Friday July 10th~

I believe that it is a mandatory Law

 of the Universe that on Fridays, you 

have to do something a little fun...

 It was another extremely hot day yesterday. 

 Going out it not that fun anymore, just being in the

 heat for a few minutes leaves you tired, exhausted

 and dehydrated.  Life does not always allow us

 to do it our way, so out I went, into the heat.

Early in the morning I had a few chores to take care of. 

 Those took me not far from Whole Foods Market, so you know

 I had to go there.  Got a few things for me and some for my

 mom.  I really enjoy shopping at Whole Foods Market

Being Thursday, I did not cook yesterday.  Instead 

I invited Max and Kelsey out to lunch.  Unfortunately Kelsey 

had to work.  Max and I enjoyed a very good time.  It will be 

the last time for a long time before I see Max again.  He is on

 his way to Brown University Medical School. Yes, Brown 

University is an official member of the Ivy League.

 

Founded in 1764, the private research university

 located in Providence, Rhode Island.  Home of 

my first husband Paul Riley.  Yes, I have a very

special "love/connection" to Rhode Island.

We ate, we chatted for a long time.  Just when

it looked like the restaurant was slowing down

 we realized we needed dessert.  We each had the

 molten lava chocolate cake.  I know just the name 

makes you want it.  It was absolutely delicious!

Because of the heat I went an hour later to feed 

Legacy.  She does not come out when too hot.  It was 

still HOT, but she was there just waiting and chilling.  

Sniff is living his best life.  JUst like he should

 and I an happy when he is happy.  To all a very

 good day.  Another busy morning is here.

Every Friday, I like to high five myself for

 getting through another week on little more than 

caffeine, will power, and inappropriate humor...

~Nadiya~

Thursday July 9th~

It is in his pleasures that a man 

really lives, it is from his leisure that he 

constructs the true fabric of self...

 It's Thursday one of my favorite days because 

today I don't cook.  I didn't cook yesterday either

I have been taking it too easy.  I might be liking 

this "new" routine a little too much. Can't get 

used to it, but can enjoy it while it lasts.

 Yesterday when Arvid called me he sounded

 a bit down.  He said several times how much 

he misses me and wishes I was there.  Said he

 was lonely.  I made me sad to hear him.

I know he will get over it fast, I also

 know that the evenings get lonely when you're

 used to being two.  He claims I talk too much, 

yet now he misses my chatter. Go figure.

 I am also very surprised that he keeps

 asking about Sniff.  Not that it is usual, but

 usually he does not ask this much about Sniff.  

Makes me happy that finally he can probably

 see that like Brutus, Sniff is also full of love.

I am still trying to rest my knee as much as I 

can, but no matter what I can't seem to not be in

 pain.  I think the pain is worse when I am in bed

 or when sitting.  Somehow when I am moving, it

 is less.  Just shows I have to be on the move all 

the time, all day long to not hurt.  I'll be darned.

Sniff and I relaxed and watched some TV 

before going to bed. Sniff loves his routines and 

watching TV before bedtime is one of them.  

I did go to feed Legacy but she was not

 there. Don’t blame her. It is so hot!  Left 

her dry food and of course clean water.  No 

thunderstorms for a change yesterday. 

 It’s Thursday and I have to think what I 

would like to do.  For now, I am enjoying the 

morning and the peacefulness of it all.  To all

 a good day. The days are going by too fast. 

Another beautiful sunset to end the day.

Hit the reset button. Whatever happened yesterday, 

forget about it. Get a new perspective. Today

 is a new day. Fresh start, begins now...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday July 8th~

It's just a bad day, not a bad life...

 Yesterday was one of those days that I just 

had to stay put at home. Not an easy task for me.

 I had a steroid injection in my knee and I was told

 to not do anything that would hurt the knee.  Pretty

 ambiguous that statement if you ask me.

It was a quiet day at home with Sniff. It was 

good because I did not have to make lunch at any 

specific time. In fact I ate much later than our usual

 time, and I only had to make one meal, not too differen

t ones. I choose fish and steak. A little surf and turf with

vegetables in the air fryer.  Fast simple. Delicious.

In the afternoon and against my better

 judgement, I went to feed Legacy.  I just can’t

 bear the thought that she is there waiting 

and waiting. While I can she gets fed.

Sniff and I watched TV together. We watched

 some of soccer match between Argentina and Egypt.  

Intense. We really thought this was it for Argentina, but 

then Messi did his thing and that was that. My attention 

span is usually very short.  I may need to be tested

 for something. What I don’t know as yet, but 

Arvid sure has strong opinions on this 😂

To all a very good day.  Hopefully today I will be more 

mobile.  I need to do a few things and to get out a little. 

 Beautiful days are here so have to make the most of it. 

To all a very good day.  The FIFA World Cup is 

heating up. I never thought the USA would win, but

 I was still sad to see them go.  Congrats team USA

 on getting so far.  Who will be the GOAT?

 Diego Maradona: "I have seen the player 

who will inherit my place in Argentine football 

and his name is Messi. Messi is a genius."

Pep Guardiola:  Don't write about him,

 don't try to describe him. Just watch him...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 7th~

Remember that life's most valuable

 antiques are dear old friends...

 Yesterday I visited a friend who like myself once

 called Puerto Rico home.  I met her after Paul, my first

 husband died.  I took some of his ashes to be sprinkled

 in the Caribbean Sea as he had requested.  At the

 time, Jamie was already a part of our family.

Today she is a widow, and has been living in 

Florida for way longer than I can also remember.  

She visited my parents here in Fort Myers not so 

long ago, but I was not here.  We had a very nice 

visit.  I made her laugh a lot and for that I am 

happy, even if it was only for a few hours. 

 Jamie is a decorated US Army veteran.

Just a day trip so Sniff was home alone.  Lots 

of food and clean water to keep him happy, and

 yes all his bed linens have been changed.

Another beautiful sunset to end the day 

and sunrise to begin the day.  Always grateful

 for the life. family and friends I have.

Good friends are hard to find and 

impossible to forget. Having them always

 by our side is all we can ask for...

~Nadiya~

Monday July 6th~

Let this be your reminder that today

 is a perfect time to refocus, leave past 

worries behind, and tackle your week 

with renewed energy and purpose... 

 A new week begins and it sure is looking good 

for me.  I look forward to doing a few things I like 

and enjoy.  I also look forward to relaxing at home 

with Sniff and resting my knee for whatever 

adventures the month may hold for me.  

Arvid may not be home, but I still enjoyed 

my outing.  I have wanted to try this Spanish 

restaurant since they opened up was not that long

 ago.  ever Today I  finally did.  It did not disappoint.  

Everything was excellent from the minute I walked

 in the door until I left.  Definitely going back.

Yesterday I went to a pub to watch the match

 between Norway and Brazil.  I told Arvid before he

 left for Norway, that Brazil did not stand a chance.  I 

was right. Norway is making soccer history right now. 

I met some nice people.  Made a new friend and had

 more drinks than I should.  I'll call it a good time.

Wishing everyone a happy Monday and a 

great week ahead.  Let's not forget that, even in 

the chaos of everyday life, moments of gratitude

 reminds us to hold on to the good things.  

Kickstart your week with a 

mindset that sets you up for success...

Nadiya~

Sunday July 5th~

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It

 turns what we have into enough, and more...

 Yesterday could not have been any better, even if I

 had planned it.  My day began with an early trip to my

 favorite Cuban bakery for coffee and a few goodies 

for mom and dad. I invited them over for dinner.

On my way back home I stopped by Legacy, and

 she was there.  On my way downtown later that 

evening she was also there.  Yesterday I saw her 

twice and yes, she had foodies twice.  She also 

had a good July 4th.  I was so happy for that.

I went downtown with the the thought of just 

getting some ice-cream, but on my way back I 

could not resist a little pit stop at Ford's Garage.  

Best spot to just watch people do their thing.

The highlight of the day were the amazing

 display of fireworks.  Best part is that Sniff and 

I watched them from the comfort of our own

 bedroom.  It was a spectacular show.

My Iphone did not do justice to what was really

 going on, but I still managed to get some great pictures

 and a ton of videos. 250 years only comes once 😂

Here downtown Fort Myers the celebration 

featured a drone finale to celebrate America's 250th 

birthday. It went on and on.  My phone sure was 

HOT!  Sniff stayed by my side the entire time.

I was captivated by the firework show.  Usually

 I am not that interested, but last night was different.  

It was just  a spectacular display of pure beauty.

To all a very good day. I am lucky to be an 

American and to live in this beautiful country. 

 Something I never take for granted 💖🤍💙

The view from our bedroom.  Best spot.

Strive to find things to be thankful for, 

and just look for the good in who you are...

~Nadiya~

Saturday July 4th~

America was built on courage, 

imagination, and determination.  Dreams 

are the foundation of America...

 It was on July 4th, 1776 that the 13 colonies 

ratified the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed 

themselves free of British rule, meaning that  as of now

 the United States of America is 250 years old.  To all, 

a Happy July 4th.  Freedom lies in being bold.

Yesterday I had a very busy day.  Did a lot of 

cleaning, grocery shopping and a few things I needed 

to do for myself.  A few fun things, but by 5 o'clock

 I was exhausted.  Of course I went to feed Legacy. 

 Fortunately the thunderstorms came a bit earlier 

in the day so it did not affect my time with her.

Sniff spent quite a lot of time under the bed.  There

 was thunder and lightning most of the day.  Not so

much rain, which we need, but which also affects

 so many things that one has to do.  Conundrum.

Today is a busy day, but busy fun.  Having mom and 

dad over for lunch.  Maybe afterwards I will take a walk

 downtown and have me an adult drink.  That's the plan.

  To all a very good day and a happy and safe July 4th. 

Here's to the land of diverse cultures and traditions.

Wishing everyone a Happy July 4th.  Morning 

comes whether you set the alarm or not.

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we

 please, but as the opportunity to do what is right...

~Nadiya~

Friday July 3rd~

Only the pursuit of happiness 

is guaranteed. The rest is up to you...

 I woke up to a peaceful and quiet morning with

 Sniff, and it will be this way for the rest of the day.  

So happy. Today I take it easy and do whatever pleases 

me.  For me this is the perfect day.  Arvid is soon in

 Norway, and he is also going to have a great time. On 

the way way to the airport we saw close to ten  deers. 

 I have never seen any in Florida since living here some 

30 years now; have seen them online, but not with my

 own eyes.  We were both so excited to see them. 

After dropping Arvid off I stopped by 

downtown for a little.  Had a slice of pizza 

and then came home. Stopped by Legacy 

and also fed here. She was there yesterday.

I look forward so much to see what the

 month holds.  I want to do so many things, but

 only time will tell if I will be able to do so. 

If you want to live a happy life

 tie it to a goal, not people or things...

~Nadiya~

Thursday July 2nd~

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom...

 I have been looking forward to this day for a long 

time, and I know so has Arvid. We are all happy.  We

 each get to do somethings we enjoy.  Always grateful.

July will be my month to reflect and to

 do a few things I enjoy.  Same for Arvid.  We will

 both have some alone time.  I really enjoy that.

Last night we watched the USA beat Bosnia

 and Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup games.  

One step closer.  It was intense.  I always refuse 

to get caught up with anything on TV, but boy

 I could not stay away.  USA is my team. What 

a goal USA THE GOAL Malik Tillman

Arvid, Sniff and I enjoying the game last night 

with a beautiful sunset in the background.

Discovering who you are today is the 

first step to being who you will be tomorrow...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday July 1st~

Let last month's hardships 

drive this month's successes...

 July is upon us and we sure look forward to it.

 Both Arvid and I have reasons to be happy.  

Yesterday was another soccer filled game. Norway

 annihilated their completion. Little by little game by

 game Norway is getting closer to the top spot.  When the

 USA is not in the picture I cheer for Norway. After

 all, Arvid is from Norway.  My team is USA.

Yesterday I went to see my orthopedic surgeon. 

 The girl that checked me in and took my vitals is 

Norwegian.  She said most of her family emigrated from

 Norway to Minnesota. My physician assistant was from 

the Czech Republic but she told me that she and her 

boyfriend have been to Norway. She loves it. She also 

said she loved the food 😱 I said I thought it was 

bland, but she said they had their own private 

chef and he made excellent food. 

My knee is not doing good. It feels as if

 everyday it is getting worse. I do not walk

 much nor do much to aggravate it.

Yesterday as usual we had heavy rain, thunderstorms 

and lightning in the afternoon. I did go to feed Legacy 

but it was still thundering.  I waited for her, in the rain

 for a while. Thank goodness it was just a light rain at

 that time.  She did not show up, but I left her food.

  I washed all her bowls and cleaned up her area.

 After the storms came a beautiful sunset.

Sniff's blood work came back. All is good with my 

Sniff. I am so happy. He’s my baby and I love him more

 than words  can express. July is going to be a great 

month and I am super excited and happy for that! 

Wishing everyone a great day and a happy 

new month.  July please be good to us all. Looking 

forward to a very relaxing and stress free month.

Of all the judgments we pass in

 life, none is more important than the

 judgment we pass on ourselves...

~Nadiya~