Tuesday February 28th ~

I can do things you cannot, you can do things

 I cannot; together we do great things...

 Good morning from Fort Myers.  A beautiful way to start any day.

Lab work today.  Just another day in my life 😂  Thank goodness

 for Arvid and Sniff.  Everything together is much better.

We keep each other grounded.   We may not have it all together,

but together we have it all.  You don't need to be perfect 

together.  You just need to be happy together 💯.

Good morning and a good day to all.  Together we make a family.

Alone we are strong.  Together we are stronger...

~Nadiya~

Monday February 27th~

Bad things do happen in the world, like war, natural disasters,

 disease. But out of those situations always arise stories 

of ordinary people doing extraordinary things...

 My so called “vacation” from doctors has come to an end.  

The next few weeks will be busy.  My visits, tests, scans 

begin as of tomorrow 🤐. I just find it to be a huge

 inconvenience even if I know they are necessary.

Yesterday we once again went to FMB (Fort Myers Beach). 

 Once again I was left in awe at all the damage and destruction 

that was done.  There was one spot on the beach that 

has become some sort of a memorial for so many.

 To me and to all that were gathered there it spoke volumes. 

 Not a single person was dry eyed.  Just seeing this,

 a chair, a coffee mug, remnants of everyday life.

 It was too much.  Heartbreak is what is felt.

  I guess I am a softie after all, even though I pretend to be hard core. 

 It touched me to the core.   Loss is something I can relate to. 

It’s just another chapter in one’s life.  What a sad chapter.

Restaurants are opening up. One by one and they are crowded. 

People are everywhere you go.  One of the gift shops reopen a 

few weeks ago, but had no electricity, but everyone in there was 

pleasant and positive. We ate at Snug Harbor.    Great drinks

 and good food.  Yes it was also packed with people 🤗.

We walked around a bit.  We hope that Fort Myers Beach 

will rebuild and be even better because it is a beautiful spot.
People were happy and grateful to be back in business. 

 I spoke to several business owners and workers in different stores.

  Their stories were similar.  One lady said to me, ”I lost my home

 and my business in Sanibel.” Then she said to me, “I will rebuild.” 

 She was grateful because today she has a job and a place to live in. 

  Unlike so many affected by Hurricane Ian.   Businesses are totally gone.  

Buildings gone. Many have built up whatever they can and even if their 

 have to work out of a food truck or a little kiosk, they have restarted.  

Little by little, piece by piece one rebuilds.  One starts over again.

Reading about it is one thing seeing it is a totally different thing. 
We had a good day. It was emotional for me in so many ways.

 I thought of my sister and nephew living in Puerto Rico

 during Hurricane Maria. Not good thoughts at all.

I still can’t imagine what they went through, but I have a better

 understanding of the devastation and the despair they must have felt.😢
We have a home,  a comfortable place where we are safe  many don’t. 

 Once again my heart is heavy. A new week begins.  So many of us do

 not realize that what we take for granted many are praying for.

Even with all our technology and the inventions that make

 modern life so much easier than it once was, it takes just one

 big natural disaster to wipe all that away and remind us 

that, here on Earth, we're still at the mercy of nature...

~Nadiya~

Sunday February 26th ~

 Although I understand that all days are equal with

 24 hours each, most of us agree that Friday is the longest 

day of the week and Sunday the shortest...

As far as Sniff is concerned, his carrier is the enemy.  Even so 

it holds some strange attraction to him.  We have taken it out on 

the balcony, and Sniff just can't seem to stay away from it. 

Either he's sizing up his "enemy" or he just loves it 🐾

For Arvid the weekend means lots of soccer games.  He is 

a happy man even though he's screaming throughout the game.

We had pizza with Max and Kelsey.  Kelsey said all Max

 loves is pizza.  It was pretty good.  We got to spend a little 

time with them, get to know them bot better as a couple as well.  

Hope to do so again before going to Branson.  Thanks to their 

recommendation we sampled some delicious garlic rolls.

Lilly Vade is 15 years old and preparing herself just incase 😂

after all when your dad has been with Homeland Security and 

law enforcement for most of his life, the decision was an

 easy one.  And yes, she's good as is her mom. Dad 

of course is in a level beyond everyone I know.

Weekends don’t count unless you spend

 them doing something completely pointless...

~Nadiya~

High in the Sky ~

Summer nights and terrace lights...

Last night Arvid and I checked out The Firestone Skybar 

and Martini Bar.  As rooftops go, it was a cool place very crowded. 

 It reminded Arvid of the rooftop bar at The London Hotel in Chicago.  

Because of that I do not thing we will be going back 😕 Sad.

It was on one of our "to do" list.  We did it and that's enough for now.

As far as rooftops go, the view was pretty good, but 

not as good as the view from The Luminary Hotel's rooftop.

  I had some pretty amazing drinks.  While I was happy with

 mine,  Arvid was not too happy with his gin and tonic.

I don't care for Champagne, but whatever was in the drink 

combined with the Champagne was delicious.  As far as I am concerned,

 I would definitely go back for another one of this Starlight Sparkler.

Overall I had a very good time.  Arvid I'm not so sure about.

Life isn't perfect, but this view is...

~Nadiya~

Saturday February 25th ~

All we get is time and choice.  Be wise with both...

You can choose to go listen to Jesus man, or you can choose to go to the rooftop. 

 The choice is yours and you can imagine what ours would be.  Either way, there

 is something for everyone downtown Fort Myers.  I am still getting a kick

 out of Jesus and his preaching.  He did try to preach to Arvid, let's just 

say colorful language was used, and it did not come from Jesus.

We have one more Music Walk and one more Art Walk before

 we leave for Branson.  I asked Arvid if he was going to miss it 

here and he said, "not right away."  There is a lot to do in Branson

 when we get there, that's an understatement if there was any.

After several attempts to have Max and Kelsey over by us, 

which for many reasons never worked out, we have decided to 

take them out instead.  Works well for all of us, and best of 

all I do not have to cook nor clean.  Everyone is happy.

The choices that we make in life alter the course of our lives. 

Sure, there are the mundane little choices we make each day

 that don’t cause much of a ripple overall, but it’s important to 

be aware of all the choices we are making and to consider

 the consequences that these actions (or inactions) make.

I am not know to always make the best of choices, but I

 eventually learn my lesson.  At times it takes me a while but I

 like to think that I eventually end up doing what I consider the 

right thing.  What's right for me may not be the same for you.

Yesterday we had a little trip to the Swap Shop.  Of course 

we had to stop at our spot for a little cold one.  Same place we

 took my mom and dad when they were here.  Arvid always 

wants me to send a picture.  Either to the Norwegian 

gang or this time to my parents.  I reluctantly do it.

A good day to all.  I really wish I could send some of the heat

 your way.  It's the days are extremely hot in Southwest Florida 🌞

Cause a little bit of summer is what the whole year is about...

~Nadiya~

Friday February 24th~

Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind...

 This month sure has gone by very fast.  Another one

 again.   Not so long ago my family were all here having 

a good time.  Now it's back to just Arvid, Sniff and I.

  Don't get me wrong, I love it, but at the same time it can

 get quiet.  Missing Rima's laughter and daily outings with 

my mom.  Makes seeing them the next time so much better

 as well.  Looking forward to that.  It's soon time for the 

Norwegian family to be coming.  That will be fun also.

Friday.  Not sure what we will be doing today.  For now Arvid

 is busy watching these two cranes try to lift this huge boat.  

The process is long, and I don't have his patience at all.

In the meantime, Fort Myers and all around the country everyone

 continues to wonder what has happened to their dear Harriet.  Both

 Arvid and I are also caught up in their story.   Harriet The Eagle

Wishing everyone a good day.  Friday is pizza night.  No Art Walk,

 no Music Walk.  Sometimes it's nice when it's a little quiet.  You can 

actually have a conversation.  Both are great, but I'm happy tonight 

will be one of those more "quiet" nights downtown Fort Myers.

Friday sees more smiles than any other day of the workweek...

~Nadiya~

Thursday February 23rd~

We go through our lives and things happen to us. 

Those experiences made me what I am...

 It's been a few months now that I have been experiencing really

 bad headaches.  I was convinced it was a side effect of one of

 the new medications I have stared to take.  part true and 

maybe part due to the fact that I needed an eye exam.

So yesterday I finally had an eye exam.  It's not as if 

I have not had one recently.  Unlike Arvid who probably 

had his last eye exam some ten years ago.  His motto is if 

it's not broken why fix it.  Definitely works for him😂It does 

not take too much to make Arvid happy.  Simple man 💙

I am in a good place.  My memories are always with me as

 is everyone's.  Brutus is always present in them.  Today I can

 think of him, smile and be grateful for the time we had with him.  

He's my baby and yes a tear here and there.  We do miss him so 

very much.  My Brutus took a piece of my heart and soul 

with him.  I will love him until the end of time.

Sniff is a huge part of my everyday happiness and happy place. 

 Having him around is the best medicine one would ever need.

Remember that sometimes not getting what

 you want is a wonderful stroke of luck...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday February 22nd~

 Life is not perfect but your nails can be...

Ever since Arvid saw the news report stating that the 

ultraviolet light used during a gel manicure causes/contributes

 to cancer he has been quite insistent that I no longer get gel

 manicures.  I liked them so much.  No more dip manicure,

 no more gel manicure 😡  I sure liked them both a lot.

I got myself a variety of colors.  For now let's see how long before

 I give in to a gel manicure.  Because I have had cancer twice already,

 different parts of my body, the wisest thing would be to not do

 the gel manicure again.  I guess this time I will be smarter.  

Regular manicures will have to do, but they last 2 days because 

I never wear gloves while doing the dishes or house work 😕

On a different note, it has been warmer than usual here.  A good 

10 degrees warmer.  I wish I was right now in Vermont with my 

niece (Kimsy) and nephew (J).  They are skiing.  For two kids 

born in Puerto Rico, one of their favorite winter hobbies is skiing. 

 They have been doing it from the time they were 6 years old.

I can definitely use some cooler temperatures right now 😀

No matter where we go there is always something beautiful in

 our path, and I am always prepared to get the right shot.

The days are winding down for us here in Florida. 

 Of course we're looking forward to going to Branson.  I 

just hope that once we are there Arvid does not decide

 it's time to sell in Fort Myers.  I am tired of moving.

A good day to all and let us not forget

 that life is a long lesson in humility.

I don't believe things happen in vain.

 I believe they happen for a reason...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday February 21st ~

 Pull up a chair.  Take a taste, come join us.  Life is so endlessly delicious...

Yellow.  Not my usual color, but change is good.  Of course Arvid 

does not like it.  For him the only color for me is red.  And he calls 

it mustard.  He's probably more correct on the color than I am.

On Sunday we went to Punta Gorda, to Fishermen's Village 

it's about a 40 minute drive from us.  Well worth the trip.

We are discovering new places all the time.  Always fun.

  Yes, we do compare it to Fort Lauderdale.  Hands down 

Fort Lauderdale is absolutely more beautiful, and having lived

 there for so long, it's difficult to not make comparisons.

The other day we went to an Indian restaurant.  Was not

 that impressed with it and neither was Arvid.  I was just 

surprised he agreed to have Indian food with me 🍗

 He even tried the dessert, but that didn't go so well.

A very good morning to all, and as you know this post is 

not complete without a picture of Sniff in all his cuteness.

The purpose of live is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, 

to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience...

~Nadiya~

Monday February 20th ~

Monday is for people with a mission...

New week but as far as Sniff goes it is still Sunday

 evening sleeping between his dada's legs.  Sniff after all

 is "just a baby" and he sure requires many naps in the

 day to make up for the many naps he already had.

Today is Presidents' Day, also called Washington's Birthday 

at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States 

celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all those who

 served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879.

It was close to perfect the weekend.  Gorgeous weather 

and beautiful things happening all around us.  Life is good.

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together... 

~Nadiya~