Sunday March 22nd~

Every moment with you has been a 

treasure. You've brought joy into our lives

from the moment we first held you...

Today the one that made us grandparents 

turns 13.  Aleah, the first of three girls. She stole 

our hearts the minute we saw her. I keep saying 

where has the  time gone by; and why so fast. 

 Today she's a beautiful young teenager now.

The first time we saw Aleah was December of 2013. 

 She came to Florida with her mom, Michelle and 

Michelle's mom, Elisabeth.  It was a beautiful time. 

 For that short time we got to spend all our time 

with this little one.  She even met our Brutus. 

When we were downtown the other day it was 

packed.  One table was occupied by a couple, but

 it had 2 available seats. We asked to share and of

 course I started up a conversation with them.  

The couple was from Canada and have been

 snowbirds in Fort Myers for over 16 years.  They

 said they had checked out out parts of Florida, but

 Ft. Myers was the one they always came back to.

.

When they left another couple asked to share 

the 2 open seats.  I chatted and found out they 

were from upper Michigan.  The wife specified the 

upper part.  Also snowbirds from October to May. 

Downtown, always something for everyone

 Then they left I saw a couple standing and asked

 if they wanted to share the table.  Found out they were 

from Ohio and also live in Fort Myers from October to

May.Was a very interesting evening.  By the time we 

left another couple was already waiting for the seats.

We did make it to Fort Lauderdale, I was happy 

because I got to go to the Swap Shop and get some 

of my tropical fruit.  I do find them here in Ft Myers, 

but not so much the coconut already prepared.

Wishing everyone a very good Sunday. Today

 we have a lot of cleaning to do, but for good reason. 

 All is good with us. Sniff decided he did not want 

to eat this morning.  Sure knows how to stress me 

out, but it's Sniff 💜and he's my happy place.

A very happy birthday to our granddaughter Aleah who

 turns 13 years today, also to Max our nephew whose birthday

 is tomorrow.  Max is on the way to change the world 💜

Happiness is not a goal...it's a 

by-product of a life well-lived...

~Nadiya~

Saturday March 21st~

The difference between men and

 boys is the price of their toys...

 There is always something that 

catches our attention.  This time it was 

a car parked on someone's property.

Arvid and I have seen it a few times, but never

 stopped.  It was too much to resist so he decided it 

was about time to check it out. He's a car aficionado,

 but at the same time now a bit more cautious and

 not so keen on just buying everything he sees. 

Yesterday was Music Walk.  Being true to ourselves, 

we took our usual Friday trip downtown. As always at

 this time of the year everything is packed.  It's good to see 

businesses flourishing and people having a good time.

 Once again we begin our day on the road again.  

Not looking forward to the trip today as much as I was 

on Wednesday.  It's been a long week and I am tired.

All is good at home.  Sniff is not eating his soft

 foodies, but at least yesterday he did not puke. While

 downtown this kid had a bald python as a pet.  Everyone 

was horrified yet fascinated at the same time.  Me included

 of course. Legacy was there waiting for foodies.

To all a good day.  Hope your first spring day

 was a good one, and the sun warmed you up.

Every Saturday should come with 

a pause button.  Enjoy your weekend...

~Nadiya~

Friday March 20th~

Unexpected, moments are an inevitable part 

of life, often forcing growth and requiring us to

 adapt when plans fail and things go wrong...

 On Wednesday we never made it to Fort Lauderdale. 

 There was a crash with fatalities involving three vehicles. 

 We take I-75 and this was closed for about eight hours.  Exactly 

our route.  We had to turn around and head back home.

  As I said in my post yesterday, Sniff was happy.

So Arvid was looking at concert tickets a few months 

ago, but not sure we would go.  I said to him, "why don't 

you get the tickets.  If your brother comes the two of 

you can go alone.  If he doesn't, we can go together." 

 Fingers crossed his brother comes to visit us🙏

Today is the first day of spring, and our sunset

 here in the Gulf Coast sure did not disappoint.  What

 a great way to say goodbye to winter.  I know there is

 technically no winter in Florida, but this year has been 

way too cold for comfort.  So yeah we did have winter.

Yesterday after finishing doing what we had 

to do at mom and dad’s, the four of us went 

out to lunch at he “famous” Rum Bucket. 

Mom and Arvid had baby back ribs, dad

 always has a grouper sandwich.  I had the Cesar

 salad.  Food wa good as was the company.

Afterwards Arvid and I went back home,

 fed Sniff who decided to puke again.  I also went 

to feed Legacy. Early because we had to go to a 

meeting afterwards. Thankfully Legacy

 was there.  Waiting for her foodies.

Afterwards Arvid and I went again to Port 

Charlotte for the real estate trade meeting. First

 time going to this one. Sure it won’t be the last.

 At the venue we had something to drink and I 

had some nachos.  It seems like you have to eat 

something. Makes me like this place already.

To all a very good day.  Enjoy the first day of Spring. 

 Hopefully it is already warming up for everyone.

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first 

spring day is another. The difference between

 them is sometimes as great as a month...

~Nadiya~

Thursday March 19th~

Life is a succession of lessons which 

must be lived to be understood...

 I miss this little Lady.  F23 for me was a special

 eagle, and I still can't believe that this fierce momma 

died.  Her baby E26 is doing exceptional thanks to 

all the teachings of the best eagle daddy, M15.

Petitions have been signed (mine included) 

for full transparency surrounding F23's death. 

 Still more questions than there are answers.  

Sniff of course was super happy when we got

 back home early. Yesterday as Arvid was cleaning his 

office he came across the song he wrote for Brutus and I

 in 2015 after he died.  He showed it to me and his eyes

 were all teary.  As he said, "Brutus was a special boy."

Days like this that I really am missing our Brutus. 

 It only takes a flashback of a memory to bring 

it all back into focus.  We miss him and we

 are grateful for the time we had with him.

Today we go to mom and dad's for a little visit,

 and at the same time Arvid has a few chores to take care of.  

Thank goodness for these "chores" means more frequent 

visits to mom and dad.  Not complaining at all.

Sniff is so very possessive over Arvid.  Yesterday as 

Arvid was talking to his brother, Sniff had a "temper tantrum" 

 again.  Same thing happens when we Facetime with the girls. 

For a almost an hour Sniff just meowed, scratched things,

 tried to fight with me.  All of this while Arvid was talking 

to his brother.  Before the conversation was over, Sniff 

puked a few times.  He does not act up this way 

when I talk to my family.  Very strange.

Don't look back; you're not going that way...

 ~Nadiya~

Wednesday March 18th~

Reminisce is to capture the nostalgic, often 

bittersweet, act of looking back at cherished

 memories,and moments, highlighting how they 

shaped our lives, present, past and future...

 Today we take a little day trip to Fort Lauderdale, 

our old stomping grounds. The other night we were 

watching a show on TV and it takes place right in Fort 

Lauderdale.  For a moment there we sure missed it.  

The beach looked beautiful, and the drive 

along A1A invoked so many good memories. 

 Fort Lauderdale is definitely a beautiful place.  

Do we miss it?  When we see pictures of the places 

we've lived and are familiar with, yes we do.  I still

 keep in touch with what's happening.  With the new

 restaurants, buildings.  I don't always tell it to Arvid

 because he's not always interested, nor does he pay

 attention. Most of the time his mind is elsewhere.

Fort Lauderdale

Going to Fort Lauderdale and that goes for any

 of the places we go to, it give me an opportunity to go 

down memory lane for a little.  I like what I see, at the 

same time I like where  .  I know once we get into the

 traffic in Fort Lauderdale, we will be happy we don't 

have to deal with it on a daily basis anymore.

Some of our best times living in Fort Lauderdale 

was having Brutus with us.  I sure miss his so much.

  We both do.  I love my Sniff more than I can say, 

but my Brutus took a part of me with him.

To all a very good day.  The air is cooler, and it

 seems like the rain we do not get here in Fort Myers, 

we will sure be getting it in Fort Lauderdale.

The biggest adventure you can

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

~Nadiya~

Tuesday March 17~

May your blessings outnumber

 the shamrocks that grow...

 First of all Happy St Patrick’s Day to all.

  After all I was once called “one of those dark

 Irish girls”  You see at that time my last name was 

Riley, and of course I was the newbie in NYC

 EMS and the cops liked to joke around. 

Me I did not mind it one bit.  In fact those

 were some of my most memorable days. I loved

 every minute spent with EMS, and I loved my life 

also in NYC.  Now I love our life in Florida.

Yesterday was hectic. We were out and about

 from early in the morning.  I have to say my knee 

was not doing great.  Before we took off in the

 morning I went to feed Legacy hoping to also see

 Newbie.  Legacy was there and someone had

 already left her foodies.  I just cleaned up 

the area and gave her fresh water.

The afternoon was not as busy, but Arvid kept 

himself busy. When he needed time to think he played

 solitaire.  Afterwards there was a soccer game. 

I once again went to feed Legacy but this

 time she was not there. The weather was bad.

 The wind was just blowing everything away, 

and the rain came. Tornado like winds.

As always the evening was spent watching TV

 with Sniff snuggled up net to us.  Not a bad day.
To all a very good day. Our temperature has dropped

 a bit, but nothing radical. Well Arvid claims it’s 

way cold. He’s weird. He’s after all from Norway

 and should tolerate the cold better than me.

Gold is money. Everything else is credit.

May the hinges of friendship never rust...

~Nadiya~

Monday March 16th~

Look for something positive in each day, even

 if some days you have to look a little harder...

 The new week is here and it holds a few exciting

 things for us.  It's a week closer to hopefully Arvid's

 brother visiting. Fingers crossed that this works out.  

I am also very excited and do hope he visits.  I 

know Arvid is definitely counting the days.

Yesterday I had a few hours with mom and dad. 

 Was relaxing and as usual I brought home food. 

Today I just have to cook for Arvid since

 I will eat my mom's food.  So happy.

We have had a little rain.  As I left mom and

 dad's the rain just came down.  Back home

 Arvid was still watching the soccer game.  

Afterwards we went to Pinchers for our Sunday 

outing.  I am not really crazy about their food.

  I had the snow crab.  It was okay, but the time

 before it was much better.  Best snow crab was

 in Key Largo.  I would go back just for that.

After lunch I went to feed Legacy.  I also stopped

 by her on the way to mom and dad's earlier in the 

morning.  She was there both times and Newbie was

 also there in the morning.  Both ate, so I was happy.

Sniff is being Sniff difficult and moody

 right now.  Yesterday morning as Arvid was talking

 to his brother Sniff got mad and really jealous. He 

meowed/cried non-stop.  The same he does when 

we Facetime with the girls.  He does not like 

Arvid Facetiming with anyone. Possessive.

A few errands to start the day.  Sadly 😂we

 have to do them together.  I like doing my errands,

 and my things on my own but Arvid likes to do

 things together. Gotta do what you gotta do.

Once the week begins we get so busy that 

before you know it it's over.  Good and bad.  

Time unfortunately waits for no one.

To live a fulfilled life, we need to keep creating 

the 'what is next' of our lives. Without dreams and 

goals there is no living, only merely existing...

~Nadiya~

Sunday March 15th~

Because life is short and lacks a

 rewind button, it is essential to enjoy the ride, 

make meaningful choices, and embrace the

 journey rather than just the destination...

 Arvid and I took a trip yesterday to Port Charlotte

It's just a 45 minute drive from us; we met with one

 of the real estate traders  arvid always hoping to get

 something going.  Now to wait and see We’re always 

optimistic that something will happen  if anyone 

knows how to make deals it’s definitely Arvid. 

 

Once back home I made lunch  our schedule is such 

that I usually start early because you never know when 

we have to run.  By early afternoon I’m usually tired because 

I do everything at home that has to do with cleaning cooking, 

Sniff, grocery shopping.  Everything.  Arvid wonders 

sometimes why I am so tired when he is not 😱

Yesterday I was really tired. I look forward to 

having some alone time when Arvid goes to Norway  I 

really can use the rest. Yesterday after lunch I washed and 

folded  2 loads of laundry and then went to Trader Joe’s

 for his bread.  Today I still have laundry and change

 of bed linens.  It’s a good thing I don’t have to

 cook on Sundays  it’s kind of a recharge day.

Today I plan on visiting mom and dad for 

a little while Arvid watches soccer. It's always a 

good time.  The week was very busy so we did not

 have much time to go over   We did take a trip

 earlier in the week so that was good too.

Hopefully today will be more relaxing. 

 Sundays usually are. It gets me rested up for the

 new week.  In our life you never know what 

happens.  We take off without notice.

All is good Sniff has been playing a little 

with one of his flying toys.  The truth is he just 

wants to bite off the elastic string  he’s bitten it

 off in several places and I just knot them back

 together it’s getting shorter and shorter.  Sniff 

bites everything in sight. Me included💚

Around 5:30 yesterday afternoon I went to

 feed Legacy and she was there, the key is going 

an hour later than what I did before. Time

 change affected her schedule as well.

Back home Arvid was still watching soccer.

 We spent a quiet evening at home with

 Sniff watching a movie on Netflix.

A good morning and a good day to all.  Sunday

 and I’m looking forward to not doing too much 

today.  As little as possible if I can help it.

As they say, life comes at you fast.

 It can change in an instant...

~Nadiya~