Feb 15, 2025

Remembering Life in Eleuthera~ February 15th~

We set a goal many years ago to change our lifestyle 
from one of the hectic city life, ….. to one of a slower
 island pace, working on things that makes us happy 
and gives us the freedom to enjoy our time together....

A long time ago we lived in The Bahamas. 
We would wake up up to the beautiful sound of
 the waves and the smell of the salty ocean.


Here everything was so relaxing so we almost never
 kept track of time as we did/do while living  in Florida. 
 In the islands everything was at a different/slower pace.
 Back the we lived in  Ft. Lauderdale it was always a mad 
rush to get up at a certain time because so and so needs to 
be done.  Here we just got up whenever we felt like it.   


Yes, it's nice to look back a and remember this
 wonderful Island that was once home to Arvid, Brutus
 and I.  We had cute little house right on the beach.


In Eleuthera the big thing is outdoor living.  
When we lived there, we were always out just running 
around, meeting people and doing small chores/errands 
which kept us busy and happy.  We are most happy when
 doing something.  We are not the type to just sit...we are 
constantly on the move.  Even after all these years, we 
both still thrive on being busy.  It makes us feel alive.


Life in Eleuthera was very good to us and we 
enjoyed every moment we had on this special island.
 The last few times that we have been back has 
been as tourists.  That also felt very good.  


As visitors, it gave us time to appreciate the island all over 
again, and to have more time to enjoy a few of the sites, restaurants
 and some of our favorite places from a different perspective.


Though we are no longer "regulars,"  we do look forward 
to many more years of being able to enjoy Eleuthera.  The 
beauty and the magic that we fell in love with is still here, and
 the people we met are still as nice and hospitable as always.


Life in Florida is good to us.  There is no other place we 
would call home.  We have loved all the places we have lived, 
but home is and always will be Florida.  A good day to all.


You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough...

~Nadiya~

Feb 14, 2025

Friday February 14th~

 Love isn't what makes the world go around.  
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile...


Today there will be many marriage proposals
 and a lot of babies in the making.  Among 
other things.  Love is never wrong ๐Ÿ’˜


Money can't buy happiness. But, it can buy a 
chocolate, which is pretty much the same thing. If you've 
never had Norwegian chocolate, I feel for you.  It's the best 
chocolate hands down.  Once you've had it you will
 never go back to whatever it is you ate before ๐Ÿซ


Arvid and I had on early Valentine's Day.  Just so
 happened that our outing yesterday took us to Naples, 
Florida Of course we made it into a celebration.


The day was beautiful, just a little too warm 
to be walking around in the heat for very long.


As always we made the outing into a celebration.  Why not?


We said we will be taking it easy today.  Let's see how that goes.


After about 20+ years of marriage, I'm finally starting to 
scratch the surface of what women want. And I think the answer
 lies somewhere between conversation and chocolate....

~Nadiya~

Feb 13, 2025

Thursday February 13th~

Happiness never come to those who fail 
to appreciate what they already have...

Another beautiful sunset greeted us on 
our walk yesterday.  I am always in awe of it.


A few things going on today.  As always we're 
most happy when we are busy.  Today is Thursday 
after all, and today I do not cook ๐Ÿ™Œ  Always good
 to have a little "break" in the middle of the week.


Yesterday Nina in Pennsylvania and Rima in Virginia had 
huge snow storms.  Pictures below are of Rima's backyard.  
It sure looks beautiful from far.  Both doggies, Marley the
(black Labrador,) and Kingston (golden Lab) love the snow.
Hopefully when we visit in May it will be lots warmer.


Mornings are always the same here.  Breakfast, tea/coffee 
on the balcony if not too warm.  After that Arvid takes pleasure 
in doing the dishes.  He sure enjoys it and says that while doing 
them he plans his day and comes up with lots of ideas.  I 
told him he can do dishes all day long if he so wishes.


 Yesterday I enjoyed a few chocolate covered ๐Ÿ“strawberries 
and grapes just to get into the feel of Valentines Day.  Didn't 
work ๐Ÿ˜‚  Of course Arvid did not try any.  More for me.


Yesterday I had another trip to the mall.  You can 
tell by the shoes.  Arvid was busy watching soccer and
 I was bored.  Had a good time browsing around and
 checking out all the Valentine's Day displays/stuff.


A good day to all.  Arvid and Sniff are still asleep. 
 I am loving my quiet time in the mornings.



Life becomes more meaningful when 
you realize the simple fact that you’ll
 never get the same moment twice...

~Nadiya~

Feb 12, 2025

Wednesday February 12th~

 I can say that life is good to me. Has been and 
is good. So I think my task is to be good to it. 
So how do you be good to life? You live it...


 As soon as I wake up I open Facebook.  Not to see
 anyones story or what they are eating or who they know.
  I open it because I look for news/pictures/videos of M15
 and F23.  Since their babies died it's not too often they 
appear on camera view, so I keep checking all day
 long.  You can say that I "stalk" M15 and F23.
My day is always better after "seeing" them.


This morning as I opened FB I  saw a post that 
made me pause for a second because it is so true of 
so many of us.  I want to think I am better than this, 
but I have to admit to doing the same at times.


I wake up everyday with a grateful heart.  Of course there 
are days when I feel like things could be better, should be
 better, but then I get busy with my day and realize that
 I am indeed blessed and for that very grateful.


The boys enjoyed quiet time, soccer time and water time.


It's been several months now since I have been on 
one of my morning walks.  Unfortunately my knee always 
hurts really bad in the mornings.  By afternoon it's better. 
 Yesterday was not a good day.  We were supposed to go 
for a walk, but I was limping so badly that we didn't. 
 My guess is that eventually I have to have surgery.


Life.  Does not always pan out the way we want 
or expect it to.  It's a balancing game, and many a times 
my balance is not great.  I learn something every day.


It takes no more time to see the good
 side of life than it takes to see the bad...

~Nadiya~

Feb 11, 2025

Tuesday February 11th~

Love isn't just for couples; it's for everyone...

 I went to the mall just to browse around.  Of 
course it was all about Valentine's Day.  I don't think 
much of the day, but I sure enjoyed the displays.


From what I observed, men were sure doing a lot of shopping.


As always it never hurts with a little trip downtown.


Arvid of course was restless so he had to wash 
the car.  The man does not know what it's like 
to slow down.  Good and not so good at times.


Yesterday we decided to try the hot tub.  First time 
for me since we moved to Fort Myers.  Arvid had tried it 
once before back in 2022 when we first moved here.  Gotta 
say we really enjoyed it.  It also made us reminiscence of 
Chicago.  The best pool and hot tub we've ever had.


Another very hot week here.  Another record 
being set/ broken. This year so far it has been new 
records set for the weather here in Florida.  Let's see 
what comes next.  Can't wait.  Always interesting times.


To all a very good day. Already
 a beautiful sunrise coming up.

Adversity causes some to break 
and others to break records...

~Nadiya~

Feb 10, 2025

New Week~ Monday February 10th

 Today is a new beginning. Take a
 deep breath, smile, and start again...

And the winning team of Super Bowl LIX are 
the Philadelphia Eagles.  Congrats Eagles fans.


Woke up to another beautiful morning. 
 Perfect way to start the new week.


Sniff wakes up early with me, but 
after eating goes strasing back to sleeping.


Yesterday Arvid and I tried out a new restaurant here in
 the downtown area called Sip and Sizzle.  Sip and Sizzle 
where you grill your food on a hot stone.  Was interesting.


After dinner we heard a little music and ended up 
at our favorite ice-cream spot.  Love Boat Ice Cream


As the new week begins, it's looking a little less hectic 
than the ones before, but the day is still young and Arvid
 is still groggy from sleep.  That most likely will change 
and fast.  Like I always say, we thrive when busy.


It's not whether you get knocked
 down, it's whether you get up...

~Nadiya~

Feb 9, 2025

Sunday February 9th~

Like it or not, we live in interesting times...

 I'm still smiling when I think of our outing in the early
 morning of Saturday.  Mostly because of the guy we met and
 the way Arvid "shut him up" as he puts it.  In the meantime 
we did enjoy drinks by moonlight.  Was an interesting time.


Super Bowl 2025: Kansas City Chiefs v. Philadelphia Eagles 
The Kansas City Chiefs meet the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday
 for a date with history. The chiefs are trying to become the 
first NFL team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row.


My Sniff loves his fresh laundry.  Cats are attracted 
to fresh laundry for a number of reasons, including
 warmth, comfort, and the scent of their human. 


Yesterday was a quiet day here at home.  We watched 
a movie in the evening, had some snacks and to spice it up 
a bit, we had a Pepsi each.  It was a good time for sure.  


To all a good day.  May your favorite Super Bowl
 team make you proud today.  Let's go Chiefs๐Ÿˆ By the way, 
I'm not a football fan, but we're taking Missouri here๐Ÿˆ


Probably the last sound heard before the Universe 
folded up like a paper hat would be someone
 saying, "What happens if I do this?"

~Nadiya~

Feb 8, 2025

Saturday February 8th~

 Be humble and never think you
 are better than anyone else...

Most of yesterday we spent at home, well Arvid did.
  I was out and about in the morning taking care of 
a few chores and doing something just for me.


Just a cup of coffee and some alone time does me wonders.  
I just sat and remembered ohh so many things.  Made me 
smile and at time made me a little sad.  Life happens.


Arvid had another busy day, but then 
Arvid is the master of busy๐Ÿ˜‚  I try not to ask, 
just in case he tries to involve me in his "busy."


Yesterday evening we detoured from our downtown 
outing.  Instead we went to Punta Gorda to listen to music.  
Just a half hours drive from us.  Well worth the drive.


It was a good evening that prolonged a little more 
once we got home.  We gave in and went downtown.


All's good at home.  Just a little later start for the 3 of us.


Don't let the sun go down without 
basking in the happiness it brings...

~Nadiya~