Freedom Is Never Free ~

Life is short too have boring hair.
Happiness is a fresh new haircut...

What better way to "change" than to cut your hair? 

 Works all the time for me.  Was feeling bored so I told the

 girl to "let's go short"  I wanted shorter, but she said I may

 not want to go that short.  She cut off 5 inches.  I'm happy.

For now I am really liking the short hair.  Arvid said,  "you got

 your curls back"  He does not like straight hair, and for some

 reason my hair has gotten quite straight compared to what it was

 before.  I think it has to do with all the medications I take.

Growing up with curly hair was not exactly what I wanted.
  At least that is what I thought.  All my sisters had straight hair.
 Today many have beautiful big curls.  Age I guess and way of life.

As I got older I realized that so many people wished
their hair was curly.  That did not mean I still wanted curly
 hair, but with time and age I came to accept it and from then
 on I loved it and could not imagine life with straight blah hair.

 That is until I started taking medication.  After the
thyroid cancer and all the medicines I started taking my hair
started to get straight.  Arvid was not happy.  At first I liked it,
 but when I realized that it was not getting curly anymore I
was not so happy.  So to bring back the curls I have been
 cutting it shorter and shorter.  May or may not work.

Our last Sunday in Fort Lauderdale for the next 4 months.
 Come next Saturday we will be in Chicago.  Right now I look
 forward to going.  Have ordered Sniff a ton of stuff.

 For all of you who have a pet.  Check out Chewy.
 The best place to get everything your pet/baby needs. 
I never go to the pet store anymore.  It's fast,
 reliable and I always get free delivery.
Chewy

Memorial Weekend continues.  As we celebrate with families,
let us not forget the men and women who gave their lives for us.

America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy 
forget in time that men have died to win them...

~Nadiya~

Memorial Weekend ~

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make 

you something else is the greatest accomplishment...

I still have no voice and the cough is still there.  The worse 

is this tickling cough.  Does not give me any rest.  That 

being said it has not stopped us from running around. 

 I would prefer to be home resting, but at the same time 

I am bored so when Arvid suggested another road

 trip to Fort Myers yesterday, I was game.

The day turned out to be very enjoyable, and as always there

 was some business that needed to be taken care of, and it was.

Saturday.  The long weekend is looking marvelous.  

No rain in the forecast.  Looking forward to a little trip to 

Las Olas for a little nibble and maybe some adult drinks later 

this afternoon.  Mode of transportation is the water trolley 

which for us is a free service.  Could not get any better.

Our mornings begin with tea and coffee on the balcony.  

Arvid feels as if he's back in Mexico sitting on the 

balcony observing daily life.  Happy times.

Wishing everyone here in the US a 

happy Memorial Day Weekend.

As America celebrates Memorial Day, we pay 

tribute to those who have given their lives in our nation's wars.

  The average American is nothing if not patriotic...

~Nadiya~

Friday~ Long Weekend Ahead

I've learned that people will forget what you said,

 people will forget what you did, but people

 will never forget how you made them feel...

Friday has started out pretty good already. 

The Intracoastal Waterways is buzzing with life 

and we are enjoying the view from our balcony.

Sniff is still on his bed, and does not want to get up 

as yer, but even so he is also taking peeks at the boats. 

 He has a good life and he's a very  happy boy.

This amazing Guitar shaped Hotel coming up 

at The Hard Rock Casino will soon be open.  Scheduled 

grand opening for October 2019.  It is a one

 of a kind, and I cant wait to check it out.

This guitar-shaped hotel soars 450 feet into the sky,

 an extravagant glass structure no one can miss.  Arvid 

and I have been passing it quite a few times and as

 much as I have tried I can't seem to get a great/good

 picture.  For now.  Below is the one I took:

This is the one taken by the Professionals.

I still don't feel good.  Yesterday I went to Urgent Care. 

 Diagnosis: bronchitis and Asthma.  Well go figure.  

I have never had asthma.  Now I am stocked with all

 sorts of "goodies" one being an inhaler.  Yikes!

Arvid does not know what to do. He see's me coughing,

 and it sorta freaks him out, so when he came back

home yesterday he brought me a little treat.  

Made him feel better and made me smile.  He's 

such a good person, you just have to know him.  We have

 had some beautiful days.  Very hot, but no rain. 

To all a happy Friday and enjoy the long weekend.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through 

life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you 

need to be able to throw something back...

~Nadiya~

Halfway There ~

The truth is you don't know what is going to happen tomorrow.
 Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed... 

Lunch with Liliana today.  Was a very good time.  

We always laugh a lot, and "gossip" a little.  She is always

 telling me about a particular "friend" of hers. I always say,

 "with a friend like that you don't need enemies."  At the
end of the day though, they are there for each other.

Still have a bad sore throat, and a very itchy throat.  Let's say

 I coughed most of the night.  Not much sleep for either of us. 

 Sniff managed to get most of his much "needed" rest.

My niece Lilly Vade is growing up fast.  Imitates her
 mom in everything.  She still does her YouTube videos on
"how to apply lip gloss"  She's something else.  She like
 all little kids know everything.  Love her to death.

She told her mom that she thinks she needs to exfoliate
 more often.  Today she has the flu and stayed home.  Happy
 as can be, and to see her here you won't think she is sick.
 But the poor thing gets a soaring high fever.  The school
would not want her in the classroom with the
other kids.  Lilly is happy to be home.

It's been beautiful weather her.  Meaning no rain, but
it is extremely hot.  I am not crazy about the heat.  Arvid
 said, "I can't wait for us to get out of here."  Yup, soon it's
 Chicago for us.  Arvid more excited this time than I am.

Hope everyone has been having a good day so far.
 For many it's already tomorrow.  Still nice and sunny here. 
Time for a little balcony trip.  Happy Wednesday all.

You may not control all the events that happen to you,
 but you can decide not to be reduced by them...

 ~Nadiya~

Sick Day ~

Be able to laugh at yourself, you'll live longer and happier...

I am still hoarse.  No voice at all and I feel absolutely horrible.

Not the end of the world, but I just hate this cough and 

the chest pain.  Debating whether to go to the doctor

 or ride it out.  So tired of doctors right now, so 

this is what I will do, I will google what I have,
 and cure myself.  This way no doctors.

Get plenty of rest to give your immune system a 

chance to fight the infection. To relieve the pain of a 

sore throat: Gargle with a mixture of warm water 

and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt. Drink warm liquids 

that feel soothing to the throat, such as hot tea with 

honey, soup broth, or warm water with lemon.

Unfortunately, my appetite has not been affected.  
Talk about bad luck.  Most people when they are sick 
lose their appetite.  Mine is as strong as ever.  Bummer.

Starting to get hungry again.  Time to check out 
what I can devour before lunchtime.  Wishing 
you all a beautiful and sick free day.

Yet the best determining factor of how comfortable
 we are with ourselves, is our ability to laugh at ourselves...

~Nadiya~

New Week Vibes ~

Life is the most exciting opportunity we have.

 But we have one shot. You graduate from college once,

and that's it. You're going out of that nest. And you have

 to find that courage that's deep, deep, deep

 in there. Every step of the way...

My niece Kimsy ans her boyfriend Jordi both graduate 

today from Yale University.  To say we are proud of her is

 an understatement.  She worked hard to get to this day. 

 No shortcuts.  Just determination and many sleepless nights. 

 This is your day Kimsy.  Enjoy it to the fullest.

As the new week begins I hope it's a successful one

 for everyone. I have lost my voice completely, hoping

 that whatever it is I have will soon be gone.  

My self diagnosis is bronchitis leading up to pneumonia, 

but I have been know to exaggerate a bit.  Have to 

say the symptoms tell me it's one of the two.  I feel 

horrible, and do not like not being able to talk.

Monday a new week to start all over and to improve

 on last weeks mistakes.  One can always try.

 Happy Monday all.  Always believe 

something wonderful is about to happen.

Our life is a journey, and we make mistakes, 

and it's how we learn from those mistakes and rebound

 from those mistakes that sets us on the path

 that we're meant to be on... 

~Nadiya~

Just Be Happy ~

When you love what you have you have everything...

There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy, and right now 

when I look at this smile on Reshma's face I am happy.

It's not about money.  It's not about bragging.  

It's just plain simple happiness that emanates from deep 

within you.  Reshma texted me and she said, "auntie

  Nad, I bought a pair of funky sunglasses."  Well

 here she is, and she's as happy as can be.

We sometimes forget that happiness is not dependent 

on what we have.  Who we know or how much we have.

Happiness comes from simple pleasures.  In this case

 a cup of tea and a pair of funky sunglasses.

Reshma I hope you're enjoying London and one thing

 never lose that glow of happiness nor that smile.  

It will take you further than all the money in the world. 

 Attitude is everything and with the right attitude 

nothing can stop you.  I love you Reshma.

You're prettiest when you're happy. Sometimes happiness

is a feeling.  Sometimes it's a decision.  What do you choose?

The best part of life?  Every morning you have a new

 opportunity to become a happier version of yourself...

~Nadiya~

Thankful ~

A positive mind towards everything will give you a happier life.

My memory loves you.  It asks about you all the time...

Yesterday we had a little road trip to Fort Myers.

  Arvid and I enjoy these trips.  As he likes to say,

 "now you can't run away."  He's a funny man.

It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies.  No rain in Fort Myers.

  Made for a very enjoyable outing, of course business was involved.

Our Brutus as I mentioned turned 13 years yesterday. 

 I miss him so much. There are days when the grief is a little 

heavier than most.  I sense it in Arvid, but unlike me he does 

not talk about it much.  Arvid and Sniff both know when I am

 missing Brutus.  Sniff slept very close to me last night.

I was awake very early.  Lucky me, the moon was still out. 

 Of course I went out on the balcony with my cameras.  One 

of my most relaxing times is when I take pictures.  I took way

 too many, but at least I managed to get a fairly decent one.

Sniff woke up together with me.  He ate.  

Watched as I took the pictures and now

 he is napping again, very close to me.  

Saturday is looking beautiful.  No rain as of now. 

 The sun is shining and the birds are chirping.  It's going 

to be a good one.  Because every picture tells a story, never

 forget to keep making those memories and adding to the

story that is your life. Happy Saturday everyone.

Life goes by too quickly.  So laugh, love and

 try new things.  Forgive, forget and don't

 hold grudges.  Choose to be happy...

~Nadiya~

May 17th ~

Those who think there is a time limit to grief 

 have never lost a piece of their heart...

There are two moments I will never forget.

The moment we met, and the moment you took

your last breath.  Mama misses you so much.

Norwegian Constitution Day is the national day of

 Norway and is an official public holiday observed on

 May 17 each year. Among Norwegians, the day

 is referred to simply as syttende mai.

I mention this because when Brutus came into our lives

 we chose this day to be the day he was born.  Arvid 

being Norwegian and all.  One of the happiest days

 in our lives.  The day Brutus became a part of us.

When Brutus died, one of the worst days and times

 we have ever experienced.  To this day I miss him 

everyday, and I know Arvid also does.  Enter Shadow

into our lives.  Whatever the reason was, we also

 designated his birthday to be May 17th.

So today we celebrate Brutus' birthday and also

 little Shadows. Brutus only lived to be 9 years old.  We

 wanted so much more, at the same time we are so grateful 

for the 9 years we had with him.  They will forever 

be one of the best times of our lives.

Shadow never made it to one year with us.  We had him

 from November 7th 2015 and he died March 5th 2016.  

Talk about grief.  The heartache is still with me.  

Not daily, but somewhere tucked away and I try to not

 "allow" it into my everyday life, but those who know grief 

know that it comes in waves.  You are never warned.

The days leading up to today were pretty rough for me.

  I went back in time and all the memories and the pain

 came crashing down on me all over again.  I try not to let

 Sniff see me crying.  It upsets him and that I don't want.

Love is putting your best friend to sleep to end his 

suffering, knowing that your suffering is just beginning.  

Brutus, Shadow mama and Dada will always love you. 

You have a brother.  Sniff,  he brings laughter
 love and peace  into our world.  We love
 him very much.  He's a very good boy.

I hope you are together playing, running around, 

and having a good time.  We are forever grateful you

 came into our lives and I will love you forever.

Brutus I think of you everyday.  The mind replays

 what the heart can't delete.  I think a part of me will 
always be waiting for you.  Mama misses you so much.

No matter where I go, and who comes into our lives, 
you Brutus will always be my baby.  I will love you 
until the end of my days.  Happy birthday Brutus
 and Shadow.  Mama sends lots of love to both of you.

If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk 

right up to heaven and bring you home again, and if love

 could have saved you, you would have lived forever...

~Nadiya~

It Is What You Make It ~ Life

We are not given a good or a bad life.  We are 

given a life.  It's up to us to make it good or bad...

My day started with two doctors appointments. Boring, but 

something I have to do.  Recheck on my thyroid levels.  Didn't go

 so good, but after all it's a hit and miss at times with the medication.  

Once again new medication has been ordered.  A few other not

so good things as well, but gotta deal with it.  Only way.

On top of everything it was pouring most of the morning.

On the good side that's all done and next time I see my

 doctors will be in October.  A few months of no doctors.  

No blood work.  Happy times.  Happy for that.

When I was done, (4 hours later) Arvid took me to lunch.

  Even better because I did not have to cook and clean.  Boy 

the day sure is going good, and then there is later on.

Best of all I have leftovers to nibble on.  

According to Arvid, who read the rain statistics

 it usually rains 22 days in May.  Oh well.

So far this is very accurate.  It has rained almost every

 single day since May began.  Good thing is that the rain

does not interfere with Sniff's naps.  He's a happy boy.

We must have a lucky star because when it was

 time for lunch the rain miraculously stopped.  Making

 it possible for us to sit on the outside and enjoy

 a pleasant afternoon.  Life sure is good.

Wishing everyone happy times always. We make

 our own happiness.  At least we always try to.

Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be...

~Nadiya~