April 7th, A Beautiful Day Here ~

Get busy living or get busy dying...

Absolutely nothing new going on right now, 

but fortunately we still get to see a few things from 

our spot on the balcony.  This old beat up boat just passed

 along.  The man in the boat was collecting trash from 

the canals.  Something to see.  Happy.

Then we have the early morning paddle boarders.  

Suddenly we see so many people paddle boarding.

  It's back to enjoying nature and appreciating

 what s right in our backyards.  Not all is bad.

Arvid and I continue to enjoy our time on the balcony.

We are fortunate, the days are beautiful and the scenery is bright.

Looking through my memory trunk I have come 

across so many pictures.  So many memories.  Today's memory.

Arvid, Riley and I many years ago.  I miss  you all.

If you don't like the road you're walking, start

paving another one, life is a series of baby steps...

~Nadiya~

Monday April 6th ~ New Week Is Here

Today in not just another day.  It's a new opportunity.
Another chance, a new beginning.  Embrace it...

Yesterday I got a kick out of Arvid and I in masks. 

 It's not funny, but on the other hand when you really

 think of it, it is.  This is what we have been reduced to in

 order to be safe.  Here it is recommended you wear a

 mask when in a public place.  We were at Lowe's.

My mom, sisters and I had a good laugh. 

 All my mom said was, "please you and Arvid

 don't do anything illegal."  Still laughing.

Any outing today is a real treat.  My sister and

 husband were bored yesterday, and even they went

 for a drive, and where did they go Lowe's.  But 

they didn't go in.  Even so it was an outing.

We also did our Sunday drive along the beach.
 The beach is just as pretty except it looks so different.
 There is no one on it.  People are still walking and riding
 their bicycles, but not as many.  The entire strip
 looks like a ghost town.  Quiet. Different.

Last night I was going through some pictures and
came across these of Arvid's mom and dad.  I know
💚 Molly reads my blog, and I am happy she will see 💛
 these pictures in it there is one of her and her sister.

To all a good day.  The news said this will be one of
the worst weeks if not the worst for this virus.  Please stay
 safe.  Stay home.  And so begins another week.

Everything will be okay in the end. 
If it's not okay, it's not the end...

~Nadiya~

Sunday April 5th ~ And So Begins Another Day In Isolation

I know what I have to do now, I've got to keep
 breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise.
 Who knows what the tide could bring...

Yesterday somehow seemed longer than usual.  Both 

Arvid and I were a little tired of this isolation, but as 

he said, and I agree, "we are in for some long days."  The 

way it's looking we will be lucky if its only 2 months.

The once busy streets are very quiet.

It is now recommended everyone should use a face

 mask when at the grocery store and pharmacies.  So far,

 Broward County, where we live has not mandated it.  Just a

 recommendation.  As of today.  That may soon change.

We were at the grocery store yesterday looking

 for eggs.  Seems like it is not usually much in stock 

these days, but yesterday we found some. 

 Just about every other person was wearing a face 

mask.  Arvid and I included.  It felt very strange. 

 What I find very strange is that person wearing masks

 and even gloves when alone or out for walks.

All we have is time these days and I see it making
 changes. One thing I have noticed, Arvid's calls to his
 family in Norway lasts a little longer.  Like I said there is
always something good to come out of every situation.

People keep enjoying and rediscovering  the outdoors. 
Most practicing social distancing, others taking a chance.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  We are all in
this together, and together it is us who can make a
difference.  Stay safe, stay calm, stay home.

I shall pass this way but once; any good that
 I can do or any kindness I can show to
 any human being; let me do it now...

~Nadiya~

April 4th ~ Stay At Home

You can't always get what you want. But if you

 try sometime, you'll find, you get what you need..

Yesterday I was reminded by one of my friends 

of what a great time we had working with NYC EMS. 

 I loved every single moment, and I look back and

 smile.  I realize that my life has been very 

good continues to be.  I made it so.

Today with everything going on, many of my 

friends continue to work with EMS.  They face danger 

on the frontline.  It is them who are the real heroes.

Life has taken me many places.  I have seen the 

good and not so good, just like so many, but I have

also been lucky to have been given a second chance. 

 His name is Arvid.  Together we make a good team.

Through the years we have had our ups and downs,

 who hasn't?  Together we have grown to count

 on each other and be there for each other.  

There is no one I would rather spend forever 

with than Arvid, and now during thees trying times, I 

feel very fortunate to have Arvid by my side.  Hand in

 hand, you and me.  Today tomorrow, forever.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing day 

at home. All things considered, we are doing good. 

 Life goes on, just differently.  Looking forward

 to the day it will be "normal" again.

You don't need to be perfect together, 

you just need to be happy...

~Nadiya~

Friday April 3rd ~ Lockdown Continues

A life lived in fear is a life half lived. Worry 
is like a rocking chair: It gives you something
 to do but never gets you anywhere...

There is extra time now to enjoy the simple things in
life.Today more than any other time in our lives, we 

have the time.  I know it is the same everywhere

 in the world these days.  Not a bad thing at all.

The sunset from our balcony a few days ago.  Loving it.

The above is our sunset yesterday evening.  

Not everything during these times is bad. 

Yesterday was my birthday.  I am a very fortunate person. 

 I am grateful to everyone who reached out to me.  Be it 

by phone, text or card.  I appreciate it all and will never 

take anyone of you for granted.  Again thank you.

The card above with Sniff was sent to me by my mom. 

 She made it look like Sniff sent it to me.  Every year Sniff 

"sends" me a card.  There is no one like my mom. She did

 the same when Brutus was alive.  I love you mommy.

This has been one of my best birthdays.  I am thankful 

and I am still smiling.  I think I am LOVED 😇.

Friday.  Arvid and I started our semi isolation on March 9th.
  This is the day we returned from Puerto Rico, but more
rigidly as of March 18th.  Seems so very long ago.

Hoping like everyone, to see this coronavirus pandemic
come to an end soon.  It's been  a long time, and I know we
 have long stretch still ahead of us.  Be safe everyone.
  Protect yourselves, protect others.  Stay home.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  Remember often
 when you think you're at the end of something,
 you're at the beginning of something else.

When the world is running down, 
you make the best of what's still around...

~Nadiya~

April 2nd, 2020

A man should look for what is and not what should be.
Being negative only makes the journey more difficult.  
You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it...

I have been thinking a lot about Branson, and the

 time we lived there.  Branson is and will always be

 one of the most unforgettable places for me. 

We have been to many places, but none holds 

a place in my heart and has touched me

 so much as Branson, Missouri.

We are all having a very difficult time today,
 but I know the people in Branson and because of
 that I feel their suffering.  How I wish I was there. 
I know we would be helping them right now.

As I celebrate another year of life, I am grateful
for Arvid, Sniff, my family both here and in Norway.
 I am grateful to have had Brutus and Shadow in our
 lives.  We are living through some uncharted times.
  Everyday is technically a new beginning for us all.

Happy day today.  We had takeout for the special
 occasion.  My birthday.  Wishing everyone a
 great day.  Always a reason to be thankful.

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you 
never know how soon it will be too late.Never let the
 things you want make you forget the things you have...

~Nadiya~

April Fool's Day ~

Always believer that something 

wonderful is about to happen...

Like most in the world right now, our days are spent

 very relaxed.  Lots of free time on on our hands.  Arvid 

and I are still friends.  We still like each other 😍

We watch Sniff do his thing.  He keeps us laughing

 quite often in the day.  Arvid spends more time paying 

attention to Sniff and talking to him.  I love it.

Recently I  have been hear Arvid saying to Sniff,
"you know you have a cute little face."  For
most this might sound ridiculous, but to
me it's the sign of love happening.

 Since Brutus died I don't think Arvid has really
 opened up to Sniff.  Maybe now is the start of it.
We both loved Brutus with all our hearts.

Neither of us can nor will ever forget Brutus.
Not in a million year. I miss him, and I know Arvid
does as well, but we also have Sniff and Sniff is love.
Sniff asks for nothing and gives us his everything.

 I love our Sniff.  My Brutus took a part of my heart.
Sniff has a part of my heart and Sniff is here with us.

So what are you grateful for today?
As a reminder stay home.  Stay safe.

When something good happens, travel to celebrate.
When something bad happens, travel to forget. If nothing 
happens, travel to make something happen.  Today expect 
something good to happen no matter what happened yesterday...

~Nadiya~

March 31st ~ Life Is Changing Everyday

Grief is in two parts.  The first is the loss. 
The second is the remaking of life...

Saying farewell to a loved one.  Today because of  

this virus pandemic many cannot say their final goodbyes

 to loved one.  You can see them through glass,

 but you cannot give them one last hug.

This family had a death of a loved one.  Because of the

 virus they were unable to say goodbye or have a funeral.  

They did the best under the circumstances.  It was a farewell

 by the river.  Red roses were scattered and something 

was read from a book.  I am guessing the Bible.

As we did our walk yesterday afternoon, we came

 across the roses floating along the river.  I stopped and

 for a moment I was very sad thinking of what's happening

 today.  I can't imagine not hugging the ones I love one

 last time.  This family did not have that chance.

Life goes on.  Little differently that what we are used to.

Everything is still.  It seems as if life just came to a halt.  Eerie.

Our neighbor is in New York.  She was supposed 

to be home over a month ago, but unfortunately 

she fell, broke her pelvis, and now because

 of the virus cannot get back home.

From her home she saw the US Navy Hospital Ship

 along the Hudson River as it made it's way to be docked in

 New York City, the epicenter of the US coronavirus outbreak. 

 These are a few of the pictures she sent to me.  Impressive.

Comfort Hospital Ship

This ship has 12 fully- equipped operating rooms 

and 1,000 hospital beds on board.  Help is here.

Happy news today: pet adoptions are way
up amid coronavirus crisis, even with shelters
closed to the public.  I just hope that after this
crisis people do not give up their pets🙏

Back to basics is not so bad at all.  Hours on the balcony.
 Long walks, and drives.  Pretty relaxing and quite enjoyable. 
Life is full of surprises and you never know where
 it will take you and who will cross your path.

Uncertainty is life's way of saying that there
 are only a few things you can control...

~Nadiya~

New Week Begins ~ March 30th

The most beautiful way to start and 

end each day is with a grateful heart...

My faith in Arvid has been restored 😍.  We had take-out

 yesterday and he did not make much of a fuss about it.  As

 usual he waited in the car as I went to pick it up.  He will

 not get close to anyone.  Says he might catch the virus 🙊

There he is waiting in the car as I go in the restaurant.

Sundays are now becoming take-out days.  Hopefully 

take-out will not end as well.  Right now in Boston many places

 serving take-out no longer do.  Even that is not an option.

Aside from that we drove along the beach.  It was 

very strange to see no one on the beck.  We did see many 

riding bicycles and walking, but the beach is blocked off by

 yellow tape, cones and the presence of police everywhere.

We cannot complain.  There are so many people 

who have it so much worse.  My heart is in Branson and all 

the people at Almost Home.  They are in desperate need, 

I really wish I was there and could do a little more.

Once busy road and streets are now quiet.  The world is 

definitely changing before our very eyes.  Hopefully at the

 end of this virus, it will be a better world we live in.  The 

sacrifices being made today hopefully will not be in vain.

Another week in in isolation begins, but we are 

healthy, we have each other and we have what we need. 

Like everyone, we make the best of the situation. 

 Today tell me, what are you grateful for?

I'm happy because the other day Arvid gave in, and decided it was
 OK to have hot chocolate even though it is not cold.  It took a 

little convincing from me, but he usually see's the light.
It's the simple things in life that brings most joy.

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

Be grateful, enjoy the little things...

~Nadiya~