Dalyan – 12th February

Unusually, on Wednesday 12th February, building work next door started at 9am and it looked like they were building a roof, despite markings showing a second floor plan. Even a couple of pigeons were observing as it meant they would have to adjust their flight path. I did my weight and measurements to find I had put 0.35kg (0.8lb) on and hoped Carol’s scales would be kinder. My bust and hips had remained the same but I was pleased to see that my waist had lost 2cm and was now under target.
My credit card was almost at its limit so I transferred enough to pay off half of it now and would get the rest paid off before it was due. I was determined to maintain the debt free status I had and without having to borrow any money. This month I aimed to be back on some semblance of normality due to me having been super stingy in January. I was almost halfway through February and I was nowhere near half of my budget so I was pleased with my progress. It was as if the strict habits of January were still there, I was being quite sensible and thinking about every lira I spent. I did have my residency renewal coming up soon, though, and didn’t yet know how much that would cost me! Debbie popped round to take half a cabbage off my hands as I was never going to get down all of it before it went off.
After Yorkshire tea with marmalade on toast for breakfast, I finished off my Turkish homework and then walked to the lesson in very cold, but sunny weather. We were at Ela’s Kitchen so I ordered a Yorkshire tea for 80 lira (£1.82).
I couldn’t hang about after the class as I was on dog duty again at Jamie’s, just for 2 days while him and his guests had a couple of days in Fethiye. When I arrived, the electric gate wouldn’t open. I had a big bag, needed a pee and tried it a couple of times before bothering Jamie. He said I would have to climb the wall – I was not going to do that! I tried one more time just as I was about to go back to mine for the loo, it worked.
Norman and Edna were glad to see me and we all had a much needed toilet break then a walk.

For lunch I had Slimming World style chicken fajita pasta with cheese and then checked my emails. My Amazon printable book had gone live, again earlier than expected, and my Mom had ordered the first paperback copy. Unfortunately, I noticed that the age range it was advertised for said 16-18 year old and I had no idea why, as I had not selected that. There was also another couple of errors that I noticed that I didn’t know how to rectify – at least it meant I wasn’t a robot and that my own blood, sweat and (mainly) tears had gone in to publishing this myself. I was a bit nervous, especially as my Mom was not really my ideal target market but I did know she had a keen critical eye and would give me the feedback I needed before I got it out there, or even contemplated getting in touch with WH Smith.
Fat Club was at 3pm and I treated myself to a small water for 25 lira (57p) as I had already had too much caffeine today. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Carol’s scales were showing I had lost 0.25kg (0.6lb) and I was under my target weight. Back at Jamie’s, I had to finish the Charlie Day Challenge I had been working on. It had taught me some valuable lessons, which I could apply to my Travel Advisor role and my book sales.
I took the dogs out for a walk, bought some bread at the bakery for 15 lira (34p) and chilled out with Norman and Edna. I had chicken and vegetable stir fry for dinner and, as it was Fat Club day, I had a few crisps and a Dido chocolate bar as a treat.

Gratitude List
1. Being able to share a cabbage
2. Losing weight to remain under target
3. Norman & Edna.