Aug 31, 2014

Sunday...

Wake up!  It's morning time with cheerful moments.
Wishing you a very happy good morning and and even better day....

See you later alligator, I'm heading back home.


Been a lovely couple of days.  We rested and we did some fun stuff.
Batteries recharged and it's time to say adios, hasta luego and as Aleah says hade..


Thought the weekend was short we had some good times.
The thing with us is that we always enjoy ourselves.  No matter what.


And checked out a few places.  


I can't say Orlando is my favorite place, but for a weekend it is
pretty interesting.  Not only kids stuff , but there is something for everyone.
It is definitely worth checking out if you ever find yourself in the neighborhood.



To all a good Sunday.  
A little reminder, think a little less.  Live a little more.

Strange, how the best moments 
of our lives we scarcely notice except in looking back...

~Nadiya~

Aug 30, 2014

Mini-Vacation...

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving...

We have arrived at our destination at least for the next couple of days.


The hotel is beautiful and at night it is even more spectacular a view.


The pool is pretty amazing.  Too bad we will not be using it.
As mentioned before, Arvid and I never use pools in hotels.  I think I 
would not mind using it, but it has too many people in it so a no-no says Arvid. 
 The other day we were going to use the pool at home which is also quite 
nice, but sadly there  were two other people in it and you know we did not go in.


As you can see from the picture above, we do have a nice pool.
Arvid and I keep saying we will definitely be using it some more in the coming days.

Well everyone have to go.  Little drinks with umbrellas are calling me.


Hope your day is a good one.
Remember, when all else fails, take a vacation.

Take vacations and go as many places as you can.
You can always make money, you can't always make memories...

~Nadiya~

Aug 29, 2014

Friday On The Move...

We can’t know what’s going to happen. 
We can just try to figure it out as we go along...

Even though we just got back from Norway Arvid and I have this restlessness 
about us that makes us always want to be on the move, and that being
 the case a road trip is what's called for. Just a couple of nights.


Nothing makes us more excited than knowing we are going on a road trip.
Our trip does not take us that far away from home, so that is also good.  We can
always be back home within a few hours if necessary, but for now we will make a little
weekend getaway of it.  You know how they say that after a vacation you need a vacation?


I see in our near future a few fruity drinks and who knows what else...
It is Friday after all, and anything goes.

Beautiful day here already.  Nice and warm.


You have succeeded in life when all you really want 
is only what you really need...

~Nadiya~

Aug 28, 2014

Life Is Good...

Whenever you feel like life is unbearable, 
remember you are going to die someday; so any day above ground is a good day...

This is how our day begins.  Nice and warn here at home in Fort Lauderdale.


As you can see already had my cafe and Brutus prancing around in the first rays of sunshine.  
We both love our early mornings.  Makes the rest of the day even better with an early start.


Yesterday we went for a walk, yes in the muggy weather.  A nice little walk
is always good.  Loosens up the muscles and definitely gives us a little bit of exercise.

Our walks usually takes us through some of the very nice neighborhood in our area.  
Yesterday we ended up at a friends home.  Beautiful view they have.


When we got back home we were hot.  What better way to cool off than to sit in the balcony 
and enjoy an early drink.  I mean the weekend is soon here so we were just a little early. 


The skies are black.  Rain is coming a nice change from the heat.
It's going to be a very good day again.  We have friends visiting and we will
be meeting them for Pina Coladas on the beach and then dinner.  Yes, another good day.

Have a good day everyone.  Remember life is all about taking risks.
If you win you will be happy.  If you lose you will be wise.

The trick is to enjoy life.
Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead...

~Nadiya~

Aug 27, 2014

It's A Good Day After All...

If there’s a single lesson that life teaches us, it’s that wishing doesn't make it so. 
Words and thoughts don’t change anything. Language and reality are
 kept strictly apart — reality is tough, unyielding stuff, and it doesn't care
 what you think or feel or say about it. Or it shouldn't. 
You deal with it, and you get on with your life...

Not sure what's going on, but I have had a sore throat for a few days now and it is 
extremely irritating and at times painful.  There is something also constantly tickling my 
throat making me cough all the time and driving me nuts.  Don't have a cold so even more 
baffling.  Got into reading about thyroidectomy (removal of thyroid), and now I think there is
 maybe a link to that and this irritation I am having.  Guess this is something I will have to figure 
out without going to another doctor. Just the thought of another doctor's visit is scary right now.


Lately I have been wondering what would happen if I decided to stop taking all these pills.
I mean what's the worse case scenario?  Don't know so I did a little research on my own. 
 As  with everything I found the positives and the negatives.  The negatives were hard 
to ignore so for  now will have to stick to taking the pill, but I am always
 going to be looking for an alternate solution.

Wednesday started out pretty "cool"  Only in the high 80's here in Fort Lauderdale so far. 
 This is a the so called perfect weather conditions for summer.  Helps that right now we 
are also in Hurricane Season and the tropics are acting up a bit bringing  the extra needed 
wind and clouds our way.  So far no rain just cloudy.  As good as it gets right  now; so
very  happy about that.  Now that it is warmer, it's time to be indoors for  the next few hours.


Today I did something that is not usual for me.  Normally I am not a breakfast person,
but this morning Liliana and I went to the beach and had breakfast.

Have to say it was a very pleasant change of tempo and as always time spent with
 Liliana is always enjoyable and entertaining.  No exception today.  Maybe we make
 it a regular thing, except if I eat this way too often I will pack on more weight than 
I can handle.  Already have enough as is.  Just have to say it was very good.


I don't do it that often so for what it's worth I loved every fatty mouthful of it. 

Yesterday finally the AC unit was replaced.  Now the place is much cooler.
Everyone is happy.  Brutus is fast asleep and I am about to go and start making lunch.
No matter what, Arvid loves to eat lunch at home.  I enjoy cooking so makes us both happy.

To all a good day.  Here the goal is to stay cool and hydrate.


I'm working on it :)

If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire
then you got a problem. Everything else is inconvenience. Life is inconvenient.
 Life is lumpy. Learn to separate the inconveniences from the real problems. 
You will live longer....

~Nadiya~

Aug 26, 2014

Hot Day Ahead....

I'm glad it's finally hot enough to complain about how hot it is.
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine...

Back home and I get a sore throat.  It's been a few days now and I just  hope
it does not get any worse.  While in Norway Arvid had the cold and cough for most of 
our stay.  So terrible to be sick especially when on vacation.  At least at home I can take it easy.


My mo has all these home remedies for curing a sore throat and just about everything.
So good to be home, call her and just listen and she tells me what I need to do.
If I do it is another story all together, but for sure this one works.
1. Two lemons thoroughly cleaned and sliced

2. Two piece of ginger about the size of your pointer
 and middle finger together sliced into coin size pieces

3. Honey (about 1 cup-maybe more)
In a 12-16 oz. jar combine lemon slices and sliced ginger.

Pour honey (organic is best) over it slowly.
 This may take a little time to let the honey sink down and around
 the lemon and ginger slices. Make sure when the honey has filled 
in all the voids, there is enough to cover the top of the lemon slices.

Close jar and put it in the fridge, it will form into a “jelly”. 
To serve: Spoon jelly into mug and pour boiling water over it,
 and sip like tea.Store in fridge 2-3 months. Yep.  A home remedy that does wonders.

Today will be an extra hot day for us.  We will have no AC for at least 7 hours
Today we replace our AC. and let me tell you it is already a very hot day here.
As you can see..men already at work cleaning the ducts for starters.


Well it will be a long day, but in the end it will all be worth the extra sweat we
had to put up with today.  I can already see myself sweating and it's not a pretty sight.

Wishing you all a very good day.  For many this heat is welcome,
but when you live full time in Florida you see things differently and feel differently.


Going to dress in something very loose fitting and light.  
Getting ready for the heat invasion.


When the weather is hot, keep a cool mind.
When the weather is cold keep a warm heart...

~Nadiya~

Aug 25, 2014

Monday....

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully...

A new week begins, the weekend came and went so fast, but we had a blast.  
Fairly quiet, with a couple of outings and dinner at our favorite
 restaurant, it made for the perfect weekend.


Brutus is still shadowing Arvid all the time.  Making sure we are not going 
anywhere and leaving him alone.  He seems worried every time we walk out
 the door, but happy when we return.  He's a happy kitty when we are around.


Monday started out fairly quietly, which is a nice change from the
craziness we often have.  Brutus is already fast asleep.  Arvid is already on the
phone and in between paperwork I am also tying to finish up my blog.  Pretty relaxing so far.

It is still extremely hot here in Florida, fortunately today it is a bit cloudy and
instead of hitting the upper 90's already we are only in the low 90's.
 Breathing a sigh of relief right now.


To all a good day and may your work week begin with a positive vibe
and may it be very productive. Remember to always expect the unexpected!

I surround myself with positive, 
productive people of good will and decency...

~Nadiya~

Aug 24, 2014

Sunday...

I live a very joyful life, 
with a lot of laughter and good times..

Nothing better than spending quality time with the ones you love.


Brutus and I woke up a little early a and did our usual stuff.  Very quiet and
peaceful as mornings are.  Today we have a few things to do.  Yes work.  As Realtors
don't have regular hours.  When we have the customer we work and today our customer flew
in from London just to have a look at condos in both Fort Lauderdale and the Miami area.
 Fingers crossed.  Lots of times as Realtors we show and show, many times it does not pan
out, but Arvid and I are always optimistic and with that in mind we move forward.


Being Sunday Arvid also called his family.  Like I have said before a Sunday tradition.
One which he is extremely good at.  They all look forward to his call.
Sometimes if he does not call by 9am, his mom would call
to see if something is wrong.  Yes, a good routine they have.

After taking our customer around we plan to take him to lunch to our favorite restaurant,
Kaluz.  Of course depending on the customers schedule; which is also busy.  He's flying to
New York later this afternoon so pretty tight fit.  Either way Arvid and I will be going out to lunch.
Our Sunday outing.  All good here at home.  Can never stop saying how happy we are to be home
even if it is hot as hell.  That is not something we really like,
but at least we have AC unlike Norway.


Yesterday was a very pleasant day.s a went to the mall and to my newest favorite store
 Michael Kors. I know all the girls there so we chatted for about a half hour and let's
 just say that I don't need much convincing.  I'm too easy a target but I don't mind in this case.
 Later in the day, Arvid decided he also wanted to go to the mall so we went again.
I convinced him he needed some clothes.  Now he has some new stuff.
 Hopefully one day he will wear them.


To all a good day.
Every day is a good day to be alive, whether the sun's shining or not.

Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, 
and you won't have to hunt for happiness...


~Nadiya~

Aug 23, 2014

Good To Know...

Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going...

Another good "tip" I picked up from friends.
Now I have not really tried this as yet but soon will.
The key is to begin with simple goals that make you feel good about yourself.


If this does not work for you, here is what another friend had to say:
There is an easier way. Drink orange juice every day.  Add basil to your food 
with at least one meal a day. Put the basil on steak or in potatoes or soup.
 Basil increases your metabolism by 33%!  Speaking from experience..... It works!

Hopefully some of this helps.  I for sure need to try it fast!
Remember, it took more than a day to put it on.
It will take more than a day to put it off. 
Get moving!!!

If it doesn't challenge you,
it doesn't change you...

~Nadiya~

Aug 22, 2014

Another Funny One....

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. 
And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it

Once again I open my laptop and see all these funny things.  Of course
they made me laugh and also made the start of the day so much better.
Now I share them with you.  You may have seen them, but still funny.


Me and my wife lived happily for twenty years.... then we met.


 You love flowers, but you cut them. You love animals, but you eat them. 
You tell me you love me, so now I'm scared!

I know the voices in my head aren't real.....
 but sometimes their ideas are just absolutely awesome!


Always remember that you are absolutely unique. 
Just like everyone else.

Well everyone it is already Friday.  Our first Friday back home and it feels so good.
I'm happy to just be home and I don't have to do anything, but just the fact 
that we are back in the USA is enough to make me happy.

Happy Friday to all and whatever the weekend holds..
have a blast!!!


I have never in my life found myself in a situation where I've stopped work and said,
 'Thank God it's Friday.' But weekends are special even if your schedule is all over the place.
 Something tells you the weekend has arrived and you can indulge yourself a bit....

~Nadiya~

Aug 21, 2014

From A Mans Point Of View....

Man's world.  Pretty much self explanatory.
Got my laugh for the day.



Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. 
Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then.


The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing - and then marry him.


What would men be without women? Scarce, sir...mighty scarce


It takes a woman twenty years to make a man of her son,
 and another woman twenty minutes to make a fool of him.

Something to remember,


Any fool knows men and women think differently at times, 
but the biggest difference is this. Men forget, but never forgive; 
women forgive, but never forget

I don't mind living in a man's world 
as long as I can be a woman in it...


~Nadiya~

Aug 20, 2014

Some Work.. Some Leisure...

Hard work is what we have to pay for a meaningful happy life...

The good thing about having a flexible work schedule is that you can more or less
 schedule your time how best suits you.  Exactly what I did today and fortunately most days.


As usual the mornings are for catching up and taking care of immediate business. 
Brutus also needs lost of things done so I also had an hour of just doing stuff for him. 
 Lots of cleaning and pampering goes to him everyday and I love it as well.

Today it was banking day, post office always some paperwork, going to the Whole Foods 
store where everything is fresh and there are many choices.  This one chore that I 
consider a fun thing to do.  Always so much to check out and I can spend quite
 some time in there when I have nothing too pressing to do.  Today was not
 that day, but even so it was nice to go there again and get our stuff.


A few more chores taken care of and I still had leftover time before I had to come 
home and make lunch.  Being with Arvid I have learnt to do everything even faster.
That meant I was able to go and get a manicure-pedicure.  One of my indulgences.


Total relaxation today and what better way than to enjoy it with a cup 
of coffee while I was getting pampered and beautified?  


Before and after.  Big difference.  Just hope the manicure lasts for a few days.
Now it's back to work and preparing lunch.  So good to be home!!!!
To all a good day.  What a big difference a day makes!!!

Just a reminder that when you work hard you can also play hard...

When work is a pleasure, life is a joy.
When work is a duty life is a slavery...

~Nadiya~

Aug 19, 2014

Catching Up.....

How we spend our days is,
 of course, how we spend our lives...

Monday morning was catching up day.  Lots of mail to sort through. Tons, and honestly 
most were bills from the doctors and the hospitals.  Suddenly I feel buried in bills.
  Have to see what we will do about that, but for now there are other 
things that also need to be sorted and taken care of as well.


Back to our routines.  Brutus and I wake up early and have some time to do whatever it is we like. 
 He loves being brushed and that he gets lots of.  Coffee time in the mornings are relaxing
 and quiet as we watch the sunrise.  Always a pretty site.

Yesterday I finally got the opportunity to talk to Liliana and to thank her for all she 
does for Brutus.  Liliana spends over 4 hours at a time with him and for that we will
 forever be grateful.  Brutus also was being cared for by Wendy... from
 Angels-Pet-Sitting-Service   Can't thank her enough also for the care she
 gives to Brutus.  His paw was actually looking
 better than when we left.  Could not ask for more.


What did make us sad was when Liliana told us that Brutus cried all the time.  She said he
 was so sad that it always broke her heart to leave him.  Said that when she left she could 
hear him crying as she closed the door.  Hearing this made me sad and very guilty.

Have already done at least 10 loads of laundry.  Most were linens for Brutus.  When we left
 to go to Norway, I left about 10 sleeping spots for him.  Now I'm still folding towels 
and sheets.  Brutus is fussy.  He likes clean linens every 3 days. At least I think he 
does so I give it to him.  Here he is laying on some of the ones I just laundered.


Come the afternoon, Arvid and I decide to take a walk to a friends home.  Boy was that a bad idea.
  As soon as we stepped out of the door I was already soaking wet from head to toes,
 but we were already out so we continued.  Gotta tell you it is not a pleasant
 thing right now to take a walk.  The humidity and the heat is a killer.


On Sunday we went out to eat and usually we prefer sitting outdoors, but in the 
summertime in Florida that is a definite NO-NO.  We sat inside and we had a good time.  
Sunday we were extremely exhausted and went to bed early.  9:30 compared to our usual 11pm.  
For Arvid to do this you know he was also beat.  I think that by Monday we were pretty 
much back to being caught up with the jet lag.  All I know is that I am happy to
 be in the same time zone as the rest of my family.  ~USA~


In Norway because of the time difference, when we were awake my family was still
 asleep and when we went to bed it was still early in the day for them. That gave us a
 tiny window to text and call.  Not for me, but now all is good again.  


Brutus is a happy kitty and we are just glad to be all of us back together.  
I will never be tired of say that there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!!!'


Tuesday already.  Everything is almost back the way it should.
We have recovered from our jet lag, Brutus is back to his napping at regular
intervals, Arvid is back to enjoying his television programs and Soccer is back on. 
 As for me I am just happy to pick up the phone and call my mom, my sisters, Liliana
 and not have to check what time it is because we are all in the same time zone.  

Another good day ahead. 


 Hope it's the same for all of you.  If you ever need tips on relaxing,
 Brutus is your guy and my sisters doggie Marley.  He lives the life of relaxation.

Remember to always enjoy your life 
without comparing it to that of others.

Life is not short. It's just by the time we catch up to appreciating it,
we have already left life at least halfway behind us....

~Nadiya~