tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post7281876801900309592..comments2024-03-11T03:36:53.787-07:00Comments on TravelnWrite: Stretching Our Horizons ~ Mani to MansonJackie and Joel Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-23786402328240804462018-10-11T17:33:42.540-07:002018-10-11T17:33:42.540-07:00Sounds like a wise plan. It's better to be pre...Sounds like a wise plan. It's better to be prepared, plus it seems to solve some logistical problems. Thanks for sharing this at Best Of The Weekend!Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474198992341706776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-88063374375270619522018-10-07T08:21:08.194-07:002018-10-07T08:21:08.194-07:00Your new house is lovely...and in a beautiful stat...Your new house is lovely...and in a beautiful state.<br />I think you are very wise to cover yourselves like this.."things happen" and now you have a place to live in the states if any of those "things" do happen. Good luck in everything you do.<br />Love, bjbj https://www.blogger.com/profile/09327534885194207074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-22884200413517092002018-10-07T07:47:31.360-07:002018-10-07T07:47:31.360-07:00Thanks for stopping by and I do think it was a pru...Thanks for stopping by and I do think it was a prudent move on our part!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-75347758664563315692018-10-07T07:47:00.897-07:002018-10-07T07:47:00.897-07:00Well the practicalities finally won out, Mary. The...Well the practicalities finally won out, Mary. The health insurance we purchased to keep the Greek government happy and provide us coverage, has just raised its rates to astronomical levels - time to apply for Medicare and its sidekick coverage in the states and reapply for Greek only insurance which will keep the government happy as we reapply for residency there. There are many pluses to having a US residence address especially when dealing with bureaucracy!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-40217560327311562112018-10-06T15:40:45.397-07:002018-10-06T15:40:45.397-07:00You sound practical to me. That's great you fo...You sound practical to me. That's great you found a rural place to live in the U.S. Su-sieee! Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12515318972570669414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-36908909699534757042018-10-05T08:56:47.637-07:002018-10-05T08:56:47.637-07:00I get exhausted just trying to follow you on the i...I get exhausted just trying to follow you on the internet and I certainly could not keep up with you two in real life. Good luck to you and it is a good idea to have the home in the US. SO many of my Greek-American friends wish they also had a place to stay in the States. Mary K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17696218067214163344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-85715221468049579622018-10-04T07:04:44.795-07:002018-10-04T07:04:44.795-07:00Angie, that is what we finally decided: prudent is...Angie, that is what we finally decided: prudent is the way to go and it makes life so much easier on so many levels, just as it adds levels to the experience. Thanks much for stopping by - hope you'll be back soon!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-23719885425731914032018-10-04T07:03:40.398-07:002018-10-04T07:03:40.398-07:00I think it was easier adjusting to Greek village l...I think it was easier adjusting to Greek village life than returning here and adjusting to US life. Time will tell and we love our home in the US and our home in Greece. We are blessed! Thanks so much for stopping by ~ hope you'll be back soon!!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-27836530617269212972018-10-04T07:02:09.152-07:002018-10-04T07:02:09.152-07:00Hi Molly, I have to say that it has been nice to ...Hi Molly, I have to say that it has been nice to enjoy the comforts of a US home (clothes dryer, dish washer, television) but we are looking forward to heading back to Greece and our home there. . .and where we will spend the majority of our time (knock on wood!). Thanks for stopping by. . . xxJackieJackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-59132591758229475702018-10-04T07:00:26.220-07:002018-10-04T07:00:26.220-07:00Many things about the States are providing culture...Many things about the States are providing culture shock - prices, people's behaviors and attitudes just to name a few. . .it is nice to know we have a home to go to in Greece and a great 'storage unit' for our things in the US. And now we fit society's norms: an address that fits in forms of US agencies and businesses! :-)<br />Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-42926209265899514422018-10-04T06:58:01.821-07:002018-10-04T06:58:01.821-07:00We are downsizing and simplifying in this second h...We are downsizing and simplifying in this second home. It is smaller and we have far less stuff now than we did during our move out last summer. It is also in a planned unit development which means little upkeep for us other than paying the monthly homeowner fees. And we know that someday our Stone House on the Hill will be too much for old bodies to navigate. . .we didn't want to wait until we 'had' to find something as we feared we might have been priced out of the market. Thanks for the good wishes ~Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-48949444592773642632018-10-04T06:55:09.890-07:002018-10-04T06:55:09.890-07:00Actually health insurance (to get the coverage lev...Actually health insurance (to get the coverage level we need for the Greek residency permit requirements) are a pain in the butt (sorry for the language). And costly. The plan we got last year just increased its rates to more than $600 US a month and we have had a terrible time getting them to pay claims in a timely manner. Thanks much for stopping by this week!!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-71161043863741677422018-10-04T06:53:06.900-07:002018-10-04T06:53:06.900-07:00Actually the monthly costs of our US home are $87 ...Actually the monthly costs of our US home are $87 more a month than was the cost of renting a storage unit. With a home we have an investment - not throwing money out the window with storage rental fees. And home prices in Greece and Eastern Washington are so much better than the Seattle suburbs that owning two homes isn't that costly at all. We can have the best of both worlds! Thanks for stopping by Carol and enjoy your time in Europe!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-88590530832397167952018-10-04T06:50:40.188-07:002018-10-04T06:50:40.188-07:00It is good having a base here that doesn't loo...It is good having a base here that doesn't look like a morgue! While we hope for many more years in Greece we know we've got a 'just in case place' in our pockets now! Thanks for stopping by Marilyn!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-14093378196591985012018-10-04T06:49:24.231-07:002018-10-04T06:49:24.231-07:00Actually the house we sold was a handful to look a...Actually the house we sold was a handful to look after but as part of the downsizing we have a smaller home, far less yard and space and we are in what is called a planned unit development/gated community here. So the place is secure with locked gates the homeowner's association pays for all common area maintenance both summer gardening and winterizing and snow removal. We will be able to lock this one up and leave without the fretting we had with our home in Kirkland. Our government and related bureaucratic agencies have made ex pat life difficult n many ways as not having a US residence address has often made us square pegs in round holes. It is good to fill in the blanks now as we conform to society's norms (in a manner of speaking ;-)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-67156546087635446732018-10-04T06:42:26.338-07:002018-10-04T06:42:26.338-07:00You have nailed it - again - Anita. . .I am so sur...You have nailed it - again - Anita. . .I am so surprised at how 'at home' we feel here. Somehow the big picture surroundings don't matter as long as you have something that you can call 'home'. We still find ourselves a bit of a novelty though: the realtor said, "So you'll be spending, what? Eight months here and four in Greece?" and we said, "Oh no. We'll spend a few weeks here - this is an investment and storage for our belongings, we'll continue to live in Greece." (Blank, somewhat open-mouthed stare was his response). :-)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-57452903905005977512018-10-03T21:38:03.483-07:002018-10-03T21:38:03.483-07:00A very interesting story - so many parallels, as y...A very interesting story - so many parallels, as you have shown us! In today's world, it seems a prudent idea to have a back-up plan in case the worst happens!Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08490533253436208034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-48905784915218249402018-10-03T14:18:05.643-07:002018-10-03T14:18:05.643-07:00I love all your photos. I think you are wise to ge...I love all your photos. I think you are wise to get a home in the USA. After all you still likely have family and loved ones there and from time to time you want to return for various thing so it's good to have a home base. I'm glad you adjusted well to village life in Greece.Joyfulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09956413632864588646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-50328313226370580152018-10-03T02:31:43.904-07:002018-10-03T02:31:43.904-07:00All I can say is I am so envious of your home in G...All I can say is I am so envious of your home in Greece and your freedom to have two homes in different parts of the world. <br /><br />Mollyxmollyhttp://365.mollysdailykiss.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-45009718312155199992018-10-03T01:25:10.152-07:002018-10-03T01:25:10.152-07:00I think if it makes you feel better to have a foot...I think if it makes you feel better to have a foot in both places, then you should. One can not predict life. My thoughts change from time to time, but we have more flexibility of course in case things go pear shaped. Good luck with the settling in. I also get shocked when l see wine prices elsewhere.. like total shock!! :-)Kemkemhttps://nextbiteoflife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-28158360145307557062018-10-02T18:23:03.775-07:002018-10-02T18:23:03.775-07:00Hi Jackie! I must say, i am surprised by your deci...Hi Jackie! I must say, i am surprised by your decision to acquire a second home. At our stage of life, we’re supposed to be downsizing & simplifying! I wish you luck with both.Doreen Pendgracshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07034373301858091444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-88054504467537419022018-10-02T03:01:04.715-07:002018-10-02T03:01:04.715-07:00As a European country, Greece certainly offers a l...As a European country, Greece certainly offers a lot of security and comfort. Probably the health insurance will also pay more than in the United States? Personally, I notice that the older I get, the less I want to own and the more flexibility I desire to plant my roots elsewhere from time to time. I wish you all the best with your two homes and the looooong flights ... Marcellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12476572809571746150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-80560449430767832032018-10-02T02:10:35.032-07:002018-10-02T02:10:35.032-07:00Your horizons are now complete. But it must be cos...Your horizons are now complete. But it must be costly maintaining and living in 2 homes! But if you can, this is the best of both worlds!Carolina Esguerra Colbornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784899826200923352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-33802242828142039002018-10-01T20:29:07.737-07:002018-10-01T20:29:07.737-07:00I think you are wise to have a plan in case the &q...I think you are wise to have a plan in case the "ifs" arrive. Your new home is lovely and I am sure you feel better having your possessions in a house instead of storage. I admire how you picked up and moved to Greece and I admire your planning for the time you might want or need to come back to the U.S.Marilyn Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14926341718489717582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-12168727031258386692018-10-01T01:29:35.631-07:002018-10-01T01:29:35.631-07:00I understand your caution in wanting to have a bac...I understand your caution in wanting to have a back-up plan in case of a Greek 'if' happening but I couldn't imagine having a second house to look after, repair and worry about - especially one on the other side of the world.The Travelling Lindfieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06913037078617574735noreply@blogger.com