Sunday July 31st ~

 I get up and I’m happy and healthy and whole...

The last two days have been cooler.  A little rain also 

helped the grass, flowers and the wildlife in our backyard.

  I also realized that the birds really enjoy nibbling on their

 food even in the rain.  They also delighted in bird baths.  

It looked as if fall was already here.  Many leaves 

are already changing color and yes falling already.

Arvid and I stayed in.  Arvid wanted to go out, 

but I didn’t feel like it. Not usual for me, but we all

 have our days like these.  Happens once in a while.

Sniff had to really “fight” Arvid to get close to him. 

 Arvid says his arm hurts and he needs to rest it on the arm 

rest of the sofa.  Exactly where Sniff wants to lay down.  

Eventually Sniff got his way, but not without a struggle 🙄

Sunday.  Our day as Arvid likes to call it.  What/where shall we go?

  Not sure as yet, but the restaurant I wanted to try out does not open

 until 5pm.  Arvid does not like to eat that late.  I can always make 

an exception, but I admit I get hungry by 3.  We do miss out on 

lots of restaurants only because we can’t wait until 5pm 🙄

 

Wishing everyone a good day. Remember think positive, 

do positive because no one really cares to listen to someone 

always down on life.  We all have “issues” in life we have to

 deal with, but being negative about it just makes you even 

more miserable.  Happy thoughts to all and a happy day.

The biggest adventure you can ever take 

is to live the life of your dreams....

~Nadiya~

Saturday July 30th ~

 Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, 
good things and good people will be drawn to you...

The wildlife in our backyard is keeping me busy and very

 entertained.  Now when I go to the grocery store I have an

 additional grocery list for Gerald Sr and Gerald Jr.  They like

 carrots, sweet potatoes, apples and bananas.  I've noticed 

that Gerald Jr is no longer crazy over sweet potatoes.

Turty  likes her flour tortillas, but she also likes apples, 

strawberries and all green leafy vegetables.  She has also told her 

friends about the abundance of foodies in our backyard.  Now

 there are 3 turtles waiting for food in the mornings.

I now have four Chippy's and they like peanuts, raisins 

and dried fruit.  Same as the 8 squirrels.  They get their food 

from Chewy together with Sniff.  Lately they have been

 getting Chewy delivery more often than Sniff 😏

Yesterday was "cooler" a little rain, but not much.  

Arvid went to Almost Home.  We had a pleasant and 

very relaxing evening at home.  Listened to some music

 and watched some TV.  Was good and very enjoyable.

Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger 

or faster man.   But sooner or later, the man 

who wins is the man who thinks he can...

~Nadiya~

Friday July 29th~

Often, in the real world, it's not the 
smart that get ahead but the bold...

Arvid and I did venture out of our "safe" restaurants 
and "discovered" a new place.  Surprisingly not that far

 from where we live.  Little did we know that there is 

a whole lot going on just beyond our doorsteps. 

On another note, yesterday I saw a snap from

 both Victoria and Michael, yeah the same one's with

 the pool house.  She also being Arvid’s eldest daughter.  

Well let's just say the snap took me back to summers

 at their place.  They always prepare a seafood feast.  You 

will NEVER find this in a restaurant.  I miss it right now.

The cherries were picked from their backyard as 

in acres of backyard.  They also have apples, plums

 and pears among other fruit. This was from just one 

of their many cherry trees.  I'm NOT jealous 😛

Today will be a quiet day.  Lunch at home and a movie on Netflix.  

Yes, definitely snacks and my most favorite, a Pepsi.  I'm happy.

Let's remember that our attitude towards life determines life's 

attitude towards us.  After a while negativity just wears you down and 

those around you.  Life is too short to only focus on the negative.

The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes...

~Nadiya~

Thursday July 28th ~

 When I told you that I was normal, 
I may have exaggerated slightly...

We all watch the news so that we can stay informed as to

 what is going on in our surroundings and the world we live in. 

 Fact.  Arvid watches the news so that he can later "scare" me into 

all these very terrible things going on in the world, and yes, they are 

terrible, but at the same time one has to take it all into perspective.

This morning Arvid said that last night on the news he saw that there

 were many bears in Missouri.  Well yeah!  There are bears, but with Arvid

everything can be too EXTREME.  Now he says I need to get rid of all

the bird feeders because the bears will soon climb up the deck 😒

After all is said and done, where is the joy in life 

if I have to live afraid of everything.  I'm already scared 

of snakes as is.  So yes, the racoon does come to eat the 

bird seeds at nights.  That's why I cover them up.

Some nights when the racoon comes I go out with water and a

 stick to chase him away.  Have done it now twice and every night

 I wait for him.   Arvid asked what would I do if the racoon bit me.

  Hmm... I did not think about that as yet, but on the other hand, 

I did get a tetanus shot about a month ago.  I'm covered.

Good  morning everyone.  I know that life is not always easy, and for 

some it's even more of a struggle, but being miserable all the time and 

complaining about it does not make it any better. If you can quit, quit.

 If you can't quit, stop complaining - this is what you chose.  Life.

Common sense is a flower that does

 not grow in everyone's garden...

~Nadiya~

Flashback ~

 The only time you should every look

 back is to see how far you have come...

Today I look back to some of the wonderful times 

we had when we lived in Eleuthera, Bahamas.

The beach, the sun and sand were our backyards.  I don't miss 

those days, but it's nice to look back and reminiscence for a little.

We enjoyed the time we had in Eleuthera, but it was also OK to leave.

Brutus was part of our Bahamas life.  He hated the flight,

 and after a while I did not wish to have him go through this 

so often.  It was time to sell the house, and we did.

Good morning everyone.  The plan for today is to hopefully
 "discover" a new place, this all depends on if it rains or not.

Looking back at my life's voyage, I can 
only say that it has been a golden trip...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 26th ~

 I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever 

situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater

 part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not

 by our circumstance but by our disposition...

On Sunday Arvid and I found a new little spot on Table Rock Lake.

  I am sure it will soon become a favorite of ours.  Amazing views

We decided to look for a different place to go, but the criteria 

was that is should be on the water.  I love Google, it took me 

straight to several places soon to be 🙏discovered by us.

As soon as we got there it felt as if we were in a different place. 

 Arvid said it reminded him of Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

  It has an island vibe.  Live music and just everyone jammin'

Even though it was sweltering hot, it didn't stop us from walking

 around and checking out the vies and the little gift shops all around.

Of course once Arvid saw this "other" side of Branson

 he was more interested in discovering more of it.  I also 

wish to see more.  When we first came to Branson in

 2016, we never had time to do much.  Now we do.

We look forward to finding more of these "gems" we never 

had the time to explore.  As Arvid said, now it's getting interesting.

Arvid to me, "you know there is no rush to get back to Florida"  

Though it is HOT here in Branson, there is no humidity like there

 is in Florida.  Last year it was warm all through December 

(here in Branson), and that's what Arvid said to me.

We even checked out into renting a boat.  Of course Arvid's 

first thought was, "maybe we should buy a boat"  Hopefully 

I have been successful is dissuading him from that.

This lady saw me trying to take a picture of Arvid,

 not easy.  She snuck in without him knowing.  I thought 

it was funny.  Arvid as you can see not so much.

Life for us is always more interesting where there is water. 

 One thing about Missouri, it does have some amazing lakes. 

 Suddenly there is so much to be "discovered" and

 we look forward to doing so.  To all a very good day.  

There is nothing like a cheerful contended life.

Most important decision we should make every morning 

is to be happy and cheerful throughout the day. This one 

decision has the power to make our life magical...

~Nadiya~

Monday July 25th~

A positive mindset brings positive things...

Everything I need is right here.  Arvid, Sniff and coffee 
to start my day.  Now I know it's going to be a very good
 start of the week.  Wish it's the same for everyone.

This week will be "cooler"  so excited about that. 

 Finally we will take a little break from temperatures soaring 

above 100F.  It's probably going to feel like winter again 😂

That's OK as long as it's not the "real" winter.  No bueno.

Here is to a successful week ahead.  Arvid and I 

continue looking for our winter place.  Florida of course. 

 It's not easy, but one thing for sure rent or own, we will 

definitely not be spending this winter in Missouri. 

 Our families keep asking us the same thing all the 

time "Have you gotten a place yet in Florida" Let's just 

say it's not for lack of trying.  Sooner or later, we will 

be Florida🌴 bound. No more winters for now.

The goal is to be back before winter begins.

 Live for each second without hesitation.

See you this winter.  That's a promise.

People are unhappy when they get something too easily.

 You have to sweat – that’s the only moral they know...

~Nadiya~

Sunday July 24th~

 During this heatwave, please remember to dress 
for the body you have, not the body you want...

When my day begins and ends with Sniff it's a happy day. 

 Sniff, Arvid and I.  Together we are living our best lives

 and always happy to give each day our best shot 😊.

Yesterday while Arvid was busy with soccer, I checked out the pool.  

I have to say it is a pretty cool spot.  sparkling blue, cool water.

The best part was that no one was around.  Had it all to myself.

Hopefully will get Arvid to check it out one

 day as well.  Perfect way to cool down in this heat.

Not sure what we will do today.  This heat makes me very lazy and tired.

My cousins found the perfect spot in Costa Rica, while

 others found it in Jamaica. All I got was a picture of their

 drink 😂Happy Sunday to all.  Make it a special one.

It isn’t what you have or who you are or where you

 are or what you are doing that makes you happy

 or unhappy. It is what you think about it...

~Nadiya~

Saturday July 23rd ~

 You're not going to master the rest of your life in one day.

Just relax.  Master the day. Then just keep doing that every day...

What a day it was yesterday.  Finally the heat got the

 best of me.  Arvid and I had a little afternoon outing 

with a friend.  We went to our favorite Friday spot.

  Sat outside but after half an hour we had to go indoors.

 Was too hot.  Inside was even hotter.  The AC was down,

 and we were told that it will not be fixed for another six

 weeks.  After COVID everything takes a lot longer.

Our friend stayed just for a short time then took off 

said couldn’t take the heat.  Arvid and I stuck around for 

little more, then left. We had a little nibble and my favorite 

a Tropical Sangria.  Sangria reminds me of Puerto Rico.  

They have the best drinks.  Friday's in PR.. miss it.

Soccer is starting up soon again.  Soon Arvid's calendar 

will be filled with games to watch.  Like I always say,

 "Arvid knows how to keep himself busy."

The heat wave continues.  You just have to do the 

best you can to stay cool.  Sniff is master of staying cool.

  He is after all the coolest kitty in all of town 💙😂

Wishing everyone a good day and a great weekend.

Leave a trail of kindness everywhere you go...

~Nadiya~