Your Lot and Parcel

What if the life you have been dreaming of is just one bold decision away? In 2021, amid global uncertainty and COVID lockdowns, Barbara Grassey did what most people only fantasize about: she left the United States and moved to Europe—alone. At 62, she boarded a plane to Portugal without knowing a single person, without speaking the language, and without ever having visited the country. What she did know was this: the time for waiting was over.

American Expat: Moving Abroad Solo After 60* is a candid, often funny memoir about leaving everything familiar behind and starting over in Europe later in life. The book chronicles Barbara's first year in Portugal—from wrestling with visa requirements and maddening bureaucracy to building a life from scratch in a country where she barely understood the street signs. Along the way, she confronts loneliness, fear, unexpected freedom, and the surprising joy of becoming someone new.

This memoir speaks directly to anyone who is ever wondering if it is too late or too risky to move abroad alone. Whether you are considering retiring overseas, relocating to Europe, or simply leaving the United States behind, Barbara's story offers proof that reinvention has no expiration date. If you are in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, partnered, or solo, this book will show you what is possible.

American Expat* is not just a memoir—it is your permission slip, your roadmap, and your proof that it is never too late to change your life.

 https://barbaragrassey.com/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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What if everything you thought you knew about yourself was wrong?

For over two decades, University of Chicago professor J. Eric Oliver has taught a legendary course—The Intelligible Self—that students consistently describe as life-changing. Now, in How to Know Your Self, he brings that transformative classroom experience to readers everywhere, guiding us through the most profound journey of all: discovering who we really are.

With warmth, wit, and a gift for illuminating the unexpected, Oliver weaves together insights from neuroscience, psychology, physics, and ancient philosophy to explore the mystery of selfhood. What is this thing we call "me"? How does it form? And why are the answers we have inherited, even the ones we have arrived at ourselves so often, illusions rather than truth?

More than a collection of life hacks or quick fixes, How to Know Your Self offers something rare: a transformative framework for understanding what it means to be a person. Drawing on decades of teaching, research, and lived experience, Oliver reveals how a deeper grasp of the self can fundamentally reshape the way we navigate our one precious life.

J. Eric Oliver is the author of How to Know Your Self: The Art & Science of Discovering Who You Really Are. 

https://www.amazon.com/How-Know-Your-Self-Discovering/dp/1324095237

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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She helps people break free from sleep anxiety and rediscover their natural ability to sleep—without expensive gadgets, supplements, or medications. When you collaborate with her, you will learn lifelong skills that empower you to sleep well, no matter what life throws your way. Using evidence-based methods, she supports adults worldwide in letting go of constant worries about sleep, so they can enjoy deep, restorative rest each night. No gimmicks. No fads. No sprays. Just real solutions that work.

Are you ready to step off the hamster wheel of overthinking, sleep anxiety, and restless nights—and finally start sleeping better?

If you feel like you have tried everything—CBD, pillow sprays, magic masks, weighted blankets, garlic rubs, acupuncture, tapping—you are not alone. These products are everywhere because they are easy to buy and promise quick fixes, not because they deliver lasting results.

The truth is there is no evidence that these things work for insomnia. But evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Insomnia (ACT-I) help over 85% of people who try them. That includes people who have struggled for years, those coming off sleep medications, and even those who feel like they’ve “tried everything”—even if you have chronic pain or are experiencing menopause symptoms. 

https://www.tracythesleepcoach.co.uk/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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When a seller accepts your offer, acting quickly is crucial. Their team helps you draft and submit contracts promptly, ensuring you secure the deal before the opportunity passes. Creative finance transactions involve significant legal and ethical risk mistakes and can lead to costly delays or even criminal liability. From the outset, they protect you from these pitfalls and can also help resolve issues for those who did not initially seek guidance.

They manage your entire transaction to ensure success, from pre-contract negotiations through close of escrow (COE) and beyond. Their services include:

Consulting, coordination, and advocacy throughout the process, with limited post-closing support.

Careful review of your negotiated agreements to ensure accuracy and alignment with your goals, recommending corrections or additions as needed.

Advice on optimal deal structures and assistance in resolving discrepancies or disputes.

Opening and overseeing escrow to guarantee a seamless transaction.

Access to a complete set of document templates for your deal, with no additional fees.

Coordination with all stakeholders to ensure proper execution.

Thorough examination of finalized documents and prompt attention to any necessary corrections.

With their comprehensive support, you can move forward confidently and avoid common pitfalls in creative finance transactions. 

https://creativetc.io/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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Dr. Patel’s personal experience from an Indian heritage to living in Africa, the United Kingdom and finally moving to America at the age of 26 years, transformed her into a global citizen. As a licensed, practicing psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience working with both children and adults, she provides guidance about healthy relationships and parenting issues. She is enthusiastic about basic tenets of personal responsibility and leaving behind a positive legacy.

Between 2018 and 2020, major events profoundly shaped American life. The nation faced a surge in mass shootings at schools, nightclubs, and malls; widespread protests and race riots; and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, which sought to combat racism and anti-Black violence. Catastrophic disasters—including wildfires, floods, and other climate-related emergencies—further strained communities. The Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, with political divisions emerging over public health measures and personal freedoms. During this turbulent period, many Americans lost their sense of compassion for one another. Mental health concerns grew as people experienced increased isolation, depression, anxiety, and overwhelm. Social norms deteriorated, and extreme anger often surfaced between those with differing viewpoints. Her books aim to inspire future generations to develop greater tolerance and resilience in the face of ongoing social, economic, and political upheaval.

https://drshilapatel.com/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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Veterans can reconnect, be understood, and rediscover themselves!

Have you ever wondered why others seem so connected while you feel invisible? Does civilian life sometimes want to navigate a foreign land without a guide? You are not alone and you do not have to face this journey in isolation.

The Veteran’s Guide to Overcoming Loneliness is your practical roadmap, created by Vietnam veteran and American Psychological Association member Robert Houle, Ph.D. This guide offers real-world strategies to help you reconnect with others without fear of embarrassment or being misunderstood.

Picture yourself having genuine conversations, making plans with people who utterly understand your experiences, and finally feeling a sense of belonging again. That is what The Veteran’s Guide to Overcoming Loneliness can help you achieve. 

https://vetsstrong.com/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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She is a 1-1 Tailored Weight-Loss Coach and solopreneur based in Staten Island, New York. With a background in teaching and education administration, she developed strong curriculum-design and leadership skills before transitioning to the strategy team of an educational nonprofit, where she sharpened their data-analysis expertise.

After losing one hundred pounds and maintaining a healthy weight for over two years, she launched her coaching practice in 2021. Her approach blends the warmth and compassion cultivated through years in education with the analytical rigor from her nonprofit work, helping clients escape negative patterns and reclaim health, food, and joy as priorities in their lives.

When not coaching, she enjoys cooking with their fiancé, developing new recipes, hosting game nights, watching genre television, and taking long walks. Through podcast appearances, she aims to connect with fellow food enthusiasts and self-described nerds while reaching a broader audience of people who want to rediscover the fun of living healthily. 

https://partakemealplanning.com/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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 Do you struggle with chronic, painful conditions? Are you unsure of what steps to take next? Do you long to reclaim your life despite the pain? You are not alone—an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide live with chronic pain. Pain knows no boundaries; it affects men, women, and children of all ages. It can result from accidents, illnesses, trauma, or other life events. So, how can someone continue to live well while managing pain?

Vita Oyler has faced a painful condition called RSD for over thirty-five years. In addition to RSD, she has developed other chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and osteoporosis. Through her journey, Vita has learned to focus on goals, family, hobbies, laughter, animals, and alternative strategies, all of which have helped her achieve a happy and fulfilling life. She authored this book to support others living with chronic pain, as well as their families and friends, offering hope and practical advice for a better quality of life.

She is the author of Got Pain? Now What? Navigating Through a Journey of Pain. 

https://www.amazon.com/Pain-What-Navigating-Through-Journey/dp/B0CRMV9JWF

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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The Great Lakes region is home to an incredible variety of beautiful birds, and Birds of the Great Lakes is your essential guide to discovering them. This user-friendly book makes it easy to identify more than one hundred of the most common bird species that contribute to the region’s natural splendor. With a strong focus on best practices and habitat sustainability, the guide empowers readers to support conservation efforts, ensuring that birding around these precious resources remains possible for generations to come. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced birder, this sleek and compact guide is the perfect travel companion for every visit to the Great Lakes.

For birding in the Great Lakes region, Dexter Patterson is an outstanding guide. As the host of the Bird Joy podcast, Patterson’s mission is to unite bird enthusiasts from around the world and share the excitement and wonder of birding.

He is the author of the incomparable birdwatching guide "Birds of the Great Lakes." 

https://www.wiscobirder.com/home

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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Master Career Coach Mark Langford will guide you in discovering your true calling and making a successful transition into a fulfilling role or a profitable entrepreneurial venture. With experience spanning eight industry changes, founding three businesses, and helping over 1,000 professionals secure jobs or launch ventures aligned with their skills and interests, Mark Langford has the expertise to help you clearly define and achieve your professional goals. 

Discover how to leverage your unique talents and abilities.

Craft a vision statement that reflects your true aspirations.

Identify and prioritize the industries, professions, and roles that best suit you.

Set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-specific—to guide your progress.

Develop a step-by-step strategic action plan.

Create a compelling value proposition that highlights your strengths.

He is the author of Thank God It is Wednesday: The Business Professional's Guide to Realizing Purpose, Passion, and Life/Work Balance. 

https://c-synergy.com/

http://www.yourlotandparcel.org

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