My daughter was awarded for her perfect attendance in the first semester at school. We went to the restaurant to celebrate her award this evening.

We seldom eat out at the restaurant. This evening was one of our special occasions.

We ordered a steak meal. I ordered a sirloin steak with medium-well. I really enjoyed the meal. The beef meat was so tender and cooked just right of my preference.

This morning my friend and I went to the mountain for hiking.

It was located in the military post. I had known this area but never hiked before. I was not sure if public people are allowed to go hiking in the mountain. According to my friend, this area is open for everybody to hike. As a matter of fact, I saw some group of hikers here and there. They are all very old people.

Right after I got out from the car, I felt its high elevation. The air was fresh. It tasted great. Just a couple of steps made me hard to breathe.

We walked to the top of the mountain. The trail was much steeper than I thought. On the way down the steep hill, I almost lost my step a couple of times. I concerned about the old people in the hiking group. My friend assured me they should be fine, because they were well-prepared. They was holding a pair of hiker’s sticks on their both hands and wearing a pair of sturdy hiking boots.

I was not well-prepared. I didn’t bring the hiker’s sticks. I was wearing a pair of running shoes which are not suitable for this mountain hiking.

One time when I jumped off from an inclined rock with my injured right foot, I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. I thought my ankle got completely healed, but it was not. I could have re-injured the ankle. I am glad it didn’t go bad. I should be more careful in walking on steep hill.

My friend and I promised we will come back for this steep mountain hiking with a well-prepared condition next time.

My daughter had a dental cleaning appointment this evening.

The dentist told me he has good news and bad news. The good news was that she has no cavity. The bad news was she will need to wear braces in the future.

I knew she will need it one of these days. I also knew it is not right now.

However, the dentist thinks differently from me. He gave me a referral to an orthodontist. He wants us to go see an orthodontist soon.

I asked the dentist how many baby teeth my daughter still has. He said 12.

I thought to myself why on earth he wants us to go see an orthodontist at this moment. But I didn’t say anything to the dentist. I know he will argue with me about that.

***

After I came back home, I talked with my husband. He agrees with me to wait to see an orthodontist until all the baby teeth come out. I think it will be the age of 16 or so. My daughter is still 9 years old. We believe it is too early to wear braces.

***

When I had braces, I didn’t doubt anything. I just followed my orthodontist’s suggestions. He took out my 8 teeth. He gave it to me every time he pulled it out. I would examine my pulled tooth. It never had a decay or cavity. He pulled out my totally healthy teeth.

Now I am smart enough not to blindly accept whatever medical people say to me.

I have learned each tooth is connected with our organs. I will make my best efforts for my daughter to find the best orthodontist. He/she is willing to listen to me and discuss the method without pulling all the healthy teeth.

I know it is hard to find, but I believe there should be some good ones somewhere. Anything can be possible as long as I believe powerfully.

Yesterday while I was walking with my friend, I saw a sale sign in front of one house in our neighborhood area.

I was a bit surprised at the sale sign. Because this house was recently sold. The new owner have lived in this house only less than two years.

The good thing about American realty, you can see the price history in the realtors’ websites. According to their information, this house was sold at $128,147 on March 15th 2018.

We went to see this house on January 13th 2018. It was under foreclosure and the bank sold this property as it was. No negotiations allowed to fix the house before purchasing. Inside the house was a real mess. Obviously this house was not taken good care. We saw a tall grass growing even inside the house. We also saw some tears and holes on the walls. The entire house smelled badly.

The list price was $127,400. We made an offer of a lower price than the list price, because we would need to fix lots of things before moving in. Our relator informed us somebody offered higher price than ours. Now I can see the actual price. The current owner offered a price higher than the list price. From my own experience in Japan, a buyer rarely makes a higher price than the list price. 

***

Fast forward to current. In this less than two years, the new owner upgraded the house a lot. The upgraded items include to add a fence around the swimming pool, to re-paint inside and outside the house, to replace a shed to a new one, to add a new garage door and opener, and to add a new covered patio. They renewed the roof and all the windows as well.  

With all the upgrades, the current owner is asking $155,000. Honestly I think it is too much for the area. The house is old, build in 1996. I was willing to make an offer for the house, but our offer price should be much lower than the list price. The current owner has a dog inside the house, so we will need to start a professional cleaning for the entire house. I don’t like all the colors inside and outside the house, so we will need to repaint everything. The current owner loves dark red color. It reminds me of blood and makes me nauseous. I wonder how the current owner survive by surrounding by blood color 24/7 in the house.

My daughter felt some uncomfortable energy inside the house. She got goosebumps in the area. She begged me to stay away from this house. My husband and I know enough that my daughter’s intuition is always right. So, we decided not to make an offer for this house.

In 30 minutes later of our house tour, the realtor informed us that somebody already made an offer for this house.

I am little curious about the final price for this house. Also, I am curious if the new owner likes the blood color and keep it, or repaint into calm color.

This evening I went for a walk with my friend. We originally planned this walk on two weeks ago. I needed to cancel it because I sprained my right ankle in the morning of the day. I could have gone with her on the following Sunday from the injury day, but I didn’t take a challenge. Because, I knew she likes to walk for a long distance.

Since my right ankle completely healed, I thought I was ready to go with her today.

We walked 5 miles (8 km). It was a quite distance for me. I definitely cannot do it without having her. I appreciate her for guiding me this long distance walk.

We enjoyed getting to know each other while walking.

She mentioned about her boyfriend. They have been in the romantic relationship for years, but they never lived together nor talked about a marriage. He lives in a different state. They see each other once or twice a year.

It is understandable. She is slightly older than I. She wants to cherish her current boyfriend, rather than rushing into the further step.

I thought of myself. Now I am happily married and I cannot even think about having a romantic relationship with somebody new. One is enough for me, and I want to cherish what I have.

As we age, we start appreciating for the human relationship we have built since our younger years. Sometimes keeping the current situation is the best solution, instead of rushing into a new one.

In the morning, my family and I went back to the car dealer to pick up my car. They replaced the engine oil light and upgraded its computer system. I was happy to know they also exchanged the engine oil and the engine filter.

***

In the afternoon, we went to two DIY stores. I’ve been thinking about upgrading our shoe rack. Our shoe rack is a three layered one made by stainless steel. I wanted to add two or three more layers with wooden lumber and bricks.

At the two stores, the store workers told us about their cull lumber. Most DIY stores sell some reasonable priced lumber. It is called cull lumber which is damaged or is a piece leftover from trimming. It was great information, but unfortunately I could not find the right ones in their cull lumber shelf.

***

On the way back home, a vision came into my mind. The vision was the local shed store. I thought I should swing by at the store and ask the owner if he has some lumber that he sells in a reasonable price or offers for free or charge.  

***

My intuition was right.

At the shed store, we were welcomed by a nice female receptionist. When I mentioned what I needed, her face lit up. They actually had a “free wood” section that the store owner offers to everybody. The receptionist happily showed us to the free section. There, I found the exact sized lumber that I imagined in my mind.

***

I am pretty sure it was my family spirits to have guided me to swing by at the shed store. I always appreciate them to support me and guide me.

My shoe rack was upgraded perfectly. It turned out just as I had a vision in my mind.

I had an appointment with my car dealer this morning. The manufacture of my car announced a recall service regarding the engine oil light. They told me it would take all day for them to diagnosis and perform the necessary services. They prepared a loaner car for me. I will have to leave my car at the dealer for one night and come back with their loaner car. Then I will need to come back to the dealer to pick up my car tomorrow.

I was planning to go there alone. However, I felt nervous about the fact that I will have to drive 3 hours in a round trip all by myself and that the car dealer is located in a big city. I don’t feel comfortable to drive a loaner car, which is new to me.

My husband sensed my nervousness. He offered to go there with me. I happily accepted his offer. It was very kind of him. He took a day off from work and we went together.  

***

At the car dealer, we left our car and got their loaner car for our return trip.

When my husband and I were guided to the loaner car, we looked at each other’s face, with a wry smile. It is the color that we will never choose to own. It was a vivid orange car.

It was a nice drive with my husband. I enjoyed our drive date.

My daughter woke up all excited. Today was Halloween Day. She had been counting down since last month.

She wore the Halloween dress I made for her. She put on a make-up on her face. She brushed her hair and nicely tied her hair, which is not her daily routine. She looked pretty. Her school allows the students to wear a costume and put on a make-up only Halloween day.

All the students and teachers participated in a parade in the playground. Everybody enjoyed showing off their costumes to others and watching others’ unique costumes. They ended their day with a small party in the classroom. They enjoyed playing games along with some sweets and juice.

***

In the evening I tagged along with my neighbor friend for trick-or-treat.

I felt safe in walking with a pack. We were a pack of seven people. There were three of us; my family, and my friend and her sons. We also had one more neighbor boy who is a friend of her sons’.

It was the second year for my friend and her sons to do trick-or-treat in our neighborhood, so that they knew which house was safe to visit.

It was the very first trick-or-treat for my daughter and me in our lives.

We all had a good time together. We already promised that we will tag along on Halloween Day in next year.