Sunday January 4th~

It's not stress that kills us, it's our reaction to it...

 It's been two days now since Sniff has eaten 

any of his soft foodies.  I put it out.  He sniffs it 

and walks away. Yeah, it bothers me that he has not 

touched any of it.  He's not starving, but I just hope 

nothing is wrong with him.  Debating if he needs to

 go to the vet or just wait it out as Arvid says.

We have been having amazing sunsets these

 last few days.  Here are some.  Not taken by me, 

but they are all from Florida's Gulf Coast (Ft. Myers,

 Naples, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Sarasota).

Then the sunrises.  Makes me look forward to

 being awake early.  Whatever is going on right now 

the sky is "paying" the price, and we love it.

Last night as we went out, all you saw was this

 huge moon.  It was the January 'Wolf Moon." Arvid of 

course was rushing me, but I took my time and 

admired it, and of course take a few pictures.

It was a very pleasant evening. We went out 

to listen to jazz, but the place was really crowded and 

everyone spoke really loud so the music sounded mostly

 like noise. We did enjoy a few good drinks and of course

 I had my salad.  All in all a good time.  Christmas lights 

and decorations are still up.  Everything looks beautiful.

Earlier in the afternoon I of course went to feed Legacy. 

 She was laying on the pink mat I put out for her.  I had 

some leftover baked chicken breast so she had that

 together with her Fancy Feast.  She was happy.

The evening was beautiful.  There was life

 happening all around us.  Always love seeing 

people happy and having a good time.

Arvid and I did a little pub-hopping, but as always we 

seem to end up at Hideaway.  After all they carry his 

favorite draft beer.  Landshark.  To all a good day.

When everything seems to be going

 against you, remember that the airplane 

takes off against the wind, not with it...

~Nadiya~

January 3rd 2026~

The secret to a rich life is to have

 more beginnings than endings...

Mornings belong to Sniff and I.  Quiet, peaceful and 

relaxing.No matter how early or how late I get out of bed, 

Sniff is waiting to be brushed, and yes I love brushing him.  

He makes me happy and he always relaxes me.  Below 

when we lived in Fort Lauderdale.  Always with me.

All I know is that by afternoon I will be pretty 

exhausted, but in a good way.  I love mornings, I 

just wish I could sleep in a little longer. 

 Some days I do, most days, well I'm awake.  

This all started after Brutus died.  Ever since 

then, I do not/ can't sleep like I did before.

When Brutus died not only did he take a piece of my

 heart with him, but he also took away my ability

 to sleep like a baby as Arvid liked to say.

Sniff makes it easy to be awake.  He's always up 

with me and keeps me company.  Even when he's 

asleep on his heating bed, it's comforting to just

 watch him.  Takes my mind to a better place.

Yesterday we enjoyed the afternoon with 

mom and dad.  Arvid and my dad did a few 

things together, mom and I did some on our own. 

 Afterwards we all met for lunch.  Always a very

 good time.  Good food and good company.

You may have a fresh start any moment you 

choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is

 not the falling down, but the staying down...

~Nadiya~

January 2nd 2026~

 To 2026! Always bear in mind 

that your own resolution to succeed 

is more important than any other...

And now we welcome the new year. 

Full of things that have never been. 

Even though it was a cold morning by 

the time I went to feed Legacy the sun 

was bright and sure warmed me up. 

After lunch I was a bit restless so I decided 

to go to Manatee Park right here in Fort Myers. 

Since we have had some very cold days seeing a few 

 manatees was a given, and I was not disappointed. 

When I got to the park I was surprised to 

see that it was packed. I had to wait until someone 

left to get a parking spot.  We all had the same 

idea and we were not disappointed.

 There were many manatees, but difficult to get

 a good picture.  The sun was bright and the manatees 

did not want to surface. They just popped up for seconds,

 but I was happy because I saw them.  I was very 

surprised at the amount of Europeans there,

 and of course the license plates

The cars in the parking lot were from all

 different US States. I like to read license plates.

 On my way back home I stopped again to feed 

Legacy but again someone beat me to it.  

 I left her food but it seems she was too

 full so she took off to her safe place for

 the evening.  I’m always happy when she

 does that.  Gives me peace of mind.

Got home Arvid was still watching soccer

 and Sniff was in his sun-bed.  January 1st was

 a good day.  A good start of the New Year.  

Today we see mom and dad. Do a few

 things together then we go to lunch.  This is

 definitely looking like another good day.

You've done it before and you can do it now. 

See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial

 energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, 

effective, unstoppable determination...

~Nadiya~

January 1st 2026~Thursday

Approach the New Year with resolve to find 

the opportunities hidden in each new day...

 Yesterday morning when I went out to

 feed Legacy it was cold. The temperature had 

dropped even.  It was a cold 38F (3.3C), but she

 was there on one of her mats I got her.  

Seems like someone had already beaten me

 to feeding her, but she was crying and of course 

I gave her another Fancy feast. I think those are her 

favorites.  I gave her clean water. Dusted her mats

 and went back home to start preparing some

 food I was taking to mom and dads. 

 I was in charged of the mashed potatoes, 

coleslaw and Arvid’s steak. I packed the bag

 with his spices, cranberry sauce and Béarnaise

 sauce which I made at mom and dad’s. 

Mom and Nina also made their share of the 

food. As always there was way too much food and 

desserts.  Mom made her Coquito.  We probably 

had more than we should, but who's counting.  

We got home but it was really cold and windy. 

 Just stayed in with Sniff watched some TV and had 

a very quiet and pleasant rest of the evening. 

 Woke up to very cold weather again, but 

the day is looking bright and sunny.  No 

complaints here.  Happy 2026 to all.

No matter how hard the past, 

you can always begin again...

~Nadiya~

New Years Eve ~ December 31st

 The new year stands before

 us, like a chapter in a book,

 waiting to be written...

And just like that, 2025 is just about done.  

As mentioned never, it’s been a good and 

not so good year.  Both our families  have 

seen too many of their loved ones dying.  

At the same time we have also experienced joy

 and good things happening. For us one of the 

best things of 2025 was mom and dad moving

 back to Florida.  It’s as if they never left 🌴

Today it is cold. Very cold for Florida. 

This will influence if Arvid and I do something

 later this evening  since neither of us likes the cold, 

I can see us staying home with Sniff.  Gotta tell 

you, I’m liking the idea of being home. Too many

 crazies out vs nice and toasty at home.

Today we also go to dinner at mom and 

dad’s. Nina and David are also going to be

 there. Unfortunately both Max and Kelsey 

have the flu and will not be coming.

I plan on visiting Legacy before going to

 dinner at mom and dad’s just in case I can’t 

make it by 5pm.  Yesterday I visited her two times.  

Early in the morning to do some cleaning up 

and later in the afternoon to feed her.

I also bought her another fluffy mat 

and made her another bed in a box.  Hopefully

 it will keep her warm during these cold days.

Looking forward to the last day of 2025.

Sniff has spent quite a lot of time on his

 heating bed these last couple of days.  He also

 does not like the cold.  He is after all a Floridan

 as well. Today Arvid makes his famous hot ☕️

chocolate for us.  Great way to end the year.

To all a very Happy New Year.

For last year's words belong to 

last year's language, and next year's 

words await another voice...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday December 30th~

Close the chapter of last year with 

a smile and reflection. Allow excitement 

and joy to bring in your new tomorrow...

2025 is nearing the end. It’s natural to

 reflect on the highs, lows, and everything 

in between. The end of the year is a time 

to celebrate the lessons we’ve learned, the

 growth we’ve experienced, and the memories

 we’ve made. It’s also a moment to look

 ahead, filled with hope, inspiration, and 

motivation for the coming year🎉

Arvid and I went over to mom and

 dad’s. As mentioned before, Arvid had 

a few things to do.  Not too much this time

 so we enjoyed a little time talking.  As 

always a good time. Of course mom 

 had foodies for me to bring home.

Back home I made lunch. We watched an 

episode of a Netflix show, and then I went 

to clean Legacy’s area.  She was not there. 

 I didn’t expect her to be there was too early, 

but when Arvid and I went for a walk she 

was there. Waiting for some foodies.

  Another beautiful day here in Paradise 

as so many call it, even the Florida cold is 

somehow bearable.  After all it only lasts 

for a few days. To all a very good day. 

The first step towards getting 

somewhere is to decide you’re not 

going to stay where you are....

~Nadiya~

Monday December 29th~

On this road called life, You have to take the 

good with the bad, Smile with the sad, Love what

 you got, and remember what you had. Always 

forgive, but never forget. People change. Things 

go wrong. But just remember, the ride goes on

It's the last Monday/week of 2025.  It has 

been a very good week for us, but not a very 

good year.  One has to take the good with 

the bad.  What other options do we have?

Today we once again go over to mom and 

dad's to do a few things.  Arvid is back to being

 in his fixer upper mode.  Dad has a few things that 

needs to be done, and Arvid is the man to do it. 

 Mom and dad said they have never seen 

anyone work as clean and do such a great job

 as Arvid, and trust me they have paid many

 to have things done for them.  Arvid is 

not only free😂, but he is good.

Arvid and I had a little trip downtown for lunch. 

 The walk as always is very good, and so was

 our outing.  Yesterday we went to Capone's and

 had their coal fired pizza. Was pretty good.

  Of course at the end we did conclude we preferred 

Downtown House of Pizza better, but Capones 

was delicious also.  Once we like something

it's very difficult to sway us elsewhere.

 On the way to lunch I checked in again on

 Legacy .  She looked  full and content enjoying 

her warm mats. The next few it days it will be

 getting much "colder" after all, this is Florida 

so anything below 70F is considered cold.

All good here.  Looking forward to what the week 

holds.  Sniff is already comfy on his heating bed.  For

 the next couple of hours he will be getting toasty.

Use only that which works, and 

take it from any place you can find it...

~Nadiya~