Dec 31, 2019

Goodbye 2019 ~

Goodbyes make you think. They make you 
realize what you’ve had, what you’ve lost, 
and what you’ve taken for granted...

Goodbye 2019!  Hello 2020!  Last day of the year.  
Wishing everyone happy times.  Celebrate the new but 
learn from the old.  Remember that not everyone is 
celebrating today.  If you can help make someones
 day better don't hesitate.  Kindness is free.


Yesterday Arvid decided he needed to buy new
sneakers.  With Arvid this was a spur of the
moment thing and before you knew it we had
 taken off and were on our way to get him some
 new jogging shoes.  He's fast.  It took us longer
 to get there than for him to find the shoes.


The rain never really stopped.  We are hoping for a
 better day today.  Will be going over to my mom and dad's.
  Also my sister Nirvana and her son J will be there.

2019 has been good to us.  We have had a few ups
 and downs, but like everyone you have to just pick
yourself up and move on.  Wishing everyone a
2020 to remember.  In the best of ways.


The New Year is not only about festive frivolities,
but also hope in the fulfillment of our dreams.

May the road rise up to meet you, may the
 wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine 
warm upon your face and the rain fall softly
on your fields. And until we meet again, may 
God hold you in the hollow of his hand...

~Nadiya~

Dec 30, 2019

Happiness Is Arvid On A Roll ~

The only joy in the world is to begin...

Every since our last trip to Puerto Rico, Arvid has 
discovered a new hobby.  He spends his free time
 just learning all about the island lifestyle.  

Suddenly Puerto Rico is where he wants to be.  
Am I happy?  Of course.  Puerto Rico is my childhood home.
  It's where I have some of the most beautiful memories of. 
 It is also still the home of my sister Nirvana.

If it was up to Arvid we would be in Puerto Rico 
right now.  The way he puts it, "as soon as we have
 a cold spell here in Florida, we can just hop 
on a plane and be in Puerto Rico."


We keep track of Puerto Rico's weather.  He compares it to
 here in Florida and Puerto Rico is always an average of
 high 70's F to mid 80's F.  Perfect is how he call it.

I love Puerto Rico so this is perfect.  I will definitely 
enjoy his new hobby.  Who knows when the bubble will burst.
  In the meantime it is Puerto Rico as much as he likes.  He
 booked us a trip already for January almost a month ago.


He is that enthusiastic about the island.  At least for now.
Let's just say he is on a Puerto Rico roll and I am loving it.

A new week begins and in just a few days a new
 year begins.  Wishing everyone happy times.
  Make memories that will last forever.


To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.
  Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, 
close-knit family in another city...

~Nadiya~

Dec 29, 2019

Last Sunday In 2019 ~

The year end brings no greater pleasure then 
the opportunity to express to you season's greetings 
and good wishes. May your holidays and
 new year be filled with joy...

Sunday mornings always so relaxing.  Bigger breakfast 
for Arvid while Sniff and I enjoy some crackers 
and an occasional bran muffin.  All is good.

It's soon time to say goodbye to 2019.


Sniff is now back on his bed, and Arvid is back to 
watching soccer.  He says, "let's hope the phone does not ring." 
 Seems like every time we sit to eat or just relax the 
darn phone rings.  Boy does he get mad.  Especially 
when it's just a telemarketer disturbing us.


Fort Lauderdale is experiencing massive pipe leaks.
 Meaninng there is sewage everywhere.  Not too far from 
where we live.  The third leak in a Fort Lauderdale Residents
 of the Rio Vista neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale woke up 
Wednesday to amuch anticipated holiday gift. The leak that 
has been pouring thousands of gallons of sewage every minute
 into the Tarpon River for more than two weeks has stopped,
 but on Friday there was another leak.  Pipes are too old.


We have had continuous rain here for over a week now. 
 Yes, it's still warm, but at the same time it's not so 
nice to go and do any outdoors stuff.  Hoping for 
better weather today, but right now it's rain.


To all a great.  last Sunday in 2019.  Make it count.

I made no resolutions for the new year. The habit 
of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding
 my life, is too much of a daily event for me...

~Nadiya~

Dec 28, 2019

Saturday ~

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something 
with an open heart, I usually make the right decision...

Choices and more choices.  Either one, it was very good.


Arvid has been in soccer coma the last few days.  
Soccer every channel and he sure finds the time to watch 
most of the games.  Sniff of course is always by his side.


Mom and dad got in OK yesterday.  Looking forward 
to having them here for a while.  They used to live in Weston, 
but thought it was too hot in Florida.  They now live in NC
 and enjoy spending a few weeks in the winter in Florida.


Just a few more days until we begin 2020.
Arvid and I have been back in Florida a little
 over a year after our Branson days.


Very happy to be back home, but every so often
I think of all the good people we met and it pulls on my
 heart strings.  Especially now during the holidays.


My parents arrived yesterday in Fort Lauderdale.  They
have been on the move constantly since December 12th
visiting family.  We have a lot of family in Florida.  They
 are happy to finally relax and call this final spot home
for the next month and a half. I'm also very happy.


Wishing everyone a great last Saturday in 2019.  Make it count.

We need much less than we think we need. 
If you’re always trying to be normal you will 
never know how amazing you can be...

~Nadiya~

Dec 27, 2019

The Best Of Times ~

Life is about enjoying yourself and having a good time. 
Attitude and enthusiasm play a big part in my life.
 I get excited about the things that inspire me. I also 
believe in laughing and having a good time...

Arvid and I on our way to Tampa to see family.  Happy Happy.


Enjoying some good times and story telling.  Lots of laughter.


After having dinner at Nina's on the 24th we
 went to to the hotel together with Nirvan and kids 
and had another little party on our own.  I took the 
wine, beers and snacks.  We really had a blast.


Arid keeps telling me that I am becoming a wine drinker.  When in
company with loved ones and having a great time, it sure tastes good.


On Christmas we all had breakfast together at the hotel.
After that Arvid took off to check on some of our land, while
Nirvana, L, Kimsy and I hung out some more and did a
Starbucks run before heading to my sisters home.


We had a great time, and we got the best news ever.
 My parents who have been in Florida since the 12th of
December told us that they will be staying on for the winter
until the first week of February.  We are super excited and happy.


In my family when we go visiting we never stay on as
 in forever.  Even Arvid said, "I like it when everyone leaves
 at a decent time."  Once we got the good news, and it was still
fairly early we decided to drive back home to Sniff.  Both happy.


We love going places, but we love it better at home where
we can sleep in our own beds and wake up to breakfast
in our own place.  That being said we plans for our
are already making plans for our next mini vacation.

It's good to be home again, but honestly can't wait
until I see everyone again.  Today my parents leave Tampa
 and head closer our way.  Life is good and I am grateful.


I'm having a good time. I'm going to treat every 
game and every day as if they are my last 
because I now know that they could be...

~Nadiya~

Dec 26, 2019

December 26th ~

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace 
for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow...

Christmas came and went.  Boy was that fast.  Hope 
everyone found a reason to be happy and grateful.

I’ve have a remarkable life. I seem to be in 
such good places at the right time. You know, 
if you were to ask me to sum my life
 up in one word, gratitude it is.


  I have so many reasons to be grateful, and I am still smiling.  
I don't think I can stop.   Arvid.. well Arvid is Arvid, 
and Christmas nor any holiday is not his thing.


May you all have a wonderful day, and may
you always be grateful.  When I started counting 
my blessings, my whole life turned around.

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t 
learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if 
we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick,
 and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; 
so, let us all be thankful...

~Nadiya~

Dec 25, 2019

December 25th ~

Christmas isn't a season, it's a feeling...

The best Christmas of all is the presence of a
 happy family all wrapped up with one another..



May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart 
with warmth and love. Christmas is the time of 
giving and sharing.  It is the time of loving and
 forgiving.  Merry Christmas to Everyone!

My favorite time of the year has always been 
Christmas and still is. Christmas day is also my 
mom's birthday so it is doubly special.  


I remember from my childhood days; we would all 
wake up very early and my mom and dad would gather
 us all around the tree while still in our pajamas.

 My dad would read us a verse from the Bible.  
We would all listen very attentively, you see my dad
 is a good storyteller and whatever he was reading to us 
always came out in the form of an enchanted story.  



We all loved these moments and looked forward to
 it yearly.   Those days will forever be cherished
 in my memories and never be forgotten.

During Christmas people seem to be merrier and 
there is so much love going around that the warmth 
engulfs you and for that brief time known as 
Christmas everyone seems to live in harmony.
 Why can't we always live in harmony?



I also realize the holidays are not the favorite time for
 many. Today everything has become so commercialized. 
Many in the younger generation look forward to receiving 
and have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
The world has grown weary through the 
years, but at Christmas, it is young



They say at Christmastime all roads lead to home. 
 I my mind home will always be that time of my childhood
 when we were all together.  We did not have much, but 
one thing we were never short of was love.

Like many parents, mine sacrificed everything for us.  
My mom and dad gave up on their life to make sure 
we had what we needed.  What we needed was not
 material things.  What we got was love and
 values that has guided us in our lives.



Because of my mom and dad I know that to be kind
 and to be grateful are one of the best things you can give 
to others.  To have compassion, empathy and to care. 
 What my parents taught money will never buy. 

Our hearts grow tender with childhood
 memories and love of kindred, and we are better
 throughout the year for having, in spirit, become
 a child again at Christmastime


The best gift i can ever receive at Christmas 
or anytime it to know that I can always count
 on the ones I love, and to be able to spend Christmas 
with family.  This year we are lucky because
 we get to spend it with my parents, Nina 
and family, and Nirvana and kids.

Arvid no matter where he is does not like Christmas.  
Try as I try Christmas is not a favorite time for
 him.  From what he has told us, he did not 
have good Christmases as a child.



He who has not Christmas in his heart
 will never find it under a tree.  Sad but true. 
 I wish Arvid could get into the Christmas 
a little more, because I love it.  



For me it hold just wonderful memories of a 
caring and loving family.  The most generous man
 I have and probably will ever know is my dad. 



 His generosity and his caring ways will always 
be with me.  Whenever we had company over, no 
matter what the occasion, my dad would give the shirt 
off his back if some asked for it.  He literally did that 
several times.  When we asked him why, his answer 
was, "because they needed it more than I did."


To all a merry Christmas.  Let's not forget 
Christmas is not about how many presents we can get. 
 Christmas is about love, family, being grateful and
 thankful.  As far as I am concerned all of these values 
apply to everyday life, and not just Christmas.  We should 
live everyday with a thankful and grateful heart.
Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind.



For me it's a time of sharing, and being with
 loved ones.  I like everyone do like receiving presents,
 but this is not what I think of when I think of Christmas...
.I remember certain aromas from little.  There was baking,
 cooking, decorating the tree, caroling and most of all 
there was lots of love and laughter all around us. 



I wish everyone a day filled with happiness,
 gratitude, love and laughter.  It is always the little
 things that bring us the most happiness.  For me
 being able to spend it with some of my family 
is the best Christmas present ever.



 It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, 
hope for the future. Like snowflakes, my Christmas 
memories gather and dance — each beautiful, 
unique, and gone too soon

~Nadiya~

Dec 24, 2019

Thinking Of You ~

Christmas is not a story of hope. It is hope....

Christmas is missing a little of it's spark.  Don't get 
me wrong, I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. 
 I am grateful to have a wonderful family and good friends.  
Special mention to my friend Anna in California.  
Thank you always for your friendship and love.

We still have a few "old" traditions. 
 Like card giving. I love it.


I am happy because today we will be with family.  
But in in heart I am missing my Brutus so very much.  
Today I also think very much of Shadow.  He was
 with us for such a short time.  November to 
March.  He had one Christmas with us.


We have our Sniff.  I love him like crazy, and he sure
 makes everyday a day to be thankful and grateful for.


My thoughts are free to go anywhere, but it is
 surprising how often they head in your direction...

~Nadiya~

Christmas Eve ~

Love is what's in the room with you at 
Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen...

In Norway Christmas is celebrated on the 24th.
 Yes, Christmas eve is their Christmas.  The reason I
 mention this is that Arvid is from Norway, and his family
all live in Norway.  Today is their Christmas Day.


Arvid is not crazy about Christmas...never has been, 
but I have been hoping that little by little he will get
 more into the spirit especially since we have been 
spending Christmases with my family and they
 sure know how to get into the Holiday Spirit:)


This year Christmas will be spent with my parents
 and two of my sisters and their families.  We are both 
looking forward to this this very much.  Me more than Arvid.
  Him not so much because "it's Christmas." For a few 
days just to be around family everything seems better.


The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: 
 the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other....

~Nadiya~

Dec 23, 2019

Monday December 23rd ~

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel 
to say your nightly prayer.  Let faith be the bridge you 
build to overcome evil and welcome  good...


You can feel the excitement in the air.  At least I can. 
 Tomorrow we will be going to spend Christmas Eve and 
Christmas Day with family.  My sister Nina and family live 
in Tampa and that;s where we are headed.  Can't wait.


We did a few last minute mall browsing over the 
weekend, and of course we never missed a chance to
 toast to the closing.  Of course now Arvid and I are
 already restless.  We need something to do.


Lots of last minute preparations happening today.
  People are shopping and shopping.  Sometimes I wonder 
if we have all forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.
That being said, it's a beautiful time of the year.  


Happy faces everywhere.  I just love to see the little
 kids all excited waiting to take there pictures with
 Santa Claus.  Childhood what a beautiful time.


Monday a new and festive week begins.  Wishing 
everyone the best of times today and always.



Be present in all things and thankful 
for all things.  In three words I can sum up 
everything I learned about life.  It goes on...

~Nadiya~