Thursday March 26th~

The simplest pleasures are

 sometimes the most extraordinary...

 I enjoy seeing Arvid having such a good time 

with his brother. He waited a long time for this.

 They are both enjoying each others company. 

They are actually getting to spend more time now

 than when we go to Norway. Strange, but true.

 Our days begin with Vidar coming over to us.

  The two of them enjoying some time on the balcony, 

and then we set out to do some "exploring."  It is so

 hot that my suggestion is let's get the walking in early, 

and in the evenings we can do the downtown scene.

Yesterday we went to Fort Myers Beach. I love

 going to the beach. We got there before the sun 

really sweltered.  We showed Vidar around many of

 our favorite spots.  Margaritaville was picked. 

The pool was full and everyone was

 having a great spring break. 

The first three people I met were loving the

 heat.  Me not so much.  They were from Maine,

 Iowa and Wisconsin. They said they have 

had enough cold. I can only imagine.

Arvid and Vidar enjoyed time together, but it was

 almost impossible to get pictures of them. Neither 

of the two want their picture taken, but I managed

 to get them to look at the camera for a change. 

 Most of the pictures I have is of their  backs. 

We ended up going to Lani Kai for lunch.

 I always have a great meal because I have 

the snow crabs. Arvid and his brother 

enjoyed the baby back ribs. 

Afterwards we walked around some more. 

We took Vidar to Matanzas (On The Bay) and 

just like Arvid, he loved it there  who knows

 we may have to go back one more time before 

Vidar leaves.  There are so many places we

 want to take him.  Time is not enough

We drove him around a bit showing him 

what Hurricane Ian did and how the beach and 

surrounding areas is coming back to life.

We then went back home and the plan was to 

meet later in the evening and go bar hopping

 downtown.  My knee was already hurting so 

I decided I was not going to with them. 

Plus I  usually can’t drink much.

I did go to feed Legacy.  She was not there 

neither was Newbie. I cleaned up her area and 

left her her foodies.  I’m sure she would eat it,

  and maybe Newbie as well.  They always do.

Arvid and his brother enjoyed an evening

 downtown.  Sniff and I enjoyed an evening

 at home.  Everyone happy. The brothers

 are definitely having a very good time.

To all a very good day. Another 

busy day here. Looking forward to it. 

Learn to take breaks from everything

 and chill once in a while.  Take

 a deep breath and enjoy life...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday March 24th

Once a brother, always a brother, 

no matter the distance, no matter the

 difference and no matter the issue...

 Arvid’s brother made it to Fort Myers after being 

on the go for 26 hours. Saying that he was exhausted

 when we picked him up is an understatement.  We

 learnt that he did not make his connection to Toronto, 

Canada due to a mistake made by the Norwegian 

agent who checked him in in Oslo, Norway.

He then had to scramble to find another flight

 to get to Fort Myers.  He was detoured to Newark,

 New Jersey, and that’s where the “fun” began. 

 Traveling has become a nightmare. At least 

I think so. I really dread it these days.

But as the new day began, all was good

 and we breathed a sigh of relief that Arvid’s 

brother Vidar is actually here in Fort Myers.

Yesterday morning Arvid met Vidar early

 at the hotel.  Together they walked over to

 us, from there on it was relaxed time.

Sniff knows something is going on so he stayed

 under my clothes in the closet most of the morning. 

 It’s was a beautiful day.  A bit too hot for me, but 

definitely not cold. A good change for someone

 coming from the Norwegian cold weather.

As I did a few chores on my own 😊 Arvid 

and Vidar spent some time at home just chatting.

  Afterwards they went downtown to walk around a

 bit then I was supposed to meet them at a given time 

so that the three of us would have lunch together.

I thought it over and called Arvid and told 

him that I was not going to meet them for lunch.  

I thought it would be very okay for them to have 

this day alone together, just bonding.  I don't mind

 spending time, and doing lunch by myself.  It was

 very relaxing and best of all I did not cook.  Arvid 

and his brother enjoyed their meal at Ford's Garage.

As usual I went to check on Legacy. Never 

forgotten as long as I’m at home.  Did some cleaning 

and gave her fresh water as always.  She was not 

there so I waited a bit, then I saw her and Newbie.

  So happy.  Of course they had extra foodies.

Another busy but fun filled day awaits us.  It is

 another sweltering hot day, and we have a lot

 of exploring to do.  To all a very good day.

Life's pleasures are often found in simple,

 everyday moments rather than grand achievements...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday March 24th~

The longer you have to wait for something the 

more you appreciate it when it finally comes...

 All the waiting is finally over. Arvid’s brother is

 here and we could not be any happier. Arvid is 

over the moon.  He has talked non-stop about how

 good it will be for his brother to visit. I am happy

 they will get to spend time together on their own.

  Yes, we have planned a few things to do😍

Arvid and I spent most of yesterday cleaning.  

We did an even deeper clean because Arvid's 

brother is allergic to cats.  As you all know, 

Sniff rules our home.  Just had to make sure 

we dusted the place a little more than usual.

Arvid's brothers journey from Norway to Fort 

Myers was not an easy one.  From start to end the

rip took more than 24 hours.  Delays included.  Arvid's

 brother started in Oslo to Frankfurt, from there

 he travelled to Ontario, Canada and from there 

finally to Fort Myers.  A very long day.

I took a break from cleaning and went to

 feed Legacy.  Today she was there.  Yesterday 

I went a bit late and she was not there.

For the next few days we have a full schedule.  I'm happy.  

Family: A little bit of crazy, a little

 bit of loud, and a whole lot of love...

~Nadiya~

Monday March 23rd~

Start your week with high energy and

 purpose,  focusing on new opportunities, 

growth, and a positive mindset... 

  The other day we got a flyer in the mail stating

 we won $2500 from a car dealership.  Right away Arvid 

pulled out his magnifying lens to properly read it.  He read 

what we won, but not the fine print. They get you there.

Before I knew what was going on, Arvid took off

 faster than lightning to the dealership.  In less than an

 hour he was back saying it was a scam.  I looked at him 

and said, "I thought by now you would know better."

If all goes according to plans we have a PACKED

 week ahead of us. Both Arvid and I are looking

 forward to it and very excited to see how it goes.

Yesterday we had our usual Sunday outing.  We went 

to one of our favorite spots, and one of my favorite 

restaurants.  We always have the exact same thing. 

 I go for the whole red snapper fish and Arvid has

 the steak.  Maybe it's more my favorite than his.

Having company is always a great incentive to 

really clean.  More cleaning today.  The place

 will smell fresh and will have to be spotless.

May the new week bring us all closer to our goals.

May your week be filled with good

 thoughts, kind people, and happy moments...

~Nadiya~

Sunday March 22nd~

Every moment with you has been a 

treasure. You've brought joy into our lives

from the moment we first held you...

Today the one that made us grandparents 

turns 13.  Aleah, the first of three girls. She stole 

our hearts the minute we saw her. I keep saying 

where has the  time gone by; and why so fast. 

 Today she's a beautiful young teenager now.

The first time we saw Aleah was December of 2013. 

 She came to Florida with her mom, Michelle and 

Michelle's mom, Elisabeth.  It was a beautiful time. 

 For that short time we got to spend all our time 

with this little one.  She even met our Brutus. 

When we were downtown the other day it was 

packed.  One table was occupied by a couple, but

 it had 2 available seats. We asked to share and of

 course I started up a conversation with them.  

The couple was from Canada and have been

 snowbirds in Fort Myers for over 16 years.  They

 said they had checked out out parts of Florida, but

 Ft. Myers was the one they always came back to.

.

When they left another couple asked to share 

the 2 open seats.  I chatted and found out they 

were from upper Michigan.  The wife specified the 

upper part.  Also snowbirds from October to May. 

Downtown, always something for everyone

 Then they left I saw a couple standing and asked

 if they wanted to share the table.  Found out they were 

from Ohio and also live in Fort Myers from October to

May.Was a very interesting evening.  By the time we 

left another couple was already waiting for the seats.

We did make it to Fort Lauderdale, I was happy 

because I got to go to the Swap Shop and get some 

of my tropical fruit.  I do find them here in Ft Myers, 

but not so much the coconut already prepared.

Wishing everyone a very good Sunday. Today

 we have a lot of cleaning to do, but for good reason. 

 All is good with us. Sniff decided he did not want 

to eat this morning.  Sure knows how to stress me 

out, but it's Sniff 💜and he's my happy place.

A very happy birthday to our granddaughter Aleah who

 turns 13 years today, also to Max our nephew whose birthday

 is tomorrow.  Max is on the way to change the world 💜

Happiness is not a goal...it's a 

by-product of a life well-lived...

~Nadiya~

Saturday March 21st~

The difference between men and

 boys is the price of their toys...

 There is always something that 

catches our attention.  This time it was 

a car parked on someone's property.

Arvid and I have seen it a few times, but never

 stopped.  It was too much to resist so he decided it 

was about time to check it out. He's a car aficionado,

 but at the same time now a bit more cautious and

 not so keen on just buying everything he sees. 

Yesterday was Music Walk.  Being true to ourselves, 

we took our usual Friday trip downtown. As always at

 this time of the year everything is packed.  It's good to see 

businesses flourishing and people having a good time.

 Once again we begin our day on the road again.  

Not looking forward to the trip today as much as I was 

on Wednesday.  It's been a long week and I am tired.

All is good at home.  Sniff is not eating his soft

 foodies, but at least yesterday he did not puke. While

 downtown this kid had a bald python as a pet.  Everyone 

was horrified yet fascinated at the same time.  Me included

 of course. Legacy was there waiting for foodies.

To all a good day.  Hope your first spring day

 was a good one, and the sun warmed you up.

Every Saturday should come with 

a pause button.  Enjoy your weekend...

~Nadiya~

Friday March 20th~

Unexpected, moments are an inevitable part 

of life, often forcing growth and requiring us to

 adapt when plans fail and things go wrong...

 On Wednesday we never made it to Fort Lauderdale. 

 There was a crash with fatalities involving three vehicles. 

 We take I-75 and this was closed for about eight hours.  Exactly 

our route.  We had to turn around and head back home.

  As I said in my post yesterday, Sniff was happy.

So Arvid was looking at concert tickets a few months 

ago, but not sure we would go.  I said to him, "why don't 

you get the tickets.  If your brother comes the two of 

you can go alone.  If he doesn't, we can go together." 

 Fingers crossed his brother comes to visit us🙏

Today is the first day of spring, and our sunset

 here in the Gulf Coast sure did not disappoint.  What

 a great way to say goodbye to winter.  I know there is

 technically no winter in Florida, but this year has been 

way too cold for comfort.  So yeah we did have winter.

Yesterday after finishing doing what we had 

to do at mom and dad’s, the four of us went 

out to lunch at he “famous” Rum Bucket. 

Mom and Arvid had baby back ribs, dad

 always has a grouper sandwich.  I had the Cesar

 salad.  Food wa good as was the company.

Afterwards Arvid and I went back home,

 fed Sniff who decided to puke again.  I also went 

to feed Legacy. Early because we had to go to a 

meeting afterwards. Thankfully Legacy

 was there.  Waiting for her foodies.

Afterwards Arvid and I went again to Port 

Charlotte for the real estate trade meeting. First

 time going to this one. Sure it won’t be the last.

 At the venue we had something to drink and I 

had some nachos.  It seems like you have to eat 

something. Makes me like this place already.

To all a very good day.  Enjoy the first day of Spring. 

 Hopefully it is already warming up for everyone.

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first 

spring day is another. The difference between

 them is sometimes as great as a month...

~Nadiya~