Ian Came. Ian Destroyed ~ 💞 September 30th

And once the storm is over you won't remember how 
you made it through how you managed to survive.  You wouldn't 

even be sure in fact whether the storm is really over.  But one 

thing is for certain when you come out of the storm

 you won be the same person who walked in...

When I saw the quote above i thought of my sister and all 
the people in Puerto Rico huddled in a corner listening to the 

howling wind for days without any sign of it even ending.  

What we experienced is NOTHING!  The wind was howling, 

but for them that howling lives on with each new hurricane. 

 Same goes for all those who went through such 

an experience.  It definitely changes you.

I realized what a boring time it s to just wait and not know

 what will happen.  When I say boring I am not diminishing the 

severity of what's going on. at the same time it was just some of

 the most boring moments.  Waiting is not something I do well.

I was very touched by the outpouring of concerned friends 
and family.  Texting and talking back to all of you and

 keeping you posted made for not boring times.  

Gabsy phone called made us both laugh.  Arvid and 

Gabsy exchanged a good conversation and they even shared 

Spotify playlists.  As Gabsy said, "I'm so stoked."

My heart was really touched by my nieces and nephews

 that took the time to reach out to us.  J all the way in Colombia 

reached out several times.  I love them al so very much. 

We have no power no internet. I started to write this blog and power went down on Wednesday.   Right now my phone is doing the job, but reception is sketchy.  It may post it may not.  Fort Myers and surrounding areas are in bad shape. We are still fortunate. We have running water and some food. Sniff has everything he needs. Others not so fortunate.

Good morning everyone. The sun is out, a good sign.

~Nadiya~

The Wait The Storm ~ Wednesday September 28th 💞 💞

What's going on in our world today is not something we can run 

away from. Therefore the calmest place is the eye of the storm...

We are watching the news all day long.  At times 

the power went off briefly but then came back. As I write 

this 10:14 Eastern time Wednesday, September 28th we still 

have power.  There is always the calm before the storm 

The wind is howling, but the worse has not gotten here as yet.

 We always hope the “worse” will not get there. Will

 know later today, Wednesday September 28th.

Sniff has been pretty calm, but with the wind howling he has

 “disappeared” into one of his safe spots.   As I sit and listen to 

the wind howl my thoughts are with what my sister Nirvana lived 

through Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Fiona plus all the others.  

With her the wind howled for days, weeks.  Now that is scary.

We still have power.  We have water and we had a hot meal.  Yesterday

 my sister told me that she had her very first hot meal in 10 days.  No

 matter what we are having right now, it’s nothing like what she had.

That being said.  This is dangerous and we are taking it serious.

It's almost 1:00 PM eastern time.  Conditions have gotten worse.

 The wind howls without skipping a beat.  Max our nephew and Kelsey

 also live close to us, unfortunately neither of us can get to the other.

  Being on the road right now is like taking your life in your hands.  Debris

 if flying everywhere already. And that's what is going to kill you 😭

With the wind howling like crazy, Sniff is now 

very scared 😲😹😰, and there is no stopping the 

horrible sound of the wind howling like crazy.

Tomorrow or as early as this afternoon we may

 have no power.  But right now we are OK.

The preparations are what they are.  We're here

 the storm is here. We are as best prepared as we 

can be as the eye of the storm approaches...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday September 28th ~ 💞 💞

 Every single thing about you is beautiful...

Sniff is photographed all day long, just about.  

No, he's not always happy about it, but I sure am.  

He's just too beautiful to not take pictures of.

I do not think I will every get tired to taking his pictures

even when he does, and he is not a fan of my camera.

Today we are going to be hit by hurricane Ian.  How severe 

is to be seen.  We have done all we can for now. It is recommended 

we evacuate, but for now we are still in our apartment playing it 

by ear, moment to moment.  Sniff's litter is already in the car.

For now we wait and see what Ian decides to do.  Then we 

have to do what we feel is right.  Wishing all a good day and

 if you're in the path of Ian, be safe and be very careful.

As of this minute, all is calm.  The storm is expected 

to "hit" us in the later part of the day.  The news continues to

 report rain and wind in the Fort Myers area.  After what my sister 

Nirvan has been through, is going through in Puerto Rico,

 we have nothing so far to whine about.  Let's hope for

 the best and always prepare for the worst.

Nature has a myriad of weapons to combat human arrogance...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday September 27th ~

 In the center of a hurricane there is absolute peace and quiet.

In just a few days or arriving to Florida we were already in

 preparation for hurricane Ian.  A few days ago it seemed like Ian 

was coming straight to us.  Today it seems like we will be "spared" 

 Of course we tried to buy a few things, mainly water.  No where 

had water.  We went to Publix, Walmart, gas stations and Walgreens.  

 Since we have a Brita filter we are filtering our own water in bulk.

Now we may have too much water in the fridge.  No place

 for food items just water.  At least we will be hydrated.  Sniff also

 will be having filtered water.  Sniff has been a bit scared.  We had 

a glimpse already of some "bad" weather.  He took off into hiding,

 and eventually came back out and sat between Arvid's legs.

When sniff and I came to Ft. Myers we both began sneezing.  

Sniff is better, but I am not.  Now Arvid is also getting the flu.  

With all the things to do, it sure is not the best of times to be sick. 

 All the time we lived in Branson, we never had even the sniffles. 

Today we go back and try to get a few supplies.  Seems

 like we will be pretty much OK.  Tampa as of now will be 

getting a beating.  My sister as her home in Tampa.

Our goal for today is to get supplies.  Continue to put 

a semblance of order to the condo and try to be hurricane

 ready all over again.  Just our luck to be back in time for

 the hurricane season.  Next year we plan on staying 

longer in Branson.  I do miss my wildlife friends.

A good day to all be safe and be ready.

Hurricane season brings a humbling reminder that, despite

 our technologies, most of nature remains unpredictable...

~Nadiya~

Happy New Day All ~ September 26th

 Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn...

As the new day begins I can't help but say thank you, 
and for being grateful.  I look around me and I realize how
 fortunate I am.  Fortunate to have a wonderful family who no 
matter what are always there.  Thankful for good friends. 

Fortunate to have Arvid by my side to share in the good 

and not so good times.  We bounce things off each other. Makes,

 for a very interesting life.  Thankful to wake up everyday

 and knowing that Sniff is here right next to me.

As I know and as all of you may know as well, we

 may not have everything we want, but we have everything 

we need.  We wake up every morning thankful.

To all a very good day. It feels good to know we are where 

we belong and to know that no matter where life takes us, 

we have each other.  That I work always on not taking 

for granted.  Everyday I realize that the things we

 take for granted others are praying for.

You’ll never want to look back and wish you

 had said something when you had the chance.

You don’t want to just have distant memory....

~Nadiya~

Sunday September 25th ~

 It's definitely time for a change...

Those who know Arvid and I know that we never can

 "sit" still.  If we're not in constant movement it feels as if 

something is wrong.  I am not saying this is good or bad.  

It's just the way we are.  As we get older you would thing

 the urge to be on the move would be less.  I'll let you know

 when more like if that happens.  Not holding my breath.

To all a vey good day.  Always something going on.

  Always something to look forward to.  No matter where 

we are we are happy, and we are excited about life.

Once again we have changed addresses.  At least during

 the winter.  Florida, we are back home in the sunshine state 

and could not be happier.  Of course I miss my wildlife, 

but I also love the sight of palm trees everywhere.

Fort Myers was once home for me.  Right before meeting 

Arvid, I had a little house on the golf course.  I moved here 

at a time in my life where I wanted peace and quietness. 

 I moved out because the peace and quietness got to me.  

Today I am back with Arvid and Sniff 💙  Life is good.

I flew back to Branson to get Sniff.  Now we are all together again

They always say time changes things, but you 

actually have to change them yourself...

~Nadiya~

Saturday September 24th ~ Life Goes On

 Life goes on.. long after the thrill of living is gone...

In the last few months I have come to personally know of

 many people who have suddenly experienced great pain in

 their lives.  Be it from death, broken promises divorce etc. 

  It sometimes shocks them into numbness.

  At least for a while.  We are after all only humans, 

and as such we are allowed to grieve, to scream

 and to wallow in self pity...for a while.

After that we realize we can do one of two things.  

We can sit still and do nothing.  We can allow ourselves

 to be trampled all over and just take it.  We can be victims

of our tragic circumstances or we can get up, face the 

world with our heads high and do something about it.

I know this is easier said than done.  Trust me,

I have been there.  Sometimes knowing what to do 

does not mean we will actually do it, at least not right away.  

They say that life is simple, but we make it complicated.

Maybe.. but I do know that sometimes making the

 right decision is the hardest thing to do, but once made

 everything suddenly seems so much clearer.  

Seems as if the possibilities are unlimited and all

 of a sudden life  suddenly makes sense again.

  Remember, life goes on, probably not the way you

 wanted it to be, but always the way it's supposed to be.

In three words I can sum up everything

 I have learned about life: it goes on....

~Nadiya~

Friday September 23rd ~

 I have learned many things, but there’s 
more to learn. Every day is a new start...

So how is your Friday looking?  Some cool drinks maybe?  

With those cute little umbrellas?  Hmmm not a bad idea 

if you ask me.  I guess we just have to go for it 😂

September, what a beautiful time of the year.  The air

 is cool and crispy.  Make you want to be doing outdoorsy 

kind of stuff, and I am not an outdoor kind of person.

To all a good day.  Every day, I like to wake up and

 remind myself to be grateful of the simple things in life.

There are a few moments in your life when you are truly 

and completely happy, and you remember to give thanks.

 Even as it happens you are nostalgic for the moment, 

you are tucking it away in your scrapbook...

~Nadiya~

Happy Fall ~ September 22nd

 The leaves are all falling, and they're falling 

like they're falling in love with the ground...

Fall has officially begun, and Branson is in full fall colors.

While it's hard to part ways with summer, a new season 

brings new beginnings. As we all say goodbye to beach days

 and let go of the fun-filled craze of summer, we also now embrace 

autumn with open arms and say hello to cozy flannels,

 pumpkin picking, and the crisp autumn wind.

Wherever you are whatever you're doing enjoy your day 

and the start of this beautiful season.  Many have been waiting

 for a long time for fall to come.  It's here in all it's glory.

Wherever it is you are, fall will never disappoint 🍂

Good morning and a good day to all.  And

 just like that, summer collapsed into fall.

Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most 

to man and requires the least of him....

~Nadiya~

September 21st ~

 By having good memories on every place you just visit,
 you are building paradise in your own heart and your life...

September 21st, last year we were in Puerto Rico. 

 So many things have happened since then.  I look back

 and I smile.  What a beautiful time we all had.  

Yes, it was sad at times, but overall it was a

 beautiful experience.  We enjoyed our life there.  

Arvid and I loved the balcony and our view.  There we 

had many happy times we one day hope to repeat.

I always enjoy a trip down memory lane, but I have learnt

 to not spend too much time there.  Short and sweet flashbacks

 are OK, after that some memories can definitely rip you 

apart, and that is something I don't always handle well.

Life goes on.  I know that but sometimes it takes my 

heart a lot longer to catch up.  I'm still a work in progress. 

 All things considered I am grateful for all the beautiful memories 

we have made along the way, and continue making every day.

To all a good day make it an amazing one.  They say

 that every man's memory is his private literature.

The price of a memory, is the memory of the sorrow it brings.

~Nadiya~

Tuesday September 20th ~

It Is Not Enough To Be Busy. So Are The Ants.
 The Question Is: What Are We Busy About?... 

The air is changing.  The colors are changing.  A beautiful time 

of the year is year.  In just two days the fall season officially begins.

Sniff feels it in his bones, Arvid's words.  That's because Arvid 

is starting to feel antsy about the approaching winter ahead.  

Thank goodness for fresh warm laundry.  Makes Sniff happy.

Good morning everyone.  How does your day look?  

Arvid and I always keep ourselves busy.  What we do even I 

wonder about it, but according to Arvid, "we're busy."

Busy Is Only Good, If There Is Progress Involved...

~Nadiya~