Why Not?

Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go... 

Every so often you come across someone who seems to hold on to the past and cannot seem to drag themselves out of a certain place and time.  With life being so very fragile, I do not want to ever become one of those people who cannot seem to move on to better days and better things ahead.

Everyday that goes by I learn a little more.  I learn to appreciate the now and the life we have.

I learn that the past is the past, not forgotten, but hopefully the bad memories and the so called

bad things that have happened are not worth holding on to.

I know that life has its good and its bad moments.  Just like everything else.  

We all experience them, but at the same time we all learn to move forward and not look back

to what could have been, what was and what has happened.  

My life is too busy to worry about what others say, do or think. Remember:

"forget what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you"

I demolish my bridges behind me

then there is no choice than to move forward....

~Nadiya~

Not A Good Day...

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle...

I keep telling myself to be positive.  I try being positive. 

I am positive, but then i see Brutus' paw and something in me gives.

He has been on every medication possible.  For a few days we thought it was

getting better, but today the paw is starting to look big and swollen again.

My heart is breaking and for now I am allowing myself to cry again.

Tomorrow is another day and then we will cope again.  Today is rough.

Today is difficult, but tomorrow is still yet to come.

Please be better than today.

For now, wishing everyone a good day.  Just remember be thankful for what you have and always
remember that somewhere out there someone is going through much worse than us.

It's the events of our lives that shape us
but it's our choices that define us...

~Nadiya~

Words of Wisdom...

Stop worrying about what you have to lose, 

and start worrying about what you have to gain...

Today I just thought it would be nice to share a few of the postings I have come across and that have made an  impression on me.

How many of us have experienced something similar and how many of us are guilty of doing the same thing.  Always good to take a few minutes to reflect.  Never hurts and can do a world of good.

Same goes for this.  Too fast we are ready to judge a person and believe the worst of them based on opinions of others.  Don't make that mistake unless you can verify for a fact.  In my experience people are mostly good, with kind hearts and always ready to lend a helping hand.

No matter what your obstacles are, only you have the power to change directions.

Don't hesitate, life is short and there is too much to live for.

For everyone who has ever lost a loved one.  Something to hold on to.

No one wants to forget, no one wants to forget... life is such that we do move on, 

but in our hearts there is always that glimmer of -what used to be-

If you believe in heaven, then one day you believe you will once again be reunited

with that someone special...

After all is said and done, it is always the simple things in life

that bring us the most joy and satisfaction.  Remember life is already 

complicated without us complicating it even more.

Whatever you do, always remember to have a good time and to always be part of the moment!

We only live once.. make it count!

Life is short, break the rules,

 forgive quickly,

kiss slowly, love truly,

laugh uncontrollably,

and never regret anything

that made you smile...

~Nadiya~

Mom and Dad's...

My motto is: more good times.

It's been a few good days spent with my parents.  

It is now soon time to head home back to Brutus.

Hopefully, will see them again in the not so long future.

View from their patio

good times

moms favorite 

This trip I taught my mom how to burn a CD.  Needless to say she is super happy and excited and can't wait to start making CD's.  I really enjoy showing her how to do different things every time we meet.  She is a fast learner and it is always fun to see how happy she gets when she has new knowledge.  Arvid in the meantime introduced my dad to a few of his favorite TV shows

My mom is always doing something, making us all the favorite things we like, while my dad is 

always pottering around the yard, which by the way is immaculate.  Dad loves

being outdoors and he and Arvid always have a good time.

Yes, this has been another good trip.

I am happy and very glad I am able to see them so often.

Hopefully next time will not be too long a wait.

Life moves so fast. You gotta document the good times, man

~Nadiya~

What's Perfection?

Sometimes... when you hold out for everything, you walk away with nothing..

Gold cannot be pure, and people cannot be perfect...

So many of us are obsessed with being thin that sometimes we actually forget to see the beauty in us with all of our imperfections.  Don't get me wrong, I will be the first to admit to being one who always wants to be a few sizes smaller . 

I will also admit that I like who I am with all my imperfections and not.  

This is something posted by one of my friends and it reminded me of how superficial many of us really are.  You don't have to agree, but an open mind is OK.  

It goes like this:

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way: 

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.

They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.

They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish? 

They would have no sex life and could not bear children.

Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.

And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.

We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.

Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

I am comfortable with myself and even though I will always want to lose those few extra pounds, I am happy and I like me.  There is only one me and that is what makes me special and unique. 

We may not be perfect, but on the other hand, does perfection exists?  Once we accept the fact that we are not perfect, then we can develop some confidence.

As my friend Ivette says:

People should be more caring and understanding of others. Don't criticize others. If you can, help them. Be a friend. Don't hurt their feelings. We are not better than anyone else. And no one is better than us. If someone wants to change, it's personal. Help them if possible. If they not trying to change, it's personal. Help them by encouragement, not insults.

~Nadiya~

Some Good Times...

Always cherish the simple things in life and people that treat you right! 

That is most important... Everything and Everyone else is simply insignificant..

.

As I was looking at pictures of the times we went to North Carolina to visit my parents, I realize that every time was a good time.  We always had fun and were always in the best of company.  Not sure what it is but I am so happy that my parents and family love Arvid and he them.

One of our favorite times was the year Arvid and I decided to rent a boat and take everyone out for a boat trip.  What a blast we had.  At the time Lilly Vade, as you can see was just a tiny little thing.  That's Arvid trying to be friend with her. Both Arvid and I love kids and all the kids adore him.  He will make a great grandpa. 

One of the favorite things we like is to take the golf cart and go around the neighborhood.  Relaxing and so much fun.  My dad has it all ready to go for us.

The kids are a lot more grown up today, but as always uncle Arvid is always one of their favorite persons.  I am truly happy when I see Arvid and my family together.  

Arvid has a favorite pub in NC and loves to take my dad there.  While they are having a few cold ones my mom and I always go and do a bit of girl stuff.   Yes, NC is always a good time.

Wishing you all a great day.  Remember life is made up of simple pleasures.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated

No matter what dreams your chasing, never get above your raising 

and let the simple things be amazing on the journey of your life.

The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them...

~Nadiya~

Funny...

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... 

And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party...

Just for laughs..and who does not need a good laugh every so often.

I sure do and this provides one for today as do the random quotes I have used.

Hope you enjoy it and don't take it too seriously.  I love you more today than yesterday. 
Yesterday you really pissed me off :)

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

Life is meant to enjoy and to be able to laugh at yourself as well.
The one thing I am good at doing is to have a good laugh at my expense and to have a good time.
As usual wishing you all good times everyday...

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. 

She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is....

~Nadiya~

Hello North Carolina...

Smile every chance you get.  Not because life has been easy, perfect, or exactly as you had anticipated, but because you choose to be happy and grateful for all the good things you do have and all the problems you know you don’t have....

Nothing makes me happier than going to visit family.  This time we will be visiting my parents in North Carolina.  Arvid and I love being on the road especially when that road leads us to family. 

With a stopover in Savannah, we will also have the opportunity to see a friend and then next day we will be in North Carolina visiting my parents.  I could not be happier.  Being with mom and dad is always good for both of us.  Happy, relaxing and fun times always.

I visited my sister not so long ago.  Yes, I am lucky to be able to see my sister and family plus my parents one after the other.  Does not happen to often, but fortunately for me this time it did and boy am I glad.  Being with my parents is always relaxing and always enjoyable.

Will have some time alone with them as well so works out great.  Now can't wait until we are there.  In the meantime, Brutus is still in the healing process, paw still looks ugly but could be worse.  Arvid is everyday improving so yes life is looking good.
Wishing you all a good day everyday!

Life is full with ups and downs the trick is to enjoy the good times
 and to have the courage to go through the bad ones..

~Nadiya~

Beautiful Day...

Cherish those special moments because some day they will be all you have....

Forget all the bad things you have encountered this week and have a great weekend...

My niece Reshma, wrote this for her mom my sister in 2010.

  Reshma was not yet 12 years old.  

I saw this when I was visiting and it touched my heart so much I just had to share it.

I am extremely proud of each and every one of my nieces and nephews and am always amazed at the things they do and say.  Reshma is smart beyond her years, yet a little girl.

It's the start of another beautiful day here.  Makes everything look better, brighter and our possibilities limitless.  Hope your day is also look great.

Today is also Brutus' birthday.  Arvid woke up singing him a happy birthday song.
Yes, it's a beautiful day and life is good.
We love you with all our heart Brutus!  You have made our life better than ever!

Also, it's  Friday everyone so let the weekend celebrations begin...

Pretending to look busy on a Friday is hard work.

Live every moment, love every day cause before you know it,

precious time slips away....

~Nadiya~

One Day At A Time...

Even when we are going through the hard times

 we just think to ourselves that everything is going to be alright...

Brutus still continues to go to the vet daily.  With each day his chance for kidney failure grows.  Even so we are continuing to give him the shots and keeping a very close eye to his daily routines and changes from his usual patterns.  So far he eats and drinks well and has all the love he could ever want from us.

Yesterday I was a little sad and down for a while because as Brutus was being examined and given his shot the doctor and I were talking.  He was honest enough to tell me that he has never before seen anything like what is affecting Brutus.  Got me down and a bit teary because I just do not know what the future holds for our Brutus.  On the other hand, I do try to be positive.  We had woken up to a beautiful day and that alone holds an unspoken promise of better days to come.

I realize that we all carry something that one way or another affects us.  I also know that there are so many out there with much worse situations yet they look at life with a positiveness that amazes me.  I want to remember this and to focus on the good things in our life and to deal with the not so good in a better way.  It's not always easy, but who ever said life was easy all the time.?

As usual, I wish you good things and good days always...

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles,

it empties today of its strength...

~Nadiya~