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~

Friday March 27th~

What a wonderful thought it is

 that some of the best days of our

 lives haven't even happened yet...

 Early this morning the brothers took off on a 

little weekend trip on their own.  That means I 

will have a few days on my own to do whatever

 I like.  Everyone is happy and we're all looking 

forward to what the next few days hold 😍

Yesterday Arvid took his brother around and 

showed him more of where we live and showed 

him damages still visible from Hurricane Ian.  

There are still many boats in the canals that 

now cannot be removed because of some

 protected fish that lives in those canals.

Afterwards the three of us went to Pinchers at the 

Westin for lunch.  Another favorite place of ours. 

 We had good food.  Watched the boats passing

 by, and enjoyed each other's company. 

Afterwards it was back home.  They both 

needed to freshen up, because last night they 

went to a concert.  Yup.  The same one I told 

Arvid to take his brother to instead of me.

  I know they will have a good time.

Once we got home I packed my Legacy and 

bird food bag.  I did see Legacy and Newbie, but 

both were behind the fence, and neither came to the 

food while I was there.  I still left food and fresh

 water.  They will get it on their own time.

Sniff and I had more time to chill.  Sniff

 was sad all day yesterday because he saw the

 suitcase out, but when he realized I did not go he 

was happy again.  Sniff  get very emotional😂

Collect beautiful moments and let

 them tell the story of your life...

~Nadiya~

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~