Nov 30, 2018

Greetings From Eleuthera, Bahamas ~

A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, 
and realize how blessed you are for what you have...

We arrived in Eleuthera and it was as if we never left. 
 At the airport we met some of the same people.  They saw us 
and with big smiles they said, "welcome back home." It's been some
 time since we last came here, but we have already met so many people. 
 Back home in Florida I can't say we have so many we call friends.


We have more friends here in Eleuthera, Bahamas and in
 Branson than we have in Fort Lauderdale.  Strange since we 
have been living there for well over 20 years.  I guess
 back in Florida both Arvid and I are more reserved.


The flight was beautiful and scenic from the minute we left
 until we landed.  The scenery in the Bahamas is special. The
water is crystal clear.  All I can think of is spending the next
 few days relaxing and walking along different beaches.

Our first stop was French Leave.  The views are spectacular.
  The Pina Coladas delicious and the food was excellent.
Already Arvid and I made a new friend there. In The Bahamas,
 just like in Branson, everyone is very friendly.  I love it.


Looking forward to what tomorrow holds.  I am on relax mode
 and for the next few days Arvid and I will take care of
some business and have relaxing fun days.


Life is good because I decided to make it that way...

~Nadiya~

Nov 29, 2018

Island Time ~

It doesn't matter where you are, you are nowhere compared to
 where you can go.  In any given moment we have two options:
 to step forward into growth or step back into safety...

A long time a go we called this Island home.   Eleuthera, Bahamas.
Some of our best memories were also made here.  For a few years
 it was home to Arvid, Brutus and I.  Our second home that is.  


So much has changed, but our love for the island till remains. 
 In life no matter where you go the memories will follow.

For the next few days this will be our view.  The last time I was
 in Eleuthera was 2012.  Brutus was still alive.  After he died
 life changed.   Branson happened, and the memories I have,
 and the friends I made will always remain special to me.  


Yes, no matter what life has thrown our way,
 there is always something good to come out of it. 
 One has to make one's own path in life. 

Since coming back to Florida life has been very busy.  Arvid and
 I have not really had much time to relax much.  I did go and see 
my sister in Vermont.  That was nice.  had not seen her
 in such a long time and for that I am so grateful.


Arvid has been on the go constantly.  Going to Eleuthera is 
also work related, but there will always be time to sit
 back and take in the beauty of Island Life.

Looking forward to a few days of bliss. 

When the winds of change blow, some people 
build walls and others build windmills.  The greatest
 tranquility is when we desire nothing...

~Nadiya~

Nov 28, 2018

Scooter Craze ~

Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more,
 and don't get so worked up about things...

Birds mission is to make cities more livable by 
reducing car usage, traffic, and carbon emissions.


Bird is a clean, affordable, convenient, car
reducing alternative to making cities more enjoyable. 


Bird is a dockless scooter-share company based in Santa Monica, 
California. Founded in September 2017, Bird operates electric 
scooters in over 100 cities throughout North America, Europe,
 and Asia, with 10 million rides in its first year of operation.

In 2018, Bird was named one of Time Magazine's 50 
Genius Companies, and one of the most sought-after 
startups in the United States, according to LinkedIn.


Bird Scooter together with some others (Lime) are
 super popular all over town.  People just rent them and drop 
them off in any given spot.  The other day we were at our 
brokers office, and to get into the parking Arvid actually had 
to step out of the car and move one of the scooters out of the way.  

People leave them anywhere.  Even in the middle of the streets, 
parking lots you name it.  Very convenient, but also can become 
problematic if people abuse them (like with everything).


Unfortunately there is a also a lot of vandalism
 that goes with this scooter business.  People fed up with
 the clutter of scooters all over the city have started to
 burn them, throw then into the ocean, canal or river. 
 There is some "wicked" person everywhere 
just waiting for a chance to to be wicked. 
It's life.  You take the good with the bad.  A beautiful day to all.

Good and bad ideas both come from the same
 fountain of speculation and experiment. Live life 
to the fullest, and focus on the positive..

~Nadiya~

Nov 27, 2018

A Windy Day Here ~

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather,
 always bring your own sunshine.  If you want to see
 the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.

It's very windy right now and looks "cold" outside, 
but as I stepped onto the balcony it was just cooler and 
definitely windier than I thought, even so it is a beautiful day.

The weather people are prediction a cold front for the
 next two days.  For Floridians anything below 70F is cold.
  We are wimps when it comes to "the cold"  Arvid more so 
than Sniff and I.  We are used to the cod having lived in 
Branson, and we liked it, but have to admit it sure is
 nice to always have summer clothes weather.

A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate
 the world and ourselves.  Conversation about the weather
is the last refuge of the unimaginative.

~Nadiya~

Nov 26, 2018

And So Begins A New Week ~

I’ve begun to realize that you can listen to silence and
 learn from it. It has a quality and a dimension all its own...

Because sometimes a moment of silence
 speaks louder than any words one may say.


As the new week begins we all go back to the same "grind"
  For many this is something we take for granted, and sometimes we
 even resent it.  For others this "grind" is a luxury they can no longer afford.

Life has a way of throwing things at us.  We may say we are prepared,
 but at the end of the day, are we really?  I really don't have an answer to this.


For us yesterday was a typical Sunday.  We woke up and saw the 
boats go by.  Took care of some business and also worked a bit. 
 Arvid and Sniff were here and life was good.  We went out
 to our usual outing, which as always was really good.

Yesterday Arvid said, "let's go back to Morton's"  and as simple
 as that we went.  No cares in the world.  Just to enjoy and have a 
fun evening.  While we were laughing and enjoying our Sunday, 
somewhere else there was sorrow.  Life.  It is what it is.


Good morning everyone.  A new week begins for all of us.  Please 
take a moment to be thankful and grateful.  Here at home it is raining, 
but as you know, they say let the rain wash away yesterday's pain.

Life is a storm either you get an
 umbrella or learn to dance in the rain.

~Nadiya~

Nov 25, 2018

Happy Sunday ~

Contemplate the good things in your life and be grateful for them...

Yesterday was my day to go to the mall.  I don't do the Black Friday
 thing, but I do enjoy going the day after.  My favorite mall of 
course is The Galleria Mall.  While Arvid watched soccer for
 many hours, I took that time for me and just enjoyed myself.


I have a weakness for teacups.  No matter where I go,
it's difficult to resist getting one.  I now have to hide them from
  Arvid because we actually have no space for more.  That being 
said, I went to William Sonoma and there I just could not resist 
the Christmas teacup.  Another in my collection.

Today we are having an open house, so yesterday we had to get 
the signs from our Broker.  His office just happens to be on Las Olas Blvd,
 so we made an afternoon out of it.  Las Olas is also looking very beautiful.


Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year as far
 as I am concerned.  Even if Arvid does not like it, I 
will not let it stop me from enjoying it.  I have done 
it before, but no more.  I love Christmas.


On Thanksgiving Day Tiffany sent me many pictures
of my Almost Home family.  It was the best part of the day.
 I am still smiling.  Everyone looked so happy and Tiffany and Chris
 had so much food.  I was happy to be able to "see" everyone.


Wishing everyone a happy day.  Remember there are many
that are not as fortunate as we are.  That being said, just remember
that there is always, always something to be grateful for.


Sniff has gotten used to his home in Florida.  He's a happy boy.
 He's loved and he makes us happy.  For that we are grateful.

Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining - it bores 
everybody else, does you no good, and doesn't solve any problems...

~Nadiya~

Nov 24, 2018

Life Is Good ~

The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge...

Arvid and I never go out to eat on Thanksgiving.  As a rule,
 we always have dinner at home, but after that we usually go 
somewhere on the beach for a few drinks. My preference
 is always a place that serves fruity blended drinks. 
 So we always star with a Pina Colada.


For a change Arvid joined me and also started 
out with a Pina Colada.  First we went for a drive around 
the neighborhood checking out Christmas decorations.  

Went to the mall and also checked out everything there. 
 Christmas and the Holidays is definitely a pretty sight no
 matter where you are.  I remember last year in Branson,
 it was definitely beautiful seeing all the lights.


Christmas is in the air and I sure love it.  The next few days will
 be busy ones.  A little work and a little fun.  The best of both worlds.


Wishing everyone a beautiful day and please be careful.


I think being in love with life is a key to eternal youth.

~Nadiya~

Nov 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving ~

There is always, always something to be thankful for...

Giving thanks and being grateful never gets old.
Sometimes we get so caught up in our lives, we forget what
 is really important.  We forget all the things we have
 to be grateful for.  We take too much for granted.


The last few months have been a roller coaster of one 
tragedy after another.  Each one touched and affected me in
 different ways just because I have been through many
 a rough patches, just like so many out there.

Right now another heartbreaking story is unfolding in Norway.
If it affects my family it affects me, and my Norwegian family
 is hurting.  A "little" girl I love dearly is going through 
moments I never wish anyone to have to go through.  
Know you are in my thoughts and heart always.


It's part of life, but when you know someone you love is
 hurting, you hurt as well.  Especially when there is absolutely 
nothing you can do to make her suffering any less.

Everyday we should all take a moment and realize that what we take
 for granted someone else is praying for.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest
appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them

~Nadiya~

Nov 21, 2018

A Little Something To Think About ~

Hope... is the thing with feathers. That perches in the soul 
And sings the tune without the words. 
And never stops at all...

Happiness is not something everyone experiences.  Sounds dramatic, 
but it's true.  Many do not know what it feels like.  Does not matter if it's
 Christmas, a birthday or any day.  Happiness is just not part of their lives.

I was talking to one of the tenants in our hotel, and hearing her story 
I was just very sad because I felt her sadness and unhappiness.  
I always wish I could do so much more for everyone.  


Money is not always the cause of their unhappiness, but it is a big part of it.
Families also play a part of it.  Maybe the biggest part.  Many of my 
tenants have children, but they never see them.  They are 
estranged from each other for so many different reasons.  
They have lost all hope of ever being a family again.


Makes me realize how fortunate my sisters and I are to have our parents
 and each other, and to know that we can count on each other.  Yes, 
we have disagreements.  Yes we fight and argue, but at the 
end of the day we are each others biggest supporters.


What we lacked in material things we more than made up for in love.
I am very happy to have been raised to appreciate others, to be grateful,
 and to always always be thankful for all the kindness and goodness life has
 given/showered us with.  Like every family we have our difficult times,
 but with the right support system we tend to bounce right back up.


Remember everyone, don't lose hope for you never know what tomorrow may bring.
There have been times I have felt like giving up.  Some days it just seems too 
much to handle, but then I get a little pep talk with Arvid or one of my family
 member or my friend Anna, and suddenly it is "all right" again.  It comes 
and it goes, but one thing for sure I bounce back and hopefully always will.

Hope is the little voice you hear whisper "maybe"
when it seems the entire world is shouting "no!"

~Nadiya~

Nov 19, 2018

Monday ~

It's really not about what you have. It's about how
 you're able to enjoy life in general.  Simply enjoy 
life and the great pleasures that come with it...

Unlike Arvid's family, mine is spread all over the place.
  makes it difficult to see everyone at the same time.  With Arvid's 
it's so easy.  We go to Norway and everyone is there.


I have my parents in North Carolina.  Mala in Vermont. 
Rima in California.  Nirvana in Puerto Rico and 
now I have Nina in Florida.  Happy for that.

To see everyone I have to make many different trips. 
 I may not like plane trips anymore, but if that's the only 
way to get to see them..a plane trip it is.  Nirvana now has 
her son J living in Florida so fortunately she will be
 the one coming more than we will be going.


A "little" chilly, but that never stopped us from having a BBQ.  
The Vermont outdoors is amazing.  I really love the different sceneries.  
I loved Branson, I love the views we have in Florida and I am
enjoying the Vermont scenery as well.  I am grateful for it all.


Good morning all.  Greetings on this beautiful day from Vermont.
Life is like a roller coaster, live it, be happy, enjoy life.

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery
 you miss by going to fast - you also miss the
 sense of where you are going and why...

~Nadiya~

Nov 18, 2018

Rio ~

Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can
 make him wag his tail. A dog will teach you unconditional love. 
If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad...

Mala's dogge Rio is just amazingly cute.  Everyone who knows
 me know I can't resist taking pictures. Well Rio loves pictures.  


He gets a walk everyday.  Rain or shine.  Rio loves it and
 he makes the Vermont scenery even more beautiful.


I have waited a very long time to meet Rio.  The wait was well worth it.
Happy to be spending time with my sister and family.  Life is good.


After lots of walks, lots of playing Rio sure is tired.  
His papa always has his back and Rio has all the best spots 
in the house.  He can sleep anywhere he wants.

dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more
 than you love yourself, of course there is also the cat....

~Nadiya~

Life Is Good ~

Your ability to see beauty and possibility is
 proportionate to the level at which you embrace gratitude. 
 It's up to you to see the beauty in everyday things... 

Welcome to fall in Vermont; when the light softens,
 the night brings the comfort of a cool breeze at times
 very cold,but love it, the morning air is crisp and refreshing, 
and Vermont's hillsides begin to explode with vivid oranges, 
yellows, and reds.  There is beauty everywhere, we just 
have to open our eyes to see it.  Today once again
 I see all the beauty surrounding me.


Beyond the foliage, arguably the best part of fall
 (soon to be winter) in Vermont is the endless
 events and activities to choose from.  

t's a great time of the year to plan one last camping trip,
 for those of course who like camping.  Not for me.


Or one can attend a live concert, go mountain hiking, 
biking, or cast in one of Vermont's 809 lakes and ponds.  
On a rainy day, head indoors and visit an art gallery or museum. 
 Or like my sister and I go malling around.  Go to one of 
their many cafes for a scrumptious cup of coffee and a nibble.  
Try King Arthur's.  Never fails to please and satisfy.


Life is beautiful.  You have to be thankful that we are living.
Wherever you look there is beauty.  I know about the bad 
things,but I look for the good things.  No beauty
 shines brighter than that of a good heart...

~Nadiya~

Nov 17, 2018

Amazing Beauty In Vermont ~

Learn to appreciate the things you have
 in the life you're living. It is your present...

Probably one of the coldest places in the winter time, 
but definitely it has an extraordinary beauty.  I love coming
 to Vermont because I get to see Mala and family.  

As far as it being on the colder side I could care less.  
Since living in Branson, I got to really enjoy and 
like the cold weather.  This is a treat for me
 in more ways than one would know.

My sister Nina who moved to Florida last year is missing
the change of seasons very much.  So much so that she
 and David decided to take a week in New York just so that 
she can enjoy the scenery.  Granted they will be staying in
 Manhattan, but she also want to experience the cold.

Rio loves taking walks and eating wood.  Fortunately
 he seems to be outgrowing the wood eating days.  It's been 
twice that he was rushed into emergency surgery for swallowing
 wood.  He sure put his family and all of us through a
 lot of stress.  But look at him...how cute is he?


In Vermont there is beauty all around you.  Mala lives 
in this amazing area.  The colors you see are just stunning. 
 For the next few days I will be enjoying my family,
 and some amazingly beautiful sceneries.

Whenever you are creating beauty around you,
 you restore your own soul.  The best way
 to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it...

~Nadiya~

Nov 16, 2018

Hello's From Vermont ~

It’s lovely to know that the world can’t
 interfere with the inside of your head...

Greetings from scenic Vermont.  With just a few days here,
 my sister and I have to make the most of it.  While the rest of 
the fang is busy with school and wok, Mala and I will get to 
spend a few hours on our own everyday.  How cool is that?


They say breakfast is the best part of the day.  So true.  Loving this
 cool weather, but unfortunately I gave away most of my winter 
clothes to tenants at Almost Home and the few I did keep are now
 in our apartment in Chicago.  Not the smartest of moves.


Sachin has the room with the view!  Truth is all the 
bedrooms in Mala's home have this awesome view.  You 
see all the colors as they change.  How great is that?

Rio is the newest addition to the family and this is my first
 time meeting him.  Like all pets he is totally spoiled and loved. 
 Rio is King and what Rio wants ..let's say Rio gets.
  I know it's the same at our home.  Sniff rules.


Everyone loves Rio and Rio loves everyone, but the 
relationship between Rio and is papa is extra special.  
Those two just adore each other.  Who saved who I
 am not sure, but it sure is wonderful to see.


Just a little reminder to us all who have pets. When we adopt
 a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having
 to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good
 reason: They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness.
 They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.

If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads...

~Nadiya~

Nov 15, 2018

Favorite Time Of The Year ~

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air...

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Every turn is Christmas.   My favorite time of the year, 
unfortunately Arvid does not like it.  It has to do with his childhood.


Christmas brings out the happy in me even more.  I am not one 
who stresses about what to buy, nor do I shop months in advance.

I enjoy window shopping and yes, I do get a kick out of seeing 
people "agonize" the many, many things on their Christmas list.


All it takes is one Pina Colada and I am happy.

Happy shopping all.  Me I am going to take it easy.

Christmas now surrounds us, happiness is
 everywhere.  Our hands are busy with 
many tasks as carols fill the air...

~Nadiya~

Nov 14, 2018

Hello Beautiful Wednesday ~

Grateful today for all the things I often take for granted. 
 When I started counting my blessings, 
my whole life turned around...

As usual Sniff and woke up very early. He had his 
brushing, but did not want any foodies as yet.  He 
prefers to eat when his dada has breakfast, most times.  
Sniff also like to help his dada with his work.


Some mornings he does let me know he’s hungry,
 and of course he gets foodies, but no matter what, when 
Arvid has breakfast Sniff wants more foodies.  Same goes
with lunch.  When Arvid eats Sniff has to eat.  Cute when you
 see it happening.   Sniff let’s us know he wants his foodies.

Very quiet morning.  The Intracoastal is quiet.  Still. 
 No wind.  Pretty to look at while I had my cafe.  

I usually go to the Swap Shop once a week and buy 
my fruit.  Most weeks on a Wednesday.  Hope to do the 
same today.  Missed my coconuts very much when we 
were in Branson so now I make sure I have it every week, 
and I always get extras to last me a few additional days.

It’s good to be back home.  Back in Branson it is super cold.
  The tenants text me and tell me.  They also send me 
pictures.   That always makes me smile and for a little
 while I’m back in Branson and at Almost Home.  


Yes, a very special time of my life. 
 Even though it was hard work.  I loved it, 
and I love hearing from them.

Mom and dad are on their way to New York once again.
  Nina and David are already there.  It was to be a 
getaway for them, but in between there was a death 
in the family, so it’s not the happiest of times.  

Nina and David do get to enjoy a few days in the


 city before the funeral on Saturday.  Nina really 
misses Pennsylvania and the colder weather.

Rima in California is just a few hours away from 
all those fires.  Very distressing for us.  Also my friend 
Anna is not far from it.  Anna is having a very rough time 
right now.  It’s been a little over a week her Taino died.

My sister Nirvana and Kimsy are soon off to Paris and Madrid
 for a few weeks.  J and Alexandra are soon back to Cancun
 for another wedding.  He just got back from Puerto Rico. 
 I’m going dizzy trying to track my own family.

Arvid and I are doing good we are happy to not be in 
the freezing cold.  It’s beautiful here.  The sun shines
 everyday.  We see boats, palm trees and the water. 

 Arvid is always in shorts which is what he loves. 
 Life is good.  Wishing everyone a beautiful day and 
just remember no matter where we are what we do there 
is always something to be thankful and grateful for.


The good life is a process, not a state of being.  
It is a direction not a destination.  The more you are 
positive and say, “I want to have a good life,” 
the more you build that reality for yourself
 by creating the life that you want....

~Nadiya~