appreciate it.

No hike today

Day 1761- I was planning on some hiking this weekend but it didn't transpire; a bit disappointing but in hindsight it gave me an opportunity to rest, something I sure needed after a very intense week and another one is ahead of me with even longer hours. So it was my plan against a higher one and as always, it wins. So a luxurious breakfast that was so goodI want hungry until the evening. Watching some exciting videos and just relaxing. I still miss the hike but can accept that it's not always a good idea to run with no stopping. It's justthat all week I am indoors and not moving much and the weekend is my only chance to do that. Well, maybe next weekend.

A day off

Day 1760 - no class today. A day off to be in the store, be home in a normal hour, spend some time with my partner, eat well and even have time for a movie night. A much needed and appreciated quality time.

End of my first week

Day 1759 - we finished the first week of the course. Very intense, very interesting and challenging. I am all pumped up and ready or some ground work next week. It will not be easy but I believe it can be done and, as always, practice makes perfect. I am ready for practice, and hopefully get good at it.

Getting our feet wet

Day 1758 - a long day but a very i.teresting one. Learning a lot of new and important things. We had homework to take some documents and undetstand what's going on there and get as much information as possible from it. I found it interesting and challenging and a very important piece of information. I got the same kind of documents when I bought my home and had no.idea how to read them. Now i can.
I am very thankful for all I learn.

Day two

Day 1757 - day 2of my class, day 2 of many. Long hours, intense class, but it supposidly designed to make me a beginer RE agent in a month. I sure hope.it will. I need that guidance if i ever want to succeed in this field. So i.put my trust in the system with great hopes for the future.

The Eternal Student

Day 1756 - I started the new class today. Real estate advanced. I look back at my history in th past few years and i find it disturbing. First it was mt Tour guides class. Then I took 3 numerology classes. I sure enjoyed each one of them but did nothing with it. To my defense, i did not plan on closing the store so it kind of derailed my plans about using numetology in my business. Going back into real estate was something i chose because I like real estate and i dont know
What else i can do now that my store adventure is out.
So i took the test but i really dont know whats going on here and I have to lesrn it and fast. So here we go, another class in a completely different field with the hope that I will find my way here and wont have to keep wondering. I love learning and all but I also want to start working and even more important making money.
But that being said, i enjoyed the class todsy and i hope this will be the case every day. It's an intense month, 5 days a week from 9 am to 8 pm most days.

I am thankful it opens new opportunities for me and i hope to be good enough to take them.

Day 1755 -

Day 1753 - I'm visiting my mom for the weekend with my son. On my way I visited my daughter for  a couple of hours and enjoyed spending time with her on her home turf; it's exciting to see how my little girl is a grown up woman that keeps a beautiful home, and keeping a household routine while also working and studying. And to top it all having long term plans for her future. Not dreams but actual plans. It's nice to see that level headness and the strategic planning. And did I mention their cute dog? Last I saw him he was still a puppy and now he's a real dog and a very cute one at that.

Day 1752 - few months ago I saw a movie of a weekend of interviews with Wayne Dyer. It was the first time I heard him and it was very moving and impressive. Sadly he passed on shortly after but his many teachings are here with us. His website still running and today I signed up for the newsletter and got an audio file of "101 ways to trasporm your life". I am avery greatful for this very special gift; i am at number 25 and will continue till the last one. A lot to learn from the wisdom of others; especially such a teacher

Day 1751 - I am reading the book the success principals and realized that five years after I promised myself to make and keep a budget I still didn't do it. So starting tonight I'm doing the research and jotting everything down. I know why I didn't do it, because I know it's not pretty but the fact that I ignore it doesn't really make any difference to the outcome. So that has to change.

Day 1750 - few more business meetings. Starting to lay the foundations for the new start-up.

Day 1749 - after the big rush to the finish line, the day after is a bit of a lull. Not much to report. Few phone calls to set appointments for the days to come but overall an anti-climax. But that ok with me. I needed that after an intense month. So now the waiting game is on but I can start taking my first steps in learning the ropes and establishing contacts. all so I can get as ready as possible to the day I'll get my lisence and will be are to hit the ground running.

The different angles of being stupid

Day 1748 - I took the test today and from the unofficial results it looks like I passed it. This was also how I felt when I finished it. So stage one and I have to admit, the easiest one, is done. Now the waiting game starts. I have to get the official results and only then apply to get my lisence. Each stage takes about a month so hopefully by the end of the year or the very beginning of next year I'll have it and only then the real game begins. To find houses to sell and clients that want to buy. Not sure yet how to start this process but this is what I'm going to do in the next two months. Learn the market, see houses and start recruiting customers, all while working diligently at the closing of the store, getting rid of inventory. I'm not complaining, on the contrary, I'm actually very happy I found this new venue that hopefully will get me out of this rut I'm stucked-in right now. And one thing for sure will be better, I'll be able to be outside more and not in a tiny store all day long. I need the freedom to move around and right now also the possibility of doing bigger things. Big plans, hope it will transpire even better than that. I am so thankful I can dream big and go after my dreams, I know it's a previledge and I'm so thankful I can do that. I am thankful I was born this way or changed to be that way, fearless or care free or stupid, depends whom you ask; or maybe just driven enough to not let failure discourage me and instead push me forward.

Day 1747 - a walk on the beach in an amazing balmy weather, few more tests, some court rulings I should remember and I am done. Ready as much as I can for the test. I know that it's not going to be easy, that some people are not well wishers, and I know so much depends on my passing it. No pressure. I have to rely on my ability to relax and focus. I hope it will be enough. It the first step in a new beginning. I never thought I'll get back to real estate but under the circumstances I don't see any other option. So here I am going for the test tomorrow with the hope to pass it and get my lisence.

Day 1746 - the weather was better today, good enough we decided to risk it and go for a hour hike on the beach. It was a great idea. It was beautiful and calming after days we spent indoors due to the heavy rains. There were other people on the beach and few brave souls even went into the water. An hour outdoors gave me so much energy and was so refreshing. I think that it's time to go back to our morning stroll on the beach. We are in this tiny store so many hours a day, we better get our workout done or we will deteriorate physically. I am thankful for a lovely afternoon walk on the beach. I am thankful for a great and welcoming weather.

Day 1745 - heavy rains over most of the country with serious flooding a in many places. But our city was spared we had rains in the past three days but not in the same quantities thus no floodings. I still didn't find the time to look for my umbrella so I'm twice as thankful we were spared.

Day 1744 - I read somewhere about the rate that our body renew itself. It makes for a very interesting conclusion. If every cell in our body is different then what was there last year then we never look at the same person twice as we are not the one we were yesterday or will be tomorrow. Think about it.

Day 1743 - in a holding pattern until Sunday when I'll have my test. I probably can take few steps already but I prefer to wait few more days. So another test, a little more reading and count down the days. Five days to go.

Day 1742 - With no work at all in the store left three hours before closing, went grocery shopping and then home to cook dinner. At least we can eat in a normal hour instead of doing all that after store hours. It was nice to have dinner at 7:30pm and even the heavens agreed. As soon as we were done the first drops of rain came down. Quickly we gathered everything and stepped inside and few minutes later it was pouring rain.

Day 1741 - tonight we changed our clocks back one hour as the "daylight saving time" ended and this morning heavy rains and strong winds all over the country marked the first day of that. Even in the desert where my mom lives it rained all day. Only yesterday we walked in short clothes and today was chilly and very wet. The sheer force of nature is amazing. The swift changes and the forces demonstrated are beyond comprehension sometimes. At 7 am we were on our porch enjoying our morning coffee and since I'm into painting right now I carefully noticed interesting swips of clouds. But within an hour it became dark with heavy clouds covering the sky and the wind picked up. Within two hours it was raining hard. Fascinating indeed. I am thankful I was a witness to such a powerful demonstration. And as we live in a very dry country that needs these rains, I am thankful for the first day of the rainy season and the blessings it brings.

Day 1740 - painting all morning, visiting friends in the afternoon and going to sleep with an extra hour tonight (switching back to winter time). A perfect day altogether. How lucky one can be!!

Day 1739 - it's Friday thus no hurry to go to sleep and I happily spent the past few hours painting. It's a slow process for me right now and I have very little to show for the amount of time I paint but its not a competition and I love it so why not. I learn new technics by what hung videos and get new ideas about compositions and setting and then I practice it. And it takes time but this is how I will get better and by time also faster. So I got few ideas today how to go about the painting I currently work on which I will try tomorrow. And I have to admit its not easy to pause and delay it but I think it's the right thing to do. I'll have a fresh look at it tomorrow and maybe few more ideas. I am so thankful for this creative spirit that finally came over me after two years of dry spell. I am thinking and dreaming paintings. How wonderful.

Day 1737 - a good day in the store after weeks of very slow sales. Too bad it's such a rare occasssion thus we can't trust it. But it's nice to see some action and see people who like and appreciate what we do and what we have to offer. Sadly it's not enough to justify the store but at least we see some reduction in the inventory we still have. I at least hope we'll be able to make the transition as fast and smooth as possible.

Day 1736 -

Day 1735 - I continued working on my newest painting tonight. I started working a little after 9 pm and when I checked the time few minutes ago it was 2 am!! Somehow five hours flew. Well, I did a lot of progress and it's almost done, but I sure did not mean to stay up so late. But time just stops when I hold a brush in my hand and I'm in a different zone all together. I love it, especially now that I actually know what I'm doing. Playing with light, reflections, techniques. If I'm facing a challenge I watch few videos on YouTube and then try it at home and it works. Go figure, one actually has to learn something to get better. This is what I was missing in my painting class and that's why I decided to leave. So now I'm going to sleep; I have to wake up in less than four hours. But I'm so thankful for a very fulfilling evening and for a very good progress I made.

Day 1734 - a terrorist attack in the city where my daughter lives was a somber reminder to the dire situation in the past few weeks. And in times like that I forgot she's at work and was very stressed when she didn't pick up the phone. But few minutes later she sent a message that she's ok and I was relieved. But six other families where not as lucky and their lived ones are in the hospital right now, some in very serious condition. Such blind hatred as demonstrated by these terrorists is something I can't understand. I am so thankful my daughter is well but so very sad about this attack. I hope one day we'll be able to live here in peace.

Day 1733 - an easy and relaxed Saturday. I did a painting that I am very happy with, not done yet but almost there. Landscape of green rolling hills and a lake. The lake needs some work to make it real but the hills are good. I started it because I wanted to make a study for grass, how to paint grass and it came out as a good picture, good enough to stand alone and I am very thankful for that. I learn new techniques and it's very important if I even want to get better. And it allows me to step into more realistic paintings, something I was not able to do before.

Day 1732 - three tests today, all with great score and two more weeks to the actual test. I think I'll be as ready as can be by then. So in the evening I decided to watch a movie that I brought with me when I moved here, so it took me almost six years to actually take the time and watch it and I sure was rewarded for that. The movie: Blue the Actress: Juliette Binoche. A very somber movie, slow and very lyric. Not an easy one but a very good one. I sure will watch it again. I am thankful for a good day at the store, much better than our usualFridays. I am thankful fr several hours we enjoyed on the beach,until sunset; It's been a while and the cold season is nearing, so I am thankful for every such day.I am thankful for the tests that lift my spirit and make me cautiously optimistic about my chance to ass the test and get my license. I am thankful for a movie night, a very spiritual and sensory experience. and I am thankful I can go to sleep now at the end of a very rewarding day.

Day 1731 - I took two more tests and passed both with flying colors. It makes me cautiously optimistic that I might be able to pass the real exam as well. In that case in about a month and a half I will be able to start this new endeavor all the while slowly selling the inventory of the store. The original plan was to close the store in a month or two but since we will conduct the new company from the same location, we can keep the store running and get rid of as much inventory as we can, while in the same time we start building the new things. I am very optimistic and hopeful about its prospect. Meanwhile, I am thankful for every little step I take in the right direction. I am thankful my studies go well and I am gaining more experience and confidence. I am thankful for the class that started me on the right direction and getting me closer to my goal.

Day 1730 - for the past two days my partner is suffering a very serious pain in his shoulder to the point that he can't move that arm. Luckily I'm already good enough that I can do everything for the both of us, the same way he did last month. It's funny that in such a short time both of us encountered such debilitating conditions and we had to learn to rely on the other one for the most basic things. It sure is a very important lesson in compassion and in humility. It also reminds us not to take anything for granted, not even our health and our ability to take care of ourself. A very unpleasant reminder that life is so frail and everything so temporary. I am thankful it is a transient condition. I am thankful I have a partner I love and can rely on when needed.

Day 1729 - a very important meeting with a lot of valuable information and another step in the new direction. If I pass the test then by the beginning of next year we'll be ready to make the shift. The time is short and there's so much work to do but I'm excited and believe it will work even better than we dare to imagine right now. I am thankful for that class and the push it gave me to move in this new direction. I really needed the extra help to be able to day goodby to the store and leave it behind.

Day 1728 - I finished first round of reading and took a second test to score 92%. It looks like my ambitious plan might have a chance. I sure hope so; otherwise I'll have to wait three months till the next test and I sure want to avoid that.

Day 1727 - I funished reading all the material for my RE test, 5 days ahead of schedule and when I came home I decided to try and take one of the published tests, just so I can evaluate my knowledge so far. But I didn't think I will do it well since I only read it once and it's not a summary but a bunch of laws in different subjects concerning RE. and read the word of the law is not really an exciting reading material. It could have been much better if it was a summary, but this is how they want us to study. So I was sure I'll need few passes at it before I can even come close to passing it. So I was very pleased when I checked the results to find that not only I passed it but in flying colors. Sotommorw I'll read subjects I was not too sure about and then I'll take another test. If I'll do two tests a day I'll be very ready. So a mild hopethis crazy schedule I put myself into is going to be OK.... Needless to say, I am so thankful I am at this point right now. Thankful for my memory that did not betray me and for the hope I now have, for the change that I hope is much closer than it looks at the moment.

Day 1726 - a wonderful day with my kids. Breakfast and then a few hours long hike. It was good to go out and breath some fresh Galilee air, it was good to be outdoors and most of all it was great being the three of us

Day 1725 - my son and daughter are here today for the weekend. It's something we didn't do in a very long time and I really cherish that. A Shabbat dinner and later a movie night, simple stuff but it feels good doing it together. We definately have to do it more often. But for now I am thankful for such a fun evening.

Day 1724 - I signed up today for a test three weeks from now to get my real estate license here. It will be a huge stepping stone on my new path. If all will go according to plans I'll have it by the end of the year and will be able to start my new endeavor. And I sure need something that will help me recover the past two years loses.

Day 1723 - my first meeting about future business. Some new information some confirmed what I thought. I have to investigate it more and look at some options for short term income. My project is a very long term one but with huge potential.

Day 1722 - winds and rain an hour ago announcing that fall is really here and winter not far behind. Just an hour before we had dinner on our porch and now it's all wet and windy out there. A reminder as always that nothing in life is permanent but change itself. That we should not be attached to anything and we should welcome change. And change is what I am looking forward and planning these days. If anything, I find it hard to stick to permanence and avoid making changes. I am so thankful for that.

Day 1721 - as they always say - wisdom comes in our sleep. I woke up this morning with a shred of idea of where to start and the more I thought about it the clearer it became. And after brainstorming it all day I have a pretty good idea how to go about it and the first steps will be taken tomorrow. If all goes as planned it might really start in less than a month. I am so excited that I can barely wait for tomorrow...

Day 1720 - I'm taking a class of enterpreneurship and my task is to think of a business I can start with no investment on my part. A sharp contrast to where I am right now, a business were I invested a lot of money with very little income; the way most business work, especially small businesses. So it is both challenging and intriguing. To change the way I think and to look around for opportunities instead of reinventing the wheel. I am to start something new within one month and earn something from it already. So all day today I read and watched movies of this class and now I am going to sleep and my head buzzing with ideas of where to go how to start... I am looking forwards to the next few weeks to see what will transpire from all that. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to try and correct what I did wrong on this round and to try and do it better. I am thankful to get going in this direction. And of course I am thankful to my teacher for pushing me to start doing and not just thinking or hoping.

Day 1719 - a very long hike and the temperature was too high. In retrospect, it was a mistake to go on that hike. 28 km is difficult under ant circumstances and in these conditions it was very very challenging. But as always, the pain is only temporary so by tomorrow I'll be fine and this achievement will be still intact. I'm going to sleep now a well deserved sleep I would say. I am so thankful to my BF that hiked with me and did anything inhis power to help me. I am thankful we are in this journey together. I am thankful we made it safely back home and most of all that I can go to sleep now.

Day 1718 - early bed time before a very long hiking tomorrow. We have to get up at 3:30 am. Dreadful. But I am thankful I can do that, it's not something to take for granted.

Day 1717 - we were sitting on the porch on. Very pleasant evening, talking the night away. Finally we remembered to check what time it is just to realize we were lucky not to turn into a pumpkin. I am thankful

Day 1716 - its reflection time for me. I have to make several big decisions and non of them is an easy one. First and for most I have to decide about the future of the store. It's not picking up enough for me to make a living and it seriously drained my bank account. With every passing day I realize more that it wasn't a very smart decision but since its mine already I'll have to live with it somehow and hopefully in the future I'll have an opportunity to correct the mistake. Even renting is not easy and until I'll find a tenant I'll keep operating it. Second issue is what to do next and this one is a bigy. I don't want to go back to my old work and I'm not even sure it's an option. So the question is what am I going to do next. Things I ponder now every day. And then on the personal level spiritual development, meditation and contributions. A lot to think about, for sure. I am thankfull for being human and having to deal with all that.

Day 1715 - when we were sitting "Shiva" after my dad passed away we decided that its not good to meet only on such sad occasssion and we have to have a pleasant family gathering. After much discussion we picked today as the best date. And so in the early afternoon we drove from the north (me) and the east (my brother and his family) and the south (my sister and her family, my mom and my daughter) and we all me in the center of the country in a very lovely park. We had so much fun spending time together and talking that six hours later we were still there. So it seems like we'll try to do it again and maybe even make it into a new tradition. It's nice to see everyone and it's nice to see the kids having so much fun. As for my immediate family, me and my kids, one of the things we like most about being back here is this family ties thing so the three of us just loved it. And it nice we can see each other and spend few hours in such a lovely setting with such great company, relaxed and feeling all fuzzy inside. I am thankful for such a special family gathering, I sure don't take something so special for granted.

Day 1714 - we went on a hiking trip today, the first real one after the hot months if summer and my first after the surgery. And it was so great.

Day 1713 - procrastination is a trait I have and try to control. I know I am not the only one but I don't want this to be an excuse or justification. If I ever want to succeed I have to control that little monster. And so something I put on my "to do" list and was dropped is back on, and this time until that mission is done. And I will add a few more. I'm reading few books that all talk about this malady. I do it without even thinking. Just put it aside for one day and forget to come back to it until its overdue. So no more, this is not something that had any good outcome, so why keeping it?! It doesn't take more time to do things ontime than to do it late, but it sure feels different. One contributes to self esteem and the other for the opposite. So I read few chapters in my book, I typed another chapter of my course. I started writing an article, I listen to a very interesting meditation guide that I'll try tomorrow, it's way too late now and I thing I won't be able to keep my eyes open. But over all a highly accomplished day and I am thankful for all that and for the clarity I had to start again on this path to self fulfillment.

Day 1712 - another weekend, this time for real. This month, because of the holidays, every other day is half a day like a Friday or a full day off like another Saturday. It's cool when you are an employee - so many days off that don't count as a vacation, but it's not so cool when you are a small business struggling to survive and there are barely any working days this month. But at least we can come out of it very restful. And I sure am thankful for a day off and having fun at home. Too bad I have to think if my bottom line as well.

Day 1711 - a movie night, watching old movies on my computer on the porch. How delightful. The evening was cooler and not humid, a pleasant change to the past few weeks; the fall might be making a sneak appearance after a very hot summer.

Day 1710 - back to work after a day of rest

Day 1709 -

Day 1708 - only someone who lived abroad understand how special is Yom Kippur here in our country. At noon you still see few people rushing to make last minute grocery shopping and by 2 pm almost all the stores are already closed, and the public transportation is making the last rounds. An hour before the onset of the day, the streets are empty of people and cars, every business is closed and people are at home eating the last meal before the fast. It's a scene out of a movie, a whole country is holding its collective breath, getting ready for this special day. I am not religious and I don't even fast but I feel blessed to be here on this day, to feel and be part of the Jewish soul. To play my little part in this community's identity. No car, but emergency cars, will roam the streets until tomorrow night, but lots of people, thousands, will walk the sidewalks and the roads in the city. Funny tradition that developed over time. I love all this, I live you can feel belonging to that even when I am not a part of that. I am thankful to be here and enjoy all the beauty of the tradition even if i choose to live my life differently. I am thankful I am here and this year two of my kids are here as well, having the opportunity to experience this unique phenomenon.

Day 1707 - tomorrow is the eve of Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, and every store in the country will be closed as of the very early afternoon. And if I don't want to fast, as most people will then I better get my grocery shopping done on time. So this is what we did after we closed the store tonight and we will have to do a little more tomorrow, but we are well prepared for the day. By the time I got to the supermarket near my house it half empty; I guess I was not the only one shopping today. Luckily we have a store near by that is not kosher, thus aiming at a different clientele and this is where we managed to find most of what we were looking for. As always, I am thankful I live in this very diverse city, where I can find most if what I'm looking for and at my crazy schedule.

Day 1706 - a big improvement on my recovery path after a very good PT session. I am not very patient and would like to see my arm back in full motion and not so limited anymore. But every little progress is welcome and I celebrate every little thing I master again. It's so interesting to realize how much our hands and arms do, the complexity of every little move we make and now that I have to "re-learn" it I get a new understanding and thanks for all those thing that happens to us. So I can braid my hair, even if in great difficulty,and I can wash the dishes, and I can carry some weight. And I am thankful for all that and for all the new skills and the cautios hope that this will not leave permanent disability in its wake.

Day 1705 - an errands day on a Saturday, our day off. But sometimes you just have to do that. The highlight was hand washing the car. It sure needed it after the sand storm. And I needed it as a physical therapy. My hand feels better and it gets better every day. It was nice getting into a clean and shiny car, not a one covered in layers of dust that you can't really tell the color anymore, and even worse is that you get dirty by touching it. Now it's back to its old self and I have a sore hand. But I am still thankful it's clean and I am thankful I am we'll enough to do that, not alone, but I did my share. And I am thankful to my BF for helping me. And I am thankful for an intriguing movie we saw tonight. And I am thankful I can go to sleep now in my comfortable bed, with clean sheets, in a clean and very lovely home, with the man i love, in a safe city with a good reason to believe I'll wake up tomorrow. So many reasons to be thankful!!...

Day 1704 -

Day 1703 - after almost a month, ever since my injury, I managed to wash and comb my hair. Until now I had to go to a hair saloon to do that. I think that this is part of the task such events have in our life - to bring back proportions; to give us the right perspective and to make us appreciate all the goodness we have and we don't even bother noticing. And tonight I am so very thankful to be able to master again this very complex motion called "taking care of my hair".

Day 1702 - two and a half weeks after the surgery I got the bendages and the sutures removed and my elbow got few more degrees of movement as a result.

Day 1701 - one more day off for the holiday. Not so good for our business but very good personally. A relaxing day to make up for all the driving I did the two days prior. A new year - what a treat!!

Day 1700 - the first day of a new year. What did I leave open? What am I going to embark on? What am I going to keep just as it is? The next few days are for reflection on all that. I love that once a year we stop for a second our daily routine and do some soul search. It's good and it helps us navigate our actions more carefully, if we actually take the time to reflect and just eat and continue the mad rush... I am thankful for a wonderful time with my son and daughter and of course with my mom. I treasure every such meeting.

Day 1699 - the Jewish New Year's Eve. At my sister's with my mom and my son and daughter. Also we have my nephew, the newest "import", one more of the family who decided to make "Aliya" and serve in the IDF. It was very nice but a little sad for the absence of my father. But this is life and we have to accept that. I'm happy to see my mom doing well and carrying on without him. Not easy after more than half a century together. It was a specially nice to see all the cousins hanging out together at the end of the meal. They grew each family in a different part of the world and it wonderful to see how upon moving here they all forge a bond. I am thankful for the year that just ended, with all it's challenges and happy moments and I'm looking forward to this new year and hope it will bring joy and solence

Day 1698 -

Day 1696 - a lovely date on a Friday night celebrating a very important anniversary for my BF. A very good restaurant, a walk by the sea in a very lovely marina. We don't do that much, so it's an extra special event. And we enjoyed every minute of it. I am thankful for a very special evening, I had a very good time and I am so thankful we don't let our very busy life and our tiredness to deter us from doing that every once in a while.

Day 1695 - once again I find out that physical therapy does wonders. I was in much less pain and much more mobility after half an hour of treatment. I still have a long way to go but I'm happy for every little improvement. It so frustrating but I'm thankful I'm in the right direction to recovery. And I'm thankful for every little extra I can, for any newly regained skill.

Day 1694 - my days are too much of the same. Going to work each morning, hoping for a good day sales wise; and going home at night after ten hours or more at the store. Light dinner, on the porch most of the time, and talking the eve away. No special excitements or big things to report. So I sit here pondering what to write about. But this routine is what I'll be missing if anything goes wrong. So I am thankful for undisturbed routine, for little daily pleasures and disappointments, for sharing it all with the man I love.

Day 1693 - we woke up this morning to a dust cloud all over the country. Yellow skies with very low visibility. By the afternoon all the cars were covered with a layer of dust. On top of it all it was very hot and very humid, really not the best day to be outside. Luckily we live in times were airconditioners are part of our daily lives and I'm sure it was widely used today. Usually I try not to use the AC too much, but not today. Today I am thankful for this invention and I am thankful my house equippted with a few. I am thankful I can afford to use them.

Day 1692 - after some procrastination I finally finished a prototype for a product I had in mind. I needed a deadline to do that, but the most important thing is that I did finish it and its a good first run. I'm sure I'll have future improvements but its good enough to offer it as it is right now.

Day 1691 -

Day 1690 - a hunt for some material we need for a product we have in mind sent us on a road trip today. It was too hot and humid anyway for a hike so a road trip is second best. It was a very lovely trip and a nice change from the daily routine, so fun all together. The end result is that we didnt find what we were looking for but we hot some contacts that might be able to help but I found a nice spot I want to visit again as a painting scene!! A bonus I didn't expect but very happy to find. After two years of artistic block I feel that I found my voice again and this time in a more controlled and intentional way. I am thankful for a very satisfying road trip.

Day 1689 - the Hibiscus we planted few months ago grew nicely and now it's in bloom. Five delicate flowers are adorning its limbs. We can look at it without noticing or look at it for what it really is - a miracle of creation. So I sit here this evening and enjoy the new comers, these beautiful flowers. I am thankful for my eyesight so I can see them, I am thankful for a cool and delightful evening here at home with my beloved, nothing special just being together on a friday night. I am thankful fir this home that brings me such quality of life i didn't even ecpected when I bought it. I am thankful for the sight i can see, for the sounds i hear and most of all for my open heart that can take it all in.

Day 1688 - sometimes I forget that processes take time and I become too impatient. I want it to already happen. But I guess time has its own importance, lessons that we have to learn and internalize and so I have to wait. And slowly, sometimes without my notice, things are getting better or change in the direction I was hoping and one day it's just here. I like to think that I am patient, I like to think that I am strong and resilient, but sometimes reality proves that it

Day 1687 - I'm exhausted at 10:30 pm and about to go to sleep. Can't keep my eyes open. Well I guess that a good reason to be thankful - early bedtime, hopefully a good night sleep and the promise if tomorrow ...

Day 1686 - September is here and we start seeing the first signs of fall. A welcome change after a long and humid summer. An evening on our porch with chilled watermelon and a little breeze. Life is in the little details and I really appreciate every such moment. It's not a given, none of it; even the "being able to sit" so an early fall evening; here for me to fully appreciate and enjoy.

Day 1685 -

Day 1684 - a day that started very early and only now is coming to its end. But as the saying goes "it's all well if it ends well"; so it's all well. Some minor repairs that went better than I thought, few interesting people that I met, an overall good day in the store. All the ingredients for a good day I am thankful for. And did I mention another date night? Lets not forget that. When we are getting into fight I should remember that as well and not take all that for granted. His tenderness, his care. I am so thankful he is part of my life.

Day 1683 - going to sleep with meditation instructions playing in the background is a great recipe for a very good and relaxing night sleep. And when it's in the wake of a very lovely day, than all the better. And I can only be thankful for that. It's sure not a given. I have a wonderful life, I am so blessed and I am thankful for every moment I'm here on this planet. So many reasons to be thankful. And as the poet Rumi said: " there are thousand ways to kneal and thank The Lord". What can I say to top it?! Amen.

Day 1682 -

Day 1681 - I was trying to schedule an appointment and could only have one in two weeks, which was way too far out for me so today, after few more fruitless calls I decided to go there in person and see if I can do something. As I was there with one of his officers, trying to find a solution, he popped in and said that everything is solid booked and I can get an earlier time only if someone else cancels. He was still in the room, when his secretary came in to say that some just called to cancel! So many times I talk about that - you just have to be very clear about what you want and the planet/thinking matter/God will deliver. So I am very thankful for this celestial intervention.

Day 1680 - learning to ask for help is a step out of a comfort zone for someone with an attitude of "I can do everything by myself", like me.

Day 1679 - Tuesday is our short day and we usually take it for a restful afternoon. But sometimes we have to go to our suppliers to buy things. And this is what we did today. But we decided to make it a date and went to our favorite restaurant in the city for a very lovely evening. With the very long hours we work we don't do that often so it was a special treat which I enjoyed very much. I am thankful for a rate opportunity for a date night. It's fun.

Day 1678 - the weather is nice and cool this evening. A real relief after very hot and humid days and even night. We are sitting on the porch and I'm on the verge of being cold. How wonderful. I am thankful for a very pleasant eve. It's not a given this time a year in this part of the world!!

Day 1677 - I was struggling with the 180 turn on the bike for the past two lessons, ever since I moved to the better bike. And it continued for the first half of today's lesson as well. At that point my instructor have me a little top that changed everything. From that moment I nailed every single turn with room to spare. I was elated. It's hard to grasp how critical the gaze is in a motorcycle ride; it's everything. If I look deep enough into the turn the bike just goes there with no pressure on my part. Amazing. I am so thankful for a great lesson today and a very good progress!! I am thankful to my partner that comes with me to my lessons and helps me analyze my mistakes and ways to correct them and to top it all teaches me all the time the theory behind good motorcycle riding; giving me the needed edge to stay alive on the road.

Day 1676 - I finished my painting this morning. The second in my newly found understanding and control of my art. I am so happy with this inner guide who helps me nevigate through this complex land of painting. I find myself just knowing what to do or how to go about things, which before I needed my I teacher's help there. And I found again my own voice and the passion long lost. I am so thankful for that.

Day 1675 - because if the slow business in our store and its uncertain future we almost stopped the purchase of merchandise attempting to lower the inventory. And it worked pretty well for the past two months. But we started to be very low on few items and when two days ago we had an Internet purchase of an item we are missing we decided to pay a visit to that supplier.

Day 1674 -

Day 1673 - so far August proved to be an extremely slow month with very few costumers in the store and zero Internet purchases. It's disheartening to be there day in and day out and endure it. We tried to keep our morale high and think that it's temporary, that its a trial and things will pick up. And indeed as of the beginning of the week we got a little more activity and today was the pinacle of that with some serious purchases and even two interesting Internet orders. I hope that this will be the turning point.

Day 1672 - today I got to ride for the first time on the better motorcycle. The problem is that you have to develope minimum skills before you can ride it. And today I did it. I was a little intimidated before starting the lesson, but I actually grasped it very fast and really enjoyed the better bike. I am very happy my skills are getting better and I can feel the difference and appreciate it.

Day 1671 - a morning stroll and workout on the beach in a very humid weather

Day 1670 - tired, so very tired. I think part of it is because I stopped doing the workout we started a while back. But I think it's just too important to keep neglecting it, so tomorrow, rise and shine, I'm back to business. As for right now - a quick shower, a meditation session and then I can call it a day. It's late but I'm not complaining, I watched few very important marketing videos I hope I can replicate some of what I saw. So let the show begin.

Day 1669 - on my way back home I stopped to visit my daughter. She just moved to a new house with her boyfriend and I didn't see their place yet. It's so wonderful to see how my children are all grown up and treading their way in this complex world of ours. And here I see my youngest daughter having a place of her own, beautifully arranged and decorated (she did a much better job than I did and she only lives there for two weeks), studying, working and in a serious realationship with a very nice guy. It makes me so happy and so proud of her. My heart is full of thanks for all she has in her life, for all she does. It's all a parent wishes for.

Day 1668 - at my mom for the weekend. For the first time since my dad died I'm here alone with her. It's very strange to be here and not find him anymore. It's strange to be here just the two of us. But I am very happy to see that she is doing well, keeping herself busy and in high spirit. It's not trivial after living with someone for more than half a century and spending the last twenty some years, since they retired, together 24 hours a day. So even if they had some serious frictions since my dad's injury and his increasing dependance on her. I can't even imagine how it feels and I never will.

Day 1667 - we didn't have even one costomer when I left the store at 4:40 pm today. Another difficult day in a very slow month. But by the time I came back we already had one and few more came later in the evening to end the day as an ok day when we compare it to other months but the best one yet this month. So I am very thankful for a little improvement in our sales this month and for last moment purchases. I hope it will end the dry spell.

Day 1666 - another painting night. During the day I watched a video clip how to draw a tree and I came home to do just that. It was a drawing not painting instructions but I can make the jump no problem. So it is not done yet but in about an hour, a tree grew on my canvas and took shape. I am amazed once again what little instruction one needs. It's all inside us dormant and just waiting to be yanked out of the slumber. I look at this unfinished tree and it looks better than any tree I painted before because now I know what I am doing. The painting doesn't just happens but instead I am in the driver's seat and directing my painting to where I want the to be. I am thankful for another creative night.

Day 1665 - two weeks ago I signed up for motorcycle lessons so to get one more of my Bucket list items checked; and even more importantly, something I resolved to get when I left home five years ago. After a week I realized that the instructor is not going to let me ride the motorcycle in a very dishonest way and in contrary to what he said when we started this journey. I told him that I am leaving and I will find another school. This Sunday I started in the new school with a much better instructor and much better attitude. He put me in the MC right away, did not see any problem with my height (which was the lame excuse of the first one) and sure enough I rode it with no problems. Yesterday I had my second lesson in which I improve a lot and today I started practicing the slalom. The funny thing is that it looks difficult from the outside but actually exciting when I am the one doing it. So of course I have to practice but it feels good already. I know it will take me awhile to get my lisence but I enjoy the road so much that it really OK with me. I know not too many women have MC lisence and I will be very happy to join that small group. I am thankful for a wonderful lesson today; I enjoyed every minute of it.

Day 1664 - In the past few days I had a very strong urge to paint. I started by watching few videos on YouTube and it became almost an obsession. To the point that I dream about it at night and think about it all day. Yesterday I finally went to buy canvas. This morning I took a canvas I prepared with aquamarine blue back ground and just started painting. I tried one technic I saw but I couldn't duplicate it, so I opted for something different a moon rising over the ocean and its light reflecting in the water. This evening when I came back from work I continued to work on the painting. Not done yet but starting to look interesting. And I enjoy it so much. For the first time I'm in the driver's seat. I paint what I want and not what comes out. And it's a very important achievement. It's not just a random mess but an organized chaos, if you will. The painting is not done yet but you can see where it's going and the atmosphere and mood it brings up. I am so happy for having the idea and actually take the right steps and start my quest to improve my skills and get better.

Day 1663 - at the wake of disappointment I got to find something better. One instructor told me I can't do something but luckily I didn't listen but checked elsewhere and was rewarded for that. The moral of the story is simple enough - if you want something don't let setbacks discourage you but fight for your right to do that. No matter how big or small the issue is. It also doesn't matter wether I'll succeed or not, because I also fight for my right to fail; for my right to self expression.

Day 1662 - a very hot day and a very long trip. Taking my son to almost the same places we drove last week. A little heritage never hurt anyone. It was an interesting road trip. I forgot my phone at home, something unthinkable nowadays and it got my mom and daughter really worked up, worrying about me. I think it's part of the price we pay for our technological advances. We are always 'on' and never just relaxing, kicking our shoes off and disappearing into the unknown.

Day 1661 - I woke up this morning to a 'what's up' message from my oldest daughter that her partner gave birth tonight to a healthy little baby girl!! How exciting! Only problem us that I'm about ten thousand miles away so I don't get to feel or be a real grandma. But that was part of the deal I chose when I decided to move here. I knew they will live their life over there and I won't be part of it. As sad as it is I would make that choice again. I probably would not move there at all if I could re-live my life again. But it's not about me tonight but about this little girl that is now part if our growing family. Two granddaughters, I can't grasp that at all, I sure don't feel like a grandma. I am so happy for my daughter for all the happiness that this family brought and will bring into her life. I'm so happy to see her so grown up with amazing job, serious responsibilities and now a family of two children. I wish her all the happiness and fulfillment possible. May her life be filled with lovingkindness, may they all be well. May the be peaceful and at ease, may they be happy.

Day 1660 - a few hours discussion about the underlining meaning of a movie we saw years ago. How interesting. Going after one's dreams; duty vs. self fulfillment; living consciously vs. unawareness; forbidden love... Layer upon layer of ideas and conclusions. The covered bridges of Madison county. I love that my BF can look so deeply into something most people take at face value. I love that we can have a philosophical talk like that. It's challenging and make me think out of the box.

Day 1659 - I took a break from painting and my efforts to come back were not very successful, I couldn't find my voice again. I did paint but it was very uninspiring, they were really nothing. But I still have the urge to paint and I decided that like I did at the beginning I should look on line and try to find interesting subjects and try to recreate them on my canvas. So I did that last week and indeed I found few interesting pictures and downloaded them for future use. Today while surfing with the same idea in mind I came across few tutorial videos that actually show how to paint trees and clouds and snow scene and sea scape. And after watching few of those videos I realized why I felt stucked; I have no technique, I never learned that and thus everything I did was pure chance instead of planning. And this is what I need to take my painting to the next level. Since no matter if I paint realistically or abstract I need to know what I'm doing. So I preped my canvas tonight and tomorrow I'll start working in a more methodical fashion. I hope I'll have interesting results to show for that. I am thankful for this wealth of information I found online. I am thankful to all those individuals who put all this great info for free; I am thankful for the constant reminder to me not to forget my dream.

Day 1658 - it's not even 10 pm yet but I'm so tried that I'm falling asleep here on the porch while typing my blog. I don't know why I'm so tired but it doesn't change the fact. So an early bed time for me tonight. How special.

Day 1657 - I used to dye my hair every few weeks, as the grey started to show, but in the past year or two I am not that diligent about that and I take two months or more to do that. In between I keep debating should I just let it get back to its color (or lack there of). I am in the same junction once again. The hair is long and the middle of the part is grey and the question pops up again: "should I dye my hair;"l

AC

Day 1656 - the heat wave is still going on. At 8 am as well as at 11pm it's hot and humid and you feel sticky all the time. And it's sure unpleasant and the energy is low; you don't feel like doing anything in a day like that. I admire my daughter for working so hard on the new house she's moving into in a place much hotter than here even if less humid. I guess the tolerance is going down with the age or the energy comes from this new beginning. I, for sure, am not there right now in this level of activity or enthusiasm. I am very thankful though for airconditioners at home, in the store and in the car. I try to be as much as I can in one if these there places. It's not a given that I have them; last year in our rented apartment we didn't have any. So I really appreciate that perk.

Day 1655 - A very hot and humid aturday, definatly not suitable for a hike but after a whole week being indoors, in the store, we decided to go for a motorized trip. We drove north to the Golan Heights, an area I visited many times before but I got to see it from a whole new perspective. My partner took part in the Yom Kippur war in that area and had many memories from that time. He was a very young man then and now he heaves as he slowly climbs the mountain he once charged fully armored with weapon and all. But the pain and the nightmares never go away even decades later. I think it's one of the first times he revisited it and I really appreciate the effort it took. I came from the navy where the war is distant and I am a woman so I've never been to a battlefield anyway, but an infantry man has to go through hell and back. The sounds and the smells never go away he tells me, and only today I also understood how vivid these memories are. There are things that go with you till the day you die he told me, and you never come back the same person who went into the battle. How sad that this is the reality of our life here and generation after generation of our youngsters are subjected to the same faite. True, they know how the treat PTSD better than they did 42 years ago but I am sure the mental wounds are there for life even nowadays. We drove through the Golan, an area so crucial to our coutry's survival, and everything there is blooming. Green trees, manicured gardens, beautiful homes and vast open spaces with nothing but dry grass in between the settelments. Everything was on fire then he told me, and the sky was black and the air full of the sounds of bombs and artilery shells and planes... Almost forty two years later and nothings shows the scars of war but the bodies and minds of those who fought there...

Day 1654 - TGIF. Friday once again. A sunset on the beach, light dinner there and then, back home for a movie that I saw once but is so good it sure deserve a second viewing - The King's speech. Loved it the first time and even more so this time. Joy can come in very simple ways; a relaxed time a movie, a beach. It costs almost nothing and I don't have to go very far. Just be present in my life and celebrate the small stuff. And being on the beach in the afternoon or evening is a remedy for the soul. I am thankful for a very special day, indeed.

Day 1653 - another very long day and a very late dinner. But it was cooler tonight than the previous few nights, so it was very pleasant to sit on the porch and enjoy the cool air after a very hot day. And what is even better is the fact that tomorrow is Friday, thus a shorter day. I will be able to enjoy few hours of daylight and a sunset. What a treat. So today is the last long day of the week and in this case even of the month; next week is a new month.i am thankful for a soft bed and cool shower that are awaiting me as soon as I'm done with this blog. I'm falling asleep so it is going to be NOW!!!!

Day 1652 - its so easy to fall into numbing routine and fail to notice that our days here are numbered. So many things I didn't tell my dad for example, and even when I knew he chose not to go into dialysis, I still didn't realize how little time was left and I didn't even see him again after that fateful visit. I fell asleep on my wach, so to say, and did not take the alert seriously enough. But most of us don't even have this prior notice and one day it is just too late. Too late for many reasons strength, health, time... I want to take the hard lesson I got and try to apply it to my life. I don't know how much time I have left and how much time my loved ones have so I better make good use of that time. I bury myself in work that leaves me no time and no energy for anything else. I came here with plans to travel the world, to conqure the world and somehow I forgot it and life got in the way. Can I do it differently? Something to think about... I am thankful for wake-up calls, even if unintended, that reminds me once again where I want to go. I am thankful, time is still in my hands to make some needed changes.

Day 1651 - it's been a month since my father died and according to the Jewish tradition we gathered in the cemetery today for one more goodbye. On this occasion we also see the tumbstone for the first time. It's hard to believe a month already passed and life just continues without him. He was a very quite man, especially in the past few years and now he is just gone. There are so many things I never said to him and sadly, never will. I don't want just to let him fade into a memory, but this is life and since he is no longer here I can keep him only as such. It was nice to see almost everyone again and I hope we can keep it going. For us the living and as a legacy to my dad who came to this country as a holocaust survivor with no family at all and now he has all this big and living family. I call this - happiness

Signs

Day 1650 - I was waiting for a big order of cards coming from abroad. and today it finally came. within three hours several decks of cards were sold something very unusual so I was very pleased with that. Almost twoyears after we opened the store is still not were I wantto seeit, or to be more acurate, not doing well and we start considering wether to keep it runnung or not. So any sign is a good one, any good day is very important and today was very good and I am very thankful for that. I just hope for many more days like it.

Day 1649 -

TLC

Day 1648 - few weeks ago we finally hung the light fixtures to start getting a more homy feeling. All but one worked well and no matter what we did we could not make it work. Every weekend my BF was working on it for hours for no avail. So today after one more such session he also gave up and we decided to ask our downstairs neighbor who is an electrician. He came, started exploring and after about 15 minutes found that a connection in another fixture was not right and it affected not the one where it was but the next in line. Go figure. You have to be an electrician apparently in order to understand the logic of how things are done and with it the ability to do the detection work. So finally we have all our lights up and working and the frustration behind us. Now we just have to glue the box that broke in the process. It's a very cheap one but bound by cement and it might cause a female to the stone wall were it's located. Better try to fix it than replace it. Home is something that bring a lot of pleasures but it requires a lot of TLC. I am thankful to our neighbor for his help. I am thankful I have a home, TLC or not. I am thankful for a very productive Saturday.

On target Friday

Day 1647 - after work I drove to the beach and did an hour of workout. I missed the one yesterday so this one is the make-up shift. And since its a Friday and there's no rush I stayed until sunset. I didn't do it in a long time so it was very special indeed. Over all a very productive day. I didn't do all that I set up to do but almost so I'm happy. I set the bar high but with the understanding that I probably miss a few. But with no goals we aim for nothing and so I have already some planned work for tomorrow. As for today the only thing still pending is my evening meditation. So here it comes a 20 minute session of tranquility. The best way to end my day.

Running errands

Day 1646 - after work I went grocery shopping. Problem is that it's Thursday night and everyone is getting ready for Shabbat, so long lines and a very slow process all together. I came home after 10 pm. A long day indeed. It doesn't leave much time to do anything and tomorrow I have to get early so really no time at all. But I am not complaining, buying food is just part of life and I am thankful for that on so many levels. I am thankful I can afford to buy what I need; that I live not far from the store; that I have a car and I don't have to walk with all of that home; that I have a fridge were I can keep what I bought; that I am healthy and can do my own shopping; that I came home to a very clean home (it's Thursday and my cleaning lady was here today)... So many reasons to be thankful.

Day 1645 - it was a very special day for me. All morning I prepared myself for the consultation meeting. I know it's way over doing it, but it is my first time and I really wanted to give value to my client, and I don't like to be in a situation where I just don't know the answer. If I am the expert and I am being paid for that then I have to do my part. I created a form that I will use from now on that helped me a lot to explain things to her in a very clear way. I have to admit it was not easy. I am still debating about some of the questions if there is another way to view that. I am dealing with people and my words have significant weight in their decisions. It's a very heavy responsibility. I am thankful for the opportunity I got to start practicing my new trade, for making a dream come true. I am in awe of the heavy load it brings with it.

Numerology, step two

Day 1644 - tomorrow I am going to have my first numerology client. I learned a lot but don't have much practice yet so I'm a little unsure of myself of course. So for the past three hours I was going over my notes from class and analyzed everything I could before hand. I will go over all that tomorrow morning and hope to do well. I know I have a lot to offer and only by doing I will get better so I am very excited to jump and start swimming. I hope this will be the first of many such consultations. I chose a new path and this is the first independent step I am taking. I am so happy and thankful for that. I don't care that I prepare way too much; I need this to feel comfortable and to feel I can give her real value. It's very late so I better go to sleep now; a big day ahead of me.

Fifth anniversary

Day 1643 - today is the 5th anniversary to our return here to my beloved country. I still remember the sheer joy when my daughter and I felt as the plane landed, as we walked the incoming path in the airport, as we picked our luggage, climbed the car that waited for us, arrived to our hotel. We felt like in a dream; something that we talked about and planned for so long suddenly became a reality. Five years later I look at that decision as one of the best I ever made. I can't belive I spent so many years abroad far from everything I care about, except my immediate family of course. Now that my dad has passed away I bless this decision even more, it allowed me to have almost five years of memories with him, to get closer than I ever was as an adult and gave him the opportunity at the end of his life to know I came back and did not stay there in the diaspora. Same goes for my daughter of course. I started new life here, with a man that I love very much and that loves me and its something very special and very important for me. I have work that I love in a field I was always attracted to and finally made the move in that direction and few months ago I even bought a home. I don't have much money, I don't live the life style I was used to and my tomorrow is not as safe as it once was but I am so much happier and I greet every day with a smile; I have a heart full of thanks every night. I am so blessed for finally having the courage to take the steering wheel of my life wagon into my own hands and start doing things my own way. I am thankful to the planet for all the goodness it bestowed on me.

Medications

Day 1642 - a few weeks ago I had a long discussion with my mom about medication and the over-use of it. I told her my opinion that doctors now a days are too eager to prescribe them and it is not fully known the effects they have when one is taking multiple kinds of medication. Today she told me that she really took that to heart and decided to cut dramatically her meds and take only what she think is critical like treating her diabetics. And what she was happy to find out that few symptoms she was suffering from for years are suddenly gone. I am so very happy for both things for the reduction in the amount of chemicals she pours into her body and of course for its positive outcome. At the age of eighty I think our bodies are not strong enough that we can tolerate this legal poisoning. We should trea our body as the holy temple that it is and think hundred times before taking unneccecary meds, vaccines and anything else unhealthy.

Saturday

Day 1641 - good rest, good food, good meditation, good company; good Saturday all together. The weather was pleasant unlike other areas in the country that were very hot. Nothing big to report, just a very restful day. Life is in the little details, as usual. The birds, the flowers, the warmth and last but not least sharing it all with the man I love. I am so thankful for everything.

Be in the moment

Day 1640 - living in the present makes every moment a gift. The warm day, the blue skies, the trees beyond my porch... Who knows how many evening are still ahead of me so I should not ware any of them by not being present. Dinner, talk sunset. How lucky I am to be able to see all that, hear it, feel it and be here for yet another day that came to its end. I am going to sleep with the trust that I'll wake up tomorrow. I don't talk to my daughter today and only had a short talk with my son so I sure hope I'll have a chance to fix that tomorrow. But I am very thankful for my day, regardless of its shortcomings. I am so thankful to be alive.

Lovingkindness meditation

Day 1639 - am almost midnight meditation, trying to cultivate a path with heart, which is how I want to live my life, as many days and years as I have left on this lovely planet in this life cycle. May I be filled with lovingkindness May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be happy. So simple yet so profound. If slowly I will be able to include everything on this planet, then I know I made something good with my life. I added my little share to the goodness surrounding us. I am thankful for every meditation I do, for every little step along the path.

The jackals

Day 1638 - our evening concert just started, the jackals in the nature preserve adjacent to the house are howling to the moon. It's so strange to hear wild animals in the middle of a bustling city. This is the beauty of Haifa and the special place this house is located in. I feel so lucky to be in such close proximity to the natural flow of life and enjoy not only all the convenience of a modern city but also this little reminder of nature.

Tuesday is twice as good and even more

Day 1637 - in the creation of the world on Tuesday God saw twice that things are good. So according to our tradition tuesday is a blessed day. In our small and narrow world Tuesday is a very special day since we close the store at 2 pm thus have an afternoon for ourselves when we are not too tired to do anything. It was not an easy decision for a store that barely keeps itself in the black but week after week we get the affirmation that it was the right thing to do. Our clients just come earlier on Tuesday and buy well so by 2 pm we are more than ok with our stats. Today was no exception, actually it was better than ever thus we went home elated. In two days we had sales worth of half a month of work. Someone is smiling at us from above. So we had a nice early dinner on our lovely porch, watched a movie and still can go to sleep in a normal hour, luxuries that are possible only on Tuesdays. I am thankful for everything. For the joy of a short day, for the promise of a good sale, for a lovely dinner and for hours of fun I spend with my partner; non of all that I take for granted and I am thankful for everything, for all the blessings in my life.

A very special day in the store

Day 1636 - it is a very slow month so far in the store and its not easy to stay optimistic under these conditions. So we are trying to weigh our options. And today was a so so day when a woman stepped into the store and asked if its ok if she'll look around a little. Half an hour later she walked out of the store after purchasing the single most expensive article in the store. We just came back from delivering it to her home since its also very heavy and delicate. This comes to show us once again to never give up. Things can change in a moment. In this one purchased she doubled the income of the store for this month so far. And we were thrilled to say goodby to an item that was here with us as of day one of our store. I have to admit I didn't believe it will ever sell and considered it as part of the decor. But I was proved wrong and I am so thankful to be in this position.

Two weeks

Day 1635 - two weeks since my dad passed away and it still didn't sink in. It's hard to grasp the fact that he is not here anymore. I continue in my daily routine; I work, I shop, I cook and I even had a fun outing yesterday and yet underneath it all there is this void he left behind. I talk to my mom and there no dad to ask about. I will soon visit there and it will be only to visit my mom. Parents are a fixed feature in our lives and even when they get older they are 'there'. But now the game plan has forever changed. And yet I am so thankful I had him as my dad for so many years and I am happy I came back here when I did thus having the chance to spend his last years close to him and in such good relationship. It's never 'making up' for the lost time but at least not creating a bigger void. And on my very selfish side - I got to spend some precious time with him. And I sure am thankful for that. I can't even imagine being still abroad when my dad passed away.

Day 1634 - a day trip to the old city of Acco. A lovely day, good food, a beautiful Unesco heritage site and being there with my love makes it even better experience. I learned about some new places there and showed him others he didn't see before. All together a very special day.

Day 1633 - I am tired beyond control. I am falling asleep as I type. I really don't understand why but it doesn't change the facts

A clean house

Day 1632 - coming home at the end of a long day to a sparkly clean house is a wonderful feeling. Even more so today our cleaning lady did not come last week and it sure felt like that. As usual, the little things that make our day. A clean house, folded laundry... Not much in the great scheme of things, but so meaningful for me. Of course I can do it myself and I did until we moved here, but we work very long hours and I don't want to spend the little time I have cleaning my house. Every week when I enter the house after she cleaned it I am thankful again for that decision

Day 1631 -

Coping

Day 1629 - I forgot to publish my blog thus it is now gone. Oops... Day 1630 - getting back to normal is a mixed feeling issue for me. How can I go back to my life when my dad just passed away? I still find it hard to grasp that he is not here with us anymore. I go through my daily life and some of it loses its significance. What is the meaning of our lives? One moment you are here and the next you are not. Last week we were crying for the loss of a father and the next we were joking and laughing, and making future plans while he is still gone. How easy it is in our very hectic world to keep moving forwards and leave almost everything behing. I loved my dad very much so I'm trying to think how can I do it differently. We were sitting on our porch this evening and talking about our late parents. My partner lost his mom a year and a half ago so we had some feelings and thoughts we can share, knowing it will be understood; it was good for me. Connecting, not just moving on. And sadly it made me realize I was not there enough for my partner when his mom passed away. Only now I see that. How sad. He is so supportive, not only here but in everything I go through, I wish I could be like that too. Some people are so receptive and intro reprieve they can read you like an open book and he is one of them. I am so thankful to him for this evening of tender talk and gentle memories. An evening that helps soothing the soul.

Day 1628 - back home after a week away from life regular pulse. It's hard and sombering and it puts everything in a new perspective. You can't come out of a week like that the same. I am thankful I got yet another opportunity to reexamine my life, check my priorities and re-adjust. I sure will take the time to do just that.

Day 1627 - the last day of our "Shiva". Tomorrow morning we go to the cemetery and then go back to our homes. It was a very intense day today with many visitors, all close family members. And yet we found time for some more personal time, some good heart to heart discussions. It's a very interesting process we all went through and an amazing bonding experience. I am sure we will look on this week as a milestone in our family dynamics. I thing it is the last great gift my dad bestowed on us; to make the bond stronger and more meaningful. I am thankful to everyone for their love and caring, for opening their hearts and most of all for an amazing lesson about inclusion, patience and acceptance. I am feeling so greatful for my amazing family. This is the true legacy of my father.

Day 1626 - Friday night here at my parents' home. Sad because my dad is not here with us. Very tense because the emotions are very raw, shouts, tears... But it ended on a good note thanks to my brother. He was ready to do what ever he can to bring everyone back into the circle. I was trying to do some mending but it didn't work so well. The day started well but as it progressed the stress built up until it exploded. I would prefer it didn't happen but we are all part of a family who just lost its father so it's easy to understand. Friday night, one of many without my dad. I planned to spend this weekend with my kids; I didn't think it will be here and under these cicumstances. I am

Day 1625 - it was a day with some very pleasant visits. If you forget the solemn reason for this gathering you can think of it as a fun day. But then you wake up into mindfulness and the fun is all but gone. My dad is not here anymore. This most beloved man is forever gone. I know that the dad I miss is long gone, that in the past few months he was less and less present; less interactive, even less sharp. And the saddest of all less happy and cheerful. But still we all held tight to the little left of him and hope he will be better. But he didn't and he never will and that is left for us is to decide what we want to enscribe on his tombstone. How very sad.

Being brutally candid

Day 1624 - at the evening after all the visitors are gone its only us, the family. And so we started talking and before you know it things started pouring out of very hurt people. And so for the next few hours we all heard stories and especially a lot of pain. It was very painful since it is was from my kids, thus too close to home and the thought of what my kids had to bear and still carry with them is just awful and it makes me feel so bad about staying as long as I did. But what is more important is that they feel comfortable and secure enough to open their hearts and bring out to the open for the first time their bleeding hearts and I think this will be the beginning of a healing process. My daughter is far along that way where my son only starting it. But the first step is the most difficult one and it happened here in this circle of trust that was forged over the last few days. I am thankful to my kids for opening up and trusting. I am thankful to my family that embraced them. I am thankful for this "shiva" process that enabled all this to take place.

The "shiv'a"

Day 1623 - there are some serious benefits coming out of this "shiva"; the main one bonding of the family. For hours we stay at home so naturally we talk and learn more about the other's life and we remember what it means to be a family in bad times as well as in good times. We got to meet some interesting people and find interesting contact points, and by the end of the day everyone is so exhausted that you just fall asleep, which without all this might be difficult. My mom is on adrenaline right now and talks to everyone, and tells stories but I know that this new reality did not sink in yet, it probably will start donning on her after the "shiva" when the house will be empty and everyone gone. The emptiness and the stillness will be in sharp contrast. I hope she will be able to find her own place as an individual after living as a couple for almost 55 years. I hope she'll be ok. And in the mean time my dad's absence is felt everywhere and it doesn't seem real that he is dead, that he is not here anymore. It's so sad!!

Day 1622 - a demanding day; some shopping for something to wear in the next few days, some food for us and all the visitors that we knew will come. And then the burial ceremony. It is still too big to grasp. I think that some of the reason behind the "shiva" to allow the sorrow to creep in slowly. To understand the magnitude of the loss we just experienced. It's hard though and I am so sad to let go. To know I'll never see him or talk to him ever again... May you rest in peace, aba.

Day 1621 - my dad passed away few hours ago. May he rests in peace now that his suffering is over. I am thankful for the many years we shared and especially for the past five since I moved back here. I am thankful I was here for his last years on this planet.

Restful day

Day 1620 - no hiking today, just staying home for a much needed rest and taking care of things at home. By the end of the day we have three light fixtures hung, one of them doesn't work but we were too tried to continue today so we leave it for next time. Now I have to by some fabric for curtains. But slowly the house is taking shape and boxes are tossed away. I like doing it slowly, piece by piece as I find things I like without going on shopping spree, which I don't like or have the time for. It was good to take a day off and really rest. I hope it will open a good week for us.

Day 1619 - Friday night is a special time a week. Finally time to rest after a long week. A good meal after a week we eat in the store so it's always a make shift kind of meal. But on Friday we come home early, do some shopping on the way if needed and take an hour or so to prepare a festive meal, and then sit on the porch and enjoy it all. The meal, the company, the unhurried time and the view of course. Tomorrow is no hiking day so we can even stay late and listen to music and just enjoy a "normal" evening. How wonderful. But this is not a complains, I love hiking and I can do it every week.

How to start the day

Day 1618 - for three weeks now we are doing the morning workout routine; three times a week at 7 am. It's not always easy, like today after a short night but we make no excuses but one - the Sunday after a long hike is off, we have to let the body heal first. It's very interesting to hike on the beach. When you do it regularly, you notice that its always changing; today, after the storm, you could see the erosion of the beach, the numerous jelly fish awaiting us everywhere and the high water level. It's a gift, such a wonderful gift to start my day this way and I am so thankful for thst

Day 1617 - it's my youngest daughter's birthday today. We met for dinner half way, an hour drive for each one, in the city were my son lives. So it was the three of us celebrating a birthday together after so many years we couldn't, and her boyfriend was with us too, of course, by now he is also part of the family. It was a surprise for her that my son and I will join, she thought its only the two of them. It was nice to meet like that in the middle of the week and a birthday is always a good excuse. I look at her and she is all grown up; starting school, having a very serious boyfriend, working... A young woman in bloom. How time flies. I still remember the little baby she once was. It was great having both of my kids there today; to see how this move back to our country changed them and for the better. I see how happy my daughter looks and I am so thankful we made this decision. I looked at these three young people and it made me so happy - they are our future and its heart warming how wonderful they are...

Car service

Day 1616 - ever since I bought my car I take it to be serviced in a certain garage recommended by one of my friends. It is a very inexpensive place but I was not completely assured that my car is getting a good service. But it takes me a long time from thinking to acting on it, way too long sometimes. Finally I decided to ask my partner to come with me to the garage so I can get his opinion. Now he understands quite a bit in cars and he has a sharp eye and good senses. After the car got serviced he asked the guy few questions that I didn't know to ask and we got answers that were not satisfactory. Plus he opened my eyes to few things there... In short, it seems I'll be looking for a new garage for my next service. It will probably also be an expensive service after some questionable services. I am glad nothing happened to my car, I guess I am lucky and it's a very good one, but I should have been more credulous and diligent. When something is way cheaper than expected I should be suspicious and not happy. They always say, when its too good to be true, it usually is. Too many mechanics are taking advantage of women because they don't understand much about cars and don't know what to look for. I am part of this statistics and deep down I knew that but the price was too tempting to bring that thought to the surface. Little did I think that paying a little less for every service might cost me a lot more in the long run because of deferred maintenance of some parts or some systems. It might also be hazardous. How irresponsible of me.