For years I had been thinking of a solo road trip in the US from Thousand Islands to Key West. I had also been thinking about how much I loved the holiday season in the US and wanted to be there late October till early January one more time. A hybrid of these two separate vacation ideas is cooking.
With these dreams, I did a lot of calculations over time and the costs of these two dreams turned out to be quiet high especially given that TL is very weak against US dollars lately. It was a lot more doable couple of years ago but then, I was working and I could not take so many days off. Well, life is all about tradeoffs right?
During my visit last year my American friend whom I will call M, kept saying that I should go back for a long visit, stay with them and spend more time in the US with her and her family. I kept saying it would be difficult and very expensive and she kept saying I would have no accomodation costs, so what was the big deal? Honestly, despite the fact that we have been very close during the last 29 years, I was still hesitant about staying with them for so long. It was very sweet of her to offer this. We get along very well and have loads of fun together.
Last year I was thinking that with the income I would bring through the part-time consulting gig, I would be mostly traveling. This year the economy is tanking and the potential customers are reluctant to spend money on consultants although common sense dictates otherwise. We do bring tons of efficiency and cost savings through our work.
So, after much thinking and urging M to talk to her family about how they felt about a long visit and getting a positive confirmation, I have decided to take a long vacation which will involve a road trip in the US from the end of October till early January.
I will be staying in upstate NY mostly but, I will take a solo road trip to Tampa FL and Charleston SC to visit two more friends. The one in Tampa was my mentor and cubicle friend whom I will call G, way back when I used to work for a Turkish-American JV in NY. The other was an HR person at the same company with whom we have become very good friends during the same time. I will call her P. Needless to say M and her husband E are also from the same company.
Recently, I have been spending a lot of time to come up with the route plans, the hotels to stay and cars to rent. The worst budget buster in this trip will be Car Insurance. Since, I am a foreigner, I do not have an insurance coverage to take care of rentals.
I will be spending 78 days in the US and am looking forward to it. As I make plans and reservations, I will share my experiences and how I plan to save money and still enjoy this huge, once in a lifetime vacation.
When I look at the total amount of money I am budgeting to spend, it is overwhelming but, I have worked for more than 30 years and spent a lot more money on others such as my family member who went bankrupt and needed financial help, such as my cousins who wanted to sell their shares in the family home and etc. I think, I have deserved this and I should spend this money on myself.
More posts to come on this topic.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Funny little errand...
I have been home for the last few days and I got bored. So, when one of the bulbs in the bathroom went out and I couldn't find a suitable replacement among my spares, I dutifully went to Bauhaus (a hardware store), to look for a replacement bulb. As I was there, I also picked up a windshield sunshade. I thought I had one but, could not find it.
Then I went to get bottled water and a couple of other small grocery items. Found my favorite hot sauce and grabbed a bottle.
Came home, screwed the bulb in place and felt very accomplished. Haha! Retirement is funny. I hope, some consultancy work comes my way soon or else, I might even start deep cleaning the house. Today, I cleaned my kitchen counters and stove top despite the fact that the cleaning lady is coming over the weekend.
I am hoping to go out for a long walk tomorrow if I can get up early. If not, treadmill it is.
It is past midnight over here so, it is already tomorrow. Gotta go to bed! Hope, everyone has a good day/night!
Then I went to get bottled water and a couple of other small grocery items. Found my favorite hot sauce and grabbed a bottle.
Came home, screwed the bulb in place and felt very accomplished. Haha! Retirement is funny. I hope, some consultancy work comes my way soon or else, I might even start deep cleaning the house. Today, I cleaned my kitchen counters and stove top despite the fact that the cleaning lady is coming over the weekend.
I am hoping to go out for a long walk tomorrow if I can get up early. If not, treadmill it is.
It is past midnight over here so, it is already tomorrow. Gotta go to bed! Hope, everyone has a good day/night!
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Grocery Shopping Online
I was making a list yesterday for grocery shopping and as I was checking some prices online, I found out that, if I used the mobile app for the store, there was a 12,5% discount coupon for the total amount and no delivery fees. Sweet!
I downloaded the app and placed my order. I wasn't feeling like going anyway. I placed a little bigger order than I was originally planning so, I cooked a lot of stuff today, cooled them down, divided them into portion sizes and popped them in the freezer. I had cleaned up the freezer so, it was time to fill it yet again.
I know the quality of the food is always good when they deliver. This store is right next to the store's HQ and that is where I shop most of the time. They carry the best and freshest stuff and avoid complaints like the plague. After all, the boss is right next door.
I do my grocery shopping online only occasionally because, I like to go to the store and choose what look best. My shopping list would say vegetables or fruit but, I never specify anything before I see them in person. Online shopping requires you to make decisions without seeing the actual produce so, you are taking a chance.
The only thing they brought which was not in great shape was the celery. It was Ok though. I used most of it for soup and the rest will go in a chicken salad tomorrow.
I downloaded the app and placed my order. I wasn't feeling like going anyway. I placed a little bigger order than I was originally planning so, I cooked a lot of stuff today, cooled them down, divided them into portion sizes and popped them in the freezer. I had cleaned up the freezer so, it was time to fill it yet again.
I know the quality of the food is always good when they deliver. This store is right next to the store's HQ and that is where I shop most of the time. They carry the best and freshest stuff and avoid complaints like the plague. After all, the boss is right next door.
I do my grocery shopping online only occasionally because, I like to go to the store and choose what look best. My shopping list would say vegetables or fruit but, I never specify anything before I see them in person. Online shopping requires you to make decisions without seeing the actual produce so, you are taking a chance.
The only thing they brought which was not in great shape was the celery. It was Ok though. I used most of it for soup and the rest will go in a chicken salad tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Screwed up Health System and Insurance Decisions
In the past, the health system was pretty good in this country but, the current government (idiots!) gradually and intentionally screwed it up to create this big mess during the last 17 years. It is still not as bad as the US but, slowly getting there.
The Social Security system provides some basic care but, the co-pay has become pretty high if you go to private hospitals or private university hospitals which I prefer. As long as I have worked, the companies I worked for, provided a supplemental insurance with excellent coverage and 20% co-pay. Now that I am not working, I must take care of the supplemental insurance which is a higher cost for an individual as opposed to a company who buys these policies in bulk with a big discount.
I have called the insurance broker and he is currently working on some alternatives for me. Sigh!
This expense was built into my budget but I think, I have underestimated this. It is not a huge deal and I can certainly cover this expense. Still, it annoys me.
I have updated my projection going forward.
I sometimes think, what if the people of the world had decided to live in peace and stopped investing in stupid weapons and pour those resources into education and health. Wouldn't the world be a better place? May be we are past that point with so many people on Earth? I do not know. The only thing that I know for sure is people never take any lesson from the history and keep on doing the stupidest things.
I like watching WWI and WWII documentaries. It is so sad how many people and mostly young people lost their lives for exactly what? So, so sad.
The Social Security system provides some basic care but, the co-pay has become pretty high if you go to private hospitals or private university hospitals which I prefer. As long as I have worked, the companies I worked for, provided a supplemental insurance with excellent coverage and 20% co-pay. Now that I am not working, I must take care of the supplemental insurance which is a higher cost for an individual as opposed to a company who buys these policies in bulk with a big discount.
I have called the insurance broker and he is currently working on some alternatives for me. Sigh!
This expense was built into my budget but I think, I have underestimated this. It is not a huge deal and I can certainly cover this expense. Still, it annoys me.
I have updated my projection going forward.
I sometimes think, what if the people of the world had decided to live in peace and stopped investing in stupid weapons and pour those resources into education and health. Wouldn't the world be a better place? May be we are past that point with so many people on Earth? I do not know. The only thing that I know for sure is people never take any lesson from the history and keep on doing the stupidest things.
I like watching WWI and WWII documentaries. It is so sad how many people and mostly young people lost their lives for exactly what? So, so sad.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
13197 steps!
On Friday, I decided to leave the car at a parking lot in Kadıköy and take a ferry to Karakoy where I met my friend. We then walked over the Galata Bridge towards the Historic Peninsula.
After searching for stores for silver jewelry hardware and other neccesities, we have been told to go to Cemberlitas. We took the tram since, you need to go uphill for three tram stations. After my friend found what she was looking for and bought them, we walked to Sultanahmet to grab lunch. We were planning to go to the grand Bazaar when her husband called to say that their daughter's tests were over and they were ready to meet us.
We told them to walk towards Sirkeci (where the Orient Express used to leave for Europe in the past). We walked down to Sirkeci and sat down at a patisserie. The four of us had a good time just chatting and joking. Their daughter was glad the stress was over so, she was happy. We fed her different kinds of pastries and ice cream. I did not touch any sweet stuff except for two teeny pieces of Turkish Delight served alongside my coffee.
We then walked around some more to admire some newly renovated historic buildings and took a tram and a taxi cab to go pick their car. We then drove along the Bosphorus to go to a nice fish restaurant. The dinner was fabuluous and we spent a good deal of time there too. They dropped me at the ferry pier and I boarded a ferry to get back to Kadıkoy to pick up my car.
I was out from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. and walked 13197 steps. I thought I would be sore the next day but, I wasn't. Very happy about that!
After searching for stores for silver jewelry hardware and other neccesities, we have been told to go to Cemberlitas. We took the tram since, you need to go uphill for three tram stations. After my friend found what she was looking for and bought them, we walked to Sultanahmet to grab lunch. We were planning to go to the grand Bazaar when her husband called to say that their daughter's tests were over and they were ready to meet us.
We told them to walk towards Sirkeci (where the Orient Express used to leave for Europe in the past). We walked down to Sirkeci and sat down at a patisserie. The four of us had a good time just chatting and joking. Their daughter was glad the stress was over so, she was happy. We fed her different kinds of pastries and ice cream. I did not touch any sweet stuff except for two teeny pieces of Turkish Delight served alongside my coffee.
We then walked around some more to admire some newly renovated historic buildings and took a tram and a taxi cab to go pick their car. We then drove along the Bosphorus to go to a nice fish restaurant. The dinner was fabuluous and we spent a good deal of time there too. They dropped me at the ferry pier and I boarded a ferry to get back to Kadıkoy to pick up my car.
I was out from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. and walked 13197 steps. I thought I would be sore the next day but, I wasn't. Very happy about that!
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Old Friends are the best...
Tomorrow, I am going to meet an old friend and we will go exploring in the Grand Bazaar Area. The back streets are full of stores of anything and everything. My friend is into designing jewelry and she wants to find things that she can use. I hope, it will be a nice day without rain.
The reason why she is coming to Istanbul is that her younger daughter is going to take an advanced German Language Exam at the Goethe Institute. The morning session is written and the afternoon session is spoken. She wants to go to College either in Germany or in Austria and passing this exam will mean she will not have to take a German Language Prep Class. She is a smart and hardworking kid and wants to study some type of engineering. Their older daughter is a Computer Engineer. My friend and her husband are both Electronics Engineers. Smart family! While my friend's husband waits for their daughter, we will go and have some fun.
I have met her when I was stationed in NY many many years ago working for a Turkish-American JV Defense Company. For the first 7 months, I was the only female in the Turkish group stationed out there and her arrival was a welcome change. We had such a great time roaming the streets of The Village and other lively spots at night in NYC usually leaving the guys out :) We were not being mean to them. They would get tired, bored, sleepy etc. early and would want to head back. However, my friend I would be out tll 4-5 a.m. Young and brave times...
Many people, including her dad had told me they thought it was so strange that we had become such close friends because, our personalities were so different from each other. Yes, we are very different but, she is such a nice, level-headed and sweet person, it is impossible not to like her. I guess she saw something positive in me too and hence, we have been friends for the last 29 years.
Today, I am getting my hair dyed to look nice in the loads of pictures, I am sure we will be taking tomorrow. My roots are in a sad state and I had been just being lazy about that. Once I go back to dyeing my hair next year, it will be so much easier. I am also planning to maintain a shorter hair next year once, I am done with this balayage thing. It does look nice on long hair but, I am not the kind of person who likes to spend time styling hair.
The reason why she is coming to Istanbul is that her younger daughter is going to take an advanced German Language Exam at the Goethe Institute. The morning session is written and the afternoon session is spoken. She wants to go to College either in Germany or in Austria and passing this exam will mean she will not have to take a German Language Prep Class. She is a smart and hardworking kid and wants to study some type of engineering. Their older daughter is a Computer Engineer. My friend and her husband are both Electronics Engineers. Smart family! While my friend's husband waits for their daughter, we will go and have some fun.
I have met her when I was stationed in NY many many years ago working for a Turkish-American JV Defense Company. For the first 7 months, I was the only female in the Turkish group stationed out there and her arrival was a welcome change. We had such a great time roaming the streets of The Village and other lively spots at night in NYC usually leaving the guys out :) We were not being mean to them. They would get tired, bored, sleepy etc. early and would want to head back. However, my friend I would be out tll 4-5 a.m. Young and brave times...
Many people, including her dad had told me they thought it was so strange that we had become such close friends because, our personalities were so different from each other. Yes, we are very different but, she is such a nice, level-headed and sweet person, it is impossible not to like her. I guess she saw something positive in me too and hence, we have been friends for the last 29 years.
Today, I am getting my hair dyed to look nice in the loads of pictures, I am sure we will be taking tomorrow. My roots are in a sad state and I had been just being lazy about that. Once I go back to dyeing my hair next year, it will be so much easier. I am also planning to maintain a shorter hair next year once, I am done with this balayage thing. It does look nice on long hair but, I am not the kind of person who likes to spend time styling hair.
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Finally! Got Warm...
All day long,yesterday the windows were open and the nice breeze blew some warmth into the apartment and it became comfortable without additional layers. I wear socks even in the summer so, they stay on. I will wait for another week or two to put away the sweats I wear at home.
I folded and put away all the laundry from the previous day and washed and hung back all the curtains in my bedroom and my spare room yesterday. Today, the living room curtains will be done. It smells really nice in the apartment due to drying curtains and the nice warm breeze. One load is out and hung, another is in and I have three more to go.
I am doing my best to keep my home tidy while I find that there are still stuff that needs to be given or thrown away. Pulled another box to see what's inside. Million more photos, very old appliance manuals which I no longer own, extremely old business card holders loaded with cards and hobby paints with brushes.
It was easy to gather what needed to be trashed. I dumped all the photos on the table to sort. I think I have another box full of photos somewhere else. I need to dig that up and go through all the photos. Some are really old, from my parents' to my grandparents' childhoods. This is not going to be a fast or easy task. My goal is to be done by Sunday and put away everything. It looked so overwhelming that I was tempted to put them all back in the box and leave them alone. Then, I just couldn't do it.
I need to tidy up the kitchen and enjoy my coffee afterwards. Hope, everyone has a good day!
I folded and put away all the laundry from the previous day and washed and hung back all the curtains in my bedroom and my spare room yesterday. Today, the living room curtains will be done. It smells really nice in the apartment due to drying curtains and the nice warm breeze. One load is out and hung, another is in and I have three more to go.
I am doing my best to keep my home tidy while I find that there are still stuff that needs to be given or thrown away. Pulled another box to see what's inside. Million more photos, very old appliance manuals which I no longer own, extremely old business card holders loaded with cards and hobby paints with brushes.
It was easy to gather what needed to be trashed. I dumped all the photos on the table to sort. I think I have another box full of photos somewhere else. I need to dig that up and go through all the photos. Some are really old, from my parents' to my grandparents' childhoods. This is not going to be a fast or easy task. My goal is to be done by Sunday and put away everything. It looked so overwhelming that I was tempted to put them all back in the box and leave them alone. Then, I just couldn't do it.
I need to tidy up the kitchen and enjoy my coffee afterwards. Hope, everyone has a good day!
Monday, May 20, 2019
Beautiful Sunday and Laundry Week
Yesterday was a glorious day very appropriate for the 100th Anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's (the founder of modern Turkey) arrival in Samsun to start the Turkish Independence War.
I met two friends for lunch and coffee. One was our ex-office assistant, the other was the wife of a colleague from the same company who passed a year and a half ago. Had a very good time and came back to a clean home.
I am doing laundry as I type this. I need to wash, dry and put away the contents of the laundry basket in addition to all the curtains I am planning to wash. I am thinking this will be a 2-3 day job. I do not have a dryer so, everything requires time to get dry. I can hang up some of the curtains right after the wash but, some of them need to be dried flat.
I have paid the first installments of the real estate taxes on all of the properties that mom and I own online today They were due by the end of this month. Thankfully, those taxes are not anywhere near the ones in the US. Even so, we complain :)
I must also pay the second and final part of the repairs made in the Ankara apartment. The new tenant called me last week to say hi and get to know each other. She is a young lady working for a major bank and she will be getting married late August. They wanted to rent the apartment, get it painted and start furnishing before the wedding. I told her as long as they paid on time and maintained the apartment, we should not have any problems.
I feel like a lot of money is leaving my pocket this month. Mom and I will be visiting my sister and BIL in June so, that will not be a very frugal month either. It doesn't mean that I should not be careful. I still have enough gas in my car to last till the end of this month and I do have lots of food in the pantry. I think, except for fresh groceries, I will not need much.
Gotta go and get my exercise now. Although, I do not feel like doing it today, I must.
I met two friends for lunch and coffee. One was our ex-office assistant, the other was the wife of a colleague from the same company who passed a year and a half ago. Had a very good time and came back to a clean home.
I am doing laundry as I type this. I need to wash, dry and put away the contents of the laundry basket in addition to all the curtains I am planning to wash. I am thinking this will be a 2-3 day job. I do not have a dryer so, everything requires time to get dry. I can hang up some of the curtains right after the wash but, some of them need to be dried flat.
I have paid the first installments of the real estate taxes on all of the properties that mom and I own online today They were due by the end of this month. Thankfully, those taxes are not anywhere near the ones in the US. Even so, we complain :)
I must also pay the second and final part of the repairs made in the Ankara apartment. The new tenant called me last week to say hi and get to know each other. She is a young lady working for a major bank and she will be getting married late August. They wanted to rent the apartment, get it painted and start furnishing before the wedding. I told her as long as they paid on time and maintained the apartment, we should not have any problems.
I feel like a lot of money is leaving my pocket this month. Mom and I will be visiting my sister and BIL in June so, that will not be a very frugal month either. It doesn't mean that I should not be careful. I still have enough gas in my car to last till the end of this month and I do have lots of food in the pantry. I think, except for fresh groceries, I will not need much.
Gotta go and get my exercise now. Although, I do not feel like doing it today, I must.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Cursed by Macbeth
- When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning or in rain?
Lately every single day has been rainy with thunderstorms. It has also been very windy. Something the three witches did not think of.
I am using a space heater as I sit in my living room. Ridiculous!
I was originally planning to go to the farmers market today but, decided against it. I do not need a whole lot of stuff and burning gas just to get a few items did not sound frugal.
After I finish posting this, I will walk to the small grocery store right by me to get just a few things I need.
Last night I had meat patties with Shepherd Salad (similar to a Greek salad without the huge Feta and olives). Finished my chili today at lunch. I like to have meat patties on hand. Here is how I make them: Shred onions, add salt and pepper, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley (not necessary) and add all this to chopped meat. Mix really well by kneading and then shape into 1/4 inch patties, freeze them with parchment paper in between. I usually make a batch with 3 pounds of meat and consume 4 patties at a time. They last quiet a while. It is easy to take them out with the parchment paper in between without having to thaw them.
I have decided to postpone the washing of the curtains. I can do that next weekend without having to rush.
Lately every single day has been rainy with thunderstorms. It has also been very windy. Something the three witches did not think of.
I am using a space heater as I sit in my living room. Ridiculous!
I was originally planning to go to the farmers market today but, decided against it. I do not need a whole lot of stuff and burning gas just to get a few items did not sound frugal.
After I finish posting this, I will walk to the small grocery store right by me to get just a few things I need.
Last night I had meat patties with Shepherd Salad (similar to a Greek salad without the huge Feta and olives). Finished my chili today at lunch. I like to have meat patties on hand. Here is how I make them: Shred onions, add salt and pepper, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley (not necessary) and add all this to chopped meat. Mix really well by kneading and then shape into 1/4 inch patties, freeze them with parchment paper in between. I usually make a batch with 3 pounds of meat and consume 4 patties at a time. They last quiet a while. It is easy to take them out with the parchment paper in between without having to thaw them.
I have decided to postpone the washing of the curtains. I can do that next weekend without having to rush.
Friday, May 17, 2019
This and That
In my previous post, I had said that I would get rid of some old photos. Well, I am all done! While I was at it, I looked at all the photos I handled and tossed more than I expected. They did not spark joy! (Hello Marie Kondo!)
I also tossed three albums which were falling apart and put the photos I wanted to keep in a neat tin box just the perfect size to hold them. Never knew I had so many pictures prior to the digital era.
This cleaning up, tossing stuff out and de-cluttering activity is making me feel really good. I am claiming a lot of space I did not know I could. It is also a good way to keep busy when the weather is not cooperating.
Today is another windy and rainy day with low temperatures. So, I was on the treadmill. I listen to mystery stories on Librivox as I exercise. Sometimes I watch an episode of Grace and Frankie on Netflix. I have always loved Lily Tomlin and I have learnt to like Jane Fonda on this show. Today, I walked 2.7 miles in 45 minutes. Felt really good.
Among today's chores are; two loads of laundry, changing the sheets on my bed and general picking up and tidying. The cleaning lady will come on Sunday so, when she comes, I will take down the curtains and wash them. I hang some of them back right after washing and some need to be dried horizontally to prevent sagging.
I am also going to meet some friends at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and I guess I should leave home an hour earlier. That will not leave me much time to wash all the curtains before I go. So, I will probably do some of it later at night or on Monday.
I also tossed three albums which were falling apart and put the photos I wanted to keep in a neat tin box just the perfect size to hold them. Never knew I had so many pictures prior to the digital era.
This cleaning up, tossing stuff out and de-cluttering activity is making me feel really good. I am claiming a lot of space I did not know I could. It is also a good way to keep busy when the weather is not cooperating.
Today is another windy and rainy day with low temperatures. So, I was on the treadmill. I listen to mystery stories on Librivox as I exercise. Sometimes I watch an episode of Grace and Frankie on Netflix. I have always loved Lily Tomlin and I have learnt to like Jane Fonda on this show. Today, I walked 2.7 miles in 45 minutes. Felt really good.
Among today's chores are; two loads of laundry, changing the sheets on my bed and general picking up and tidying. The cleaning lady will come on Sunday so, when she comes, I will take down the curtains and wash them. I hang some of them back right after washing and some need to be dried horizontally to prevent sagging.
I am also going to meet some friends at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and I guess I should leave home an hour earlier. That will not leave me much time to wash all the curtains before I go. So, I will probably do some of it later at night or on Monday.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Frustrated (Venting ahead, beware!)
I don't understand why my weight fluctuates like the stock exchange. I am measuring and watching everything I eat and see the good results on one day on the scale and two days later, it looks like I have gained! Go figure! Is it water? But why? I am already drinking tons of water and watching my salt intake. I guess after 50, the body has a mind of it's own.
I am not going to give up so fast this time. It is basic math. Energy in, energy out! Besides, the endocrinologist is waiting like a hawk to keep on trying to push me into bariatric surgery or Saxenda. No! If need be, I will rather change the doctor. My BMI is fluctuating around 40 so, yes some may consider that a bariatric surgery would be appropriate but, I know without changing your ways, it means nothing.
Today, I pushed myself more on the treadmill and that felt good. So, I will keep at chipping off the pounds. When there is a will, there is a way.
After all, I have gained all this weight in many many years and I was stupid not to control it when it would have been easier. I admit, I was wrong. However, even if I lose 10 kg per year (22 pounds), I will be done with my problem in three years. That is less than 1 kg per month. The key is to change my eating habits. I have to become a mindful eater and it takes a while for habits to develop.
I understand that my problem was eating more carbs than necessary, even with healthy options, I was consuming large portions than I needed. If I were eating a normal portion of pasta, instead of the 1/3 of the Barilla box, I would not be in this position. I was eating big portions and I wasn't putting my mind into what I ate. I could eat pizza for lunch and pasta for dinner. You may get away with that at 15 but, at 52, no way! Also, when I felt down or bored or unhappy or angry, I would find myself in the fridge. I did not keep junk food in there but excessive amounts of even good stuff can make you gain.
As I watch the TLC show, My 600 lb., I realize that I also have some issues I must deal with. Thankfully, I have never been abused or assaulted in my life but, I had some relationships in which things did not work out as I hoped. Things I thought I had forgotten surface from time to time and I must deal with them. I have decided to go through some old photo albums and get rid of some photos which I could not part with in the past. I thought they were a part of my life at one time and I have held on to them. I am thinking that, getting rid of them will make me feel better. There are a couple of things gifted to me. I will get rid of them as well. Yes, they were a part of my past but, they did not bring me happiness after all.
So, there! I have come up with tomorrow's chore.
I dwell on the past too much. I should look ahead and enjoy myself. What could have been or should have been, did not happen. So, why?
There! I got this off my chest. It is almost bed time so, I need to sign off now.
I am not going to give up so fast this time. It is basic math. Energy in, energy out! Besides, the endocrinologist is waiting like a hawk to keep on trying to push me into bariatric surgery or Saxenda. No! If need be, I will rather change the doctor. My BMI is fluctuating around 40 so, yes some may consider that a bariatric surgery would be appropriate but, I know without changing your ways, it means nothing.
Today, I pushed myself more on the treadmill and that felt good. So, I will keep at chipping off the pounds. When there is a will, there is a way.
After all, I have gained all this weight in many many years and I was stupid not to control it when it would have been easier. I admit, I was wrong. However, even if I lose 10 kg per year (22 pounds), I will be done with my problem in three years. That is less than 1 kg per month. The key is to change my eating habits. I have to become a mindful eater and it takes a while for habits to develop.
I understand that my problem was eating more carbs than necessary, even with healthy options, I was consuming large portions than I needed. If I were eating a normal portion of pasta, instead of the 1/3 of the Barilla box, I would not be in this position. I was eating big portions and I wasn't putting my mind into what I ate. I could eat pizza for lunch and pasta for dinner. You may get away with that at 15 but, at 52, no way! Also, when I felt down or bored or unhappy or angry, I would find myself in the fridge. I did not keep junk food in there but excessive amounts of even good stuff can make you gain.
As I watch the TLC show, My 600 lb., I realize that I also have some issues I must deal with. Thankfully, I have never been abused or assaulted in my life but, I had some relationships in which things did not work out as I hoped. Things I thought I had forgotten surface from time to time and I must deal with them. I have decided to go through some old photo albums and get rid of some photos which I could not part with in the past. I thought they were a part of my life at one time and I have held on to them. I am thinking that, getting rid of them will make me feel better. There are a couple of things gifted to me. I will get rid of them as well. Yes, they were a part of my past but, they did not bring me happiness after all.
So, there! I have come up with tomorrow's chore.
I dwell on the past too much. I should look ahead and enjoy myself. What could have been or should have been, did not happen. So, why?
There! I got this off my chest. It is almost bed time so, I need to sign off now.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Tossed!
I tossed all the old paperwork and now I have two binders filled with necessary stuff and two empty binders with many empty folders and dividers. I feel very organized in the paperwork department. Pheww!
I have also organized my library so that, I now have an entire shelf devoted to travel.
Next? Shoes! I will not do that tomorow though... Need a break from organizing and besides, I must walk and do some grocery shopping. I am out of many staples. I still have some meat in the freezer and I would like to eat some plant based protein this week so, I will not be buying any meat unless there are good prices.
Here is my shopping list:
Mixed salad greens
Tomatoes
Parsley
Cucumbers
A vegetable
Dried apricots
Fruit
Walnuts
Coffee
Tuna / Meat (If the price is right)
Tomato Sauce
Onions
Carrots
Celery
Today was a sunny but windy day. A friend and I managed to have dinner at a semi-open area. It was really nice. Looks like it will get warmer starting tomorrow. The apartment is not as cold as it was during the weekend. It was so cold on Sunday that, I had to use my small space heater after a long warm shower.
I have also organized my library so that, I now have an entire shelf devoted to travel.
Next? Shoes! I will not do that tomorow though... Need a break from organizing and besides, I must walk and do some grocery shopping. I am out of many staples. I still have some meat in the freezer and I would like to eat some plant based protein this week so, I will not be buying any meat unless there are good prices.
Here is my shopping list:
Mixed salad greens
Tomatoes
Parsley
Cucumbers
A vegetable
Dried apricots
Fruit
Walnuts
Coffee
Tuna / Meat (If the price is right)
Tomato Sauce
Onions
Carrots
Celery
Today was a sunny but windy day. A friend and I managed to have dinner at a semi-open area. It was really nice. Looks like it will get warmer starting tomorrow. The apartment is not as cold as it was during the weekend. It was so cold on Sunday that, I had to use my small space heater after a long warm shower.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day!
To:
All Good and Loving Mothers,
Mothers who untimely lost their children,
Mothers who passed away,
People who care for unfortunate children who lost their mothers,
Women who always wanted to become mothers
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Hidden Treasures
I have recently been digging into boxes of paperwork, file folders and etc. Dug out my grandfather's medical diploma and documents about his work as a medical doctor in Vienna Austria. I knew that I had those documents but, it has been years since I had looked at them.
Upon digging further, look what I have found:
These AAA TourBooks are from last century, 1991-1992. They are in mint condition (who cares?).
I immediately thought of putting them in the re-cycling bin, but since I will be traveling from upstate NY to Floria and back in November, I can make use of the parts where they talk about each city on my way to and from. I have decided to keep them.
I also found the following which I will definitely be keeping. They are also from 1990-1993 with the exception of Phantom of the Opera which is from December 1999. Forgot to take a picture of Miss Saigon Playbill. Been to Cats twice.
These things brought back many great and bittersweet memories and I got quiet emotional as I type this while listening to the thunderstorm outside. It is one of those days when you want to curl up with a blanket and hot cocoa by the window. I think, I will do just that.
I have also dug out several souvenir books and Museum Guides from the places I have been to both in Europe and in the US. They will no longer be in hiding. I will pack some books I have read, in the boxes and put them away, making room for this stuff on the upper, open shelves of my library so that, I will remember to pull one out and enjoy.from time to time.
Off I go to make my cocoa... Enjoy your weekend! Here is a video of Barbara Streisand who according to me is the best singer who sang "Memory".
UPDATE: After the thunderstorm, it is now beautiful and sunny with a gorgeous blue sky... Mother Nature!
Upon digging further, look what I have found:
These AAA TourBooks are from last century, 1991-1992. They are in mint condition (who cares?).
I immediately thought of putting them in the re-cycling bin, but since I will be traveling from upstate NY to Floria and back in November, I can make use of the parts where they talk about each city on my way to and from. I have decided to keep them.
I also found the following which I will definitely be keeping. They are also from 1990-1993 with the exception of Phantom of the Opera which is from December 1999. Forgot to take a picture of Miss Saigon Playbill. Been to Cats twice.
These things brought back many great and bittersweet memories and I got quiet emotional as I type this while listening to the thunderstorm outside. It is one of those days when you want to curl up with a blanket and hot cocoa by the window. I think, I will do just that.
I have also dug out several souvenir books and Museum Guides from the places I have been to both in Europe and in the US. They will no longer be in hiding. I will pack some books I have read, in the boxes and put them away, making room for this stuff on the upper, open shelves of my library so that, I will remember to pull one out and enjoy.from time to time.
UPDATE: After the thunderstorm, it is now beautiful and sunny with a gorgeous blue sky... Mother Nature!
Friday, May 10, 2019
Taking Inventory, More Decluttering, Family History
Today, I intend to take an inventory of my fridge, freezer and the pantry. There may be some extra stuff I will not be consuming due to my diet. I can give those away or take them to my sister's when I am going to visit them in June. The plan is for them to take my mom with them to Izmir early June. I will be joining them in Izmir and the four of us will spend some time together.
I will be giving away all the herbal tea I have to a friend. The doctor told me to drink plenty of water, reasonable amount of tea and coffee and to stay away from the herbal teas and sodas. Not a problem. My habit is quiet like that actually. I will go in for another control in 6 months before my big vacation in the US.
Yesterday I dug out more old paperwork and I am in the process of going through all of them. I am sure there is plenty to be trashed.
I found my grandfather's diploma from medical school. He was born in 1900 and graduated medical school in Istanbul in 1926. He then went to Vienna to further study medicine and I found the documents appointing him to Internal Medicine Department in some Austrian Hospital. I will check whether the hospital is still there. He spent a good deal of time abroad and returned to Turkey in 1936, married my grandmother, had three kids and passed away in 1949 due to kidney failure. My father was only 9 then. Sometimes I think about how different it could have been if he had lived longer. My dad passed away at the age of 54 due to a different condition. Sigh...
Hope, everyone has a nice weekend!
I will be giving away all the herbal tea I have to a friend. The doctor told me to drink plenty of water, reasonable amount of tea and coffee and to stay away from the herbal teas and sodas. Not a problem. My habit is quiet like that actually. I will go in for another control in 6 months before my big vacation in the US.
Yesterday I dug out more old paperwork and I am in the process of going through all of them. I am sure there is plenty to be trashed.
I found my grandfather's diploma from medical school. He was born in 1900 and graduated medical school in Istanbul in 1926. He then went to Vienna to further study medicine and I found the documents appointing him to Internal Medicine Department in some Austrian Hospital. I will check whether the hospital is still there. He spent a good deal of time abroad and returned to Turkey in 1936, married my grandmother, had three kids and passed away in 1949 due to kidney failure. My father was only 9 then. Sometimes I think about how different it could have been if he had lived longer. My dad passed away at the age of 54 due to a different condition. Sigh...
Hope, everyone has a nice weekend!
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Cold May and Errands
So far, we had only 3 nice days in May. It is mostly cold, rainy and overcast. When this happens, the summer comes with a vengeance and it gets to be very hot. Good thing that my apartment is usually cool and even on hot days, I can get by with a fan. I have no A/C and it would cause a lot of inconvenience to install one.
Thankfully, what started as an overcast day became warm and sunny today. I went out to get my electricity subscription for the apartment in Ankara cancelled. They told me I would be getting a refund on the subscription fee. Then I sent the signed rent agreement back to the real estate agent. With the economy this bad, I sort of knew that it wouldn't be sold but, at least now it is generating a little income instead of sucking maintenance fees.
I remembered that I ran out of bread, onions, yogurt and tomatoes. So, I went into the grocery store to get them. Came home, made a cup of coffee and enjoyed my dates and walnuts with that.
As I type this I am watching a stupid Turkish Reality show on TV. Some people are plain idiots and unfortunately, they elope at young ages to get married r to live together, have multiple kids they cannot take care of, cheat on their spouses (with multiple people) and cause all sorts of trouble. The kids' lives are ruined forever. Ugh!
I used to have a hobby box from way back. I will dig it out to see what is in there. I want something to keep me busy during the day. Not having to work is nice but boring. There is also a project that I had been thinking about for a long time. It is about designing a training on contract management. I have lots of information, sample contracts and books scattered around. I should also pull them together, brush up my outline and get started. However, it is a serious project. What I need now is a bit of a fun thing.
Today, Expedia offered me a discount on my stay in Tampa Florida in November. Same hotel, same dates. It was USD 50 better for my 5 day stay and I took it. Nice! Canceled the other reservation.
It will be a long road trip from upstate NY to Tampa FL and back. I will be breaking the driving so that I will not drive more than 6 hours which is tolerable for me each day.
Thankfully, what started as an overcast day became warm and sunny today. I went out to get my electricity subscription for the apartment in Ankara cancelled. They told me I would be getting a refund on the subscription fee. Then I sent the signed rent agreement back to the real estate agent. With the economy this bad, I sort of knew that it wouldn't be sold but, at least now it is generating a little income instead of sucking maintenance fees.
I remembered that I ran out of bread, onions, yogurt and tomatoes. So, I went into the grocery store to get them. Came home, made a cup of coffee and enjoyed my dates and walnuts with that.
As I type this I am watching a stupid Turkish Reality show on TV. Some people are plain idiots and unfortunately, they elope at young ages to get married r to live together, have multiple kids they cannot take care of, cheat on their spouses (with multiple people) and cause all sorts of trouble. The kids' lives are ruined forever. Ugh!
I used to have a hobby box from way back. I will dig it out to see what is in there. I want something to keep me busy during the day. Not having to work is nice but boring. There is also a project that I had been thinking about for a long time. It is about designing a training on contract management. I have lots of information, sample contracts and books scattered around. I should also pull them together, brush up my outline and get started. However, it is a serious project. What I need now is a bit of a fun thing.
Today, Expedia offered me a discount on my stay in Tampa Florida in November. Same hotel, same dates. It was USD 50 better for my 5 day stay and I took it. Nice! Canceled the other reservation.
It will be a long road trip from upstate NY to Tampa FL and back. I will be breaking the driving so that I will not drive more than 6 hours which is tolerable for me each day.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Pocketbooks / Handbags / Purses
Gill, over at That British Woman had a recent blogpost "What do you call this:"and that inspired my blogpost title today!
I have called these things handbags for years because that was the first dialogue in my First Things First Book by L.G. Alexander when I started learning English in 1977. Happy memories...
Then having spent too much time in NYC area, I started calling them pocketbooks and meanwhile I knew that they were also called purses. Oh boy!
Anyway, as I have mentioned yesterday, I have looked at the bags I had on hand and decided to offer three really nice ones to my sister.
I am keeping one nice looking fairly new, barely used Anne Klein bag for myself along with most of the small bags that I know I use. Most of them are from T.J Maxx or Marshalls and some are brand names like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren , Etienne Aigner and etc. I am sure I have purchased them well below USD 30.
I am going to offer the cleaning lady four bags. One has never been used and real suede, quiet beautiful. It is not something my sister would use. She is very particular about bags that she likes.
I am keeping two bags for sentimental reasons. One was a gift from my dad from a business trip from Germany over 35 years ago. It is rather small so, I never used it very much. That is why it still looks new. The other is a gift from mom, a nice leather bag that I want to keep.
A lot of women would change their bags in accordance with what they are going to wear the next day. I am not one of them. I have currently been using a small backpack for months now and my sister made fun of it when we were all together recently. She teased me saying that I was using a 5 buck backpack and at my age wasn't that kind of embarassing! I told her to shut up because I was also wearing 180 buck (new Balance 990s never come cheap) athletic shoes with it. Lol! Actually with today's exchange rate, that bag is well below 5 bucks...
After sorting through the handbags, I have decided that I am not buying any more for at least 5 years. If I rotate what I own well, there is no reason to buy a new one. If I keep on using the 5 buck backpack till it falls apart, make that 10 years!
Yesterday was a nice, warm day and today it looks like winter is back. If someone says there is no such thing as global warming I will strike him on the mouth with my slipper (idioms sound pathetic when translated).
I have called these things handbags for years because that was the first dialogue in my First Things First Book by L.G. Alexander when I started learning English in 1977. Happy memories...
Then having spent too much time in NYC area, I started calling them pocketbooks and meanwhile I knew that they were also called purses. Oh boy!
Anyway, as I have mentioned yesterday, I have looked at the bags I had on hand and decided to offer three really nice ones to my sister.
I am keeping one nice looking fairly new, barely used Anne Klein bag for myself along with most of the small bags that I know I use. Most of them are from T.J Maxx or Marshalls and some are brand names like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren , Etienne Aigner and etc. I am sure I have purchased them well below USD 30.
I am going to offer the cleaning lady four bags. One has never been used and real suede, quiet beautiful. It is not something my sister would use. She is very particular about bags that she likes.
I am keeping two bags for sentimental reasons. One was a gift from my dad from a business trip from Germany over 35 years ago. It is rather small so, I never used it very much. That is why it still looks new. The other is a gift from mom, a nice leather bag that I want to keep.
A lot of women would change their bags in accordance with what they are going to wear the next day. I am not one of them. I have currently been using a small backpack for months now and my sister made fun of it when we were all together recently. She teased me saying that I was using a 5 buck backpack and at my age wasn't that kind of embarassing! I told her to shut up because I was also wearing 180 buck (new Balance 990s never come cheap) athletic shoes with it. Lol! Actually with today's exchange rate, that bag is well below 5 bucks...
After sorting through the handbags, I have decided that I am not buying any more for at least 5 years. If I rotate what I own well, there is no reason to buy a new one. If I keep on using the 5 buck backpack till it falls apart, make that 10 years!
Yesterday was a nice, warm day and today it looks like winter is back. If someone says there is no such thing as global warming I will strike him on the mouth with my slipper (idioms sound pathetic when translated).
What are the odds?
I am still in a de-cluttering mode though, I am not seriously doing anything about it. Today I was thinking of my procrastination and my inner voice said: "Check out the pocketbooks!" Yep! That is definitely an area that needs attention.
What are the odds of using a bag that I haven't used in 5+ years? Minus 5 may be?
So, I will tackle that this week and set aside all the bags that I would like to give away. I will offer them to the cleaning lady and she can take all of them if she wants. Let's see how many I can get rid of.
Next on my list are the shoes and slippers. That closet is in real bad shape.
Today, I had dinner with two good friends from my consulting work. It was supposed to be a happy night but, there is some political turmoil and the so called president who is a dictator wanna-be is pouring gas over the fire. I don't even want to think about it. All I can say is I hate the current government and hope they all drop dead like.... right now!
What are the odds of using a bag that I haven't used in 5+ years? Minus 5 may be?
So, I will tackle that this week and set aside all the bags that I would like to give away. I will offer them to the cleaning lady and she can take all of them if she wants. Let's see how many I can get rid of.
Next on my list are the shoes and slippers. That closet is in real bad shape.
Today, I had dinner with two good friends from my consulting work. It was supposed to be a happy night but, there is some political turmoil and the so called president who is a dictator wanna-be is pouring gas over the fire. I don't even want to think about it. All I can say is I hate the current government and hope they all drop dead like.... right now!
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Weight Loss Motivation
Yesterday, I stepped on the scale and loved what I have seen. As of yesterday I have lost 15 pounds in total! The best motivation to lose weight is to lose weight. To me anyway:)
I also went out and had lunch with a friend I have not seen in quiet a while. We had lots of catching up to do. I had steamed vegetables and a small grilled chicken breast.
After I left my friend, I went to a farmer's market but, forgot to get cash from an ATM. When I opened my wallet, I realized that I had very little money. I asked around, but there were no ATMs within a reasonable distance.
I was able to buy the following with what I had in my wallet:
2 pounds of cucumbers
1 bundle green onions
1 bunch of dill weed
2 bunches of parsley
1 bunch of purslane
2 pounds of fresh fava beans
1 pound of strawberries
1 pound of green peppers
After mentally kicking myself, I woved to stash a large TL bill in my cell phone wallet just in case. I used to do it but, I must have spent the money and forgot to stick another bill in there.
Then I went to the grocery store to get meat, cheese, bulgur wheat, sundried tomatoes and salad greens. I was gonna get tomatoes too, but the quality of those were not comparable to the ones in the farmer's market. Bummer! Well, there is always next week.
I was famished when I got back home so, I fixed a quick dinner and had some fresh strawberries afterwards.
I think, I am all set for this week grocerywise. I have also started to track my spending this month.
Here is my food plan for the week:
Today's Lunch: Chick Peas and Bulgur Pilaf
Today's Dinner: Lunch Meat on a Salad
Monday Lunch: Green beans in olive oil and a purslane salad with yogurt
Dinner: Out with friends
Tuesday Lunch: Fresh fava beans in olive oil and purslane salad with yogurt
Dinner: My version of a Tabouleh
Wednesday Lunch: Fresh Fava Beans in olive oil
Dinner: Meat patties I had made and frozen and a salad
Thursday Lunch: Green salad with Tuna on top
Dinner: Stuffed peppers and a salad
Friday Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Out with friends (most likely grilled fish and salad)
I do not have plans for the weekend yet. I think, I will eat out of the freezer before I go cook new things to eat and freeze. I also need to take a hard look at my pantry. Needless to say, the fridge needs to be cleaned.
I also went out and had lunch with a friend I have not seen in quiet a while. We had lots of catching up to do. I had steamed vegetables and a small grilled chicken breast.
After I left my friend, I went to a farmer's market but, forgot to get cash from an ATM. When I opened my wallet, I realized that I had very little money. I asked around, but there were no ATMs within a reasonable distance.
I was able to buy the following with what I had in my wallet:
2 pounds of cucumbers
1 bundle green onions
1 bunch of dill weed
2 bunches of parsley
1 bunch of purslane
2 pounds of fresh fava beans
1 pound of strawberries
1 pound of green peppers
After mentally kicking myself, I woved to stash a large TL bill in my cell phone wallet just in case. I used to do it but, I must have spent the money and forgot to stick another bill in there.
Then I went to the grocery store to get meat, cheese, bulgur wheat, sundried tomatoes and salad greens. I was gonna get tomatoes too, but the quality of those were not comparable to the ones in the farmer's market. Bummer! Well, there is always next week.
I was famished when I got back home so, I fixed a quick dinner and had some fresh strawberries afterwards.
I think, I am all set for this week grocerywise. I have also started to track my spending this month.
Here is my food plan for the week:
Today's Lunch: Chick Peas and Bulgur Pilaf
Today's Dinner: Lunch Meat on a Salad
Monday Lunch: Green beans in olive oil and a purslane salad with yogurt
Dinner: Out with friends
Tuesday Lunch: Fresh fava beans in olive oil and purslane salad with yogurt
Dinner: My version of a Tabouleh
Dinner: Meat patties I had made and frozen and a salad
Thursday Lunch: Green salad with Tuna on top
Dinner: Stuffed peppers and a salad
Friday Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Out with friends (most likely grilled fish and salad)
I do not have plans for the weekend yet. I think, I will eat out of the freezer before I go cook new things to eat and freeze. I also need to take a hard look at my pantry. Needless to say, the fridge needs to be cleaned.
Friday, May 3, 2019
Nice day!
Finally, the Spring is here and I had a nice day mostly outside in the afternoon.
I went out by 2 p.m. and gave my prescription to the neighborhood pharmacy. Told them I would be back before 7 p.m. when they close.
I walked down to the main street and hopped on a bus, got off at the nearest Metro (subway) station to go down to Kadikoy. It is a busy area and walking is a bit of a chore but, I did walk around quiet a bit, looked at some old book sellers, sat down for a cup of Turkish coffee and walk some more. Next time, I will go down there either for lunch or dinner. The fish market is great and there are good but inexpensive restaurants.
I hopped on the Metro again. I had to walk to the intersection to get another bus because the road was one way coming back. That was another longish stretch of walk. I made it back to the main street and went back to the Pharmacy where I sat down a bit because, I was totally exhausted since I had to climb up the hill. I came home feeling very proud of myself for having walked 8800 steps.
I want to be able to walk 10,000 steps all at once and not feel exhausted at all. That is my goal. I think, if I keep on like this, I can do that by mid-summer. My muscles feel strong and my legs definitely want to move. Using public transport helps with the arm muscles too if you are standing because, in the crazy traffic, you can never anticipate when the driver will step on the brakes or the gas pedal. You need to hold on well. Crazy!
Tomorrow, I am going to meet a friend at noon and will go to the farmer's market later on. I am planning to walk tomorrow too but, I will walk less because the dietician warned me against upping exercise too quickly.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend!
I went out by 2 p.m. and gave my prescription to the neighborhood pharmacy. Told them I would be back before 7 p.m. when they close.
I walked down to the main street and hopped on a bus, got off at the nearest Metro (subway) station to go down to Kadikoy. It is a busy area and walking is a bit of a chore but, I did walk around quiet a bit, looked at some old book sellers, sat down for a cup of Turkish coffee and walk some more. Next time, I will go down there either for lunch or dinner. The fish market is great and there are good but inexpensive restaurants.
I hopped on the Metro again. I had to walk to the intersection to get another bus because the road was one way coming back. That was another longish stretch of walk. I made it back to the main street and went back to the Pharmacy where I sat down a bit because, I was totally exhausted since I had to climb up the hill. I came home feeling very proud of myself for having walked 8800 steps.
I want to be able to walk 10,000 steps all at once and not feel exhausted at all. That is my goal. I think, if I keep on like this, I can do that by mid-summer. My muscles feel strong and my legs definitely want to move. Using public transport helps with the arm muscles too if you are standing because, in the crazy traffic, you can never anticipate when the driver will step on the brakes or the gas pedal. You need to hold on well. Crazy!
Tomorrow, I am going to meet a friend at noon and will go to the farmer's market later on. I am planning to walk tomorrow too but, I will walk less because the dietician warned me against upping exercise too quickly.
I hope everyone has a nice weekend!
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Payments / Possibly a New Tenant / Weight Loss Update
I had taken over the payment of a loan of a family member you may recall. Mom wanted to keep her father's home in the family so, I took over the payment of this loan. The family home was collateral.
The good news is, I made another payment today and there are only 4 more payments to go. Yay me! It was a 48 month loan and I will have paid 34 of them come September. The first 14 were already paid before I have taken it over. I cannot wait to wipe the entire sheet dedicated to that in my Excel file. I will talk about how I use an Excel file for tracking my finances and other important aspects in my life in a separate post.
The Real Estate Agent called me today and told me a couple who will be married soon is interested in renting my apartment. They were asking for a price cut but were willing to make a full year's rent all at once. Weird, but OK. I did the math and it still makes sense. I just need to draw up the contract such that, if they want to go on a monthly basis next year, we should understand that the increase will have to be a different percentage. Inflation is quiet high so, I have to be careful.
Anyway, I do not know if this tenant will decide to rent my apartment or not till tomorrow. I really wish, it could rather be sold but, whatever...
I fell of the weight loss vagon last week when I was in Ankara and I was scared to weigh myself. Today, I plucked up courage and weighed myself. No gain! I thought, I gained but, I did not! I am back on track now and I did quiet well today. Not only watched what I ate but also, walked for over a half hour. If the weather permits, I will walk more tomorrow. Thinking back, I did not make bad choices bur, ate a bit more than I should have.
I printed a page of weight loss inspiration and a cartoon of Dr. Nowzaradan and put both sheets up on my fridge. Lol!
Since there is not much work in the horizon, this year will be my year to take care of myself and have a nice long vacation (Bucket List #1). Next year may be different who knows?
The good news is, I made another payment today and there are only 4 more payments to go. Yay me! It was a 48 month loan and I will have paid 34 of them come September. The first 14 were already paid before I have taken it over. I cannot wait to wipe the entire sheet dedicated to that in my Excel file. I will talk about how I use an Excel file for tracking my finances and other important aspects in my life in a separate post.
The Real Estate Agent called me today and told me a couple who will be married soon is interested in renting my apartment. They were asking for a price cut but were willing to make a full year's rent all at once. Weird, but OK. I did the math and it still makes sense. I just need to draw up the contract such that, if they want to go on a monthly basis next year, we should understand that the increase will have to be a different percentage. Inflation is quiet high so, I have to be careful.
Anyway, I do not know if this tenant will decide to rent my apartment or not till tomorrow. I really wish, it could rather be sold but, whatever...
I fell of the weight loss vagon last week when I was in Ankara and I was scared to weigh myself. Today, I plucked up courage and weighed myself. No gain! I thought, I gained but, I did not! I am back on track now and I did quiet well today. Not only watched what I ate but also, walked for over a half hour. If the weather permits, I will walk more tomorrow. Thinking back, I did not make bad choices bur, ate a bit more than I should have.
I printed a page of weight loss inspiration and a cartoon of Dr. Nowzaradan and put both sheets up on my fridge. Lol!
Since there is not much work in the horizon, this year will be my year to take care of myself and have a nice long vacation (Bucket List #1). Next year may be different who knows?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)