And So Another Day Begins...

Each new day has to be better than the last...

Our apartment is geared to being comfortable for Brutus.  He has a bed everywhere.

Sheets, towels, pillows are placed in strategic spots just for his comfort.

Not exactly sure how I am feeling today, but I know that as another day approaches another 

chance we are given.  Thursday almost the weekend already.  Arvid and I are looking 

forward to a little weekend of music.  My heart is not really into it, but it will definitely

 be a welcoming distraction.  Arvid really needs it and he says I do as well.

A bright spot for the day is having company over for lunch.  Gives me something

to do and something to keep me distracted.  Today having Michael, Victoria and Liliana.

It is a beautiful day here at home.  Very warm compared to most of the nation.  My 

sisters are snowed in.  Kids are happy of course because no school today.

They say that sometimes when things are falling apart, they may be actually 

be falling into place.  Better be so.  When it rains it pours but soon, the sun shines again.

Sometimes a hug is all you need to make you feel better...

~Nadiya~

Already Wednesday...

When people refer to 'Back in the Day,' it was a Wednesday.

 Just a little fun fact for you....

Already halfway through the work week.  Everyday that goes by is a day 

to get stronger, healthier and it's a day with new hopes and good things coming.

Last Wednesday, I stupidly dropped my iPhone in the bath, 

and my life has sort of spiraled almost out of control.

Yesterday was a very beautiful day here.  A little trip that took us alongside of the beach, a short 

visit to Victoria and Michael, and a trip to Holiday Isle Yacht Club, a place we once called home. 

 It was where Arvid lived when I met him, and then it was back home to a busy afternoon.

There was a beautiful moon in the evening and the sight of the boats all lit

up as they cruised by our apartment made for a very pleasant ending of the day.

Good morning everyone.  My heart and my thoughts are somewhere else right now.

I have to keep reminding myself over and over again, "use your head and your heart together."

Life changes in unpredictable ways...

~Nadiya~

Wishing For A Good Day....

Where there is hope there is faith,

where there is faith, miracles happen...

Good morning everyone.  Every morning I wake up and I hope for a miracle.

Miracles happen all the time so I know we are due for some ourselves.

Tuesday morning.  Nice and bright.  I feel it is the start of good things 

coming our way.  Wish you all the same as well.

The moment you are ready to quit is usually the moment right

 before a miracle happens.  Don't give up.

To all a very good day.  You know what they say, everyday is a winding road.

Positive thinking and positive attitude can sometimes make miracles happen.  Beautiful day

 today here at home.  Not all is great, but there are a few things that sure can brighten up one's life.

The morning started with a good vibe and I am sure that it will continue to be so.

One can always hope and sometimes ones prayers get answered.  Yes sometimes they do.

When some bad things happen you have three choices.  You can either let it 

define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you....

~Nadiya~ 

Busy Monday..

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is 

wrought in our life, or in the life of another...

Busy Monday as usual.  Right now I welcome as busy as can be days.  Keeps the mind 

occupied from other thought that try to creep in.  Arvid and I are in the shipping 

business as I have mentioned many times before.  We ship anything, but mainly

 cars, boats motorcycles and parts for the above mentioned.

  

Today we had to take a car down to our warehouse in Miami.  Work and fun combined

is always a good thing.  We get to see unusual items that people buy and as mentioned

 before, it is always in the eyes of the beholder.  What I see and what 

the customer sees it two entirely different things.

Just a typical Monday for us.  Lots of running around and way too many phone calls.

It is a warm and beautiful day here at home in Fort Lauderdale.  Everything is as good

 as can be right now.  Hope you all have a good day and that this is the start of a very 

good week.  Arvid and I waiting for the weekend.  We will be going to a small Blues Festival.

Happy Monday everyone.  My heart and my thoughts are with my sister,

one of the most brave, strong and amazing woman I know.  All my sisters are.  We 

took after our parents.  We never quit, we never give in and we always push forward.

We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.

Monday is like a math problem, add the irritation, subtract the sleep, 

multiply the problems and divide the happiness....

~Nadiya~

Another Day....

When life gives you a thousand reasons to cry, 

show life you have a thousand reasons to smile...

There is a deep sorrow in my heart and nothing can take it away.  There is also happiness

 because I see how close knit a family we are.   Through the distance we all pull

 together among ourselves for the same goal.

In times of tragedy you see the strength that comes through. You see how a child 

becomes an adult. Not something one wishes for so early in life but it happens 

and once it does there is no turning back.

A little girl and a little boy are now old beyond their age.  Not right but 

it's called  life and there is no stopping it.

It's Sunday morning.  All is not good in my world.  One of my sisters is going through

 a rough time and nothing we can do about it.   Time and time alone holds all 

the answers and time waits for  no one.   A little doggie also patiently

 awaits his papas return. Get better soon he prays.

Life is not easy and it seems we are having our share of those not so good times.  

Yes it's easy to say "be brave". "be positive". bla bla bla  and move on, but it is hard.

 It is very hard.  Just thinking of my sister is tearing me apart. I can't imagine

 what her days and nights are.  I mean I can imagine, yet I know it must

 be a thousand times worse. I cannot rest, cannot concentrate

 until I see her.  Until I see them with my own eyes.

  I need to be with her

I prefer to be the one hurting than to see one of my sisters or parents hurting. 

 More painful for me this way.  Especially the helplessness involved.

They say music helps one escape from reality at times.  Last night Arvid thought it

was a good way to distract me so we went to listen to the Blues.  Sadly, it

did not distract me at all. My thoughts were and is far away.

To all hope this Sunday is a good one.  Appreciate what you have.  Be thankful

 for it and don't hesitate to show it.  Life my friends is tricky.  One day all is good.  

Next day you never know what it holds.  Nothing in life is ever guaranteed.

Play the moments.  Pause the memories.  

Stop the pain.  Rewind the happiness...

~Nadiya~

It's Called Life....

Ignore the negative voice inside you. Focus on your strengths.

You see, the what ifs are as boundless as the stars....

I saw this the other day on Facebook and thought I'd share.  How would you answer this question.

I sat there reminiscing, wondering who I would want to talk to. Then I thought of my dad

 who lot his dad when he was only 11 years old.  I'm sure my dad would give anything

 to be able to have a little time on this bench with his dad.

Me I know who I know who I would like to talk to.  Many questions I have that were 

left unanswered.  Yes I would like some answers, but unfortunately I will never

 have them.  All I can do is make up the answers that I want and keep guessing.

We all have the opportunity to make the most of what we have of who we have in our lives. 

 Don't wait until it's too late , for living with regrets is something that will forever eat

 at you.  Fortunately, I don't live with regrets.  I loved and lost but I never 

not let the person know how much I care.

Everyday with Arvid is a gift.  A gift I am very fortunate to have.  My parents, my sisters,

 nieces, nephews and all the ones I love know it.  I am not one to hesitate in showing 

my affection and love.  I hope this never changes because I have so much to be 

grateful for and I never want to forget it.  Life is too short for that.

My heart and my thought are far away these days.  They are with my sister and family.

What she is going through is something I would never wish on anyone. Waiting and 

waiting for news, for a glimmer that everything is going to be all right.

My sister is hurting and for that I am hurting like crazy as well.

To all a good day.  Hopefully you can sit on that bench with that person

without having to wait until it's too late.  Now is always the time.

Leaving you with a little ocean sounds from our trip yesterday.

You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it...

~Nadiya~

Rough Times...

Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs.

 It's a journey of discovery - there are moments on mountaintops 

and moments in deep valleys of despair...

Our family is going through a rough patch right now.  As it is with families, tragedies tend to 

bring us even closer.  When one member of our family is hurting it affects us all. We all 

want to do so much.  I want to take the pain away and make it right again as do my

 parents and the rest of the family.  Unfortunately, the only thing we

 can do is to be there for each other and wait.

Yesterday was not a good day.  In 5 different Sates and in the Island of Puerto Rico we were

all going through the same anxiety.  On of my sisters husband was in a terrible car 

accident and we are all suffering for her.  Breaks our hearts that she is hurting.

Tragedy does not discriminate.  I ask myself always why?  why? when one has

only been kind, one has only done good and has never caused hurt, or pain

to another soul, why should that person have to hurt?  Life happens.

Another long day awaits us.  Being so far apart it is not easy in times like this.

All I can think is, if this is a long day for us, what is it like for my sister and kids?

If I could take away all the hurt and pain they are going through right now, I would.

Life is not easy.  Never said it was, but every so often you would think a person would catch a 

break and a little ray of sunlight would peek out and come their way.  Right now my sister

 needs a little ray of sunshine in her life.  Too much sadness right now.  She's hurting and 

no one can do anything.  All we can do is pray my brother-in-law gets through this.

I spoke to my nephew today and I will never forget what he said.  He said, "auntie 

Nady right now I am very scared."  He's just a little boy and his words tore my world apart.

For now we wait again to hear more news.  Waiting is the hardest thing.

Once again my brother in law had to be rushed into surgery.

Good morning everyone.  Hoping your day is better than ours.

No matter what life goes on, the sun is shining and we must carry on.

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans....

~Nadiya~

9 Signs Your Cat Loves You...

In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.
Happy is the home with at least one cat...

Woke up one morning and Arvid says to me, 

"you want to know the signs of if a cat loves you?"

Yes! he's been reading online news again.  Something he has been doing

every so often and which he seems to find at times amusing or in this case very 

enjoyable.  Of course when and if he reads something; he needs to share it with me.

1. Lightly touching her forehead against you 
Called head bunting, this feline act of affection is delivered only to the A-listers 

in a cat's life.  Your cat will face you, lower her head and lean forward so that the 
top of her head touches your forehead, face or other body part. This loving touch 
can often  release feel-good hormones called endorphins in your cat and you.

2. Cheek rubbing you
Think of your cat as a feline graffiti artist. To make her turf really feel like
 home, she will rub her cheeks against the corners of furniture and, possibly,
 your legs or hands when you pet her. This act secretes oils from her facial glands.
 It's her way of claiming you as her own. Just be grateful that 
she  does so by cheek rubbing, not spraying. 

3. Twitching the tip of her tail

The feline tail acts like a mood barometer. The tail puffs out when your cat is 
frightened or agitated. Conversely, your cat expresses love to you when she 
approaches you with her tail hoisted lazily up in the air and the very 
tip twitches.   In cat speak, she is saying, "You rock my world!"

4. Holding eye contact and sharing a soft blink
Don't expect a cat to maintain a steady eye-to-eye stare with a new house guest.
 Cats save eye contact for people they know and trust, like you. The bond is
 accented when she blinks softly at you. This is the equivalent of a kitty kiss
 Respond by softly blinking back. 

5. Turning on the purr power

This steady, rhythmic sound emitted when your cat inhales and exhales is often 
associated with contentment. But cats also purr when they need to self-calm 
or while nursing a litter; however, your cat saves the special full-bodied
 rumble as a smile directed to you. It is her way of saying, "I love you."

6. Sitting on you or beside you
Cats crave warm places to nap and sleep, but when they bypass a comfy cat
 bed or your bedroom pillow to perch on your lap, you should feel honored.
 Your cat has sized up her options and is conveying that she prefers 
being with you rather than being by herself in her cat bed. 

7. Kneading his paws on your lap

If you need a sign it is time to trim your cat's nails, nothing is clearer 
than when  he perches on your lap, purrs and starts kneading your thighs with
 her front paws. But this is also a sign of affection. Experts say that this action
 beckons your adult cat back to a safe, welcoming memory when she was
 nuzzling his mother for milk as a newborn kitten. 
He is being affectionate and a bit nostalgic.

8. Licking your hair and earlobes
OK, neither of these actions may rate on your top 10 list of affection preferences, 
but your cat is regarding you as another cat - albeit a big one - in her inner circle.
 Only special "cats" are deemed worthy of these special grooming sessions.
 In a multicat household, mutual grooming is a sign of trust and friendship.
 Pay attention to which cats, if any, in your home team up for mutual grooming. 
You may be the only one meriting such a gift! 

9. Bringing you dead mice, birds and other so-called gifts

Evolution and domestication have not stripped your cat of her inner hunter.
 After a successful hunt, she may deposit a mouse head or lizard tail in
 a place she knows you will visit - like your pillow. Yuck?
 Yes, but your cat is sharing her prey prize with you,
 a true sign of trusted friendship.

Brutus is a perfectionist at each and every one of theses.  Being an 
indoor cat, he does not have access to live mice, but that does not stop
him from bring us his toy ones and in his case he has a special string that makes
noise.  No matter where we hide it, he finds it and brings it to us.  His favorite is to 
drag it all over the apartment at nights when we are sleeping, taking it to it's final resting spot
right beside Arvid.  Arvid has gotten clever to this and has started to "hide" the string at nights.

Unfortunately for Arvid, Brutus always finds the string.  Every night by midnight,
the string makes its way to the floor mat right next to Arvid.  He no longer
hides it from Brutus.  Now everyone is happy with the "game"

Wishing you all a pleasant day and leaving you with the reminder,
kindness know no boundaries, and it's never to late to practice random acts of kindness.

The ultimate sign that YOU LOVE your cat:

Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose.
People like cats because they are such quiet, lovable,
 wise creatures, and cats like people for the same reasons, win-win...

~Nadiya~

More Jekyll Island...

Whatever you decide to do make sure it makes you happy...

Yesterday I had the entire day to explore all by myself.  Jekyll Island is not big so there

is no way one can actually get lost.  That worked out great for me because no matter 

what I always ended up at the hotel.  I had a great day  exploring the island.

While Arvid traded, I had the day to do whatever I liked.  The beach is nothing like the

 beaches in Florida.  The water was not blue, but in its own way it was beautiful. 

 I walked the beach, I talked to everyone I met and I took tons of pictures.

Jekyll Island is very beautiful, but it is not exactly our style.  The rich and famous must 

see in this Island a peaceful getaway from their busy lifestyles.  For me it is very 

quiet and not too much to do.  Many historical buildings and historical trees.

We get back home tonight to Brutus.  Always the best part of any trip is going home. 

 Home where Brutus is.  We love to travel, but nothing beats being in the comfort of our

 own home.  Our own bed and with Brutus.  For now I will explore a little more of Jekyll

 Island  while Arvid continues trading.  I never know what we will end up with 

Be happy not because everything is good, 
but because you can see the good in everything...

~Nadiya~

Jekyll Island...

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams...

Always exciting when we can combine work with a little leisure time.  Arvid works

and I get to enjoy the sights of a new place.  Could not be better.

All day long Arvid is in a trading meeting.  In the evenings I join him and together we

see what else we can trade.  My favorite time is the evenings when I get to do some

 trading myself.  I have trade before for vanilla scented candles, jewelry from

 Peru and a few other miscellaneous items.  The fun is in the haggling.

Today I get to see a little of Jekyll Island.  Jekyll is a barrier island sitting just off the coast

 of southern Georgia about 40 miles (64km) north of the Florida border and about 90 miles

 south of Savannah. It is famous for being one of the Golden Isles of Georgia, 

historically inhabited or frequented by America’s most élite families, 

including the Rockefellers, Morgans, and Vanderbilts.

More than just turtle eggs have hatched on this historic island. More than 100 years ago the 

biggest banking magnates in America (comprising 25% of the world’s wealth) came to 

the unspoiled soft sand beaches of Jekyll Island where they gave birth to The Federal Reserve.

With whatever we do, I feel as if our life is an adventure, and ii am just happy to 

discover where it leads and what new excitement awaits us, being on the road, or at home.

It is just a way of life for us.  We live it, we experience it and we savor every moment like our last.

Good morning everyone, remember, remember life is either a great adventure or nothing.

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. 

There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open...

~Nadiya~