Thursday May 30th ~

To be alive, and be given a chance at life, is beautiful...

This is how my morning began and I could not be any happier.

I also had a little early morning walk around the pool deck,

 always good.  It was as usual peaceful and quiet.  I'm a morning 

person, but when I do the walk I get up at 5:30 in the morning.  

Lately it has not been so easy 😟to get out of bed.  Age😂?

Mornings make me happy.  It's just my time with my music 

and my thoughts.  Peaceful, before the "real" day begins.

I was wrong about the work coming to a halt.  Yesterday 

afternoon we saw workers again.  Arvid was so happy he took

 time off from whatever it is he does in his office and said, 

"I'm going to sit on the balcony and keep an eye on the guys"  

Yup, as if he were their supervisor.  He's happy as can be.

Everything is blooming and the colors as you step out just beautiful.

  I am really enjoying our time here even with this intense heat.

Taking pictures is savoring life 

intensely, every hundredth of a second...

  ~Nadiya~

Thursday April 18th~

At every phase in our life, we make memories that we

 cherish all our lives.  Some memories are realities, and are

 better than anything that can ever happen to one again...

 There is this thing about Facebook that once 

posted it always come up as a reminder the following 

year and years to come.  A friend of mine posted this 

years ago and the other day it popped up again. 

 NYC EMS, one of the best times in my life. 

 I loved every minute of that job.  What made it 

even better were my partners.  One being Tracy Allen 

 pictured above, and who died many years ago, and the

 other being Jennifer G pictured below.  To this day we 

laugh about all the crazy stuff we saw and we did.

Last night as we were watching TV, Sniff was 

sleeping between my legs and without thinking I said,

 "you did it Brutus, you did it."  I corrected myself real fast, but

 I just could not help the tears that followed.  In that moment 

I missed our Brutus so so much,  and how I love our Sniff.  

Our Sniff is one more day closer to being nine years old. 

 Yesterday evening our condo hosted what they 

called a swing fling.  It was music from the 60’s, 

70’s and 80’s by the pool.  Many were dancing to the 

tunes under a sunset sky.  The evening was beautiful.

 Arvid and I made an appearance for about an hour  

There was finger food which of course we 

didn’t try.  Arvid and I rarely eat anything that

 hundreds of people flock over. Also, we rarely

 do anything sponsored by the condo.  Not only

 here but in any of the ones we lived before. 

Whenever the condos we lived in before had a

 gathering, Arvid and I would take that as the perfect

 time for a mini getaway.  I guess you can say we are

 not very social when it comes to certain things.

There was a time I would have considered

 myself very social, but little by little being with

 someone who isn’t rubs off on you 🤨. No complaints,

 when I am alone I am social. When with Arvid I

 am reserved.  I have no problem with that. 

It's a beautiful day in our neighborhood.  We hear

 men at work.  Hopefully Legacy Marina which is right 

next to us will one day be developed again,  Hurricane Ian 

destroyed it in September of 2022.  Time for something new.

I cherish my entire life. I've been blessed 

with a life full of good memories.  Take care of all 

your memories. For you cannot relive them.

~Nadiya~

Friday March 29th~

Let the last sunset of the month paint 

your goals and dreams with hopeful hues...

March is soon coming to an end.  I can't believe how fast it

 "flew" by.  Arvid, Sniff and I have had a very good March

 so far.  It was a pretty busy month in so many good ways.

Yesterday we were tired.  Wednesday was a very long and

 in many ways stressful day, but the last part of it was relaxing 

and enjoyable.  Yesterday our condo building also turned 

off the water from 8am to 4pm.  A scheduled maintenance.  

We took off as usual and did some mall hopping.  Made us 

even more tired.  It was a beautiful day, but very windy.

Woke up to a cooler morning and a beautiful sunrise. Love it.

 The moon was still visible as you can see in the first picture.

Sometimes you lie in bed at night and you don't have a single 

thing to worry about. That always worries me...

~Nadiya~

Waiting, Not My Best Quality ~

Patience is not simply the ability to wait, 
 it's how we behave while we're waiting... 

Because we had to take back Almost Home within a short 

time of coming back to Branson; I never had time to even look 

into doctors, especially into an endocrinologist.  After weeks

 of trying to get hold of one, someone finally answered. 

 I finally managed to talk to a real person.  I do have an 

appointment.  earliest appointment available was October 12th.

  Much later than I wanted but what can i say, I guess I am thankful

 I have one.  As a friend of mine loves to say, "it is what it is."

Forget about seeing a dentist.  I have called so

 many their answer is more or less the same, "we are not

 seeing new patients for the rest of the year, but if you like 

you can schedule an appoint for early next year."

Well I'll be darned.  I told the girl at the endocrinologist's 

office that I could die before I make it to the appointment. 

 She was a little taken back for words, but finally said, 

"I'm sorry.  if someone cancels we will call you."

I did see a general doctor mid June concerning bites I was

 getting.  He recommended a tetanus shot which I got.  He 

also recommended a full lab work up.  With thyroids issues it's 

recommended you do labs every 3 months.  The last time I did lab

 word was October 2021 in Puerto Rico.  Soon to be 10 months.

So he wrote up the script for the blood work and said he 

would send it to the lab.  This was mid June.  So last week 

the doctor's office called and asked why I had not gone to the lab 

and had my blood work done.  I made an excuse, and said I will

 be going.  So the next day I went.  This was last Thursday.

I got to the lab all excited because it was not full. 

 I was seen right away.  The phlebotomist checked her 

computer to see what it is I needed done.  Well low and behold,

 there was nothing in their system for my lab work.  The

 doctor's office had completely  forgotten to send it in.  

Let's see how it goes this week.  So far I am not having

 a good impression of how the medical/dental system 

works here.  Last time we lived here it worked smoothly.  

Everyone now blames COVID. Who knows?

Our day is looking good.  The days are still hot, but

 the evenings and mornings are cooler.  Loving the cooler 

temperatures.  No longer a fan of the heat.  Neither of us.

Good morning everyone.  Soon it's the weekend.  Again 😂

Life consists not in holding good cards 

but in playing those you hold well....

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 19th ~

 The most wasted of all days is one without laughter...

Gerald, the Groundhog. He's fat and wobbles
 when he moves.  This is big Gerald.  Senior.

Baby Gerald.  Junior.  They are both afraid of any 

sounds coming from me, but also baby Gerald is afraid of big

 Gerald.  Baby Gerald is "ours" but now big Gerald shows

 up and eats all his carrots, apples and bananas. 

Our back yard is a wildlife haven.  I'm not crazy with all 

the wildlife there, but I do like our Gerald.  He usually just 

sits on the ledge of the concrete and suns.  I'm sure 

there are holes everywhere, and that's not good.  

Yesterday afternoon our Bluebird decided to get a suntan.

At first I thought she was dead, but as soon as I clicked 

the camera she flew away, but not before I got the picture.

Another  warm day in store here in Branson, Missouri.

You can't get much done in life if you only

 work on the days when you feel good...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 5th~

 When it's not always raining there'll be days like this.

 When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this. 

When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch. 

Well my mama told me there'll be days like this...

The Chicago we love

A very HOT week ahead, even hotter than I thought,

 but on the bright side there is no humidity so to speak of.  

At least not like in Florida nor Puerto Rico.  That being 

said, I wish we were back inn Puerto Rico.  I miss

 my sister, Kimsy and my PR kitties very much.

Last night as the fireworks went off, Sniff was being brave.

  Instead of running off and hiding he stayed close to his dada. 

 Tucked tightly between his body.  Home with Sniff and 

Arvid.  The best way to spend everyday/any day.  

Nirvana is having a good time in Miami with her son J.

Mom and dad are having also a good time in Texas at a family's 

wedding.  My dad's family is very kind, generous and caring. 

 All my sisters and our families were also invited to this wedding. 

 Unfortunately we could not go, but it's the thought that matters.  

Whenever my dad's family has a "function" all of us are always

 welcome, even if we don't know everyone involved 😂

Tuesday.  Already warm, but not the worse as yet.  

Happy because today we will be going to Almost Home. 

 I get to help miss Jennifer and to take care of Pookie. 

Whether it's the best of times or the worst 

of times, it's the only time we've got...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday May 31st ~

 Life is a Treasure Hunt and we all have the 

key to it. Unfortunately, many of us don't

unlock it, but take the key to our grave...

And just like that another month is just about done. 

 Arvid, Sniff and I have been in Branson for 6 months, and it's 

been 3 months since we had to take back Almost Home Lodge.  

What a journey it has been so far.  Even so, we manage to find

 time for ourselves.  It's the little things that keeps you going.

The weather is perfect right now.  Exactly the way we 
remembered it from being here in 2016-2018, makes for 

perfect Sunday outings at our most favorite place.  The Landings.

There was even live music, of course we had to sit and listen.

Busy day today at work.  I've been pulling weeds in 

my spare time, so it keeps me busy in between. The roses

 at Almost Home are still blooming.  All is good and

 every day is a new challenge.  To all a good day.

Don't just go where you want to go, but run,

 jump and dance as you are going. That's

 life. Enjoy every moment of your life...

~Nadiya~ 

Friday April 22nd ~

 It’s on. Time to make the magic happen.  After 

such a long week, Friday never felt so fine...

Last Friday I was in North Carolina, relaxing enjoying 
Indian food with my family at a favorite restaurant in 

town.  Seems so long ago.  The days just seem to 

fly by without pausing for anyone or anything.

It's been busy days since coming back from North Carolina.  

Already seems as if I need another getaway.  Unfortunately,

 a luxury neither Arvid nor I can take right now.  Staying 

busy at Almost Home is about all we can do right now.

The weekend is on us, and definitely will do our 

best to make time and have a relaxing one.  The only

 "problem" is that I do not know how to right now 😂

Sniff has already gotten a few birthday cards.
 He plans on taking it easy, just like he's know to do.  

Relaxing times are what he loves best; together

 with his dada and I.  Happy Friday everyone. 

Cats choose us.  We don't own them. Women and 

cats will do as they please, and men and dogs 

should relax and get used to the idea...

~Nadiya~ 

Vibes ~

 Sisters make the best friends in the world...

I had the best surprise on Monday.  Nina arrived
 in Puerto Rico to stay with me for the week.

With just a few days, we have to do a lot

 each day to make the most of her time here.

As she said, "before I go back home I may become an alcoholic".

Nina, Nirvan, Kimsy and I have some very
 busy days ahead of us.  Happy.  Happy

Side by side miles apart sisters will 

always be connected by the heart...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday February 23rd ~

 An open road is the most exciting part of any road trip...

In just a few days February will be over.  Two

 months into 2021 sure went by fast. February has been 

good to me.  Last week we got to see family.  It was

 such a good time.  Can't wait for the next time. 

This week we will also be seeing more of my family. 

 We see my parents in NC.  It's much easier for me 

than it is for Arvid to see family. Norway is far.

As usual my parents go all the way out when we visit.  

My mom is already asking what we would like to eat. 

 She always makes scalloped potatoes for Arvid.  He says

 she makes the best scalloped potatoes.  She really does.  

My mom is an excellent cook, and she loves to cook.

Nothing different with us.  Walks and time on the balcony. 

 Unfortunately, for some reason we do not spend as much time

 sitting out on the balcony here as we did in Puerto Rico,

 but when we do, there is never a lack of things to see. 

 People watching is always a favorite of ours.  

We have witnessed quite a few weddings yesterday. 

 On our walk yesterday we saw another couple tying the knot.

 Two men were very happy yesterday and as we passed them you

 could feel their good vibes.  Was very nice to see happiness.

Once again Sniff and I are awake too early, but Sniff

 being smarter than me😉 is already back to dreamland.  

I wish I could do the same. Not so easy anymore,

 good thing I love mornings and its quietness.

Good morning all.  May today be better than yesterday.

Take a deep breath, it's just a bad day, not a bad life...

~Nadiya~

Saturday January 16th ~

 Happiness is a hot drink on a cold day...

Temperatures have been on the cooler side since 

we got back to Fort Lauderdale.  Of course I am loving it. 

 Arvid is another story.  Says he loves the constant

 warmth we had in Puerto Rico.  Life happens.

Arvid's biggest dilemma this morning is whether he should 

make us hot chocolate today or tomorrow.  After checking on 

the weather channel (me), he decided tomorrow morning

 will be colder.  Hence, hot chocolate will be tomorrow.

These two love their sleep.  I have already done my morning

 walk, came back home and they were still in bed.  Life is good

 and we are living it to the fullest, COVID or no COVID.

Good morning everyone.  Hope your day is also a good one.

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

~Nadiya~