Last week I ordered two tablet pcs and they arrived within 2 days to my delight. However, one of them was dead on arrival. Bummer! I contacted the online platform and was told to send it to the brand owner. Knowing that their head office is located near IKEA which is 10 minutes from my home, I decided to take it myself.
Today, I armed myself with the necessary paperwork and was ready for combat because, I thought they would try to fix it instead of exchanging it. They told me to wait for 10 minutes to check it out and they replaced it with a brand new one. I was expecting all sorts of trouble but, no, not this time. I am sooo happy.
It has been very hot during the day lately and it looks like next week will be even hotter. So, I am mostly staying home. Today, I brought the standing fan into my living room and it helps quite a bit. I know the temperatures will get better after August 15th. They always do. There are hot days after that too but, once we hit mid-August, the weather starts to turn. Looking forward to the Fall and Winter.
I did a quick grocery store run today before I came home. I have everything I need for the weekend and then some. I am going to need salad greens. What they had at the store looked sad so, I did not buy any. May be I will quickly go in and out of the farmers' market they have nearby on Saturdays but, I doubt it. We'll see.
I have been reading this book by Jean-Christophe Grange named Lontano forever. I am determined to finish it tomorrow and get started on new books. It is too dark and twisted and I had been procrastinating. If you are familiar with this writer, you know what I mean.
It is very hard to get enough exercise in this heat but, I am pushing myself. Tomorrow will be a better day I hope.
Believe it or not, I woke up at 8:30 a.m. this morning. I felt like I had been well rested so, after a late breakfast I headed outside. However, it was too hot to even sit in the shade and read. After a half hour of that, I looked up to see if there was an open fresh produce market (or a farmers' market) in the area I was in and luckily I found one within less than two miles.
I bought fresh produce and then, headed to the grocery store for meat, cheese and few other things. Tomorrow, I am planning to make rice stuffed bell peppers in olive oil. This is a cold dish and honestly, I do not need anything warm these days.
Here is a recipe in case you wonder what the rice stuffed bell peppers are like. Our bell peppers are much smaller with thin skin. When I am in the US, I make this with Cubana peppers for my friends. I also do not use dill weed or all spice and use waaaay less cinnamon. 3 teaspoons called in the online recipe can be overpowering. I use just half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a tablespoon full of dried mint leaves which are usually found in health food stores in the US.
Tonight, I am going to bed around 11 p.m. and see what happens. I so want to get back to a regular sleep routine. I do not like to live like a vampire.
My sister got sick the morning after they went to Ankara. She was running a fever and her digestive system was completely out of whack. I freaked out and was about to go to Ankara when she told me to stay put just in case it might be COVID-19. Oh boy! She has had the Chinese vaccine so, the effectivity is somewhat lower and she works at a bank and she has chronic liver condition and... and...and. My mind suddenly switched to overdrive and I was thinking of extreme scenarios.
Then, I had a totally sleepless night, then I stopped exercising, then I slept during the day and fell of the "watch what you're eating" wagon.
Today she felt better enough to go outside and visit her in laws. She thinks she possibly had some sort of a food poisoning. That was only one of my scenarios which I had quickly dismissed.
I love my sister to the end of the galaxy and back. I cannot stand her getting sicker and weaker for whatever reason and I cannot even imagine outliving her. This is my biggest fear in life and even she catches a simple cold or tells me she has a headache, I become a mess. Even typing this, I feel terrible.
Although I am not totally relaxed, since she felt better, I felt better too and went to the seaside. Bought a cup of coffee and went back to reading my book in the shade which I had been ignoring lately. I also exercised today and that made me feel better too. So, it was a nicer day.
My dad was the biggest worrier in our family and he only lived up to my current age. I used to make fun of him and roll my eyes because he was such a worrier. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess.
It's been hot and humid yesterday and so it is, today as well. I do not feel like even moving my fiinger. My apartment is usually cool and comfy but, these two days have been the exception. No wonder they call it the dog days of summer.
This song keeps playing at the back of my mind ever since I got up today, so here, now it is your turn! Lol!
Yesterday there were kids playing outside and they were so darn loud but, hey kids are kids right? However one of them was constantly screaming at everything. I initially thought he might have been a special needs child but, I observed them for a while and no, he seemed like just a loud kid. I hope he is not tone deaf. With that pair of lungs, he can be quite the vocalist to some band. This went on till noon and in the afternoon it started yet again. My parents never allowed us to go out before 4 p.m. in the afternoon in such hot weather. What are these parents thinking I do not know.
Well I leaned by a window for a while to see what the kids were up to and saw that there were two mothers out there. One of them looked up and apologized for the kids being so loud and I seized the opportunity to say: Well, they are kids so, I guess that is normal but, can they be loud at the other side of the apartment complex for a while, just for a change?" They kindly obliged. I mean there are other neighbors too!
Thankfully, today is probably hotter than yesterday and noone is out early in the afternoon. It is peaceful.
My BFF is on vacation with her family so, we are not able to watch anything these days. I started watching S.W.A.T and loved it. It is absolutely my kind of show. Besides, I love Shemar Moore. Mom and I used to watch Criminal Minds mostly because of him. Lol! The rest of the cast is pretty awesome too.
I have been losing weight since May but I am now somewhat slowed down and lost my mojo a bit so, I decided that I needed a boost and signed up for a three day detox program. I had done this before and it does help my body to re-adjust and start to lose weight again.
What I forgot was, this was a soup (!) detox. And we are living through the dog days of summer. Rolling my eyes at myself...
Anyway, the first thing you have to drink in the morning is a cold smoothy so, that is not so bad but, then, there are 4 bottles of soups to drink and they make me sweat. Well, today is day two, so there is only one more day of torture. I do not feel hungry at all and the soups are tastewise, tolerable. My energy level is fine and I actually want to exercise which is great because, I am also trying to up the exercise I have been (or not been) getting. There are so many routines on YouTube to choose from that, not getting enough exercise or not finding something fun for thyself must be a sin. I especially enjoyed this one lately:
I think, I am going to see if I can also do some beginner Yoga. There is a mat somewhere in the apartment that I need to dig out. As we get older, we lose a lot of flexibility and I am not flexible at all. My dentist friend whom I visited on the road to Ankara told me yoga helped him with his back tremendously. It took him two months to sit cross legged but, he persevered and he started to reap the rewards.
I have already shed a bit more than 6 kilograms since May and I am hoping to have lost a total of 10 kgs by September 10th.
If I have enough water and a good book or the Internet on hand, I can sit for hours and my uncle says that is a terrible thing. He says one must get up at least every half hour to do something else or blood cloths may become a potential risk. I have a cheap smart watch that I had bought years ago, a Xiaomi MiBand 2. I programmed it to remind me to get up every half hour during the day. I can't say, I get up every half hour yet but, I am trying.
Uncle also says that, we should eat very slowly, putting the fork down with every bite and chew well. That's another weakness of mine that started in childhood. Rushed lunches while I worked kept the habit up and here we are... I am really trying to put my spoon or for down each time I use them but, sometimes it is hard to remember. My uncle told me to sit down to a well prepared dinner at the table instead of gobbling up whatever in front of the TV. He says a nicely prepped table is also appealing to the eye and makes a meal so much more enjoyable. Mindless eating he says, is a terrible thing. I hope to get there some day but, for now I still like my big tray sitting in front of the TV although I try to make it nice looking with small portions of a variety of mostly Mediterrenean style food.
It is too hot (for me) to enjoy the outdoors these days but, I need to find a nice park where I can walk and sit while enjoying a book. However, over the weekend, ıstanbul becomes a zoo with everyone outside and it gets so crowded everywhere. Too much potential risk. I will go out on Monday, try to enjoy the outdoors for a hile and then do a grocery run to come back home. Till Monday, I will not need much although, I am completely out of tomatoes.
As for the COVID-19, I read that the Delta variant is on the rise. With tourists pouring into the country and people not taking enough precautions, I am not surprised. I used to look up the statistics that the Minister of Health announces every night but, I do not do that anymore. I doubt those numbers are reliable anyway. However, the doctor friends are telling us, we are in a better place as compared to last year and the vaccines are keeping people away from the ER. It is great, but, in my opinion this virus is not going anywhere soon and it is up to us, the individuals to protect ourselves. So, I will keep wearing a mask, socially distancing myself and paying attention to hygiene. I used to get the flu almost every year but, ever since the mask mandate is on, I did not get sick at all. So, now I know, respiratory diseases can be avoided by simple rules. The whole world may lift the mask mandate one day but, I think, I will be wearing one for much longer. What can I say? A born pessimist.
Last night I slept rather well but, had the strangest dreams. In my dream I was giving one of my ex-bosses my father's old Peugeot 404 to keep it in his garage but, I was worried about his driving afterwards. Then I found myself sitting at a table with an ex-boyfriend (who had the most impact and who gave the worst heartache), his wife and some other people that I cannot remember. He and his wife were separated in the dream and I was acting rather cool towards everybody. What the...? This relationship started in 1990 and ended in 1993. I guess I never got over it although, I thought I did. I dated other people after him but, made the poorest choices and gave up on relationships altogether when I was just 32 years old. I am now 54 so, you do the math. Ahhh! Whatever...
My watch says, it is time to get up and do something. I will fold laundry and hop on the treadmill for a while to please Mr. Miband. Lol!
Hope, everyone has a very nice weekend, staying safe and healthy.
Today, the cleaning lady came so, my apartment is clean and tidy. The challenge is to keep it that way.
I went to have brunch with some High School buddies. One of the ladies lives in Denmark with her Danish husband. She brought her brother who is a General Surgeon and her husband. I met the husband for the first time. He is a nice, somewhat shy man. The other lady moved to the US a few years ago and lives in Maryland. She is an architect and her husband is a Civil Engineer. There were two guys as well. One is in music industry and the other is also my University class mate. It was a hot day but, the breeze helped us stay comfy.
It was nice to catch up with each other. Normally, more people get together during these gatherings but, due to the summer, most were away or otherwise engaged. I am glad we did this. I am hoping to see more friends during the week.
After I came home, I decided to watch Wimbledon Men's Final but, dozed off. I do not care for either of the players but, that part I was able watch was good.
Then my best friend in the US called and we watched another episode of The Gift which is a Turkish show on Netflix. Honestly, I do not like fantasy dramas but, we watch it for the sake of nice views of Istanbul and Gobekli Tepe. My friend enjoys to see all those places and keeps asking me whether they are closer to where I live or could we go see them if she comes over.
I had taken some Istanbul photos a few years ago. Found them while arranging my pictures. So, here are some of them:
The castle was built between 1451-1452 before the Siege of Constantinople (now Istanbul) by Mehmet the Conqueror. There is a sister castle across the Bosphorus. They were built to control and block the entrance and exit of Byzantian Ships.
I went to IKEA today and grabbed a new cutting board and a zip up organizer to put blankets in.
I started working on my closet project and yikes! Who knew things could get so dusty even inside a closet. I found and finally listed my two tennis rackets on FB for free. The grips on both of them decayed and got really yucky. I took them out but, they are still in bad shape because the inner grips are also decayed. I put the info on the listing. I wonder who will want them. I need to list the skis too. They are only collecting dust. Early Fall, I should give them away.
I found a bunch of old documents about an apartment I bought in 1991 and sold in 1994. Why did I keep them? All sorts of payment stubs, correspondences, etc. Happily tossed them. I think I am 1/3 done with the project. The cleaning lady is coming on Sunday so, I must be finished with the closet tomorrow.
My sister finally got transferred to a branch 10 minutes from her home. Poor kid had been driving an hour and a half both ways every day for the last 5 years so, this will be a nice break for her. She thinks this will be her last branch before retirement. The bank may offer her an early retirement in a few years. She is up for retirement in 2027 but, the banks will be decreasing the number of branches in the coming years as online banking is getting more popular and keeping branches is getting expensive. Even people who were reluctant to use online banking had to use it during the pandemic and got used to it. Unless I have to get into my safety deposit box, I never go to a bank branch. With the pandemic, I found myself using less cash, more credit/debit cards. I withdrew cash from an ATM today just because I pay the cleaning lady and the water delivery guys cash.
I am sure SIS is relieved. She had been expecting this transfer and was stressing as to why it was not happening.
As the cleaning lady will be here on Sunday, I just asked my friends what is the going rate for cleaning these days. If I asked the cleaning lady, she would not tell me anything and would leave it up to me because she is actually not a cleaning lady. She works as a receptionist/admin at a doctor's office. She is my old cleaning lady's niece. When the old lady told me she no longer could work, I was upset because I did not know how to find a new person I would trust. The niece is separated from her husband and is living with her parents and two daughters. At the time, she was not working so, what I paid her was just a bit of pocket money for her. I encouraged her to work and she got a job but, thankfully she did not give up on me. Every other Sunday, she comes to clean my apartment. We had a long break due to the pandemic but, now that I am fully vaccinated, I would like to start again. I will wear my mask and after we discuss what I would like her to do, I will go out.
This teminds me to call my old cleaning lady next week. It has been a while since I said hello. We talked right before the New Year I think. I like her a lot and it is nice to hear what her grandkids are doing. The oldest granddaughter is a basketball player and she is very proud of her.
Hope, everyone will have a nice weekend. Take care!
Now that I am back home, I realize how much I neglected my home during the last two years. Didn't realize how much Mom's passing and the pandemic paralyzed me.
When I look at my home, I feel it is time for a deep clean and a huge purging project. I have gotten rid of tons of business clothes but, my closet needs to be totally emptied out, wiped down and put back. As I am doing that, I am sure, I will find other stuff to be given away.
I am sure, I can purge some linens and towels too. Then, there is the kitchen. All cupboards and drawers need to be emptied out and wiped. My family room needs attention as well.
This Sunday, the cleaning lady will come for the first time since I do not know when exactly. Before she comes, I would like to finish my closet project. That seems to be the number one priority.
I am usually very lazy to do these things. Mom used to motivate and help me and that's how those things used to get done. Sigh...
Today I went to another store for some additional stuff and I am planning to stay home tomorrow and take care of the closet. I will make sure to take pictures to share. That will be my motivation.
I had left home on April 5th, running away from a very risky area due to COVID-19. Today, on July 5th, I am back home, in a medium risk area. I have received both my shots away from home. The first one in Antalya, the second in Ankara. Both times, my sister was with me and she drove me.
I had a relaxing time at the beach and I feel full charged. I was able to spend time with family and friends and that did a ton of good to me.
The drive took me 4 hours and 20 minutes. I stopped once to get a cup of coffee briefly. I think I drove faster than I normally do. If it weren't for an accident, I would have made it slightly under 4 hours.
Boy, did I miss my home! I opened all the windows as soon as I walked in because it was smelling weird after being closed for 3 months. I then texted my cleaning lady for her to let me know when she can be here.
The first thing to do tomorrow is to order water. I am completely out except for one big bottle I left in the fridge. I do not have much laundry to do because, I did my laundry back in Ankara. I need to go shopping tomorrow but, I will first wipe down the inside of my fridge while it is empty.
I fixed myself a quick pasta dinner with what I found in the pantry and freezer. Right now, I am watching Star Trek: The First Contact for the umpteenth time. When I finish that, I am hopping on my treadmill before shower. Oh I need to change my bed too. Believe it or not there is a comforter on it. Lol! I use cotton thermal blankets during the summer. Need to dig one out.
Yay me! I am so glad, this is over. SIS and BIL came to check on his mother so, my SIS drove me to the hospital and made sure I had no side effects. I have a slight fever today and I am thinking it is probably due to the vaccine or because I might have caught a cold. Feeling OK except for the fever and I think, I should be fine by tomorrow. That bit is the good news.
The sad part is that, his mother is hanging on to life with a thread. She can no longer eat. They are trying to feed her but, seemingly other organs are lining up to fail one by one. BIL is having such a tough time. On one hand, there is his mother slipping away, on the other she has been a vegetable for the last 8 years or so. He showed me her picture from yesterday and we both cried because she has no muscle, no fat left in her body.
My sister and I went out to shop for diapers and other things. She bought several packs with a total of 120 diapers. All I could think was, will her MIL be able to go through them all?
Today they left for Izmir and I am heading out for Istanbul tomorrow.
Well, life is happening no matter what we think or hope or expect.
