Tuesday April 30th~

Slow, steady progress is better than daily excuses...

 Sunday as we drove into Sanibel you can see there is still

 a lot of work to be done, at the same time progress is being

 made all the time.  Though the island is still recovering and 

lodging is limited, many of its main beaches and a handful

 of local businesses and restaurants have reopened.

It was good to venture out from the usual.  Arvid and I drove

 around the island, and there is still so much to be done.

Yesterday I was able to feed some of my friends again.  

The duckies even eat birdseeds.  They eat everything.  

We also saw more cleanup happening in one of the 

other marinas.   Progress 😀is slow but sure.

We have been having some very relaxing days.

  Walks in the afternoons, a soccer games for Arvid and

 lots of nap times for Sniff.  Life is good to us 😍.

Progress lies not in enhancing what is,

 but in advancing toward what will be...

~Nadiya~

New Week ~ April 29th

Living that Florida life...

Palm trees and water view.  What life in Florida

 is all about, and we are loving it.  Sniff included.

Two things Florida can teach the other 49 states: how to make a

 good margarita and how to deal with the aftermath of a hurricane.

Palm trees and sunshine make me smile. 

 Leave your worries under the palm tree 🌴

As the new week begins, for those on the 9-to-5 grind,

 you're not alone in your aversion to Mondays, but hopefully 

this will be an amazing  and productive week for us all.

Today is Michelle's birthday.  She is Arvid's youngest

 daughter and the mother of our three grand daughters💛 

Wishing you always happy days and a happy life.

Yesterday Arvid and I had another pleasant Sunday

 outing.  For a change Arvid found the place/restaurant 

we went to.  We have never been to it before so I was 

very happy to be experiencing something new. 

 I guess Arvid took notice when I told him 

that if I were doing things on my own I would do

 them differently.  I would try new things and go to

 different places.  Just glad he listened this time.

As we express our gratitude, we must 

never forget that the highest appreciation is 

not to utter words, but to live by them...

 

~Nadiya~

Sunday April 28th~

Relaxation is not laziness. It’s about finding

 balance and taking care of yourself...

 Some pictures from one of our favorite

 places on the beach to just relax, have quiet

 time as Arvid says, and watch the boats go by.

From where we sit, you just look across the river and see more

 restaurants.  Couple bearing signs of Hurricane Ian, but which has 

now become an "asset" to the restaurant rather than a weakness.

Many go to get their pictures taken by the sunken boat.

More than anything, Arvid loves it here because

 it's so close to the water and because there is no one

 "babbling" as he says.  He can relax.  I enjoy it also 

because the scenery is serene and so very peaceful.

Some days you're just fortunate that everything works out well.

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday.  Hopefully

 you do something that makes your soul happy.

Take a deep breath, relax, and trust that 

everything will work out for the best...

~Nadiya~

April 27th ~ Their First Day Without Dexy 💔

There are moments when I wish I could roll back

 the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the 

feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well...

 
Yesterday was a difficult, sad day for me. Imagine 

how it is for Rima and her family. Last week the decision

 was made to put Dexy to sleep.  He was in lots of pain

 and his quality of life was not good.  I loved that

 little stinker and my heart is also hurting.

It brought back memories of the day 

our Brutus died and the way our Shadow 

died. My heart is heavy and though I know it

 will be “better” again, right now it’s not.

Last night before falling asleep Rima sent me 

this picture.  Their routine is to always take the 

collars off the doggies for the night and put them in

 their spots.  Dexy's will never be used ever again💔 

This simple picture interrupted my sleep for hours.

We have our Sniff and he is a blessing in our lives, 

and for that I am always grateful.  He is my happiness.

What was supposed to be a relaxing and fun outing 

yesterday, didn’t turn out exactly that way for me. The 

day was beautiful. The food was good. The drinks 

even better, but my heart was sad.  It’s still is.

Not doing much today, on the other hand by early 

evening we will be bored and for all you know we

 may just take a little trip downtown.  A good day to all.

  Losing such a big part of your family is never easy 😢

~ I loved you for your whole life and

 I will miss you for the rest of mine~

~Nadiya~

April 26th 2024 ~ Goodbye Dexy 💔

Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than

 losing a human because in the case of the 

pet, you were not pretending to love it...

 My sister Rima and family are grieving right now.  Their boy 

Dexter (Dexy) took his last breath today.  It's never easy.  

My heart is also hurting, for I loved Dexy so much 💔

Dexy was 17 years old. Same age as Lilly Vade.  Yes he

 lived a long and good life, but it's never easy letting go even

 when you know you are doing the right thing for him 💔

My heart is sad right now.

Until one has loved an animal, a 

part of one's soul remains un-awakened...

~Nadiya~

Life with Sniff 💜 Thursday April 26th

Do today what should be done.

 Your tomorrow may never come...

Everyday with Sniff is a beautiful day.  He is one of

 the most affectionate kitty we have had.  He may not 

like being picked up, but as soon as you are seated he

 comes to be with you.  Sniff loves being close to us. 

He follows Arvid everywhere.  Together they

 hangout in the balcony  and watch boats and

 birds go by.  They understand each other.

Brutus used to wait for Arvid to pet him before

 he ate his foodies, now Sniff is doing exactly the same.  

Cute to see, but not a good thing in the long run.  Of course

I worry about when we are not home what will happen.

Today if all goes well Arvid and I plan on heading 

to Fort Myers Beach for lunch.  Planning on going to 

Matanzas on the Bay.  Hopefully nothing unexpected shows 

up and spoil our plans.  The way thigs have been going..

Demolition of the marina continues in full swing.  As

 Arvid says, "so much to see right now"  Keeps him/us busy. 

 Every so often we peek out the bedroom window or the 

just take time "off" in the balcony to watch the work.

Progress is what pushes you forward 

towards your ultimate destination. It advances 

you closer and closer towards your goals... 

~Nadiya~

Thursday April 25th~

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace

 for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow...

My "last" outside view before going to bed.  Of 

course that is if Arvid did not close the blinds 😂

Mornings on the balcony.  For Sniff it always begins as an

 adventure.  At first he's dubious if he wants to go out.  Then 

he gets brave and does go out, after that he never wants to come 

back in.  We sometime have to trick him into coming back in.

It's the same everyday, but even so, Sniff knows

 exactly what time Arvid goes out and he patiently 

waits until we are done with breakfast and the

 door to the outside world opens up for him.

For Arvid it also means he/we can check out the

 work in progress.  The demolition crew working to rebuild 

the marina next to us is busy.  This was last Thursday.

Today the building is on it's way down and we and all the 

neighbors could not be any happier.  Progress is finally coming

 almost 19 months after Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers.

Never has the site of debris/trash been so welcoming.

Another beautiful day awaits us.  Another recheck awaits me.  

Definitely life has and is good to us.  Hope you can all see the 

beauty all around you and be grateful for each new day.

Acknowledging the good that you already have in 

your life is the foundation for all abundance...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday April 24th~

A whole new world, that's where we'll be a thrilling 

chase of a wonderous place for you and me..

 This past Sunday Arvid and I checked out a place called Matlacha 

(pronounced mat-la-shay)  This is an "Old Florida" fishing village

 known for many bright colored art galleries, island boutiques,

 seafood restaurants, and traditional Floridian cottages.

We found this very cute restaurant on the water.  It just

 happened to be their reopening week after Hurricane Ian. 

 I think half of Florida was there.  The place was packed

 and the line of cars went on for miles on the road.

From there Arvid and I drove around to check out the 

surrounding towns.  A few other restaurants on the water, 

but what caught our attention most was their landmark.

It is always good to go and discover new places.  I find the 

place and then Arvid maps out how to get there.  Team work.

The truth be told, there is still a lot of visible damage from 

Hurricane Ian.  This restaurant we went to, as I mentioned 

before just reopened this past week.  Progress is slow

getting there as you can see from the picture below.

After a very good birthday, Sniff is ready to catch up on sleep.

Just one small positive thought in the morning

 can change your whole day.  Life is either 

a daring adventure or nothing at all...

~Nadiya~

My Sniff's Birthday~ April 23rd

I have what I have. And I am happy. I have 

lost what I’ve lost. And I am still happy...

 Sniff is nine years old today.  We have had him for

 eight of those nine years, and all I can say is thank you.

  Sniff entered our lives during a difficult time.  

Our Shadow had just died a most horrific death, and the

 death of our Brutus was still raw.  Sometimes life’s worst

 moments lead you directly to your happiest moments.

Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate Sniff in our lives.  

He is the most loving, cuddly kitty I know.  He still does not

 like being picked up, but as soon as we sit, he's right there

 next to us.  I love him so much that sometimes it scares me.

There is a saying that says, "I love my cat more than

 I love most people."  Have to say this is very true.  

Just watching my Sniff makes me happy.

Cats leave paw prints in your heart, forever and always.

I don’t need too many people to be happy, just a few real ones,

 who appreciate you for who you are, and definitely a Sniff/cat

 in our home and lives.  Looking forward to a long, long time

 with Sniff in our lives.  I would take forever if possible.

Also a very happy birthday to the man I share my 

life with, Arvid Hvidsten.  I won't change a thing.

I look forward to many more adventures together.

Today Sniff will be having an extra Sheba pate.

  I'm sure he will be trilled when he sees he's having an 

extra meal for the day.  Tomorrow we will watch his diet,

 but today he feasts.  After all, Sniff is my happy place.

A soulmate is not a perfect person, but

 someone whose flaws complement yours.

I love my cats more than I love most people. 

Probably more than is healthy 🐾

~Nadiya~