Thursday October 29th ~

 No one can ever take your memories 

from you – each day is a new beginning, 

make good memories every day...

I was fortunate again today to have seen "my" kitties and

 to ensure that they were fed for the day.  My heart is happy.

  It reminds me of a kitty in Fort Lauderdale called Luna. 

 She is Vitoria and Michael's kitty when they are home away

 from home.  Like me they feed her and they are even luckier

 that they get to touch and cuddle with Luna.  The kitties here are

 feral, but at least they are not going to starve while I am here.

Evenings on the balcony is probably our favorite time 

of the day.  Breezy, peaceful and lots to see and hear.  

The most beautiful moon shows up right in front of us.  

The nights are star filled and we are lucky because ★ 

every night we see Mars shining bright above us.

Thursdays are always interesting in that Arvid 

looks at the map and does a lot of Google searches. 

 Makes me think that something new and 

exciting awaits us.  One can hope 😂. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thursday.  Sniff says

 he can't wait for Halloween to be done with. 

 He's tired of being photographed 🐾 .

Darkness falls across the land, 

The Midnight Hour is close at hand...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday ~

Make my happiness, I will make yours...

 Every morning I make the biggest decision of my

 life: be happy today.  All I know is the here and now. 

 What happened yesterday, and what may happen 

tomorrow is gone or hasn't happened as yet.

Yesterday I talked to one of my previous tenants at 

Almost Home.  Our conversation made me very sad. She

 barley scrapes by.  I asked what do you eat after paying 

your rent.  Her answer "noodles and butter." And then

 she said, "don't worry Nadiya, I am used to it."

Of course I am worried.  I mean how can I eat knowing

 she has nothing.  Arvid says I can't help everyone.  I say

 "I can try."  At least I feel a little better knowing that

 soon she and her doggie will have some food 🥫.

Great opportunities to help others seldom come, 

but small ones surround us every day 😍

Happiness isn't about getting what what you

 want all the time.  It's about loving what 

you have and being grateful for it.

~Nadiya~

Rainy Tuesday In Puerto Rico ~ ☔

 You (Sniff) have no idea of the amount of

 happiness you brought into my life...

Sniff does not like being photographed, yet I manage to

sang a bunch of pictures of him everyday.  He is photogenic 

and adorable, it's as if I'm compelled to take his pictures.

As soon as I say "no more" he assumes another pose and there I go again.

Snapchat makes it so much more fun.  I can accessorize

 him to my hearts content.  And of course I do 😂.

Tuesday is not looking so good.  The other morning I 

found "my" alley kitty and was able to feed him.  Also

 a few more showed up in different spots again, I also

 left foodies for them.  Happy start of the day.

Rain and more rain this morning.  I started my walk, 

but boy did I get caught in the rain. Had to call it quits, 

but not before being soaked. Even though I did not see any 

of the kitties, I had food for them, but did not leave any 

because it will be washed away with this rain.

Was hoping we could go to the beach today, unfortunately 

looks like it's not happening, and here comes the rain

 again.  Happy Tuesday all, stay dry and be happy.

When life gives you a rainy day,  play in the puddles...

~Nadiya~

Monday October 26th ~

Don't let the sun go down without

 saying thank you to someone, and without 

admitting to yourself that absolutely

 no one gets this far alone...

 A new week is here again.  The days are going by so 

very fast, and that means that our time here in Puerto Rico is

 coming to an end.  Not right away, but it's happening.  We love

 it here, but we also have a beautiful home in Fort Lauderdale.

In life, there is always something to be thankful for. 

It’s easy to complain about how chaotic the world is and how

 people can be so evil towards one another, but complaining 

without action just doesn’t change anything. If we start to be 

thankful for everything we have, instead of what we do not

 have, we’ll start to appreciate our life on this earth more.

I try to always focus on the good in people.  I know

 in life that there is "bad" all around us, but I

 also know that there is more good as well.  

There are days when I feel like nothing is going right,

 I feel as if the burden of the world is on my shoulders,

 but then I think of  my mom.  A woman who has

 gone through more than most, yet has never in

 her life complained about anything. Never.

 If there is anyone who I can learn from, it is her. 

 My mom lives in CONSTANT pain, and I don't

 mean pain like what you and I have.  

She endures it without ever complaining.  She never

 has a day "off" from pain, yet she's always there to offer

 us advise, unconditional love and to listen to us.  My

 mom never judges, she listens even when sometimes

 she disagrees with us.  She listens.  My mom is

 the definition of kindness and compassion.

I feel a little sad today.  I would have loved to be there 

with my parents right now.  I am also feeling sad because,

 my thoughts are with Brutus, who died too soon.  Soon it will

 be five years without him.  I miss him so much right now, 

but life goes on, and in my heart there stirs a quiet pain.

We all have someone we miss.  I am not unique in that.  As we

 all know some days are more difficult that others, but most

 days are good days. Today is one of those not "good" days.

Sniff on the other hand is patiently counting down

 the days until Halloween.  Then he can rest again.

I miss you in ways that not

 even words can understand...

~Nadiya~

That Sunday Feeling ~

If there is a heaven for me, I'm sure it has a beach attached

 to it. Nothing soothes the soul like a walk on the beach...

Puerto Ricans love the beach.  For them to

 be on the water is the only way to live.

Growing up in Puerto Rico we lived the same way.

  Any chance we had we were at the beach.  All our weekends

 were spent on the beach with our parents and friends. 

 It was what one did when you live on an island.

Back then you took your hammock set it up and enjoyed 

the ocean.  As you can see, that has not changed.  People

 are still enjoying the beach with their hammocks.  

That being said, Arvid and I bought 2 hammocks last Friday. 

 I told Arvid that it would be really nice to have one on the 

balcony, before I knew it he was all into it times two.

Quiet day here.  relaxed and just enjoying the peacefulness of it all

Sniff is sound asleep.  Arvid has already watched one of his 

soccer games.  All is good here.  Wishing everyone the same.

It is not how much we have, but how

 much we enjoy, that makes happiness...

~Nadiya~

Saturday ~

Happy are those who take life day by day, complain   

 very little and are thankful for the little things in life...

Early mornings.  The temperature is cooler and the ocean

 breeze makes the walk so much better.  Not many people

 are out at this hour, and I like it.  When I go walking

 I usually just walk only within our complex.

It's just me, the birds, the mountains and some stray kitties.

  I have taken to feeding the kitties, but I have to do it in such a 

way no one sees me.  It's sort of not allowed to do so, but they look

 so hungry, I just can't bear to see them this way.  Every morning 

I carry dry foodies and a canned food.  I leave it in a designated 

spot, and as of now just one kitty goes and eats.  I'm happy.

Some days when I just want some additional quiet time

 I go to the pool area and read or just listen to music.  Very

 relaxing and also very quiet.  Unfortunately, the pools

 and the gym are still closed.  COVID! 😱😕

Sniff is counting down the days to Halloween.  He sure 

hopes it passes fast so that we can start to count down to

 Thanksgiving.  Living the life of a leisure kitty he is.

Saturday is already warm and sunny.  Not complaining

 because many have it cold already, and would be glad to have

 the warmth we are experiencing.  Always grateful.

  We should always remember to not always brood over

 our misfortunes, but be thankful for what we still have.

Life in Puerto Rico is never boring.  Always something 

interesting going on.  Even the chickens find the "scenery" to

 their liking.  Happy Saturday all, and may it be a great one.

When asked if my cup is half-full or half empty, 

my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup...

~Nadiya~

Friday Again 🍹~

 Sometimes the little things in life mean the most...

I wake up to a beautiful sunrise everyday, and everyday 

I feel the need to capture it.  There is always something amazing

 to see and to be grateful for.  My mornings are my alone time 

and for that I am happy.  Me and my thoughts, sometimes

 they also make me sad, but won't change a thing.

Yesterday we visited my sister and Kimsy, I'm happy.  

Some of my happiest times here is when we get to see them. 

 Because of that I am also grateful.  So many have not been 

able to see their loved ones during this pandemic times. 

On a side note, Arvid and I spent quite a while admiring 

Kimsy's car.  I don't go all batty over a car, but when I saw this 

little red hottie 506HP, I sure wanted one just like it quite badly.  

Just imagine the speed.  I was daydreaming for a while there.

Arvid has not seen his mother since summer of last year. 

 That's a long time and I hope that can be remedied soon. 

 She's old and she would love to see him, and he her 💙.

I have been fortunate to have seen my parents in May 

of this year, and even so, I miss them very much and would

 love to see them again.  Mom and dad usually come to 

Florida for a couple of months in the winter, but not

 this coming one.  Thank you COVID 😒  NOT!!

Friday here in Puerto Rico 😎.  Relaxed, happy times and

 doing much more than if we were back home in Florida. 

 We are once again enjoying life, while at the same time

 keeping our distance and being safe.  Life has changed 

 and we are all adapting to this change.  Like it or not.

The day is looking good.  The sun is out and we are busy. 

 Sniff is getting into the Halloween spirit, or at least

 I want to think he is 😂 Happy Friday all.

 

I’m thankful because all the hard work 

and sacrifices were worth it in the end...

~Nadiya~

Happy Day Here ~

 The hardest thing to learn in life is which 

bridge to cross and which bridge to burn....

Somedays I think I will become a bird watcher.  Birds

 fly by our balcony all the time and I am having quite a good

 time trying to get a picture of them.  Not always 

successful, but always entertaining and fun.

As Arvid likes to say, "it keeps you busy."  Busy and 

happy actually.  The other day I thought we saw an eagle fly by, 

unfortunately I was too late to get a picture.  Good thing is, 

I will probably get another opportunity 😀

Two little girls playing on the beach.  They reminded

 me of our two grand-daughters in Norway. It was a very

 pleasing sight, and they kept me entertained for a long time.

A beautiful day here and the weather is looking great. 

 Looking forward to what the day holds 🌞.

Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a

 way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. 

Which is what I sometimes do, and that enables

 you to laugh at life’s realities 😜...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday In Puerto Rico ~

 An ocean breeze puts the mind at ease...

Exactly what we experienced yesterday.  Ocean

 breezes, and salt water. I can't believe we have been

 swimming already two times here in Puerto Rico.  

We live in Fort Lauderdale, we never go to the

 beach, yet here it just comes naturally and easily. 

I wonder what makes it feel so much better here. 

 I asked Arvid that and he said in Fort Lauderdale the 

beaches are packed.  We like it more on the "private" side.  

Also here there are trees everywhere, so you can have

 a swim then just come out and lounge in the shade.  

It's the perfect set up.  Can't wait for our next beach day. 

 Maybe one day either Arvid or I might soon go home, and

get a few things we need, mainly his bread.  I personally 

don't want to go so if anyone goes it will be Arvid 😂.  

There is a tree for everyone.  Some even bring their hammocks.

Today is already looking good.  The sun is out. 

 Sniff is happy, as is Arvid and I.  Life is good and 

for that I am grateful.  Happy Wednesday all.

🦇 Kitties are all set for Halloween 👻👻

Whatever life throws at me I’ll take

 it and be grateful for it as well...

~Nadiya~

Happy Sniff ~ Happy Day ~

There’s no happier person than 

a truly thankful, content person...

     Sniff got his new scratch pad about a week ago. 

 On the first day he he loved it.  He scratched away like there 

is no tomorrow, and that was it.  Short lived "love affair" with 

the scratch pad.  Now it sits and I hope he will use it again.

Yesterday we had a little bad weather.  Lost power

 a few times, but the good thing is that the generator kicks in 

right away.  As Arvid said, "this is the best place of all the places

 we have lived."  We have found that everything works really

 well here.  Not sure why, but we are surprised about that.

The above was the start of the sunset.  Morning or night

 it is a beautiful site.  Always something to see 👀 and to hear .  

Sniff is trying to get into the Halloween spirit,

 so far not his favorite time of the year, but then there 

are so many "not favorite times" in his book. 👻

Happy ew day to all, and let's not forget that 

there is always something to be grateful for.

It’s ironic that when you go through a tragedy, 

you appreciate more. You realize how fragile life is and

 that there are so many things to still be thankful for...

~Nadiya~