It's Christmas After All ~

I'm actually really nice until you annoy me...

Coming back to Florida means I have to re-establish myself 

with all of my doctors.  Easier said than done.  Take in 

mind I am not the most patient of people.  Weeks ago I made 

an appointment with a new general practitioner  That's

 the start of everything depending on your insurance.

A 9am appoint turned out to be 11:30 until I actually

 got the see the doctor.  Let's just say I was fortunate they 

still saw me.  I am not a mean person, but like I said to the 

receptionist, "my time is as valuable as the doctor's time."  

I got a round of applause from everyone in the waiting 

room, and the stare down from the receptionist.

Three weeks ago I also made an appointment to see

 a new endocrinologist. Having had Thyroid cancer it's important 

to do yearly follow ups and thorough blood work.  I finally 

found one.  I told the office manager my entire history 

regarding my thyroid and cancer.  She said,

 "no problem that we can handle."

Today I call the endocrinologists office just to ask a

 few more questions.  Like the times before, I have never been 

able to get hold of them.  Yes I was ready to call the whole thing 

off and find someone new, but here the wait to see a specialist

 is very long.  So I controlled myself and kept calling.

Finally I decided to go to the office and talk to them.  

Office closed.  I call another number listed there and they said 

"we are only there on Mondays."  So I said, "how come you

 have me scheduled to see the doctor on Tuesday?"

I was told they were sorry about the misunderstanding, but if

 I wanted to keep the appointment it will have to be at their 

other location.  I agreed because it's not easy getting an appointment

 anytime soon elsewhere. We talk some more and I asked her 

if they followed up with my previous endocrinologist.  

Her answer, "endocrinologist?  We are pulmonary doctors. 

 I am sorry that the other girl misinformed you, but it's 

Christmas after all." I want to know what any of 

this has to do with the fact that it's Christmas.

That everyone is how my day is going so far.  I sure it

 can only get better from here on, for it is Christmastime 

after all.  That seems to be a good reason it seems.

Time to find another endocrinologist. Life.

You cannot control everything.  Sometimes 

you just have to relax and have faith things will

 work out.  Let go a little and let life happen...

~Nadiya~

So Begins The New Week ~

New week.  Bring it on.  No one dares stand in 
the way of a moving train. This week, you will 
be unstoppable. Have a great week ahead...

A visit to the mall with Arvid.  When Arvid needs to get something

he is fast.  Way too fast for me.  Everywhere you look there are 

smiling faces to be seen.  It's Christmastime in the city.

I still am trying to figure out why Arvid dislikes Christmas so much.

I know his reason, but sure is lame from where I stand.  

Christmas is beautiful.  It's time to be with family. 

 Time to be happy and spread joy and love.

The mall is fairly empty.  There are not many shoppers around anymore.

Seems like most people are now buying online.  I have started

 to do the same, but it's always so beautiful to actually

 go to the location and just see people.

The new week has already started.  Hopefully
 a good one for all of us.  Remember to appreciate small
moments of happiness, for they are so important.

Train your mind to see the good in everything...

~Nadiya~

Happy Days ~~

Some of the best moments in life are the
 ones you can't tell anyone about...

Yesterday we worked and we had a great time doing so.  

Was a perfect day for an open house.  Arvid and I always have

 a good time with just about everything we do.  We make it fun.

  We make each other laugh and that's what keeps us always smiling.  

Yes, we have "issues" like everyone else, but we focus on the good.

After the open house I treated Arvid to lunch.  Nothing fancy,
 but we enjoyed ourselves.  Was in the mood for chicken
 wings so we went to out favorite wingstop, Flip Flops.
Sadly the wings were undercooked.  Arvid ate most.

Sunday again.  Another week gone by.  2018 is soon over.
Wishing everyone a happy day.  Remember to cherish all your
happy moments.  They make a fine cushion for old age.

Life is made of small moments like this...

~Nadiya~

Jolly Day ~

Today is Saturday, which means that today I will be

 multi-slacking, instead of multi tasking...

Christmas is felt everywhere.  We may have to work a little today,

 but holding an open house on the waterways sure does not seem

 like work.  Enjoying what you do is what makes life fun.

Wishing you all a happy Sunday and let's 

not forget that tis the Season to be Jolly.

I hope you get the best present of all this Christmas: 

the company of people you love, good cheer and good health...

~Nadiya~

That Time Of The Year ~

Looking back at my life’s voyage I can only say 
it’s been a golden trip.  The best memories are the ones 
you can’t explain.  You just had to be there...

Everywhere you look it’s Christmas; I look out to the 
neighbors across the canal and their homes are all nicely lit up.
  Our building goes all the way out as well with the lights. 

Arvid and I went walking to the beach and it’s a 
beautiful sight.  The entire building is covered with lights.
  It’s always so nice to walk around and see all the
 happy people.  Yeah. Christmas is beautiful.

Here at home we don’t put out a Christmas tree.  
The last time we had one Brutus was alive.  Let’s say the 
tree did not fare well.  Brutus sort of climbed it.  Since 
then we thought it safer to not have a tree.  I'm sure Sniff 
would also attack the tree and tilt it over.  If we had one.

My sisters all have their trees up already. All 
decorated and smelling good.  I do love the smell 
of the fresh trees.  I’m tempted to buy a small 
one, but then I think of Sniff and I don’t.

Many years ago in Puerto Rico, my brother-in-law 
bought a few containers filled with Christmas trees. 

 Back then my nephew J was just a baby, but he was 
there almost everyday with his mom and dad “helping”
 to sell the trees.  Even I was part of this selling
 Christmas tree spirit.  Was a beautiful time.

We have been having a few cooler days here,  I love it.
  Arvid of course is in sweaters and long pants.

  I’m don’t know how he survived in Norway.  
He is no Viking, but he sure is cute.

The year has gone by too fast.  Only last year we were
 in Branson for Christmas.  Yes, I know life goes on,
 but a part of me misses everyone in Branson. 

I just hope they are doing well, and that the holidays 
bring them all joy, happiness and everything good.   
To my friends in Branson, I think of you often,
 and with the fondest of memories.

To all a very good day.  
Soon it will be Christmas Day.

For it is in giving that we receive.  
May your days be merry and bright...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday ~

Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life...

My happiest of times are those at home.  Home is 

where Sniff is and home is where I love best.

Vacations are good.  Vacations are relaxing, but after all is

said and done there is no place like home, and home we are.

Good morning all.  The week is halfway done already.

Here there is Christmas everywhere you turn.  I am loving it.
Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy

If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, 
what makes you think you would be happy with more...

~Nadiya~

Happy Days ~

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life.

Be happy for this moment.  Happiness is a choice...

Arvid is a believer in a good breakfast to start his day well.

Arvid loves his "good" bread and is good cup of tea.

 That being said,  I always carry his bread anywhere we go, and I 

always bring a big teacup for him.  No matter where we go, 

I always take these 2 things for Arvid.  Makes him a happy

 man in the  mornings.  The bagels are mine.

Yesterday we went to Cape Eleuthera.  So far we have covered 

most of the island.  At least the places we used to frequent 

when we lived here.  Was very nice to check them out again.

I'm missing little Sniff and can't wait to see him.  To all a very good day.

The Holidays are here so let's be jolly and have a good time.

Arvid and I have been having some very relaxing days here.
So far we got to meet many of the people we knew.  The best
 part is that everyone recognized us and remembered us.

To all a very good morning.  Last night we were graced
with the most amazing sunset.  Stunning does not do
 it justice.  Island life is beautiful and so relaxing.

Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life.

What you feel inside reflects on your face.

 So be happy and positive all the time.

~Nadiya~

Eleuthera, Bahamas ~ Relaxing

Even in a world with much sadness,

 at its essence, life is beautiful. .

Another beautiful day it was yesterday.  We spent

 the evening at Sky Beach listening to Reggae music,

 and enjoying a delicious dinner.  Sammy the

 bartender remembered us from years ago. 

 Sammy used to work at a place called Captain Jack's, 

then he moved to Cocodimama and is now at Sky Beach. 

 His Pina Coladas are absolutely delicious.  So far I have had

 good Pina Coladas in all the places we have been to.

Arvid is very tanned.  Just a little time in the sun and he's rosy.

I just get darker.  In me not so noticeable as it is with Arvid.

Good morning all.  For me it's back to the beach for my morning

 walk and of course some pictures.  I love  mornings.  The where 

I am does not matter, but it sure is beautiful to wake 

up and just walk straight out to the beach.

I suppose there are a lot of reasons to be jaded 

or sarcastic or bitter in life, but I hang on

 to the reasons why life is beautiful...

~Nadiya~

Eleuthera, Bahamas ~

There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity

 of the moment.  Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving...

Our day via pictures.  Was an amazing day.  Worked a bit, 

and had leisure time.  We relaxed and enjoyed the day to the fullest.

We are enjoying perfect weather.  In the mornings I walk along the 

beach while Arvid is still asleep.  Peaceful and quiet moments.  Love it.

Even the birds enjoy quiet time on the beach.  We seemed to just blend in.

Being away from the island for so long makes one see it with fresh eyes.

Now we can actually compare and see what it is we like and don't.

It was good to walk around our old stomping grounds. 

 The houses all have names, and of course I took pictures

of the few that caught my attention most.  Colorful.

We've had lots of good food and lots of good drinks.  I am happy.

Eleuthera hold memories of Brutus.  He came with us for

 many years to The Lil Red.  Arvid and I shared our memories 

of our Brutus.  When Arvid talks about Brutus his voice changes.  

In Arvid's heart there will only be Brutus.  That being said, 

Arvid "saw" Sniff, that is when he saw movement in the house, 

he thought it was Sniff.  I miss our Brutus so much, I also

 miss my Sniff very much.  I love the little dude.

To all a very good day.  Reminder, when you love

 what you have you have everything  you need.

Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals 

how rich reality truly is.  My pictures are my eyes. I 

photograph what I see - and what I want to see...

~Nadiya~

Eleuthera, Bahamas Days ~

It is December, and nobody asked if I was ready...

Already December.  Where did the year go by so fast?  

It's not that many more days until Christmas and a brand new year.

This year has been good to many and unfortunately not so

 good for others.  Life it does not discriminate against anyone.

For Arvid and I it has been a very good year, culminating in 

our moving back to Fort lauderdale.  Back home.  Branson was 

a beautiful time in my life.  Always will be, but Florida is home.

Arvid and I are enjoying out time in the Bahamas.  

Yesterday was mostly work, but I always find time to take 

pictures and have a good time.  After "work" was done, 

Arvid and I spent the rest of the day checking out the island.

  Many big houses have popped up and businesses as well.

A little work in the morning and then the rest of the day is 

pure leisure.  Looking forward to see where the road takes us.  

Missing our little Sniff but I get updates on him twice 

a day and that makes it better.  Good morning all.  

Wishing you a peaceful and wonderful day.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,

 and creates a vision for tomorrow. ...Be thankful for 

what you have; you'll end up having more....

~Nadiya~