Tuesday October 12th ~

 You have to fight through some bad days
 to earn the best days of your life...

It has already been an absolutely wet start of the week.  

The worst part is that it rains torrentially exactly at the hour 

I usually go out to feed the kitties.  I did go out yesterday.  I 

was soaking wet.  There were a few minutes within that hour

 that the rain eased off a bit.  Didn't stop just slowed down.

As I steeped out the front entrance, Rascal was there hiding

 under one of the cars in the parking lot.  Mama not there.  

It was wet.  She was somewhere else hiding.  Smart one.

I did walk up the hill to where the other kitties would be.

  None there, and why should they it was pouring.  As I was 

heading back to our building MacGyver runs along.  I gave him 

some foodies, but even he had to leave because of the rain.

So I waited it out again.  Then it slowed for a little. 

 I went back up the hill.  There was Milo, Shygirl, Marbles 

and MacGyver.  They ate foodies and then I went 

looking for Rocco, Spitfire, Baby and Senior.

Eventually Rocco appeared.  Very scared.  Seems

 his little adventure in the shed shook him up.  I called

 him and he came, but then suddenly it started to pour 

again.  I did manage to leave Rocco some foodies

 which he found and ate.  I left it under the hedge.

Rocco is all cleaned up.  His coat is back to being all

 white and clean.  Looks like the handsome Rocco he is.

Got back home soaked.  Not too happy with this rain at 

that hour of the day.  Says rain all week long.  Have to find 

another time to get food for the kitties.  In the meantime, Sniff 

not so happy with the thunder, but he's home safe and dry.

This morning I went before 6 am to do my blood work. 

 Did not get back home until after 8 am. Took a long time, didn't 

help that one of the ladies in the line passed out.  Progress is slow. 

 The lady was all right.  Just hungry I guess.  Low blood sugar.

As I was heading out this morning I was met by some 

of the kitties.  Of course I had food in the car for them,

 just incase they showed up.  No Spitfire nor Senior

 yesterday nor today.  Mama was not around either

To all a good day.  Make it an amazing one.

Each new day is better than the last...

~Nadiya~

Busy Days 😘. Good Times 😎

 Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to 

accomplish something big, that we fail to notice

 the little things that give life its magic...

I have been very lucky in that since Arvid is away,

 I have been very busy.  I love being busy 😋 makes

 the days go by even faster and by evenings I 

am really worn out in a very good way 😙

The cats have been a godsend. First I feel 

so very good doing something I love, and second 

because they also keep me busy and happy.

I have been seeing more of my sister and Kimsy also, 

although when Arvid is here we do see them frequently 

as well. Of course I am loving this. Every time we get

 together we try and do a little something different . 

J in in Puerto Rico again. He came in on Sunday

 and leaves next Sunday.  It’s his birthday week. 

He texted me Sunday night and said “auntie 

Nad I want to take you out to dinner” 😘

On Monday the four of us went out. We had a very

 good time.  We walked around the beach a little, and 

we had way too much to eat.  It was good.  Moments 

 like these make being in Puerto Rico even better.

I have trapped another cat.  His name is Rascal,

 and  he’s the brother of Spotify.  I was not sure 

he would show up, but so happy he did😃.

There are still lots to trap but it’s getting a little 

more difficult. So are way too cautious  others 

are still too little to be spayed/neutered as 

yet, and then there is Mama/Bully.

Mama just gave birth  have not seen her new

 babies as yet.  She’s mom to Spotify and Rascal.

Regarding Mama, I was told by the vet that I

 would have to wait at least a month until she had

 weaned her babies. Hopefully then I can get her 

also. In the short time we have been here, this 

is Mama’s second litter/pregnancy 😔

Weather wise it is HOT 🌞 as in very HOT 🌞

 but no rain since Arvid has left  so that’s good.  I 

continue to do walks in the mornings and

 some days I also go to the beach area.

Because Arvid is not around I do it a little

 differently. I don’t mind stopping and sitting at 

one of the restaurants and maybe having a

 little sangria or piña colada once in a while. 

 Makes the afternoons so much better.

I find that being alone I have time to do

 a lot more 😊 I have gone to my “favorite” 

coffee shop more than I ever have 😍

It’s really nice to just not have to run back

 home at a certain hour to cook or clean. It’s very

 quiet without Arvid. Sniff and I are very relaxed and

 enjoying our days, but also look forward to his 

coming home.  In the meantime, I also hope 

Arvid's having a good time in Norway😂

 I picture Arvid in Norway and I can only smile 😊

  I’m sure he’s having a good time with everyone  especially 

after not seeing them on so long 😅. As I said to him

 this morning, "you only have 18 more days"  😂😂

I'm still smiling and I know today is going to be a

 good day.  I have a doctors appointment and I just 

hope I do not get lost finding the place.  Arvid

 and I did do a test run there before he left.

Happy Wednesday to all.  Somehow I can't stop 

smiling especially after talking to Arvid 😍. 

The little things? The little moments?  They aren't little...

~Nadiya~

Thursday June 24th

Great opportunities to help others seldom
 come, but small ones surround us every day...

Yesterday afternoon in the las hour before the vets offices 

closed, I was able to trap baby.  Took some effort, but the 

smell of food was more than she was able to resist. Baby 

has already had her surgery (yesterday) and is recovering.  

Today it also rained early in the morning.  Thankfully

 before I went walking to feed the little ones.  After that the sky

 lit up with beautiful sunshine.  A beautiful day awaits us.

Sniff is doing what he loves, getting a tan and enjoying

 the morning sunshine from behind the cortinas.

Wishing everyone a great day.  Please check out my

 kitties page on Facebook.  Called LITTLE PAWS.

  Still working on it, but hoping to raise some awareness 

on the homeless cats situation in our part of the island. 

 Fajardo, Puerto Rico.  If you wish to sponsor on of the

 kitties surgeries, it won't say no 🙈  LITTLE PAWS

Always have a willing hand to help someone,

 you might be the only one that does.

~Nadiya~

Thursday June 3rd ~

 The most thankful people are the most generous people...

I'm exhausted.  Not just physically but also mentally.  

Island living is not what it's cut out to be.  At least not

 right now.  I am worn out and for some reason feeling

 bla, and it's been this way for some time now.

Going to the beach does help.  I love the water and I love 

the beach. I also love my Sniff.  He is always my happy place.

 Looking forward to lunch with my sister and Kimsy today.

  J is back homme in Miami.  Florida has reopened and soon

 he will be back in an office setting.  A definite yes!

Good morning all.  Hello Thursday. 

At the end of the day, I am thankful that my

 blessings are bigger than my problems...

~Nadiya~

Life Goes On ~ April 3rd

 I'm not going to hold my breath because life goes on.

 Life is too short to sit around moaning about

 what could have been or what was...

Even though it rained quite a but yesterday, we were very

 lucky that it had stopped when it was time to go to the beach 

for dinner.  My birthday was very special in so many ways 🎂

  I am happy because I spent it with the one I love and because

 I received messages and calls from everyone that mattered.

Soccer is back on after a 2 week break.  Arvid is very happy. 

 As he says, "I'm fully booked"  Arvid is always a happy

 man, one of the many reasons I love him so very much.  

Not much phases him even when I am "offensive" 

at him.  Claims he likes it.  Very "special" indeed.

All is looking good today.  No rain as of this minute. 

 The boys are happy as am I.  Sniff is starting to feel a little

 more at home again.  Yesterday J asked, "is Sniff still 

homesick?"  I said yes, we both are.  But today is a 

new day and a good one.  Happy day to all.

No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,

 life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow...

~Nadiya~

Saturday February 6th ~

Step outside of your comfort zone and go beyond the

 boundaries that you and others have set for yourself.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone...

Here at home I do a lot of laundry.  Most of it is for

 Sniff 😻.  He has two beds.  Each bed has 2 beds, one on top

 of the other.  The way I see it, he sleeps higher, and he has more

 cushioning.  Plus we have the beds so why not use them.  

Sniff loves his beds here at home in Florida.  When

we were in Puerto Rico it took him a very long time to get 

used to a different sleeping spot.  For over a month in 

Puerto Rico he had no place he really loved to sleep in,

 but now he has.  And then suddenly we were gone.

Last night was my tropical night.  I was in the

 mood for some island drinks.  Piña colada it was for

Arvid and I.  I have to say they were very good.

In Puerto Rico we were never able to find BBQ 

chicken wings, so on Thursday we finally ordered in and 

they were delicious.  Another thing I missed was Snow Crabs.  

Since coming back to Florida I have had it quite a few

 times.  Today again, so I am very happy.

To all a good day.  Suddenly the skies

 darkened up, but it is no longer cold.

Never regret a day in your life.  Good days give 

happiness, bad days give experience, worst days

 give lessons, and best days give memories...

~Nadiya~

January 22nd ~

 It's interesting to leave a place, interesting even to

 think about it.  Leaving reminds us of what we can part

 with and what we can't, then offers us something 

to look forward to, to dream about...

Friday.  Guess what we will be doing today?  You guessed it.

  Nada.  Nothing.  Thank you COVID-19 for making the 

world a not so better place right now for everyone. 

 Living in Florida we could actually do just about anything

 we want.  There are really no restrictions.  Our governor

 has not closed anything down.  bars and restaurants are fully

 open.  It's just Arvid and I who choose to no go anyplace

right now.  We do not feel it is the safest right now.

Being home is not so bad.  As they say, it's better than 

being on a ventilator.  Had we been in Puerto Rico we would 

be going to El Pescador for a little tropical drink this

 afternoon.  I loved every moment in Puerto Rico.

All this being said, we love the life we have here

 in Florida. Happy Friday all.  Some people look for a

 beautiful place.  Others make a place beautiful.  Home

 is where Arvid, Sniff and I are.  We are home.

January is soon over.  No idea how this month has

 gone by so fast.  Hopefully, life as everyone once knew 

it will be back.  Even better than before for us all.

When you leave a beautiful place you

 carry it with you wherever you go...

~Nadiya~

January 15th ~ Florida

It's a new day and the grind continues...

I am already exhausted and missing the life we had in 

Puerto Rico.  Already missing my morning routines in PR.

  I used to walk my hilly trail every day. I have to get

 into the routine back here, but somehow I don't have any

 inspiration.  But I am working very hard to be inspired. 

Coming from Puerto Rico it was so warm, not that it's

hot here in Fort Lauderdale, but it is colder right now here.

  Seems like Arvid is getting a cold.  We also had hot chocolate

 already and seems like Saturday will be even chillier.

Not complaining, but somehow life in Puerto Rico is 

much simpler and happier.  Here it's stressful, and we can

 already feel it.  That being said, it's good to be home.

Life will change.  Growth is optional.  Choose wisely...

~Nadiya~

Back In Florida ~Wednesday January 13th

Oh yeah.  We got back to reality real quick...

 We're back home, and someone sure is enjoying his view.

It's a hustle and bustle all over again, but we like it.

Back to reality after a brief, but pleasant dream...

~Nadiya~

Thursday December 3rd ~

We dream in colors borrowed from the sea...

As the writing in the sand says, I am thankful.

  Thankful for life, for my loved ones and for the opportunity

 to be able to live in Puerto Rico once again.  My childhood

 home, where the kindest people on earth live, and 

of course where my sister and Kimsy are.

Arvid and I took a walk along the beach hoping to catch 

the sunset.  We got some of it.  I can't believe we go walking 

on the beach on a regular basis.  For many this is the "norm"

 but us, we who live in Fort Lauderdale and have beaches at our 

doorsteps, we have never ever done that in over 10 plus years.

I an happy because Arvid is loving Puerto Rico as well.

In other parts of the country-world.

Meanwhile here in Puerto Rico we are having warmth and sunshine.

To all a happy day.  Stay warm and stay safe.

The days are getting colder, have a warm heart...

~Nadiya~

Fort Lauderdale Now ~

Wake up and smell the rain...

Tropical storm Isaias is here and absolutely

 NOTHING is happening, but that does not stop the

 newscasters from "tracking" the storm 24/7.

Maybe a little flooding is in store for us, 

but that's nothing new.  Whenever it rains here

 there is a flood.  Old news if you ask me.

A few waves, yes.  Some have even gone 

swimming out on the beach today.  Yes it has rained. 

 On and off, and also after the rain comes the sunshine

 and the rainbows.  It is after all South Florida.

And yes the palm trees are swaying back and forth. 

 It is after all a tropical storm.  Floridians have bought

 everything from the grocery stores.  Home depot is

 empty.  You would think we are preparing for a war. 

 It is the same every year at the mention of the word

 hurricane.  On the other hand think Hurricane Maria

 that came to Puerto Rico and Dorian to the Bahamas.

Hurricane, Tropical Storm whatever, it was still a 

beautiful day at the beach.  People didn't miss an opportunity 

 posing for pictures.  Life under all circumstances is good.  

It always up to us to make the most of it.  To live it.

Florida, where you make a big deal out of

 nothing.  It's happening again.  Let's just hope

 i do not have to regret saying this.

We live to fight another day...

~Nadiya~