Saturday November 1st ~ New Month

In Florida, a promise of a new tomorrow 

is painted across the sky with each sunset...

 November begins beautifully for us.  Mom and 

dad are officially Floridians once again.  My heart is 

happy, and at the same time I feel comfort knowing that

 should they need us, we are right around the corner for 

them. No more long drives for either of us to NC.

To celebrate them we went out yesterday for lunch 

at The Boat House. Casual dining and seeing the 

water and the boats go by is always a plus.

Dad and mom treated us to dinner and to good 

company.  We all enjoyed it and afterwards Arvid

 and I came home and went straight to downtown. 

 After all it was Halloween night and all the 

“crazies” come out. I wanted to go a little later 

in the evening but Arvid said it was too cold so

 we went in the early part of the evening.

 I saw a few costumes. Had something 

good to drink so after all it was okay, but still 

the nighttime is the best time to be out on

 Halloween.  There is always next year.

It was a very good day. Arvid and I will be

 helping my parents organize their pictures 

 on the wall.  Next week is when he begins to

 hang them. Arvid says he likes doing this

 Little at a time.  I am helping mom with boxes 

and bags. There is way too many.  At some point my

 dad told Arvid to just take a few boxes with him home. 

 Don’t matter what was in them 😱 of course we didn’t. 

 Just goes to show they have way way too many. 

Welcome to the Free State of Florida 

mom and dad.  Life is better in flip flops.

Wishing everyone a November to remember.

 As we express our gratitude, we must never

 forget that the highest appreciation is not

 to utter words but to live by them.

November is a month of 

transformation and preparation...

~Nadiya~

Friday October 31st~

This witch can be bribed with chocolate...

 Halloween was never anything particularly

 special for me.  I enjoy seeing the people dressed

 up and some of the crazies, but unlike so many, 

Arvid and I never did any decorating or handing

 out of candy. There was never a need to.

 Living in a condo we do not have anyone coming

 for candy.  As a child it was different.  My parents 

made it special.  They made every day/occasion 

special in our lives.  We had a great childhood.

Halloween today takes on a different meaning and has

 become a special day.  That is because our youngest

 granddaughter Amelia was born on this day.

Amelia is one happy little girl.  Her laughter is

 contagious. To be around her is to always be happy. 

 We sure miss her, and her sisters.  It's been too

 long since we last saw them, hugged them.

Happy birthday to this little girl who has 

made our lives brighter and our hearts fuller.

Sugar and spice and everything nice, 

that's what little girls are made of... 

~Nadiya~

Thursday October 30th~

Making memories with my favorite people...

 Yesterday we took a day off from working in

 the house. Arvid, my mom and I took a little 

outing to Fort Lauderdale, our old stomping

 grounds for over some thirty plus years.

Mom and I went to visit my aunt.  Mom’s

 eldest sister. She has not been feeling that well,

 and I really wanted to see her.  My aunt has always

 been kind to me, my sisters, nieces and nephews.  

She even likes Arvid. That for her is something.

Of course Arvid used this opportunity to go to

 the Wednesday meetings in Fort Lauderdale.

  When we lived there, he never once missed a 

Wednesday trade meeting. He loves trading. Mom 

and I had breakfast then we went to my aunts.

I don’t miss the meetings, but I miss a very 

good friend there. Jim.  He’s an older gentleman,

 and he's busier than Arvid and I combined.

When in Fort Lauderdale we like to go to one of 

the restaurants we really miss.  Usually it's Houston's,

 but this time we did not have the time so we choose 

Flanigan's instead,  Arvid loves their baby back ribs, 

surprisingly so does my mom.  Me I mostly eat

 chicken no matter where we go.  I'm boring. 

Arvid also took some time to catch up with our 

friend Roger in Branson.  Roger misses him and I 

know Arvid in his way enjoyed those Friday evenings 

with the boys back in Branson.  Such good times.

Sniff as always is stayin cool as a cucumber.  He does

 not like us leaving him alone.  Now he's happy again.

We're tired.  Very tired, but at the same 

time we are feeling accomplished.  Mom and

 dad have settled in beautifully and the house

 now looks like home.  They are home.

Adventures are best served together...

~Nadiya~

Something to Think About... October 29th~

I've learned that people will forget what you 
said, people will forget what you did, but people 
will never forget how you made them feel...

 Facebook is a pretty interesting place to visit.  
Every so often when people are not complaining or 
cussing another person out you come across something that
 makes an impression on you. Something worth sharing
 with the hopes it can make someone's life better.

In life we have no guarantees, but if we don't take risks 
then we are not really living. Don't be afraid to try  
and to experience new things. Life! you only 
get once chance at it.  Make it worthwhile!

Bob Marley said it really well: "Life is one big road 
with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts,
 do not complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief 
and jealousy. Do not bury your thoughts, put your 
vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!" 

Today we take a little break from

 moving and unpacking.  We all deserve it. 

 Even Sniff thinks it's too much going on.

The joy of life consists in the exercise of one's energies, 
continual growth, constant change, the enjoyment of every
 new experience. To stop means simply to die. The eternal
 mistake of mankind  is to set up an attainable ideal...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday October 28th~

If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit...

 It was another busy day yesterday, but a 

good one. Arvid and I began helping my mom 

and dad arrange their furniture in their home.  It’s 

starting to look and feel like a home already.

We only worked half of the day then 

returned the U-Haul truck.  As we all said, 

“Rome was not built in one day.”

Arvid and I are tired.  My parents are tired.

  Nina and david are tired, but we all are very

 happy at how much we accomplished.

When we crossed into Florida on Sunday, 

a most beautiful sunrise greeted us.  It was as if it 

was telling my mom and dad that they did the right 

thing, and that everything is gonna be alright. 

This being Florida we also had an encounter

 with the fog before arriving at our destination. 

 Florida living at its best. Tired but happy.

It's good to be home.  Once again, Arvid said 

this would be his last move.  He says it every time we

 move.  Who knows, maybe one day it will be true.

To all a very good day.  Hopefully today is not as hectic.

When we are tired, we are attacked 

by ideas we conquered long ago...

~Nadiya~

Monday October 27th~

 Your Monday morning thoughts determine 
your entire week. Think positive...

Back home again. Bone tired, but home. 

We still have lots to do, but Arvid calls this

 the fun part.  Putting everything together.

I would like to say we have an easy week, truth is it 

will be busy again.  For the last few days Arvid and I have 

been in North Carolina helping my parents move back to 

Florida.  Florida was once their home some 20 years ago.

We rented a 26 foot U-Haul.  Arvid designated

 himself as the driver.  The bulk of the packing and loading 

was done by Arvi, David, Nina and myself.  Mala and Gopaul 

were there many times before us and did their share.  Mala

 was also there on Friday the 24th to help some more.

  A big thanks also to Georgie, he came all the way

 from Virginia with his own U-Haul.  Mom and dad

 of course had also started their packing and giving

 away months ago, yet there was so much stuff.

The past few days though hectic, have been bittersweet. 

 So many memories in Granite Falls. My mom and dad's 

neighbors just kept coming one after the others to say

 their goodbyes, and wish them the best of luck.  

They all told them how much they are going to be

 missed, and that they would love to have them back

 anytime.  It was very sad, but at the same time I saw

 what an impact my parents made to the people in 

their lives.  They have already made friends here 

in Florida from their stay this past winter.

Mom and dad left a legacy in North Carolina, 

and a good one it is.  Moving is never easy, but they 

did great.  I know they will miss their Haven in North 

Carolina, but I also know they love Florida.  Tomorrow

 I continue with their journey into Florida.  Now HOME.

Sniff of course is super happy we are home 

again.  I missed him too much.  Good morning and

 a great new week to all.  Ours is definitely better with 

the move over, and mom and dad here in Florida.

Build your own dreams, or someone 

else will hire you to build theirs...

~Nadiya~

Sunday October 26th~

  Almost everything will work again if you 
unplug it for a few minutes…Including you...   

Out of the "office."  Will be back tomorrow 😂It is very
 important to recharge our batteries to uplift our spirits and
 refresh our perspectives towards life. It is often said that the
 best way to recharge yourself is to unplug yourself from the 
daily duties for sometime.  It's what I plan to do today.

Here in North Carolina it has/is a busy weekend. 

 Everyone is working hard to take care of business, 

and we all look forward to some relaxing times.  

To all a good day and "see" you tomorrow. 

Taking a break helps you understand yourself

 better and recharges your drained battery.

Give yourself permission to unplug and regroup, 

without feeling guilty ❤ . You can’t be there for

others if you don’t take care of yourself first...

~Nadiya~

Feeling a bit Homesick~ October 25th

Earth without wildlife

 is life without beautiful things...

 This is what a typical morning looked like

 at home in Branson. The birds show up.  Sniff 

stalks them.  This usually goes on for about an 

hour or so until Sniff is bored with them.

After the birds take a little break the squirrels show up. 

 Most of the time they show up together.  The birds and 

squirrels have an understanding and neither interferes with

 the other.  Sniff is alert for a bit watching the squirrels.

  Of course then he's tired and ready for another nap.

There are also some Canadian geese living in the

 area.  In the mornings they fly over us.  This gets 

Sniff once again on the alert, but not for long.

There is a lot of wildlife it seems around us.  One day

 this summer we went to Sniff's pet sitters home.  These

 are just a few of her pets.  She also sells fresh eggs.

Adding to my mornings contentment is seeing PiP and

 then Charley.  Charley I fed.  PiP just stares me down.

I was feeling a little nostalgic this morning.

Wild animals are less wild and more 

human than many humans of this world...

~Nadiya~

Friday October 24th~ Granite Falls, North Carolina

It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life, 

to wait until you’re ready...

 This is where we always gather for countless hours

 of laugher, conversations and good food.  Mom and 

dad's kitchen nook in North Carolina. So many very

 good times right here.  Today we make some more.

Yes, Arvid and I are in North Carolina at my mom and dad's. 

 Nina and David are also here.  Arvid is keeping an eye out

 for the deers.  They usually show up a few times a day.

Today is a busy day for us, and it's best to get an

 early start if we hope to accomplish all that needs to 

be done.  A good day to all.  Cherish your memories 

for one day they may be all you have left 💚

Some of our most beautiful memories and

 moments were made right here at mom and 

dad's in Granite Falls, North Carolina.

Life is a collection of moments. We 

didn't realize we were making memories,

 we just knew we were having fun...

~Nadiya~