Thursday September 30th ~

Sometimes it’s just the little things that make you happy... 

Last day of the month.  Somehow the year 

has gone by pretty fast, and I'm not sure how and where.  

We got here in March and it's almost Christmas time already.  

There is Christmas decorations already in place in certain 

areas of the island.  A little early if you ask me 😂

Today I don't cook, so it's a good day.  lately I have not 

been too crazy about cooking all the time.  Running out

 of things to make for Arvid.  I'm easy because most of 

the time I eat mainly chicken.  Arvid needs variety 😕

Sniff has been very affectionate lately and we love it.

To all a happy day.  The US is ready to reopen 😍

We cannot all do great things, but we

 can do small things with great love...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday September 29th ~

When you know your worth, no one can make you feel worthless... 

As I walked out the front entrance of our building this

 morning the first thing I heard was barking dogs.  Mama was 

not around neither was Rascal or Senior.  Mama and Rascal

 always are waiting for me as soon as I open that door.

I was hoping to see Mama and Rascal on my way back,

 and luckily they did show up.  Unfortunately I did not 

see Baby (terrified of the dogs) nor did I see Senior.  

Eventually the others gradually showed up 🙏.

Had a little rain during my morning walk otherwise the

 sun is shining again.  A bright and sunny day awaits us here.

Wishing everyone a good day. A little shopping is in our plans 😊

Sniff is happily sleeping again and his fur is looking good.

Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know...

~Nadiya~

🌴 Tuesday September 28th~

 Once you do know what the question actually is,
 you’ll know what the answer means...

Yesterday as we were watching TV I got a few texts 

from previous tenants in Branson.  It made me smile and 

brought back beautiful memories of  a very good time in 

my life.  I'm still smiling and now of course looking

 at pictures that capture that time in our lives.

I loved every moment in Branson; well just about

every moment. I even enjoyed the snow. I will never

 forget the first snow in Branson. I was happy.

Right now I can definitely do with some cooler temperatures,

 at least that's what I tell myself. The heat is getting to me.  It’s 

maybe a tad bit better than being in Fort Lauderdale, but not

 that much. It's true sometimes we want what we don't have 

until we have it and realize what we had was the real thing. 

Recently with the rain, it has been a little cooler, but still

 nothing to brag about.  Yesterday we went for a walk, but by

 the time we got home I was soaking wet🤨.  Even so it 

was a very good walk.  We are fortunate everyday.

Aside from the heat, all is good here. Sniff is relaxed

 as can be, the fur he was losing on his back is growing in.

  Guessing his stress level is less.  According to Arvid

 if I’m stressed so is Sniff. A little of that is true.

  Truth though is I think Sniff ate some of the dry food 

intended for the outdoor kitties and developed an allergy.

  As soon as I realized that, I never let him even have a taste

 of it.  Seems that’s the reason he was losing his fur.

Not much planned for the day 🤐 just to stay cool

 and do some cleaning  it’s laundry day 🤭 Many of our

 regular TV shows have begun.  The nights are packed. 

 It’s a good good thing I didn’t have to get up very

 early today 😅 even though I was awake way before 5am. To all a 

good day, stay warm and enjoy this beautiful fall season 🍁🍂

Nothing ever goes away until it teaches us what we need to know...

~Nadiya~

Monday September 27th ~

 It’s the possibility of having a dream 
come true that makes life interesting...

Over the weekend we have tried some very

 delicious drinks.  We have tried a new restaurant, 

thanks to my sister Nirvana, Kimsy and J.  

The food was delicious, the drinks amazing, but 

best of all the company.  Could not have been better.  I

 am so very lucky to be able to spend time with my sister

 and Kimsy.  Occasionally J also when he's visiting.

A new week begins.  What it holds I do not know, but I

 am sure that it will be delicious.  The sun is shining and 

not that much rain in the prognosis.  At least as of today.

To all a good start of the week.  Enjoying some quiet 

time before Arvid wakes up.  Peaceful and just perfect.  

Making it even a better day, all of the kitties 

showed up today.  I was so happy to see Baby.  

This is a reminder to you to create your own 

rule book,  and live your life the way you want it...

~Nadiya~

Sunday September 26th ~

 Stay positive even when it feels like everything is falling apart...

Sunday morning and it has begun in a great way.

Today is a good day.  I keep telling myself that everyday.

Sniff is having another of his relaxing days. 
 He wishes everyone a peaceful and happy day.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; 

but often we look so long at the closed door that we do 

not see the one which has been opened for us...

~Nadiya~

Saturday September 25th ~

 People who wonder if the glass is half empty
 or full miss the point. The glass is refillable...

Balcony time yesterday evening.   Watching the sky change colors.

Listening to Bob Marley and enjoying a peaceful evening together.
and then this morning, the sunrise sure did not disappoint.

Soccer is on.  Lot of games today as Arvid told me. 

 He's happy.  My sister invited us out to dinner later today.  

A place we have not been to as yet.  Looking forward to 

seeing them all. I'm sure looking forward to the day.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  It may not always be 💛

perfect, or the way we want it to be, but if we look hard enough,

 we will always find something for which to be grateful for

It’s no use going back to yesterday,

 because I was a different person then...

~Nadiya~

Friday September 24th ~

 I find happiness in the simplest things...

Friday looms ahead.  What shall we do?  Catch up 

maybe on one of our series on Netflix?  Or if we are Sniff, 

then we catch up on more sleep.  Sniff has no worries, and

 that's exactly how it should be.  He's a very happy boy.

My niece Kimsy introduced us to a Korean series.
  So far it has not disappointed.  Even Arvid is watching. 

Today it's cocktail time on the balcony.  The last few months 

we have been spending most Friday  evenings at home on the 

balcony, watching the boats and enjoying adult beverages.

I went out this morning fed the kitties, but the dogs were

 out again.  Eventually all the kitties showed up except Baby. 

 She's terrified of the dogs.  Finally Milo came back out. 

 So happy was starting to have bad thoughts. 

 Hopefully I will see Baby tomorrow when I go

 back out in the morning.  I worry a lot about 

the kitties and their safety.  All the time.

Wishing everyone a great day and 

a happy start of the weekend.

When you can't control what is happening, 

challenge yourself to control the way you respond.  

That's where your power lies...

~Nadiya~

Thursday September 23~

A nice warm shower, a cup of tea, and a caring 
ear may be all you need to warm your heart...

Like his dada, Sniff also loves his sleep time. 

 He makes the most of it and does not want to be 

awaken too early.  Just like his dada.  Both are

 still  in bed enjoying the morning quietness.

Once awake, no more quietness.  That's one of the reasons

 I also enjoy getting up early.  Give me an hour or more of alone 

quiet time.  I do love it when Sniff is awake with me.  He's so very 

 peaceful and just goes back to sleep on his bed in the living room.

Finally yesterday we managed to go walking without 

being drenched.  I found Chiquita in her little spot.  I left 

her some foodies.  No water because there was rain 

water everywhere.  She has a beachfront "condo"

Yesterday I fed the little ones, and I was so happy to see

 Baby running up to me.  Was worried because the dogs have

 been out for some days now and Baby I had not seen Baby 

since Monday.  Milo was a no show.  Hopefully

 tomorrow they will all be there as usual.

Woke up to an absolutely beautiful sunrise.  Love this view.

Yesterday's sunset.  Not too shabby either.  Puerto Rico is beautiful.

Not much planned for the day, but does not mean 

we won't find something to do.  That's the beauty of our lives. 

 Always the unexpected comes along and we are ready for

 the ride.  Even if that ride just takes us to Costco 😂

Wishing everyone a beautiful day.  Happy second day of Fall.

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday September 22nd ~

At times, our own light goes out and is

 rekindled by a spark from another person... 

Sniff says hi to everyone.  Says it's a beautiful sunny 

day and he's going to make the most of it.  Right now he's just 

basking in the sunshine enjoying it for as long as it lasts.  

It lasts for a long time, he's a happy happy boy.

As for me, I'm still smiling.  Had a wonderful time in

 North Carolina.  Seeing Gabsy was a beautiful surprise. 

 I love this boy as if he were my very own.  

On the other hand, I love them all as if they were 

my very own.  How lucky I am to have wonderful nieces

 and nephews, two amazing stepdaughters, and soon to be 

3 granddaughters.  I must have done something right.

I wake up, and always say to myself, "there is always 

something to be grateful for."  I am grateful, always even

 though sometimes I have to navigate my way through the fog.

Gratitude turns what we have into enough

~Nadiya~

Tuesday September 21st ~

 Relax no one else knows what they are doing either....

My alarm is always set for 5:20 am; which is the time

 I would get up, get ready and go feed the cats.  Instead, I’m

 awake by 4:45 am to turn the alarm before it goes off.

As mentioned before, I go feeding them every 

other day, even though I want to do it daily.  I keep 

reminding myself and Arvid keeps remind me that they 

(the kitties) need to find and hunt for their foodies.

I got back form NC and that same evening I went 

out looking for them. I was not sure what to expect.  

That first evening back I just saw 4 of the 10 remaining

 kitties. They looked fine.  Mama was very hungry. When

 I was in NC Arvid called me desperately one day after 

his afternoon walk asking where I kept the cat foodies.

  He said, “I saw Mama and she was crying.  She was 

rubbing up against my legs.  I think she’s hungry.”

  Needless to say, he came back up, got the foodies, went 

back down and left foodies for her.  He also told me he 

left foodies for Senior.  Yes.  Arvid knows the names of 

most of the kitties🐈.  Even if he can't tell at times

 which is which among a few that look alike.

We’ve been having some wet weather here.  We went

 walking yesterday, but in less than 10 minutes into our

 walk we had to leave.  The rain came pouring down, but 

even so I did leave Chiquita (another stray kitty by the beach) 

some foodies. She had a little tunnel and there I have left her

 a bowl for food and water a while back. Was still there 😍

Sniff and Arvid had a good time together.  Arvid of

 course gave Sniff very specific routines.  Didn’t seem 

to be bad at all.  They are both happy and fine tuned. For now.

It is always good to see my parents.  Always the

 best time.  Relaxing and peaceful.  To make the stay

 even better Gabsy surprised us for a visit.

I was in heaven seeing him.  I love all all my

 nieces and nephews. Each bring into my life 

so much happiness. Having Gabsy and KimSy 

together was a happy time. I adore them all.

We mainly stayed in.  Had lots of good food,

 watched many movies together. Laughed and chatted. 

We managed to go to a favorite Japanese restaurant of my

 parents and for breakfast out another morning.

It was exactly what my soul and my heart needed.  

A few days to just destress.  I keep reminding myself that

 I can only do so much 🤨 only time will tell if that works.

I wish I lived closer to my parents.  I would love 

to see them more often.  Time is going by too 

fast and none of us is getting any younger.

In the meantime, I am grateful for every opportunity I have 

to see them and the rest of my family.  Kimsy is always

 such a pleasure to be around.  Arvid always says that Kimsy

 is one of the most calm and collected persons he knows. 

 Kimsy and Danielle are very easy going.  This time

 I also noticed that Gabsy is the same.  He spent lots of 

time playing his guitar for us.  Was very soothing. 

Arvid likes calm people.  When around people who 

yak non stop he’s not too happy, on the other hand 

most people tend to be that way ☺️.  I love to "Yak"

The sun is out and the day is looking to be beautiful.

  Just a little shower here and there, but after all we do live

 in an island.  And what a beautiful island it is.

Take a deep breath and just enjoy your life...

~Nadiya~

One Life... Live It

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to

 improve the world and a desire to enjoy the

 world. This makes it hard to plan the day...

All we have is this one life.  What we do with it is

 entirely up to us.  Let me tell you something, don't wait

 until it is too late to do the things you want. Don't wait 

until it's too late and then have to say, "I wish I had..."

Life is not always easy, at times it is just too difficult,

 and we wonder what the heck happened, but just think of the

 alternative of no longer being in this life.  Then you come 

to realize that it is not so bad after all  Life is actually really

 simple. but we sure insist on making it complicated.

May your days be filled with living.. and as my friend

 Liz said, "Love the life you live, and live it fearlessly."

Sniff Sniff.  He loved his home in Florida as well.

Life consists not in holding good cards

 but in playing those you hold well... 

~Nadiya~