Special moments

Day 1531 - the house begins to take shape and look like a house and not just loads if boxes. So I am not done yet but with only six more boxes to go it sure feels good. So today I stayed home for most of the day and worked my way slowly out if the mess. By the late afternoon I had such a bad back aches that I could barely move but a very beautiful and inviting house. I even connected the stero system so I could play my favorite music and at night we ate dinner sitting to a clean and set table with place mats, real plates and music. You never stop to think how wonderful all this is until you don't have it for a while... So Ian very thankful today for getting life slowly back in order. I am thankful for all the little things in life; for food and shelter, for plates and wine glasses, for place mats and napined

Day 1530 - still unpacking. At the end of a long night only 14 boxes left. I hope I'll be done in about two days.

Water is not always fun

Day 1529 - yesterday night, just as we fell asleep there was a very loud noise and sadly we knew immediately what it means. We connected the hose of the washing machine earlier in the evening and it just didn't feel right, but we couldn't make it better. I decided to run a load of laundry, thinking that once it was filled with water everything will be ok. I stopped it before going to sleep with the idea to restart it in the morning. Well, it had other plans. It took us less than a minute to get to the machine but it was long enough to fill the balcony and the adjacent room with a lot of water. It took another half an hour to drain it all and dry the floors. Needless to say I was at the hardware store first thing this morning and bought a new hose. Growing pains, or in this case adjusting to a new house is not always easy. But I am thankful no harm was done and no damage and now Ed have a new hose, so I hope it won't ever happen again.

And now - unpacking

Day 1528 - Saturday suppose to be a day of rest but in our busy schedule it is the only day to take care of cleaning and unpacking, and this is the summary of my day in a nutshell. True, I did not clean much since I had two cleaning ladies who did the majority of this job but I still did a lot of work and at this time a might i am totally exhausted. We are far from done yet but the kitchen is almost all in place and my closet is slowly getting there. Few more days and all the boxes will be gone. The problem is that the painter is holding us back. I hope he will be done by tomorrow so that room will be ready to receive its load. Still I am so happy for all the work we completed today; a big step forward.

Moving in

Day 1527 - i got a call from the painter that he is done, so this afternoon, after work we drove to the old house, loaded the car with the few things we left there and officially moved to the new house. We wired non stop until after 9 pm just to clean a little bit so we can touch things and tomorrow the cleaning ladies will come to do most if the work. But what we did was enough to live here tonight. We ate a very simple dinner on plastic plates without even salt or pepper but it feels so good already. I know that after the boxes will be gone it will be even better. I am so tired after a very long day but also so very happy to be here. I am so thankful to do this work knowing it is for real this time and every little improvement is something worth doing. I am so thankful to have come to this day.

It's moving day

Day 1526 - a day later than planned, due to misunderstanding, we finally moved. It was fast and easy and event less, just as a move should be. The only problem is that the painter did not finish yet so I cannot start unpacking. It's a little inconvenient since we can't stay there yet. So we stay one more night in the old apartment where only a mattress and few close are left but we figured its better than sleeping with all the fresh paint and dirty closets and bathrooms. So hopefully by tomorrow afternoon he'll be done and the cleaning ladies will come on Saturday to clean the house and I hope will really mark our moving in. I never took anyone to clean cabinets and closets for me when I move but I feel it's the right thing to do. I'm just too tired to spend my only free day cleaning. I'd rather let them do the cleaning and I'll take care of the unpacking. Well, I guess work is taking its toll. I am thankful that the first stage of the move is behind me; not living there yet, the new reality did not sink in yet, but I M so thankful that after almost five years since I moved here I have a house of my own. It's modest and nothing very special but for me it is; it's my own place and it removes a heavy load off my shoulders. I don't spend so much money every year on rent.

My daughter takes off on her way to see the world

Day 1525 - after months if preparations and planning the big day has finally arrived and my daughter all ready and excited took the first step on her epic journey to Nepal. It is almost a right of passage for young people in our country and I have to say it is a very admirable one. Instead of getting drunk and getting stupid they take a world trip, trekking in some of the most beautiful and remote places and take the time to find what they are made of, something that I'm sure will be with them for the rest of their life. It is the epic "hero quest" and she will come back from it a little different and stronger I'm sure. I met her and my son today for a few hours. It was nice to be together just the three of us have some good laughs and enjoy some quality time just before she leaves. By now she is already half way to Mumbay, her connection stop. I wish her and amazing trip and experiences that will last a life time. I am so proud to see her doing that. To see how nature and self assured she is. How capable she is. Nothing can make a parent more happy than to see their children come to that point.

I am done packing!!

Day 1524 - I am done packing. I moved many times in my life and I am very happy to declare that this was by far the best move, at least as far as I am responsible for it. I finished packing at 10 pm after being in the store most of the day and after a very pleasant dinner. I was sure I'll have to pull an all-nighter but instead I can go to sleep in a normal hour and be fresh and ready for a long and intensive day tomorrow. The funny thing is that now when I finally perfected my packing skills I am not planning to move again for a very long time. I am moving to my permanent residence. Maybe this is the reason it all worked so well. I am thankful this day has come. I am thankful that after almost five years of living in rented apartments I am moving into my own place. I am thankful I finished packing early and I can enjoy a very peaceful night sleep.

Power hour on the beach

Day 1523 - I decided to make some changes in my schedule and allow time for reading, for exercising and for meditation - 20 minutes to each activity or in the term Jack Canfield uses a "power hour". I drove to the beach, read my book excercised on the , took a short stroll, and meditated there as well. It is so calming and envigorating to start the day this way. And really there is no reason not to do that other then our habit of ignoring our needs of quality time. Of putting "me time" as a priority. I will try to make it a part of my routine. I sure deserve it and it does great for my body and soul. I am thankful for a perfect start of my day. I am thankful for all the wonderful ideas I found in this book so far; I know some of it will stick with me. I am thankful for a wonderful day. Tomorrow is my last packing day and I am so not ready yet, but I know myself all too well - by the time I'll go to sleep tomorrow all will be packed, even if I'll have to pull an all-nighter.

Not in a writing mood

Day 1522 - I am too tired to blog tonight and really not in the mood for it. But never the less I am thankful for another day on this planet. I am thankful for a good day in the store. I am thankful for a hot shower and a soft bed. I am thankful for all the love in my life. And I am thankful to be moving in three days; living on boxes for the past three weeks is a little too much.

Quality time

Day 1521 - the trip back home from my parents was longer today since I had three drop-offs. First my daughter, then my brother and then my son. But I gladly did it. It will take each one of them so much longer to get home and it will be so much more costly. Plus I could spend a little extra time with them. My daughter is leaving for her trip so every moment is precious. And my son is finally here after five years we barely saw him so I enjoy every moment as well. My life is very busy these days so a weekend like that is a breath of fresh air and I treasure it very much. Next time we meet is this coming Wednesday just hours before my daughter's flight. I have no words to express how thankful I am that they are both living here now. I am so thankful for every time we get to spend time together; I feel so lucky they want to spend time with me.

Friday night special

Day 1520 - with my daughter and son at my parents'. Few days before her big trip to Nepal we all came here to see each other as well as saying goodby to my parents. My brother is here also for a few days visit so a very fun evening. We adjourn at 1:45 am a long evening for sure. I worked today until 4 pm and drove 3 hours so I am tired but it was interesting enough that it kept me awake and engaged until now. My daughter is leaving next week for a very long time so I am very thankful for this opportunity to see her. And I am so thankful that my son is now here and settling down and if course for every opportunity I have to see him. And I am thankful for every time I get to see my parents; I hope for many more of them. I am also thankful to my brother for introducing such an engaging topics.

An uphill battle

Day 1519 - Thursday is a mall booth day for me. A fourteen hours long day and its not easy even if I don't do any physical work. Just be there, glued to my station for so many hours, waiting for people to stop by. If I calculate the income per hour it's not a very pretty statistic but at this point in the game I am not there yet and I am happy at the numbers as hey are. Slowly we made our way to the second best month and we still have ten days left. I sure hope we can surpass the best one to bring this month to first place. We are almost at our first goal to double last Year's March; we'll be there by tomorrow. I also noticed today that sell numbers that only fe months ago would be good numbers are not satisfactory anymore, as they should be if we want to see a lively store. So we are still miles away from having a stable store but at least we see some progress after very difficult winter months. And the good thing is that I have a lot of time I can read and listen to motivational talks, all I hope will contribute to our future success. I am going to apply the principals of success to our endeavor and hope it will bring the results I want to see. But for now I am thankful for yet another day that helped us in our uphill battle to save this dream of ours and give it a fair chance. I am thankful we are on our way to meet and exceed our set goals; I hope for many more months like that.

The eternal student

Day 1518 - my second numero-psychology class. Again a very interesting one. I am the eternal student thus every new thing I learn is something I thoroughly enjoy. Awareness is something I look at from different aspects in the past few years and this class falls right into that area. We explore its stages in the numerological consultation meeting. It bring to my awareness the whole process from a very different angle and I think it is very important to do that. The more aware I am to the client the better advisor I can be. And most important if all, it gives me more confident in everything I do. What I like best of all is that this class is not only helping me in my professional development but in my personal development as well. Every week opens my eyes to something new and if I will be able to apply it to my personal life I will be very happy and I think it will make a huge impact on it. So here I am in yet another class and happy as a lark. There are people who are ment to be students all their lives; I am one of them and loving it!! I am thankful I can take all thise wonderful classes of self development. I am thankful for an opportunity to learn and improve and get better insight. I am thankful to my partner that for almost a year now is taking the burden if the store upon his shoulders every single week so I can study. I am thankful to my teachers for all they bestow on me. I am thankful there is always something new I can learn.

Election Day

Day 1517 - Election Day here and my first time to vote since I moved back here. Last I felt not ready yet.

Staying focused

Day 1516 - a good day. In the store, at home, in my plan to be 100% responsible, to take control over too many loose ends, two meditation sessions and a very beautiful day. I am thankful for the day, for staying focused and now for a good night sleep. I am thankful for all the good and plenty I have in my life.

Day 1515 - reading the Success Principals and it opens so many questions, shines light on so many issues. The bottom line is taking 100% responsibility for your life.

A hike in the middle of a city

Day 1514 - in the middle of the big city there is a huge park along the creek there. Today we drove to the city to bring my son some of his possessions now that he got his place so we decided to go hiking in that park afterwards. We took an right kilometer hike along the river. It was a beautiful and warm day this a very lovely hike. I never hiked that area and I really enjoyed it. I didn't know about this gem in the middle of the biggest city in our country. We were not the only poeple on the trail of course, many of the city residents were there as well jogging or biking or walking. I almost forgot to mention that this is part of the Israel National Trail so it was nice to be on that trail once again. Hopefully in two or three weeks we will be able to do another section, after they've and the coming holidays. I am thankful for a wonderful hike after a week long or more of being indoors. I am thankful for the weather, for the scene and most of all for the company.

Settling down

Day 1513 - so my son finally found an apartment to rent. It proved to be a very challenging experience for him as the big city is so sought after that every apartment has so much demand. But finally he did and so his first step in rooting himself here is on its way. We live an hour away from that city so it was not making it any easier for him. It makes me so happy to see him starting to find his footings here. And I am thankful for every little progress he makes. I really hope he will find in our country the home he was looking for and that he will decide to stay here.

Growing up

Day 1512 - my daughter left yesterday night for a week on a business trip. She'll be back next week for only one week before leaving again for The Big One. It's not the first time she's traveling but knowing it is only a prelude to a three months trip makes it more real. I hope her trip will be a good one and I hope she'll accomplish all she was planning to achieve. Growing up is a serious business and it takes some courage to do it right. Every little step is an accomplishment and this one is yet another stepping stone on her way to full maturity and blossoming adulthood. As a parent I am so happy and so proud to see her doing that, to see her finding good people along the way to be on her team as partners and helpers, how she is growing up from every experience. Only a week trip now but these are my thoughts as she is nearing her epic journey.

A very very long day

Day 1511 - today was the first lesson in my new class - psychological aspects of numerology or in simpler words how to apply our newly squired knowledge to real life situation. I think it is something that can be very useful and needed. I never really took any advanced personal development training so I think this can take me personally a big step forward. The hours are long though and by the time I got back to the store it was after 10:30 pm and then we looked over all the new things I brought today from our suppliers and then we drove to the new house to look at the paint samples he did today and plans of where to put what and so forth... in short, by the time we got home it was almost 1 am. And we have a very long day tomorrow. We are stretching ourself thin these days. But no complains just thanks. I don't take any if my good fortune for granted and I am thankful for every moment, for every step of the way. I am especially thankful that the searing headache I woke up with this morning is gone.

Home, sweet home

Day 1510 - in the afternoon i got my new mattress delivered; and few hours later, after work, we met the painter at the store and chose colors for the apartment. Tomorrow he will paint patches on the walls so we can see how it comes out there before making final decision. I also surveyed the place more thoroughly while waiting there and I have a better idea what still has to be done before the move. It's painting first of all and then cleaning of course. There are few items that have to be fixed or changed; as good a condition as this place was, I still look at things differently than they do so different standards and expectations. And above all, it is a known fact that what you don't do when you first move will be delayed until you move out. So I better take care of everything I can now. I was in there today for about an hour waiting for the mattress and I fill really good about the place; it's serene, very well lighted and very welcoming. I already feel good there even without any of my stuff to make it a real home. I can't wait to move there. I am thankful for this place I now call home. I am thankful for all this extra work, it is what will make it mine.

I got my new apartment

Day 1509 - I got the keys today to my new apartment. A survey of the place revealed that I have to paint it. I got a name of a guy who can do that and this evening we met there to get an estimate and a time frame. Apparently it takes time and so I'll have to change our moving time by a week. It's good that I still have my current place for a month so I can do that. I much prefer to do all the preps when the new place is still empty. So now that I got my new house I have some work to do but it makes me so happy to do that. It is my place and everything I do is to make it a better place, a nicer place. And I don't just through money away on rentals as I did for the past five years. I can finally buy furniture if I want, knowing it is now for real, and not worry if it will fit into the next rental. And most of all I know I have my own place and I have one thing less to worry about for my future. I love the place, it's a beautiful apartment and the view is amazing and I know I can live there for many years now. I am thankful I got my apartment today. I am thankful I was able to purchase it; I sure don't take something so significant for granted. I am thankful for peace of later years this place gives me. I am thankful, so very thankful today.

Day 1508 - final steps before closing, tomorrow is the big day. I am getting the key and the ownership of my apartment.

Venturing out

Day 1507 - a week before moving I was suppose to stay home and pack but our weeks are long and entirely indoors and there's not even a chance I'll spend a beautiful Saturday at home packing. And so we drove in search of wild flowers in bloom, which is basically everywhere this time a year. It's a hot and dry country and the spring is very short here but for a few weeks anywhere you go it's blooming. And this winter was very wet which means even nicer and richer spring. So we charged our batteries for another week and now I am ready for the final stretch. Only a little over a week before our moving day. I am thankful for a beautiful day I got to spend in nature. I am thankful I live here in this amazing country thus get to enjoy it in all it's splendor this time a year, a non tourist season, thus missed it for so many years living abroad.

Day 1506 - tired at the end of a very long but very good week.

A very special dinner

Day 1505 - we came home at 10pm after a very good day at the store and the mall to a wonderful dinner my son cooked. What a treat!! Usually we have to fix something fast and it's late and we are tired... But today we had a gourmet chef at our service and we just loved it. I did not have a chance to eat his food since he graduated his culinary school and he sure developed his skills during that time. It is such a pleasure to witness that. It is 1 am now so I better go to sleep now; I have another long day at the mall. I hope it will be as successful. I am thankful for the wonderful meal my son made. I am thankful he wants to cook for us; it's not a given, for sure. I am thankful for a very good day at the store and for the wonderful first week of the month.

For the love of the outdoors

Day 1504 - I went today with my kids to the mounteniring and hiking store to buy hiking boots for my son as a welcome gift. This country is so rich with hiking trail asking to be explored so hiking gear is a must. And my daughter is leaving in two weeks for her big trip to Nepal so we made the final purchases to complete her gear and supplies. And now she is ready too. I love seeing my kids going this route of outdoors adventures. I sure did not give them god right example growing up but I'd like to think I change that a little since I moved back here and the culture here is that as well. And I am so happy to see them going this way. My daughter is going for a lifetime adventure exploring the world on her own and a challenging part of the world for sure. I am thankful I could take a little part in helping my kids integrate into this wonderful culture of people who love the outdoors and I hope to see them wearing it off joyfully. I am thankful to see them both taking this wonderful road.

Another family wedding

Day 1503 - we attended the wedding of my nephew tonight. It was so beautiful and joyous. I am always amazed at the very hearty happiness you can find in a religious wedding something that too many times is missing in secular ones. It is not about the dress or the food or the orchestra but only about the union of two young people that are going to share their life together as of that night. It's this innocence of the first time that is looming in the air, and the happiness of their friends and families as well and everyone is there to join the party and make it an unforgettable evening of endless dances and games. So I do have my reservations and I can never live the way they do and I don't believe in the same codes of conduct nor share their religious views but I sure admire the purity of the happiness they bring to any life event. So it was nice to meet all the family and it was so nice to be there with my kids and as always, I am so thankful to be here so I can take part in this wedding. I am thankful I met all my family some I didn't see in a very long time. I am thankful for a very good day at the store and to my partner that held the fort alone almost all day long. I am thankful for a wonderful day.

In a need to shift gear

Day 1502 - in two weeks we are moving to the new house. Only 13 days of packing are left. And my pace is not good enough. Especially since tomorrow is the wedding of my nephew, thus no packing day. I wanted to go hiking this weekend but I might have to reconsider and do something of only half day and leave some time for packing as well. The mover estimated we'll have about 50 boxes and I packed 11 so far. So I have to pack on average 4 boxes a day to complete the mission. I sure hope he over estimated the number and it will be smaller but the message is clear - I have to shift gear and increase the pace. But still I am thankful for the two boxes I packed today, for the pile of boxes that clogging our living room but signals the upcoming move. And of course I am thankful for another good day in the store and wish for it to stay this way till the end if the month.

On a mission

Day 1501 - we had set the bar high for this month and only a very active traffic in the atore will give us a chance to achieve that. And the first day of the month was in line with our expectations. It was not exceptional but on the average of what we need. There are many more days in this month and probably some serious up and down swings but the first day was good and I am very thankful for that. I also packed three more boxes this morning and the house is getting crowded even though it doesn't show yet a real emptiness suggesting the up coming move. But here as well I am in line with the expectations and I know I will be ready on time. Two more weeks till moving day; four more weeks to the end of the month... We are running full force and keep a steady eye on the finish line. We are on a mission. I am thankful for a good day at the store, I am thankful for more packing and less still to be packed. I am thankful for another painting class; I am finding my grove again, how great.