Dec 31, 2023

December 31st~

You are never too old to set another
 goal or to dream a new dream...


Another year has come and gone.  2023 threw quite a 
few challenges our way.  It drained us mentally, emotionally
 and physically, but we're still standing and always ready 
for the next challenge life throws our way.


In our family their has been some setbacks, but I 
come from a line of strong women and we overcome 
just about everything.  We carry the scars with us, but 
that has never stopped us from moving forward.

Here's to strong women, may we known them,
 may we be them, may we raise them.


Wishing everyone a happy Old Year.  Here it began with 
beautiful sunrise, and finally we were able to make it downtown 
last night after a very long time.  A little walk, a little something
 to drink and let's not forget that slice of pizza.  Life is good and I 
never take it for granted.  Happy Old Year 🥳 Hello 2024


Eaglet E23 was born today.  F23 just became a first time
 mom, and M15 continues on his legacy of being the best dad.


It's a wonderful day in in SWFL and around the world. 
 New life begins.  Mom, dad, and their little eaglet, E23. 
 Happy way to end the year after all.


As the clock strikes midnight, let us not just mark a 
new year, but ignite the flames of hope within our hearts, 
kindling the path to transformative change...

~Nadiya~

Dec 30, 2023

Saturday December 30th~

 You never know what you can do until you try, 
and very few try unless they have to...

Yesterday Arvid and I finally made it to Margaritaville. 
 I was very happy to see that the beach, Fort Myers Beach
 was packed.  There was people everywhere.  What a difference
 a year makes. Business was booming and people were happy.


There is still lots to do.  The pool is still a work
 in progress as are so many other things, but what is open
 was packed with people.  There were lines for everything. 
 I don't fancy making lines, but for business it's great


The beach was packed and lined with chairs.  No one 
seemed to care that it was a bit chilly and windy.  Everyone
 was just having a good time, and when they got cold
 there was a cozy fire/coals to warm them up.


When we arrived it was impossible to get a table.  The first 
restaurant had a wait of over two hours.  Of course we moved to 
the next.  We were told the wait would be a little over an hour.
  Lucky for us it was shorter.  My salad was delicious and 
Arvid really enjoyed his Hawaiian burger.


Arvid and I enjoyed checking out the place.  We even
 supported the gift shop.  Sure made me happy.


It was a beautiful day.  A bit on the cooler and windy side,
 but that did not stop anyone from having a good time. 
 Arvid and I included😎  I always love seeing people
 having fun.  Laughing and just enjoying life.


As we were leaving the temperature was dipping even more. 
It was getting too cold for us.  We had a good time, but it 
was also time to head back home and get warm again,
 but not before another beautiful Fort Myers sunset.


Sniff is back on his heating bed.  He is one smart lil' dude.
Yesterday I had a much better day.  I have been sleeping better.
 I start the night in our bedroom and end up in the second bedroom 
aka my office aka Sniff's room. I am awake too early so rather than
 waking Arvid up, I sleep in the other bedroom.  Works great.


You will enrich your life immeasurably if you 
approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery,
 and always challenge yourself to try new things...

~Nadiya~

Dec 29, 2023

Friday December 29th~

Everyday is a good day, just some days are better...

 The last Friday in 2023.  Normally Arvid and I would be heading
out downtown, but lately nothing has been the way it should. 
 Will have to wait and see how I feel and then decide if we 
will do anything.  Let's just say that I have felt better,
 and I know with each new day I'm getting stronger.


The above,  Same day.  Top is sunrise.  Bottom is the sunset.
Sniff has been enjoying the sunshine and spends most of his 
afternoon just basking and napping in it.  He's a happy boy.


We have had some wet days recently.  That's good for
 the drought, but not always good when you have things to do. 
 Also we will be having another cold from.  No 80's (27C) for
 the next 7-10 days.  Yup cold times again in Florida.


You have to fight through some bad
 days to earn the best days of your life...

~Nadiya~

Dec 28, 2023

Thursday December 28th~

It's crazy how fast time flies and how things progress...

 Last Thursday of the the month.  2023 sure zipped by us. 


A lot has happened this year. Good and bad.  At times it seems as if
 there was not enough time to do all the thing that needed to be done, 
but slowly we are getting back to that place where we hope to live
 life a little less on the fast track and slow down a bit.  We keep 
saying this all the time, but maybe this time it will be true.


Every year around the 23rd-24th Victoria and Michael 
go to the cemetery and take time to "visit" their loved ones who no
 longer are here.  I always get a little picture/token of their visit, 
and it makes me happy to be a part of this tradition. Just 
one more thing I am thankful to Victoria and Michael. 
 They always include me in this special tradition.


The only time you should ever look
 back is to see how far you've come...

~Nadiya~

Dec 27, 2023

Wednesday December 27th ~

Embrace the rainy days and find beauty in the drops.
Rainy days are meant for curling up with a good book...

SWFL is wet and though we don’t all like rain it was a
 good thing for us.  It helps a little with the drought we have.  
Unfortunately, it was a difficult night for M15 and Lady (F23,
 but they made it and always protected their eggs.  We all wait 
in anticipation for their two eaglets to be born.  The count 
down has begun. Hopefully by the New Year if not 
before, eaglet number one will show its little face.


Arvid, Sniff and I have been taking it easy.  It’s not as
 if there was that much to do, unlike when we were in Branson.  
We never had a moment.  I don’t miss that busy lifestyle right now. 
 To be honest I don’t have the energy for it.  I am not 100% 
back to my “normal” self, but working on getting there.


Soccer is back on again. Truth be told, the only day there was 
no game was on Christmas Day. Sure made for a long day for
 Arvid. Sniff and I mostly took it easy.  Arvid found things
 to do. Let’s say the cars are nice and shiny right now. 


I still do everything at home, but now I am so tired after I’m done. 
This surgery really wiped me out more than the others. I think that 
my body is tired😳, but I do know how to lift my spirits🍓


My morning has not been that good so far, but the 
good thing is that the day is still young and there are
 many hours to make things a little better.  Starting with 
this awful headache.  I just wish it would go away.


Don't be down on yourself, your best days
 are ahead of you.  Always turn a negative
 situation into a positive situation...

~Nadiya~

Dec 26, 2023

Boxing Day ~ December 26th


All the adversity I've had in my life, all my 
troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You 
may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the 
teeth may be the best thing in the world for you...

 In our family three of my cousins have birthdays on 
Christmas day the same as my mom.  Today December 26th 
is our niece Danielle's birthday.  Looking at Danielle one would
 never imagine all the things she is going through.  Let's just say 
this year has kicked her butt, but that girl does not give up. 


Here at home all is well.  I'm doing better everyday, but I really
 would like for all the headaches to go away.  It's bad and at times I
 am a bit concerned, especially when my BP keeps skyrocketing.  I am 
so ready to be better and to feel better.  Sorta forgotten what that's like.


Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better. As long
 as you keep going, you'll keep getting better. And as you get
 better, you gain more confidence. That alone is success.


My parents celebrated with a little getaway.  Combination 
birthday present to my mom and Christmas treat to both. 
 Always good to see them enjoying some alone time and 
just treating themselves to a few of life's little pleasures.


Arvid, Sniff and I had a quiet but very relaxing Christmas. 
 I made dinner at home, Arvid took me out for a little drive,
 and we finally got the rain we wanted.  We can still use
 a lot more, but we got a little soaking.  Good start.


Wishing everyone a happy day.  Last week in December, so make it count.


Good day to all.  SWFL finally got some much needed rain.


May your Boxing Day be filled with good food, good company,
 and lots of love.  Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life...

~Nadiya~

Dec 25, 2023

December 25th ~ Merry Christmas

Be jolly and enjoy the Christmas cheer,
 as it only comes once a year...


 Another Christmas, and just like that it will soon
 be done.  Arvid, Sniff and I will be spending it quietly 
at home this year.  Truth be told, I am not up to doing anything 
much right now, as for Arvid he loves not going anywhere on
 Christmas Day.  He said he dislikes all the gatherings they usually
 have at Christmas.  Me I enjoyed all the fun times we had, these
 were mainly in my childhood and times before Arvid.


I would have loved to have my parents and sisters around, 
but another time it will be.  Today is my mom's birthday.  My dad 
finally managed to surprise her and they took a three day getaway.


Christmas at home.  Not bad at all.  Just Sniff, Arvid and I
 and in my heart there is always Brutus and Shadow.  Merry Christmas 
to all and may the rest of 2023 bring you joy and happiness.


Christmas morning was made even better
 with our three granddaughters in Norway.  We
 love you Aleah, Vanessa and Amelia.


Remember, if Christmas isn't found in
 your heart, you won't find it under a tree...

~Nadiya~

Dec 24, 2023

Christmas Eve ~ December 24th ~

It's not the mistake that matters, it's how you interpret the lesson...


With this in mind I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas 
and an even better New Year.  Every day life is a struggle for so many,
 but at the end of the day if we can just see the goodness and
 beauty of it we have half the battle already conquered.


A few (quite a few) years ago on a cruise.  This stop was 
San Juan, Puerto Rico.  Who would have know that during
 Covid we would be living in that beautiful island?


Today we do not do much.  Depending on how I feel we 
will probably go out to dinner.  Yesterday we had planned
 on going to our favorite pizza shop downtown, but I honestly 
was not feeling that good  Today is a new day after all.


Toast to the lessons not yet learned and
 to the trials that will teach them...

~Nadiya~

Dec 23, 2023

Saturday December 23rd~

Your Health Is Your Most Valuable Asset.
Money Will Never Solve Your Real Problems...

 Christmas 2015 in Fort Lauderdale.  That's the year Brutus 
died and Shadow came into our lives for just a very short time.


Back then we lived in Fort Lauderdale; never imagining all 
the changes we will be going through in the next few years.


I'm getting better everyday.  The headaches are the worse 
and last night my BP was 183/104; scared me a lot for this 
is no joking matter.  That's a little worrisome right now, but I
 keep monitoring it.  Just took it again and it's so much better.


Though life has thrown us quite a few curveballs, but then
 it's the same for everyone.  Life is never fair and when we least 
expect it we get taken for a ride.  Not always good, nor
 always bad.  It all depends on how you handle it.


 The greatest challenge in life is to be our own person and
 accept that being different is a blessing and not a curse...

~Nadiya~

Dec 22, 2023

Friday December 22nd ~

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try...

 Most likely we will not be going downtown this Friday either.  
This time it's because of me.  I don't feel so good and I would 
hate to freak people out with blood dripping from my face.  
The thought makes me want to do it, but we won't 😂


Watching TV and reading is what I have been doing the 
last two days.  Now I am bored, more so because I do not like
 being treated as a cripple.  Arvid has good intentions, but I am not 
used to asking for help or anything.  I like to do it all by myself,
 but he wants to help so I won't complain.  One thing I did
 ask him to do and that was to make lunch.  Those who 
know Arvid knows that cooking is not his forte.


Sniff was scared of me the fist day because of all the 
wrappings around my face, but now he seems to have gotten 
over it.  He still goes to Arvid first, then looks at me and goes
 back to lay with Arvid.  At least he's not running away from
 me.  The first day was most likely due to the hospital 
smell on me as well as the face gear of course.


Swallowing is still a little difficult right now, but I'm 
sure in the next few days I will be just fine again.  I have to be
 most careful when taking in fluids.  I use a straw and swallow
 very slowly.  Not used to that, but one adjusts as needed.


A new day begins and its one day closer to feeling "normal"
 again. As they say, one day closer.  One day stronger.

Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation...

~Nadiya~