Sunday August 31st~

 August slipped away into a moment in time...

August is just about over.  It has been a good month.  Here 

in Branson we transitioned from very hot to much milder 

temperatures.  Daisy and Fatboy finally started showing

 up, and best of all, Oliver has been given a good home. 

 I do miss him, but I love that someone will be loving 

him all the time now and that he is once again safe.

The other morning I finally saw PiP again.  She has

 not been out for quite some time.  Too hot.  As always

 she was giving me that judgemental look.  She does 

it so well, but she's such a cutie so works for her. 

Labor Day weekend is here. The holiday honors 

the contributions and achievements of the American

 labor movement and workers in all fields. 

 For many, the three-day Labor Day weekend 

signals the unofficial end of the summer season, with

 celebrations like barbecues and community events. 

Last night Arvid and I went out to listen to music. 

 We've been here before, but last night was something 

else.  The place was PACKED! Being Labor Day 

weekend every place in Branson is rented out.

The music was lively, but the crowd more so. 

 I always enjoy seeing people having such a good 

time.  People watching is a favorite thing to do. 

 So much crazy stuff going on.  Love so it!

It's a very cool place.  The pool is open to all, and 

 it seems always packed .  There is a pretty good size

 hot tub and watching the sunset as you sip your

 drink in the swim up bar, not too shabby.

As we were leaving Rock Lane, we decided to stop 

in to Star Bar.  They were having their karaoke night,

 not for us, but we did enjoy a good time chatting 

with Roger and Russell for a bit. Always good.

To all a very good day and a safe

 and happy Memorial weekend.

Summer means happy 

times and good sunshine...

~Nadiya~

Saturday August 30th-

What you do today can 

improve all your tomorrows...

 Yesterday started beautifully.  We had the

 opportunity to FaceTime with Michelle, Emil

 and our granddaughters in Norway.  

We had a relaxing conversation with lots of laughter.  

Amelia makes us laugh, and before you knew it 

we had already been chatting for over an hour 

and a half.  It was good.  Sure miss them. 

After that Arvid had a zoom call and some 

other business to take care of.  Somehow he 

always manages to stay busy. Today Saturday

 is so much cooler that the last few days.  

Yesterday Fatboy and Daisy came to the bird 

feeder quite a few times. My guess is that now 

that the temperature is a bit cooler they will 

be coming more and more.  So happy.

I also saw Charley and she was fed. I still miss

 Oliver’s lil face, but I could not be happier for him. 

 He has a forever home and he will be loved.

Sniff at some point got really tired watching the

 birds and squirrels.  The little sparrows show up

 in full force throughout the day. Like I mentioned 

before at times we may have over 50 eating on the 

deck.  Sniff’s days are pretty busy and we do take 

time to enjoy a few little treats in between it all.

Yesterday evening Arvid met with the guys 

for drinks and I had some quiet time which 

always enjoy.  I’m reading a really good 

book and wanted to finish it, which I did. 

A daily routine infused with a happy mindset 

and a positive outlook is like sunshine after the

 rain- it brightens everything around you...

~Nadiya~

Friday August 29th~

I'm not a pet sitter; I'm a pet's second best friend

Compassionate care when you're not there...

 The last Friday in August.  Time sure flies when

 you're having a good time.  Once again it's soon time 

to meet Sniff's pet sitter.  I have been fortunate that Brandy,

 the lady who took care of him before (about 3 years ago)

 will still do it for us.  She lives a bit far from us,

 but said she will be happy to watch Sniff.

I would not trust Sniff's care to just anyone.  Brandy 

may be a bit pricey, but she is a professional and she 

has shown in the past that Sniff's safety and well being 

comes first.  Yes, I am very picky when it comes to

 who watches our cats, right now that's Sniff.

Yesterday we finally got some much needed rain.

  Not much really, but enough to bring the birds

 out of hiding. At some point we had over 5o birds

 eating foodies on our deck.  Sniff had a very busy 

morning.  Also three squirrels showed up.

Arvid and I checked out a “new” place for lunch

 yesterday. We had heard a lot about this pizza “joint” 

as we were both excited to try it out.  We were 

not disappointed. In fact aside from the pizza  

being really good the place was enormous. 

 I never expected it to be this huge just by looking at it

 from the outside.  It also had outdoor seating with water 

view and a full bar.  Seems like we will be going back 

there.  Arvid had his usual Hawaiian pizza.  I had a white

 pizza with garlic cloves, basil and Alfredo chicken. 

It was delicious and we both have leftovers for another

 day.  Mine will last me more than one day.  Back home

 it was still cool outdoors.  As I stepped out to the deck

 I saw Charley. I called her and she ran over. Of course 

I took off to feed her. She does not like to be cooped up 

indoors all day so she has the freedom to choose🥰.

Today not much happening. Most likely Arvid,

 Roger and Russell will have a few drinks together.  

I choose to not go.  I get to have a few hours at home

 alone. I like it and Arvid likes spending time 

with the guys. Works good for both of us. 

Sniff continues to be entertained by the birds and 

squirrels.  His days are full and he does not get much

 sleep.  He makes up for it at nights.  Sleeps from 8pm 

on our laps until I get up in the mornings.  Not bad at all.  

A good day to all and may this be the start of a great

 weekend ahead.  We left him sleeping on my side of 

the recliner last night, woke up he was still there.

Cheers to Friday and the 

promise of a fantastic weekend...

~Nadiya~

Thursday August 28th~

In the midst of movement and

 chaos, keep stillness inside of you...

 Since Oliver is no longer around, and I am happy 

he has a home, but at the same time I sure miss him in

 the mornings.  But Charley roams around all the time.  If I 

am lucky I see her in the mornings as well.  She knows 

where we live and she comes closer to me.  Of course I 

go out and feed her.  She does not eat much, but she 

sure is a good hunter.  Catches mice all day long.

We also have a groundhog.  He lives just across 

the street from us and I make sure to get him apples, 

carrots and sweet potatoes.  I don't often see him, 

but I known where he is.  Yesterday because of 

cooler temperatures he was out and about.

Soccer started a little over a week ago.  Arvid has something 

else to keep him busy.  Most of his games are in the weekends,

 but occasionally he has one mid week.  The other day his

 team Liverpool played.   After struggling, they did win

 the game.  Arvid was a little hoarse after the game.

Like I said, I know Oliver has a good home now, 

but I sure miss him, at the same time I am so happy 

he has someone to love him like he deserves.

No matter what kind of a day we are having,

 Sniff always gets lots of love and petting.

To all a very good day.  Once again it is a beautiful morning.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, 

but you can decide not to be reduced by them...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday August 27th~

Anyone who says they're not 

afraid at the time of a hurricane is either 

a fool or a liar, or a little bit of both...

 Arvid, Sniff and I already have out trip back

 to Florida planned out.  I really look forward to 

going back home especially now that things are

 finally happening downtown Fort Myers.  

Below you can see what it looked like before 

Hurricane Ian from our balcony.  After that it 

was 100% destroyed. Hurricane Ian happened

 September 2022 and devastated Fort Myers, 

where we had just moved days before.

Arvid and I have been waiting for it to be rebuilt.  

We had it for maybe 2 days before Hurricane Ian struck.

Finally we got news that the marina has started to be rebuilt. 

So excited and looking forward to seeing it Arvid is 

ecstatic.  Now he will have something to look at.

2022 was the year Florida educated the world on

 how dangerous storm surge can be.  I will remember 2022

 as the year of the Florida dead bodies and missing people

 fraud.  Hurricane Ian affected over 4.45 million USA electrical 

utility customers.  We were one of those as well. Hurricane 

 season is back in full swing.  So far Erin missed us. 

 Let's hope so will the others that will be coming.

To all a good day.  It's nice a cool outside. A

 little news from Florida living always good😂

Rock bottom became the solid foundation in 

which I rebuilt my life.  I can be changed by what 

happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday August 26th~

A photograph keeps a moment from running away...

 Reshma, our niece who lives in Tacoma, Washington has

 a knack for taking beautiful pictures.  Her specialty is nature 

pictures, and since we were just there with them she shared

 a few she took that day we went to Mount Rainier.  I still am 

in awe of this place, and so happy to have seen it.  These were 

taken by Reshma.  She has a better camera than my Iphone.

The things I see as we drive.  Some catch my 

attention more than others.  Why I don't know.

Yesterday felt almost like a fall day.  It was perfect.  

Arvid went for a walk around the neighborhood.  Sadly

 I was not able to go.  My knee hurts like crazy. 

 I believe something is definitely not right.

Sniff spent most of the day watching birds and

 squirrels. We now have three squirrels that come

 to eat.  The little rascals even eat all of the food 

I leave out for birds plus all of their peanuts.

Our morning is looking really good.  A bit cooler

 air is always welcomed. Feels so good. A few things to

 do, so makes for a really good start of the day.

Morning is an important time of day because 

how you spend your morning can often tell you

 what kind of day you are going to have...

~Nadiya~

Monday August 25th~

 If you have to choose between being

 kind or being right, choose being kind

 and you will always be right...

The new week begins and my "job" for today is to

 try and reschedule all my doctors appointments in October. 

 I have already made them, but plans have changed.

 Arvid and I had a very nice outing yesterday.

  Temperatures are cooling off a bit, so of course 

we took the opportunity to dine outdoors.  Always 

so beautiful by the lake. Peaceful and relaxing.

Still no Oliver.  I know he's gone, but I still

 keep looking out for him.  Just in case.  I miss him, 

 on a good note I got a call early yesterday morning

 from Dave our neighbor.  Oliver was taken in by our

 maintenance guy and now has a forever home.

I felt such a big relief after talking to Dave🐾

 Sniff is already on the prowl for the birds and 

squirrels.  Life goes on.  Happy, happy for Oliver.

Time is the only currency you spend without 

ever knowing your balance.  Use it wisely...

~Nadiya~

Sunday August 24th-

People will never truly understand

 something unless it happens to them...

 I know Oliver is no longer here in the neighborhood,

 but I still have a bag with food and water just in case 

he shows up.  I know he would not, but I keep looking

 for him.  Maybe whoever took him brings him back. 

Unless of course he has a good home.  I miss him.

Yesterday I went to 3 stores to do my grocery 

shopping, by the time I got home I was tired, but I 

still had to unpack and make lunch.  In between I

 look for Oliver. You see our breakfast table looks 

out straight to where Oliver always was/lived.

Sniff has been on the prowl on and off. When he

 gets tired he just goes to sleep. Then up again looking

 for birds and squirrels. I keep putting peanuts out

 just so that the squirrels can entertain Sniff.

Yesterday we went to the movies. As I have 

mentioned before, I love the movies. It relaxes 

me and it gives me a chance to just sit and not

 have to do or think of anything.  So relaxing.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and relaxing day. 

Sometimes all we need to do is just sit and do

 nothing.  Sundays are time to recharge your

 battery in preparation for the week ahead.

At the end of the day what really matters is that

 your  loved ones are well, you've done your best, 

and that you're thankful for all that you have...

~Nadiya~