Sunday November 30th~

Focus on cherishing moments, creating

 memories, and appreciating happiness, 

even amidst life's challenges...

Yesterday was a beautiful day made better because

 Gabsy came. Arvid and I got to the airport almost a 

half hour before he arrived, and waited almost an 

hour before Gabsy came out. A first for Arvid.  

We had to do a little shifting of things around 

because we have not had anyone stay with 

us here in our condo in Fort Myers. 

Having Gabsy will do us a good.  It’s just

 for a few days so we will have a great time all of

 us. Of course Arvid showed him around.

  The two of them had a little alone time 

together.  Arvid of course showing him our guitars.

  Gabsy plays the guitar, afterwards, we went downtown

 for pizza, one of Gabsy’s favorite food.  On our 

way to downtown I of course stopped to feed 

Legacy she was there waiting for her food.  

After pizza we walked around a bit, then it 

was back home where we watched a movie.  A 

very good start of Gabsy’s stay with us. 

Sniff has been good .  Sniffing Gabsy out, 

testing out the bed Gabs is sleeping on and just circling 

around him. We also moved one of Sniffs bed into the 

living room.  Sniff jumped up right away on it and 

slept there for the night.  Sniff is such a good boy.

Good morning and a very good day to all. 

Be kind to those you love for you never

 know what life has in store for you.

Every moment is an opportunity 

to create a handcrafted memory to 

be replayed for years to come...

~Nadiya~

Saturday November 29th~

Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten...

Arvid and I are so very excited.  Today Gabsy comes 

to visit.  Arvid has so many things he will be doing with

 Arvid.  Just little things, but it will sure make a big 

difference.  Fun times for all of us awaits us all.

Woke up to another beautiful sunrise.  Let's 

hope this sets the tone for the rest of the day.

We can't wait to see Gabsy.  Arvid has planned

 out so many thing for them to do together. 

 As for me I am just happy to see him.  It's 

been too long. He’s the hippie of the family and 

we could not love him any more than I/we do. So

 many things I would like to also show Gabsy.

Yesterday evening we “braced” the cold and 

went downtown for an outing. On our way,

 I always stop and feed Legacy Kitty.

Someone provided a warm place for her to 

sleep with lots of fluffy blankets. So far I have

 not seen her in the box/bed.  She was hungry and

 meowed quite a bit as we called out for her. I gave

 her fresh water, dry food and a soft foodie. 

As always Arvid and I were very cold even

 though he temperature was in the  mid 60’sF (21C). 

 Arvids hands are always like a frozen block of ice. I 

call him a reptile. Space heaters were appreciated.

 We had a really good outing and we look 

forward to doing the same again today with

 Gabsy.  Can’t wait to have him with us.  

To all a very good day another "cold" start 

of the day, but the warmup is on its way. Sniff

 takes no chances. First he cozies up to me, 

then straight to his heating bed. 

He loves that heating bed and can you

 believe we have none in Branson? He’s 

always on that heating bed. He’s happy 

and warm and I love him so much.

Moments become memories

 when shared with family...

~Nadiya~

Friday November 28th~

The memories we make with 

our family are everything...

 Yesterday mom and dad came over for a cozy

Thanksgiving dinner. We did not have a the so called

“traditional” meal.  Instead I made steak, salmon🐠

shrimp, lobster and lamb, their favorite (not mine).

We had it with mashed potatoes, salad, rice,

 corn and a mushroom gravy.  I made everything 

from scratch and based on what I saw, we all

 enjoyed their meal.  Of course stories were

 told mostly by my dad and Arvid.

Sniff was super good, maybe a little too 

good  he was very quiet and even when Arvid

 vacuumed  the apartment he did not move. 

 My lil' Sniff is getting older and I just don’t 

want to think of it.  He is my happiness. 

Arvid showed mom and dad his office, the 

"new"things they did not see from their last visit. 

 Everyone loves Arvids office.  It's his happy place. 

It’s so neat and everything fits just right that’s

 how my mom expresses it.  My family are all

 amazed of what Arvid can do at his age.

Arvid and I were planning on going 

downtown for a bit, but the weather stopped us

 rain and black skies.  Instead we stayed cozy at 

home.  Arvid had a drink, we had some apple 

pie my mom made and enjoyed time with Sniff 

and our TV shows.  Was a very good choice.

Today not sure what we will be doing  it has

 cooled down quite a bit and Arvid does not like to

 be out in the cold.  Did I forget to mention he's 

from Norway, and yes, it's always cold there.

The day has begun with a beautiful sunrise 

and I look forward to what it holds.  To all a very

 good day.  It is after all Black Friday hope you 

got some amazing deals. I already had my 

Black Friday deals online.  Happy.

Family is found in your heart...

~Nadiya~

Thursday November 27th~ Thanksgiving Day

The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude

 of blessings that continually surround us...

 Today I give an extra thank you because I have 

my parents with us.  Today and hopefully for many

 more years to come we will have Thanksgiving dinner

 together.  Mom and dad are once again Floridians.

It is not always a happy time for everyone.  

Many spend it alone be it by choice or just 

the way life is.  I am grateful that this year

 we get to spend it with my parents 🦃

Wishing everyone a beautiful day, and remember 

no matter what, there is always something good in

 each day.  Always something to be grateful for. 

Thanksgiving is not just a day. It’s a 

way we can live our lives every day...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday November 26th~

Be who you are and say what you feel, 

because those who mind don't matter,

 and those who matter don't mind..

I sometimes wonder about people and why 

it is they choose to be more concerned about 

what other may think of them rather than just think

 for themselves.  I have never let what others think

 of me affect my self worth or self esteem. 

 I know who I am and that's all that matters.  I

 see families destroyed by self doubt and worry

 more about what other may think of them rather

 than live and enjoy their lives to the fullest. 

I am by far not perfect.  I try to always do good, 

but sometimes that is not always enough.  To do good 

you sometimes have to point out a few harsh truths.  

One is not always liked for this.  I never seek approval. 

 If I see an injustice being committed it's really difficult 

for me to stay quiet.  Be it a friend, a family or stranger. 

 I will always speak up against injustices.  This does not

 go well with everyone, and I am very okay with that.

I have never been one to follow the crowd.  Not me.

I leave with you another beautiful Fort Myers sunset.

The minute you start caring about what other 

people think is the minute you stop being yourself...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday November 25th~

Instead of worrying about 

what you cannot control, shift your 

energy to what you can create...

 On Sunday Arvid and I went to lunch at the beach. 

That is Fort Myers Beach. We checked out a place that 

was ripped apart by Hurricane Ian.  Completely destroyed.

 Today it is once again a beautiful spot.  We enjoyed dining

 by the water, the cool air and boats all around us.  

We enjoyed a quiet time.  The ambiance was great and 

if you're a seafood lover this place has it all.  Sadly Arvid

 and I are picky eaters and seafood is not what we would 

normally go for.  Even so we did have a good meal.

Our days are busy right now.  Getting ready for a 

funeral and preparing for Gabsy to come visit.  One

 sad event and one happy one at the same time.

A very good day to all.  The days are beautiful and 

we are enjoying some very nice afternoon walks.  The other 

day on one of our walks Legacy Kitty was there.  She 

has a ton of food from so many kind people. 

Morning is here.  Beautiful day begins once again.  

Sniff is being a bit picky again.  He's not eating 

his soft foodies.  Of course that stresses me out.

Maybe because he sees the suitcases already?

Never let yesterday use up too much of today...

~Nadiya~

Monday November 24th~

A fresh viewpoint can be achieved by

 changing your mindset, using failure as a 

learning tool, and setting new ambitions...

 The last week of November, boy this month/year 

has gone by way too fast.  A lot has happened this year, 

the best being of coure mom and dad sold their home 

in North Carolina, something myself and my four

 sisters are very happy about.  And now they

 are back in Florida, close to us.  So happy!

As mentioned before, my aunt died on Saturday. 

 In March of this year her husband, my uncle also died.  

This in so many ways has also been a very harsh year.  

Many good things, but many not so good has 

also happened.  Life throws it all to you.

I have learnt, like so many of you that you have 

to keep moving if you don't want to get trampled. 

 Sometimes the last thing you want to do is to 

move, but if you don't you will "drown".

The week should be interesting.  Thanksgiving 

is on Thursday.  As of right now mom and dad are 

coming over for dinner.  Also Gabsy will be visiting 

us for a few days.  Arvid is busy thinking what he

 and Gabsy can do together.  No sure who is more

 excited, me, Gabsy or Arvid.  Happy all of us.

Your perspective will either become 

your prison or your passport...

~Nadiya~

Sunday November 23rd~

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself...

 I love Sundays because for some reason we/Arvid

 does not seem to always be in a rush.  We have a relaxing day.

  Our Sundays are always the day we have a "bigger" breakfast. 

 Well mainly Arvid.  I make him bacon and eggs.  Every 

Sunday.  I am not a bacon fan so I usually skip it.

Usually Arvid has a few games so then he's happy 

and relaxed.  I usually do a bunch of laundry.  Then Sniff

 is happy.  Sniff gets fresh laundry three times a week.  Before

 noon hits I am usually tired because since getting up I usually

 do not have a seat until most of the house chores are done.

By the time we are ready to go for our Sunday

 outing I am pretty much beat and ready to just go so that 

I can sit and not do more chores around the house. 

Today I found a "new" place for us to have our 

relaxing Sunday outing. It takes us to Fort Myers Beach. 

 Looking forward to trying it out and checking out the 

view for ourselves.  Online it sure looks interesting...

Your calm mind is the ultimate 

weapon against your challenges...

~Nadiya~

Saturday November 22nd~

Happiness is mother and daughter time...

 Yesterday was a very good day. I got to spend a

few hours with my mom. Just the two of us. We shopped

 a bit and enjoyed a pleasant outing together. Now that

 they live close to us I look forward to morning this. 

 Every girl needs time with her mom.  I’m grateful 

for all of it and I never take it/her for granted.

In the evening Arvid and I did what we like the most.

 We walked downtown and enjoyed Music Walk.  

In between we also enjoyed our favorite drinks. 

 We were even graced by Jesus' appearance.

 Of course at Hideaway. Definitely our, well Arvids

 favorite place.  They have his favorite beer.  Landshark

 on draft.  Nothing beats that according to him.  They

 also have many delicious drinks I enjoy. Yummy!

A stop for a slice of pizza before returning

 home, and our evening was complete🍕

A happy Saturday to all.  One of my favorite aunts

 died yesterday.  She was my moms eldest sister

 and has always been kind to me.  I loved her.

It's so much darker when a light goes out 

than it would have been if it had never shone...

~Nadiya~

Friday November 21st~

You were born to be real not to be perfect...

 Yesterday Arvid and I had a fairly quiet day

 at home. Always so nice and then for lunch we

 went downtown to one of our favorite restaurants.

It's a very small place, but we love the food.

Before lunch we went walking in search of Arvid’s

 squirrel.  Yes, that’s what he called the squirrel. His squirrel. 

 The day before Arvid went for walk alone, my knee was 

too painful.  During his walk he told me that a squirrel

 approached him really close and just looked at him.

  Because I didn't go, there was no food for the 

squirrel.  That’s why we went back yesterday searching

 for his squirrel.  We found him and he did get really

 close to us.  Of course I had peanuts for him.  I

 was so happy because I fed a few more as well.

On our way back home I checked in on Legacy. 

 That’s the name of the kitty we saw one day last 

week living on the grounds of Legacy Marina. 

 From that day on I have been giving her food

 and water.  I have not seen her again, but the 

food is always gone so I replenish it daily.  

We also noticed that someone else has been

 feeding her. In a different spot and that someone 

else made her a cozy little bed with soft blankets. 

 Legacy Kitty is being cared for by a few of us.

Work continues on the marina. This will take

 some time before it becomes the marina we had for

 about 8 days before Hurricane Ian destroyed it. 

It’s Friday. There’s Music Walk tonight. Our 

plan is to take a trip downtown and check it out. 

Today mom and I have a few things to do.  Mom

 wants to do a little shopping so that's what we will

 do. A little girl time at the mall is always good.

Sniff is doing good. Sleeping a lot as usual.  

Lately he has been very needy.  He just cried and 

does not want to leave us.  I love when he’s close 

to me, but Arvid tells him that he (Arvid) needs

 some space.  Like Sniff understands 😭

To all a very good day make it a great

 one and whatever you do donut with joy. 

 Christmas is right around the corner.🎄

Always take some of the weekend

 to do whatever brings you joy...

~Nadiya~