Apr 30, 2024

Tuesday April 30th~

Slow, steady progress is better than daily excuses...


 Sunday as we drove into Sanibel you can see there is still
 a lot of work to be done, at the same time progress is being
 made all the time.  Though the island is still recovering and 
lodging is limited, many of its main beaches and a handful
 of local businesses and restaurants have reopened.


It was good to venture out from the usual.  Arvid and I drove
 around the island, and there is still so much to be done.


Yesterday I was able to feed some of my friends again.  
The duckies even eat birdseeds.  They eat everything.  
We also saw more cleanup happening in one of the 
other marinas.   Progress ๐Ÿ˜€is slow but sure.


We have been having some very relaxing days.
  Walks in the afternoons, a soccer games for Arvid and
 lots of nap times for Sniff.  Life is good to us ๐Ÿ˜.


Progress lies not in enhancing what is,
 but in advancing toward what will be...

~Nadiya~

Apr 29, 2024

New Week ~ April 29th

Living that Florida life...

Palm trees and water view.  What life in Florida
 is all about, and we are loving it.  Sniff included.


Two things Florida can teach the other 49 states: how to make a
 good margarita and how to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane.


Palm trees and sunshine make me smile. 
 Leave your worries under the palm tree ๐ŸŒด


As the new week begins, for those on the 9-to-5 grind,
 you're not alone in your aversion to Mondays, but hopefully 
this will be an amazing  and productive week for us all.


Today is Michelle's birthday.  She is Arvid's youngest
 daughter and the mother of our three grand daughters๐Ÿ’› 
Wishing you always happy days and a happy life.


Yesterday Arvid and I had another pleasant Sunday
 outing.  For a change Arvid found the place/restaurant 
we went to.  We have never been to it before so I was 
very happy to be experiencing something new. 


 I guess Arvid took notice when I told him 
that if I were doing things on my own I would do
 them differently.  I would try new things and go to
 different places.  Just glad he listened this time.


As we express our gratitude, we must 
never forget that the highest appreciation is 
not to utter words, but to live by them...
 
~Nadiya~

Apr 28, 2024

Sunday April 28th~

Relaxation is not laziness. It’s about finding
 balance and taking care of yourself...

 Some pictures from one of our favorite
 places on the beach to just relax, have quiet
 time as Arvid says, and watch the boats go by.


From where we sit, you just look across the river and see more
 restaurants.  Couple bearing signs of Hurricane Ian, but which has 
now become an "asset" to the restaurant rather than a weakness.


Many go to get their pictures taken by the sunken boat.


More than anything, Arvid loves it here because
 it's so close to the water and because there is no one
 "babbling" as he says.  He can relax.  I enjoy it also 
because the scenery is serene and so very peaceful.


Some days you're just fortunate that everything works out well.


Wishing everyone a happy Sunday.  Hopefully
 you do something that makes your soul happy.


Take a deep breath, relax, and trust that 
everything will work out for the best...

~Nadiya~

Apr 27, 2024

April 27th ~ Their First Day Without Dexy ๐Ÿ’”

There are moments when I wish I could roll back
 the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the 
feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well...
 
Yesterday was a difficult, sad day for me. Imagine 
how it is for Rima and her family. Last week the decision
 was made to put Dexy to sleep.  He was in lots of pain
 and his quality of life was not good.  I loved that
 little stinker and my heart is also hurting.


It brought back memories of the day 
our Brutus died and the way our Shadow 
died. My heart is heavy and though I know it
 will be “better” again, right now it’s not.


Last night before falling asleep Rima sent me 
this picture.  Their routine is to always take the 
collars off the doggies for the night and put them in
 their spots.  Dexy's will never be used ever again๐Ÿ’” 
This simple picture interrupted my sleep for hours.


We have our Sniff and he is a blessing in our lives, 
and for that I am always grateful.  He is my happiness.


What was supposed to be a relaxing and fun outing 
yesterday, didn’t turn out exactly that way for me. The 
day was beautiful. The food was good. The drinks 
even better, but my heart was sad.  It’s still is.


Not doing much today, on the other hand by early 
evening we will be bored and for all you know we
 may just take a little trip downtown.  A good day to all.
  Losing such a big part of your family is never easy ๐Ÿ˜ข


~ I loved you for your whole life and
 I will miss you for the rest of mine~

~Nadiya~

Apr 26, 2024

April 26th 2024 ~ Goodbye Dexy ๐Ÿ’”

Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than
 losing a human because in the case of the 
pet, you were not pretending to love it...

 My sister Rima and family are grieving right now.  Their boy 
Dexter (Dexy) took his last breath today.  It's never easy.  
My heart is also hurting, for I loved Dexy so much ๐Ÿ’”


Dexy was 17 years old. Same age as Lilly Vade.  Yes he
 lived a long and good life, but it's never easy letting go even
 when you know you are doing the right thing for him ๐Ÿ’”


My heart is sad right now.


Until one has loved an animal, a 
part of one's soul remains un-awakened...

~Nadiya~

Life with Sniff ๐Ÿ’œ Thursday April 26th

Do today what should be done.
 Your tomorrow may never come...


Everyday with Sniff is a beautiful day.  He is one of
 the most affectionate kitty we have had.  He may not 
like being picked up, but as soon as you are seated he
 comes to be with you.  Sniff loves being close to us. 


He follows Arvid everywhere.  Together they
 hangout in the balcony  and watch boats and
 birds go by.  They understand each other.


Brutus used to wait for Arvid to pet him before
 he ate his foodies, now Sniff is doing exactly the same.  
Cute to see, but not a good thing in the long run.  Of course
I worry about when we are not home what will happen.

Today if all goes well Arvid and I plan on heading 
to Fort Myers Beach for lunch.  Planning on going to 
Matanzas on the Bay.  Hopefully nothing unexpected shows 
up and spoil our plans.  The way thigs have been going..


Demolition of the marina continues in full swing.  As
 Arvid says, "so much to see right now"  Keeps him/us busy. 
 Every so often we peek out the bedroom window or the 
just take time "off" in the balcony to watch the work.


Progress is what pushes you forward 
towards your ultimate destination. It advances 
you closer and closer towards your goals... 

~Nadiya~

Apr 25, 2024

Thursday April 25th~

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace
 for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow...

My "last" outside view before going to bed.  Of 
course that is if Arvid did not close the blinds ๐Ÿ˜‚


Mornings on the balcony.  For Sniff it always begins as an
 adventure.  At first he's dubious if he wants to go out.  Then 
he gets brave and does go out, after that he never wants to come 
back in.  We sometime have to trick him into coming back in.


It's the same everyday, but even so, Sniff knows
 exactly what time Arvid goes out and he patiently 
waits until we are done with breakfast and the
 door to the outside world opens up for him.


For Arvid it also means he/we can check out the
 work in progress.  The demolition crew working to rebuild 
the marina next to us is busy.  This was last Thursday.


Today the building is on it's way down and we and all the 
neighbors could not be any happier.  Progress is finally coming
 almost 19 months after Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers.


Never has the site of debris/trash been so welcoming.


Another beautiful day awaits us.  Another recheck awaits me.  
Definitely life has and is good to us.  Hope you can all see the 
beauty all around you and be grateful for each new day.


Acknowledging the good that you already have in 
your life is the foundation for all abundance...

~Nadiya~

Apr 24, 2024

Wednesday April 24th~

A whole new world, that's where we'll be a thrilling 
chase of a wonderous place for you and me..


 This past Sunday Arvid and I checked out a place called Matlacha 
(pronounced mat-la-shay)  This is an "Old Florida" fishing village
 known for many bright colored art galleries, island boutiques,
 seafood restaurants, and traditional Floridian cottages.


We found this very cute restaurant on the water.  It just
 happened to be their reopening week after Hurricane Ian. 
 I think half of Florida was there.  The place was packed
 and the line of cars went on for miles on the road.


From there Arvid and I drove around to check out the 
surrounding towns.  A few other restaurants on the water, 
but what caught our attention most was their landmark.


It is always good to go and discover new places.  I find the 
place and then Arvid maps out how to get there.  Team work.


The truth be told, there is still a lot of visible damage from 
Hurricane Ian.  This restaurant we went to, as I mentioned 
before just reopened this past week.  Progress is slow
getting there as you can see from the picture below.


After a very good birthday, Sniff is ready to catch up on sleep.


Just one small positive thought in the morning
 can change your whole day.  Life is either 
a daring adventure or nothing at all...

~Nadiya~

Apr 23, 2024

My Sniff's Birthday~ April 23rd

I have what I have. And I am happy. I have 
lost what I’ve lost. And I am still happy...


 Sniff is nine years old today.  We have had him for
 eight of those nine years, and all I can say is thank you.
  Sniff entered our lives during a difficult time.  


Our Shadow had just died a most horrific death, and the
 death of our Brutus was still raw.  Sometimes life’s worst
 moments lead you directly to your happiest moments.


Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate Sniff in our lives.  
He is the most loving, cuddly kitty I know.  He still does not
 like being picked up, but as soon as we sit, he's right there
 next to us.  I love him so much that sometimes it scares me.


There is a saying that says, "I love my cat more than
 I love most people."  Have to say this is very true.  
Just watching my Sniff makes me happy.


Cats leave paw prints in your heart, forever and always.


I don’t need too many people to be happy, just a few real ones,
 who appreciate you for who you are, and definitely a Sniff/cat
 in our home and lives.  Looking forward to a long, long time
 with Sniff in our lives.  I would take forever if possible.


Also a very happy birthday to the man I share my 
life with, Arvid Hvidsten.  I won't change a thing.
I look forward to many more adventures together.


Today Sniff will be having an extra Sheba pate.
  I'm sure he will be trilled when he sees he's having an 
extra meal for the day.  Tomorrow we will watch his diet,
 but today he feasts.  After all, Sniff is my happy place.


A soulmate is not a perfect person, but
 someone whose flaws complement yours.
I love my cats more than I love most people. 
Probably more than is healthy ๐Ÿพ

~Nadiya~