Good Morning From NC ~

No amount of money or success can take

 the place of time spent with your family...

We made it to mom and dad's.  All's good with them.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  Don't ever take anything for granted.

No matter where I am, mornings are always special.
A little cooler here in NC than Florida, but I love it!

At the end of your life, you will never regret not 

having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, 

or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not

 spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent...

~Nadiya~

NC Bound ~

Parents act so strong for us, that we 

often forget just how fragile they are...

On or way to mom and dad in North Carolina.  

Another perk of living in Florida, we get to see my parents 

a little more often than when we lived in Branson.  Love it. 

 As my parents get older, I want to be able to spend

 as much time as I can with them.  As far as I am concerned, 

not enough as is, but I am happy and grateful for whatever

 time we can have with them. Happy days ahead. 

Mom and dad love living in North Carolina,

 but we their daughters would love if they would move,

 and be closer to one of us.  I would love if they would 

move back to Florida, but they really love NC.

The next few days I will be enjoying time with them. 

When in NC we always stay with my parents.  As they said, 

"you and Arvid have your room here.  Whenever you want." 

 I do not like staying with anyone and neither does 

Arvid, but we do enjoy staying with my parents.

Many of us tend to take our parents for granted.  

I always make a conscious reminder to myself to NEVER

 do that.  I may not always succeed, but I try, and I remember 

always that if it were not for their sacrifices I would not be

 the woman I am today.  I love the woman I am today, and I

 know that a lot of it has to do with he way I was raised.

Children learn to smile from their parents.

My parents taught me honesty, truth, compassion,

 kindness and how to care for people. Also, they encouraged 

me to take risks, to boldly go. They taught me that the 

greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure...

~Nadiya~

Too Early ~

Coffee because it's too early for wine...

It's 2:30 in the morning and I am already awake.  

Having my cafe on the balcony and enjoying the 

view.  The lights across from us are still on.  

Everything is quiet and peaceful.

  I try to sneak out of the bedroom without 

waking Sniff.  Impossible.  He's already

here with me demanding his foodies 

and brushing. Which  

 he will get.  Arvid..sound asleep like I should be as well.

Hopefully after a couple of hours I will be able to go

 back to sleep.  I feel tired, but I don't sleep like the way

 I did before.  Now Arvid sleeps like the baby, and I am awake. 

We do have quite a lot of things to do today, so it 

would have been nice if I were able to get some 

more sleep.  On the other hand, soon we will 

be in North Carolina seeing my parents.

To all a very good day.  Remember, 

opportunities are like sunrises. If

 you wait too long, you miss them.

When you wake up each morning, you can 

choose to be happy or choose to be sad. Unless some 

terrible catastrophe has occurred the night before, 

it is pretty much up to you. Tomorrow morning, 

when the sun shines through your window, 

choose to make it a happy day...

~Nadiya~

Stay True To Yourself ~

You really don't need to wear any make-up most of 

the time; keep your eyebrows the way they are,

 and find your own natural beauty signature...

Rima's birthday was yesterday. This is her.  Never looked

 any better, and definitely looks better than most women half 

her age.  Check out the makeup.  That's right.  NONE.  

She does not need it.  Her skin is flawless and she does not

 have to pile it on like so many of us.  She is what I call a NATURAL

 beauty.  Have to say the same goes for all my sisters.  We have 

been lucky.  Our mom is gorgeous and our dad handsome.

Being natural is incredibly empowering for women

 because it's just who you are.  You're embracing all the 

beautiful things about you from your head to your toes. 

Because when you mask so much of your natural beauty, 

people don't get to see that.  Less make-up is better, and it's always 

better to let your natural beauty shine.  It speaks volumes.

Already got my workout in for the morning.  I like to do it early.

  Once the day begins, I never know what will happen and 

how things will pan out.  Our schedule changes in seconds.  

We have to be very flexible and adapt, which thank goodness

 we both are.  We have to.  No other options there.

To all a great day.  One day closer to seeing my parents.

At the end of the day, life is about being happy being

 who you are.  Being happy never goes out of style...

~Nadiya~

Monday Again ~

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

One day closer to seeing my parents.  I'm super excited

 and happy.  My parents are getting older, and every

 chance I have to see them is a blessing I count.  

At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to 
a child's success is the positive involvement of parents. 

To my parents, I will always be grateful and thankful for 
all you did and continue to do for us.  Anything I can do to 
repay that is never going to be enough.  Thank you for 
loving us in the good and sometimes not so good times.

We had a great day yesterday.  Arvid helped
 a friend with some cars, and then we had some
 quality time for ourselves.  Always good.

As the new week begins there is lots to do.  Staying busy 

is something we thrive on.  Another week is here.

  Time sure is going by fast.  Suddenly before

 you know it, February will soon be over.

Wishing everyone a productive week ahead. 

 As always whatever it is you do, do it with enthusiasm. 

 Put your heart and soul into it.  That's the only way.

Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing

great was ever achieved.  If you have passion, there is no

 need for excuses because your enthusiasm will trump 

any negative reasoning you might come up with. 

Enthusiasm makes excuses a non issue...

~Nadiya~

Hello New Day ~

Life is all about having a good time. When you realize 

nothing is lacking, your whole world belongs to you...

In just a few days Arvid and I will embark on another 

of our much loved road trips.  We will be heading to 

North Carolina to see my parents.  As you can imagine, 

I can't wait.  For me visiting family is the best.  

After a visit with mom and dad we go to Georgia.  

Jekyll Island to be specific.  Every year in February there

 is a trade meeting and now that we are back in Florida we

 hope to go every year.  That of course is also based on what 

Arvid has left to trade.  Hopefully always something because

 it makes going to visit my parents more of a possibility.

We have had a very relaxing week and look forward

 to more of the same in the coming week.  There is always

 something to do, so we are always kept busy.  

Yesterday we went to the car auction for a few hours. 

 Interesting, but we did not buy any. On the other hand,

 one of our customers picked up 6 cars, and who knows how 

many more he will buy before the auction ends today.  

Good for us because we get his business.  We are in the 

shipping business as well.  Mainly shipping to Norway.

Sunda again.  Another beautiful day here at home.  The "boys"

 are relaxing and all is nice and calm.  A few errands to run

 today and then it's time for Arvid and I to enjoy our Sunday outing. 

Yes, life is good because we decided to make it that way.

I woke up.  I have clothes.  I have food to eat. 

 I have running water. Life is good and I am thankful.

It is up to you to see the beauty of everyday things...

~Nadiya~

Life Is Good ~

Enjoy your own life without comparing it to that of another...

No questions about it.  Sniff has the best seat in the 

house everyday all day long, and both Arvid and I love it.  

To know Sniff is to love him.  He has this calmness about him 

that you can feel and sense right away.  He soothes

 our hearts and fills our home with love.  

Every evening his first favorite spot is right between Arvid's legs.

Just like with Brutus, Arvid does not move.  He watches TV and 

stays still until Sniff decides to get up and move over to my side.  

This is every night.  A little routine the 3 of us have. We love it.

Coming back to Florida and to the life we had has been good.
We do things we used to do and some.  I still stay in touch
with my friends in Branson.  Yes, I do miss Almost Home
and the people, but I am sure loving our life here.

Like many, we enjoy the simple things in life.  Those bring
us the most happiness and for that I am always grateful.

People who delight in simple pleasures and manage to smile
 in spite of the difficulties they face have the clearest vision of life...

~Nadiya~

Valentines Day ~

 You know when you have found your prince because you 
not only have a smile on your face but in your heart as well.....

Everyone looks forward to Valentines Day even if you

 are or aren't in love, it gives us hope that something special

 can happen on this so called most romantic day of the year.

 With that in mind here a few tips I read about that will help 

to make it even more special for you....there will be people who say, 

love is not based on external looks but the truth is that if one comes

 specially dressed for you and wears your favorite color, it adds 

on to the mood of the day. Thus, fashion is the need 

of the hour, as cupid is just round the corner. 

1. A Cute Dress – This day is a the day you 

spend together and are in complete ease, away

 from the hustle and the tensions of life. Thus,

 flashy fashion is not for Valentines Day.

 Be yourself, wear something cute. A T and a skirt, 

a frock, a pair of jeans with a cute top etc. Look 

feminine with your cute dress and relive the 

admiration of the first day once again.  Long

 time ago I had my favorite red dress.

2.  Accessories – Simple and sleek jewellery will suit 

your cute dress the best. A bracelet which rests elegantly

 on your wrist and a chain which lays beautifully around 

your neck, adds on to your delicate beauty. Jewellery 

brands have loads to offer this season. Accessories both 

for hair and matching your dress is now available.

3.  Footwear – Footwear fashion tip for Valentine's Day

 is to follow the high heels trend. Heels make you look 

elegant and also matches your cute dress. Footwear's 

are also going retro this season. Polka dots, strips, bright

 colours include in the fashion tip for Valentine's Day. 

4.  Hit The Beach – The best place to be on this day
 is on a romantic beach. Wear hot pants, with a tuck in shirt,
 shades and red jewellery. Look stylish, sexy and cool on 
the beach with your guy holding your hand beside you.

 Definitely piling on the makeup to go to the beach 
looks tacky and cheap.  Unless of course all you
 plan to do is arade yourself around. GO EASY 
ON THE EYES.  LOOK NATURAL

5.  Light Make-up – The last but not the least fashion

 tip is to be yourself. Flaunt your natural beauty and preserve

 it from all the heat and sun, with a light makeup. Keep 

your make up to the minimum. As for lip colour, stick 

on to a light colour lip gloss. The lip colours in trend 

are peach, pink etc. Nude Make-up is the fashion tip 

this Valentine's Day.  Go easy on that eye makeup.  

Follow these tips and and get ready for the 
most romantic day of the year...  For my 
Valentines for life ( Arvid) I say to you:

There are only two times that I want to be with you – 
Now and Forever.  Come live in my heart, and pay no rent...

~Nadiya~

Home Sweet Home ~

Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
Home is not a place…it’s a feeling.  With you, I'm home...

The boys are relaxing as usual.  Watching TV and the boats go by.

Every so often a little nap in between.  Happy as can be.

In between the game, Arvid enjoys the view, as does Sniff.
Home is where love resides, memories are created,
 friends always belong, and laughter never ends.

 Coming from Branson, I thought Sniff would miss the birds
and the squirrels, but here he found other interesting things
 to keep him busy.  He still sees birds, and he now sees people
 walking their dogs.  He loves to look at the boats pass by and he
 likes to watch the leaves on the balcony.  Sniff is very happy.

What I love most about our home is who I share it with.

Where we love is home- home that our feet may
 leave, but not our hearts.  This is our third home 
in less than 3 years that Arvid bought sight unseen.  
He bought it online.  Same as he did with our home in
 Branson and our current apartment in Chicago.

Happy day all.  The secret to humor is surprise.

It's all the little moments that make life a big adventure.
Only someone special can make ordinary moments seem extraordinary...

~Nadiya~

A New Week Begins ~

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience

 to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without 

fear for newer and richer experience..

A new week begins and definitely looking good.  

Beautiful weather and looking very forward to family 

visiting us.  Yes, it's a beautiful start of the week.

Pretty relaxing week as well.  Hopefully not as hectic as most.

Always nice to have time to relax and enjoy with loved ones. 

 Like I said we have been gone for the last 2 winters from 

Florida, so it will be good to entertain at our place again.

Lots of little errands to take care of today.  Planning 

on making the rest of the days as open as possible.

Sniff is happy and will also enjoy having visitors. 

 He is a people "person"  Not afraid of anyone,

 unless of course they come with hostility.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead. Remember 

life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

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

Be happy. Be yourself. If others don’t like it, then let them be.

Happiness is a choice. Life isn’t about pleasing everybody...

~Nadiya~