Saturday November 14th~

It is not how much we have, but how 

much we enjoy, that makes happiness...

 Yesterday was a very good day. Started

 out with little time on the balcony after breakfast.

 We watched the boats come in and out of the 

Marina. The boat show is going on so there

 is constant movement. We are loving it.

  Sniff of course is super cautious coming out

 on the balcony. As soon as the wind blows he 

runs like a bat outta hell.  Very “cautious” kitty.

Afterwards we went to mom and dads for a

 few hours. Dad and Arvid shared a beer, Arvid fixed

 a little something and then we just chatted. Arvid is

 super excited about our trip to Puerto Rico. So are

 mom and dad. We made some plans and as of

 right now we are so ready for island time.

I was awake early and we definitely will be having

 a cooler day today.  I'm liking it.  Arvid on the other

 hand, says it's too cold for him. This man keeps 

saying he's a Viking. I have serious doubts.

Yesterday we went once again to Pinchers; this

 time for lunch.  My no cook Thursday was on a 

Friday this week. As always we had a good meal.

In the evening we went to Cape Coral to listen

 to Reggae music. I was ready with my few reggae 

jewelry pieces.  The bracelets have a long history. 

 They were bought in the late 80's by my then first

 husband.  We were on a trip to the White House in 

Washington, DC.  They hold a lot of memories.  The

 earrings were bought in the Dominican Republic,

 on one of several trips Arvid and I took there.

We enjoyed the outing last night. Now we have a 

place to go listen to Reggae whenever we like.  The man

 on the drums is 89 years old from California and ke kept 

insisting for Arvid to come up and play with him.  He

 said Arvid has the rhythm.  He was not wrong.

It was a beautiful evening.  We got there 

right before sunset, and what a sunset. The sky was 

orange, pink you name it, it was just beautiful.

The place was packed.  It is always good 

to see people laughing and  having fun.

Saturday and we plan on taking it easy. Tonight is

 movie night at home.  Sniff, Arvid and I.  Most likely

 some pop-corn as well. Looking forward to this.

When you focus on the good, the good gets better...

~Nadiya~

Friday November 13th~

 Keeping busy and making optimism a way
 of life can restore your faith in yourself...

Friday is here again.  The week has gone by

 in a flash, lucky Friday is one of our favorite days.  

We have many. We always try to do something on 

Fridays, just to break up the the routine. I keep

 trying to get Arvid to "discover" new places. 

Either way, Fridays are always delicious.

Last week we did just that and were pleasantly

 surprised.  The day is still young and I have time

 to come up with a few potentially "new places."

Today we go visit mom and dad again. They have

 missed Arvid as well, plus there is a little chore waiting 

for Arvid at their place. We're looking forward to it.

Sniff is still on his hunger strike although he does

 take a nibble on his dry food every once in a while. 

 He will live.  I am trying to stay calm about it.

To all a good day.  Let's pan for a good 

weekend. Arvid is already smiling since yesterday.  

It always helps when you get some good news

 It's already starting to feel like Christmas.

It's Friday the 13th. His name was Jason;

and today, is his birthday.  Just don't go to 🔪

Camp Crystal Lake and you'll be fine today.

I'd rather regret the things I have 

done than regret the things I haven't...

~Nadiya~

Thursday November 12th~

The best preparation for tomorrow

 is doing your best today...

 Legacy Marina little by little is looking better. 

 As of last night, we now have 20-25  boats in the 

marina. More are expected because the Fort Myers 

boat show begins today.  Makes for interesting

 times. Especially for Arvid.  He stays "busy."

This morning I woke up late. I didn’t get out of.

 Bed until 7:30 a.m. had to rush take care of Sniff

 and take off to feed the kitties. Only WhitePaw was

 there, but yesterday I saw Baby Legacy again. She

 shows up early. Hopefully will see her tomorrow.

Sniff is pulling his Mahatma Gandhi stunt again.  

Yeah, once again he refuses to eat.  This hunger strike 

has been going on now for a few days.  Arvid keeps 

saying he ain't fat.  Yet he waits for food and gives me

 the stinky eye.  I give it to him and he walks away.

To all a very good day.  I had a late start

 so still catching up with my chores.

There are two days in the year thea we can

 not do anything, yesterday and tomorrow...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday November 11th~

I'd choose you in every lifetime, over and

 over again.  You're my home in this world...

 Yesterday was a very good day. For starters I saw 

baby Legacy. I was starting to doubt Abe, but as I

 was leaving and WhitePaw was eating, baby Legacy

 suddenly appeared. I was so happy. She did not come 

towards the food, but I saw her and I was very happy. 

 She looks like Legacy, but chubbier. I hope healthier

 as well. Legacy was so skinny. I really miss her.

When I got home I saw a card on my laptop.

 And suddenly I remembered it was our 25th wedding 

anniversary.  I read the card and it brought tears to my 

eyes.  I am so very lucky in this life to have Arvid

 by my side.  I remembered, and then I forgot.

  He has the most romantic side about him.  

Looking at him you will never believe that this man

 is a romantic. More than I can or have ever been.

 He has a tender heart and the words he writes just 

make me love and appreciate him even more. 

 Arvid is my second chance in life, I am his and 

together we have found something that works for

 us.  We have been together for 26 and a half years.

  Married for 25.  I tried to make up forgetting the 

date by making him a steak dinner.  It worked.

It has not always been easy, especially coming

 from two different cultures, but somehow it is exactly 

those differences that seem to make it work. We don’t have a 

perfect relationship, and that is only good;  we have room to

 still grow and learn from and with each other.  We share our

 life with Sniff and together we have found a good rhythm.

Yesterday evening we went to Pincher's to have a 

drink and to toast to 25 years of marriage.  As Arvid said,

 “ let’s do another 25.”  How can I disagree with this.  We

 enjoyed a beautiful sunset, delicious drinks and each

 others company.  It was the perfect anniversary 

celebration.  Arvid and I like it simple and quiet.

 Looking forward to forever with this man.

Sniff and I have been awake since 2am.  I am not 

happy about this. Will try and see if I can see a little more 

before the day begins.  It is currently 4am and I am still 

wide awake.  To all a very good day.  To Arvid I say, 

"thank you for sharing this adventure with me.

Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my 

favorite.  Together is my favorite place to be...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday November 10th~

The comeback is greater than the setback...

 Yesterday was an exciting day for Arvid.  The 

boats just kept coming into the marina, as he would 

say, "I'm so busy."  He spent many hours just watching 

them coming in, docking and fueling up.  Yes, we are

 very happy Legacy Marina is up and running again.

The mornings are much cooler now. We are having

 very nice Florida weather. Perfect time to be here.

  Not much planned for today, but with us that can and

 most times does change  We all had a moment. 

 Taking it easy just relaxing in Sniff's room.

Sniff and I are awake.  He has already had his breakfast 

is is now getting comfy to go have one of his many naps

 for the day.  Mornings are always so very quiet.  I love it,

 and I love the few hours I have without any "noise."

Morning is here.  Soon time to go feed WhitePaw,

I always hope to see some of the others, but so

 far I have not.  Abe keeps telling me he sees

 baby Legacy, I am starting to doubt him.

It is not easy to find happiness within

 yourself, but impossible to find it elsewhere...

~Nadiya~

Monday November 9th~

 Monday is not the enemy; it's 

the beginning of a new adventure.

Many dread Monday because it's the start of the 

new work week, because the weekend is over and 

one has to wait five "long: days again before weekend is

 here. When I worked a "regular" job I looked forward

 to it.  I love people and being around them.  Made my 

days better and just exchanging ideas was fun.  I liked

 most people.  My belief is that people are good, until

 wrong.  But I always find the good in most.  Life is

 an echo. What you send out, comes back. What

 you sow, you reap. What you give, you get.

 What you see in others, exists in you.

Arvid and I enjoyed another pleasant Sunday

 outing.  There is always something special

 about sitting by the water.  We really enjoy Ft.

 Myers Beach.  Though we lived in Ft. Lauderdale

 for over 30 years in Arvid's case, we did not for 

some reason,  really go that much to the beach.

Sniff is also enjoying the fresh air on the balcony. 

 He has been there now for an hour or so.  First with

 Arvid then he stayed.  He loves sitting on armrest

 of the chair.  To all a good a productive week.

A new week rolls in.  Full of promise, potential and 

endless possibilities.  A week for all of us to pursue 

our dreams.  Happy new week to all. Yesterday 

at the beach we also saw two dolphins.

New week, new day, new intentions, new

 opportunities, new goals, new actions, new result...

~Nadiya~

Sunday November 8th~

Every thread tells a story. Wrapped

 in culture, draped in grace...

 The Indian culture has some of the most 

beautiful traditions.  Some of the most beautiful

 celebrations and definitely some of the most 

colorful and amazing wedding ceremonies. 

I should know.  My first marriage was not

 held in a church. My first husband, Paul Riley

 and I were married in an Indian ceremony. 

Even though he was Irish took it in stride. 

 He loved everything about it. It was and always 

will  be a beautiful part of my life.  

Traditional Indian wedding celebrations 

typically last 3 to 7 days, though some traditional

 or regional formats can span up to a week or more. 

 Ours was a mini-mini version of this.  Just 

a few amazing hours that last a lifetime.

I am very fortunate to have been born into this

 culture. Though I was not technically raised as

 a Hindu, I was surrounded by the culture

 as as I got older I was able to choose.

India is a land of vibrant festivals reflecting 

its rich cultural, regional, and religious diversity.

 Major celebrations span across the year.  

This week Indians have been celebrating 

Diwali, Festival of Lights. A five-day celebration 

marking the triumph of light over darkness and

 good over evil. Families light oil lamps (diyas), create 

colorful floor art (rangoli), offer prayers to Goddess 

Lakshmi, exchange sweets, and set off fireworks. 

 It is India's most important holiday.  I will always

remember when little and growing up in Guyana,

 South America everyone's home was lit up by oh 

so many diyas.  It was and still is a beautiful site.

Yesterday while Arvid was watching soccer, and 

he had a lot of games; I went over to mom and dad's. 

 We had a good couple of hours just chatting and enjoying

 each others company.  My mom has already prepared her 

diyas to be put out on their driveway this evening.  No 

matter how few, they always do it.  It's a tradition.

On another note, Arvid and I went to a tribute to the

 Rolling Stones. It was entertaining and for a few hours 

we just relaxed, listened to the music, had a few nibbles

 and drinks.  Not a bad way to spend Saturday night.

Here at home all is good.  Sniff once again is acting

 up a bit.  Not eating his foodies, but I am trying to not 

stress about it. Not working as yet, but I know he will 

sooner or later get back to "normal."  I already went

 to feed the kitties.  The only kitty I have seen since 

coming back from Branson has been WhitePaw.  

To all a good day.  Sunday and we plan on 

going to Fort Myers Beach for our outing. We do 

enjoy our Sunday outings, hope you do the same.

Happy Sunday.  Sometimes we just need to

 pause and appreciate all the good in our lives...

~Nadiya~

Saturday November 7th~

Love the life you live. Live the life you love...

 Yesterday we were supposed to have a quiet 

day at home. It started out that way.  I made lunch, 

Arvid watched a few soccer games, I watched a movie 

on Netflix and of course Sniff slept most of the day.  It 

was going very well until we looked at each other and 

I said, "I'm guessing we are going out at 5 o'clock?"

Both Arvid and I have a tendency to get restless.

 Especially on Friday evenings. We feel like we

 need to just get out and have a fun time.

Yesterday we were going to 3 Fishermen, but 

when we got there it was closed for renovations.

 We then noticed a little Mexican restaurant across the

 street.  Arvid said, "they will have good drinks." They

 sure did.  He had his Dos Equis and I had a Mojito

 de Parcha.  Passion fruit Mojito.  Ever since Puerto

 Rico, I have developed a liking for them.

Right before closing the blinds in the bedroom 

another boat came into the marina.  It had beautiful lights.

 We are both very excited that Legacy Marina, which

 was 100% destroyed by Hurricane Ian, is finally

 making a comeback.  Even Sniff tried to get a 

better look before the blinds came down.

Wishing everyone a good day and a happy 

weekend.  The last few days we have been having

 beautiful weather.  This is what Florida is all

 about right now.  Happy to be home.

The comeback is always stronger 

than the setback. Return stronger,

 every time life pushes you aside...

~Nadiya~