Saturday April 4th~

Ready to make memories with the new beast...

Yesterday we spent most of the day at a car dealership.
 Mom and dad bought a new car after 22 years. It was 

not easy to let go of their faithful Toyota 4Runner.

 My dad and mom loved this car. To the end, it still 

was running smoothly and looked almost new. They 

always treated this and all of their cars very well.  It was

 sad for them, but also a happy day. They came to buy a

 black car, but mom saw the blue one and that was

 it for her.  She loved it and that’s what they got. 

They were asked if they would like to test drive

 the car. My dad said sure and then said to Arvid, “you

 test drive it for us.”  He did and they all were happy.

The purchase took hours.  Afterwards mom and

 dad took us out to dinner.  Dad asked Arvid to drive 

the car to the restaurant. They were passengers.  I 

followed behind in our car.  Worked for all of us.

We had a very good meal.  Everyone was 

happy and smiling.  A new toy to play with now.

 Definitely a very good day.  If you know my dad, 

you also know he got the top of the line 🚙

It's a beautiful day here. Having lunch 

at home seems like a special treat now. 

 Good day to all and a Happy Easter.

The very first Easter taught us this: that

 life never ends and love never dies...

~Nadiya~

Friday April 2nd~

The best times are found in shared 

experiences and cherished memories...

 When we were at Matanzas the other day, as we 

were relaxing after a good meal we saw a boter having 

troubles getting his boat out.  The wind was strong 

and his helper was "useless" as both Arvid and his 

brother said.  The brothers thought it would be a good

 thing to help out.  They did.  The boat got back 

on track and everyone was happy once  again.

After doing a good deed it was time to have another toast. 

 They were already celebrating prior to this, but this was

 definitely a good reason for them to have another drink. 

 Being the designated driver I was happy with my coffee.

Spending time together creates cherished 

memories, strengthens bonds, and provides necessary 

emotional support.  Arvid and his brother definitely

 have strengthened their bond and relationship 

with each other.  It has been a very good time.

Yesterday I went to feed Legacy a bit earlier than 

5pm because it looked like the rain was going to come 

down hard and heavy.  I got there she was not there I called

 out for her and before you knew it she was there.  I was so

 happy.  Even though the rain came down she came and ate 

her foodies.  I have not seen her in the last 3 days.

To all a very good day.  Today we 

also have a busy but fun day with mom

 and dad.  We both look forward to it.  

It's the little things in life that matter most,

 and the memories they create are the best part...

~Nadiya~

Brothers Spending Time ~

Life's value is found in shared 
moments, not material things...

We took Vidar to one of the many rooftop bars 

here in Fort Myers.  My favorite is Luminary.

We were fortunate that the skies were clear and 

the sunset was as always amazing.  At sunset hour the

 rooftop is packed.  Everyone, except Arvid of course,

 wants to be there and get a selfie, me no exception.

We enjoyed the view, the sunset and each others company.

The brothers are spending a lot of time together.  

They look so happy in each others company.  It's really 

good to see.  I am sure they are both a bit tired, but the time 

they have spent together so far will forever be special.

I have enjoyed seeing Arvid and Vidar together.

We are enjoying our time with Vidar.  Yesterday 

we even saw a bit of the Artemis II, mainly the 

flash, blast off to the moon from the restaurant

 in Fort Myers Beach yesterday.  Pretty cool.

Wishing everyone a happy day. Your brother is always 

the first male friend you will have in your life.

Once a brother, always a brother, 

no matter the distance, no matter the

 difference, and no matter the issue...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday April 1st~

All women are created equal, 

but only the best are born in April...

 April-born women are often described as fierce, 

confident, and natural leaders, characterized as

 "storms" rather than those who simply withstand 

them.  I will not contradict this because I am an 

April woman and this holds true.  "April girl, they 

whispered , 'You cannot withstand the storm.'

 She whispered back, 'I am the damm storm."

A new month begins. Definitely one of my favorites.  

I you see was born in April.  Nobody is perfect, but if 

you were born in April, you're pretty damn close.

Arvid continues doing the tour guide thing.  He's 

very good and patient at it.  With everyone.  More so 

than I am.  I see him with my parents and I smile.  He's

 so patient.  So kind.  I sure got lucky with him. 

Yesterday we took Vidar to mom and dad's.

  Of course they wanted to cook and have us over 

for dinner, but we said not this time.  They just got 

back from their cruise and I know they are tired, but 

I also know they would have gladly done it.

Yesterday we also had lunch at home.  Vidar

 and I were the cooks.  Arvid a not so interested 

observer.  Vidar made the salmon with a very 

delicious sauce.  I made the shrimp scampi, and

 the accompaniments.  Everything was good.  

Best was the time spent together.  Relaxed. 

Yesterday was a very good day.  Vidar and my

 parents got along very well. They asked him how he

 liked Branson and his response was, "it was fantastic." 

 He told them he would like to go back there another time

 and maybe spend two weeks.  He said there was so much 

to do in Branson.  To that there was another toast/ skål.

 To all a very good day and may April be

 good to all of us.  Many say April is a promise

 of what's to come. Happy New Month.

In family relationships love is really 

spelled t-i-m-e. Gratitude turns what we have into 

enough, transforming ordinary days into blessings

 and unlocking the fullness of life....

~Nadiya~

Tuesday March 31st~

I'm not trying to be everyone's cup 

of tea. I'm my own double-shot espresso...

 Yesterday I woke up early. Could not 

sleep and Arvid wanted me to give him

 a wake up call in Branson as well.  

 In the morning I did a lot of cleaning up

 and some grocery shopping. Everything has 

to be fresh.  Today we're having lunch at 

home.  They are very tired of eating out.

Sniff had his TV hour and at some point

 he was in fluu attack mode. He jumped down from

 his bed. Ran up to the TV and tried to slaughter the 

birdies.  Good thing they were on TV, otherwise 

who knows, could have been really messy.

Arvid and his brother arrived on time. Of course

 I was there earlier than necessary, but better early 

than late. The both looked happy and relaxed,

 even though they had busy days in Branson.  

I was definitely not surprised when Vidar said

 he really liked Branson.  He said there is more to

 do there than here in Florida.  He's probably right, 

it just really depends on what you like to do.

 

We went downtown for lunch.  We wanted to 

take him to one of our favorite spots, but didn't 

realize that they are closed on Mondays. 

  Vidar chose Ford's Garage again.  He found

 something on the menu the first time they went and

 loved it.  Yesterday both he and Arvid had the same. 

 I imagine we will  be going there more often now.

Yesterday as  I was on my way out to feed Legacy 

and hopefully Newbie it started to rain.  I waited

 for a while, but it did not stop.  I did not go, I 

know also that she would not be there waiting

 in the rain.  Hopefully today I see her/them.

Didn't wake up too early today. Sniff and I

 are happy Arvid is home.  Arvid even more.

To all a very good day.  Pretty soon we 

will be on the go again.  Like it.

Start your day with purpose and positivity by 

choosing to see each morning as a fresh beginning...

~Nadiya~

Monday March 30th~

From the moment you were born, 

you were loved that has not changed... 

 The new week begins with another birthday.

 Today our second granddaughter, Vanessa turns 11. 

 Vanessa has a special bond with Arvid and he with her. 

 She is funny, super smart and still a little girl always 

willing to talk to us and to make us laugh.  Another 

special granddaughter.  How did we get so lucky?

Vanessa is a joker.  She is always smiling. 

 Always happy and she finds ways to make everyone 

around her laugh.  To know her is to love her. 

 She always has a trick or two up her sleeve.

Eleven looks perfect on you, keep shining and

 dreaming.  You are loved more than words can say. 

I had a very good day yesterday.  Just took it 

easy and did a few things I enjoyed.  Ate food 

I enjoyed and just relaxed afterwards with Sniff.

I was listening to my music station on TV and suddenly 

Sniff came running from the bedroom.  He stood in front

 of the TV and just kept looking at me, as if asking why is 

it we are not watching the birds.  I switched the channel

 to YouTube right away and he plopped onto his bed. 

 Every so often he got tired and would doze off a bit.

Yesterday I went to feed Legacy a little earlier than 

5pm because it was raining and I just wanted to make sure 

she had her foodies.  She was not there, but Newbie was 

on the other side of the fence.  He saw me.  I called 

for him and he took off like a bat outta hell. 

 He would have come back for foodies.  I hung 

around a bit longer hoping to see Legacy.  Had not

 seen her in the last 2 days.  My patience paid off. 

 She was strolling along on the other side without

 a care in the world.  I know they are not going 

hungry because someone feeds her/them earlier

 in the day.  I usually clean up and leave them

 fresh foodies and water in the afternoons.

Wishing everyone a happy and productive week ahead. 

 Arvid and his brother return home to Florida today.

  They have had a very good time so far in Branson.  We 

still have Vidar for a few days, so we will be a bit busy 

taking him to places.  I like it and look forward to it.

The key is not to prioritize what’s on your

 schedule, but to schedule your priorities...

~Nadiya~

Sunday March 29th ~

Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to 

which you can retreat at any time and be yourself...

 I woke up late again, well later than my usual 

time. It feels so good.  I feel rested.  Another day to 

enjoy some alone time.  Really loving it.  I have no 

schedule.  Feels so good.  I still get everything done, 

but at my own pace.  Below, is the view I wake up 

to and the view I see before going to sleep.

In the meantime Arvid and Vidar are having 

a good time in Branson. Arvid is taking him around, 

 They have been to a few of our favorite spots already. 

 Visited Almost Home and The View.  I’m sure after 

this trip, Vidar will have a better understanding of why

 we enjoy Branson so much. Yesterday I did a few 

things I enjoyed and did not have to rush to get back 

home and make lunch.  I had leisure, relaxed time.

My nephew Sachin sent me a picture of the two

 of us.  Yes a long time ago.  Taken in Weston, 

Florida when mom and dad first lived here.

Sniff watched a bird movie for at least an hour

 before falling asleep. He keeps sitting on Arvid’s spot a lot.  

He misses him, and keeps looking for him everywhere.

Yesterday as usual I went to feed Legacy.  Again she

 was not there.  I left her clean water and foodies, and

 I cleaned up the "dirty dishes" from the morning. 

 Yes, someone also feeds her in the mornings.

A good day to all.  May it be relaxing and stress free.

Life is all about balance.  You don't always

 need to be getting stuff done.  Sometimes it's 

perfectly okay, and absolutely necessary, to 

shut down, kick back, and do nothing...

~Nadiya~

Saturday March 28th~

Stepping into the weekend 

like it's the red carpet of life..

What an early start we had yesterday morning. 

Though I did not go with Arvid and his brother I 

had to take them to the airport. I was so exhausted 

from not having slept much for the last two nights, 

but Arvid already called me a few times and 

said they were having a very good time.  

If you know Arvid he will try to show Vidar

 as much as possible.  Also planned for last night

 was to meet a couple of friends.  Arvid likes to surprise 

people so I don't know how successful it will be to get 

hold of everyone, but they will still have a great time.

After dropping them off at the airport I went

 to mom and dad's.  They are still on the cruise

 so I went to water her pepper trees. It was still 

pitch dark.  I got there a little after 5am.  It was 

eerily quiet at that hour, not a soul in sight.

 I also made some food and left it in her fridge

 so that when they come home, she does not have to 

cook that same day.  She always gives me food 😍

Once I got home I did some cleaning up.  Took 

care of Sniff again and took off to the outlets.  I was

 exhausted, but still unable to relax and take a nap.

I checked out the stores, Ford's Garage but 

what caught my attention was the baby turtles and 

the fish in one of the ponds. All the little kids 

were enjoying them as well.  So many turtles.

Today I slept in.  Felt good and I still had my 

alone time in the morning since Arvid is not home.  

Sniff checked out an Amazon box, and then we both

 just took it easy for a while. There is no rushing to

 eat breakfast nor to get a million things done at 

once.  I think I will just take the morning "off"

What a lovely surprise to discover

 how un-lonely being alone can be...

~Nadiya~