Wednesday February 16th ~

 I find happiness in the simplest of things...

It's the little things that make me most happy.  Food

 plays an important role in my life.  It makes me happy,

 and it makes me smile just thinking of it, and my favorite

 food will always be Indian food.  After all I am Indian.

Today once again I will be having Indian food with one of

 my new friends here in our complex.  Can't wait.  She also

loves the same restaurant I do.  How lucky can one be?

I also enjoy the movies.  Not only streaming, but going 

to the actual movie theater.  I have been able to do so a few times 

this past month and could not be happier.  Hopefully today will

 be be going again.  Spider Man is calling and I am listening.

Sniff is always my happy place and he can always

 make me smile no matter what kind of a day I am having. 

 Together with Arvid we are a happy family.

To all a very good day.  Remember, the most

simple things can bring the most happiness.

Take time to enjoy the simple things in life...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 13th ~

 Some people will better your life by being in it.  
Others will better it by staying out of it...

Yesterday it was all about two sisters enjoying 

each others company, and what better way to do so 

than with one of these fabulous mojitos?  I'm very

 fortunate and grateful to have the family I have.

My week is already a great week, and  I

 couldn't be happier.  My smile is here to stay.

Happy day to everyone and do not forget to

 give thanks for the little blessings in your life. 

 Life is good.  Sometimes we tend to forget.

Be happy not because everything is good, but 

because you can see the good side of everything...

~Nadiya~

Weekend Vibes ~

Walk away from anything that gives you bad vibes. 

 There is no need to explain or make sense of it.  

It's your life.  Do what makes you happy...

The boat parade was a huge success; again.  

Last year we had my sister and husband over together 

with some friends.  Was a special time.  Always good

 spending time with good friends and family.

This we did not see much of the parade. 

 Just a few boats on, but truthfully we have seen it 

so often that it ceases to hold that "magical" spell

 over us.  Sad how we sometimes take for granted

 the same things many  would gladly have.

Even so, I must admit to being excited every
 time a boat passed by our balcony.  I was
running in and out to get pictures.  So I
guess, I do not take it for granted after all.

People line up along the River hours before the parade.

  Just to make sure they have the perfect view.  Others 

of course can just sit back and enjoy the boats

from the privacy of their own balcony.

Sunday begins always very relaxed and peaceful. 

 Sniff and I were awake early as usual.  Arvid is like

 clockwork.  In everything.  The time he wakes up,

 when he eats, when he showers.  Very structured.

  Sure not me.  He says I am way "too random"

Yesterday I had the day to myself.  Of course some
of it was spent enjoying the beach.  On Friday we had
clear blue skies, but yesterday it rained a bit making for
a cloudier day, but at the same time spectacular.  The
 waves just kept crashing on the shore.  Loved it.

The beach was quiet.  Just a few people enjoying quiet
walks and some alone time.  Some of my best times are
when I am on a beach, all by myself and my thoughts.

No outing would be complete without my favorite
 adult drink.  This time it was a Miami Vice. A few
of those and the evening started to look better.

Sarasota has a different vibe.  Different does
not mean not good.  It's relaxed and it feels more
like an island lifestyle.  Arvid and I have lived
 in an island so for us it was familiar.  Calming.

Sunday begins, and as Arvid says, "I'm done
with my Sunday calls." I guess now he can spend
the rest of the morning watching TV and when he's done
do a little vacuuming in preparation for our guests.

Wishing everyone a day filled with awesomeness.
 Remember to always be fearless in the pursuit
 of what sets your soul on fire.  Only way.

I know what I bring to the table, so trust me
 when I say I am not afraid to eat alone...

~Nadiya~

Happy Times~

Very little is needed to make a happy life;

 it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking...

Being Realtors means we can be working at any given

 time.  Yesterday we were showing a house in the early 

evening.  As always, it's an interesting "job"/hobby.  

One never knows who we will meet.  Yesterday we met

 some interesting people.  They showed up in a little bus.

  After the showing I said to them, "I guess you can now go

 an enjoy what's left of happy hour."  And the reply was, 

"we have champagne waiting for us in the car/bus.

After the showing we drove along the beach.  Was our 

first drive on the beach since coming back from Chicago.

Everywhere you drive there are pink ribbons/flags

 lining the street and or establishments.  Breast cancer 

is serious and the more we know about it the better 

prepared we are/will be.  Knowledge is power.

Soccer is in full swing.  Both Arvid and Sniff have already

 taken up their positions.  That's Sniff sleeping on Arvid's left.

  Two happy boys.  Perfect way to start this beautiful day.

Make the day amazing and always make

 time for good times and happy memories.

Your life is your canvas, and you are the masterpiece. 

There are a million ways to be kind, amazing, 

fabulous, creative, bold, and interesting...

~Nadiya~

Still A Little Tired ~

My hard work finally catching up with perfect timing...

Being back home feels good.  We are enjoying a few of

 our favorite things here as well.  Walks along the New River, 

restaurants and yes we are busy again.  I love it.  We have

 already cleaned the house we have for sale, and made it 

ready for an open house this Sunday, weather permitting.

Arvid, Sniff and I have been a bit jet lagged after Vegas. 

 Yesterday all three of us were actually very tired and we

 all kinda snoozed as we were watching a program on TV.  

This was early in the afternoon.  Not usual for us to

 all doze off at the same time, during the day.

Sniff is just loving being home and always finding a 

spot in the sunshine.  I love watching him just lay

 in the sun and doze off.  That being said, his 

favorite spot is always next to Arvid.

Soon it's time for our walk.  In about 

an hour's time it should be a little "cooler" 

perfect for an afternoon walk along the river.

You gotta know when to be lazy. Done correctly, 

it's an art form that benefits everyone...

~Nadiya~

So Happy ~

Whatever is good for your soul do that..

Last night we slept on our own bed.  Best feeling in 

the whole world is being home.  Sniff was and still is so

 excited he has hardly slept much.  Every time we go out to 

do some chore, Sniff thinks we're leaving him again. 

 He waits at the door for us to come back.

Before the morning was over, we had finished

 unpacking and I had already done six loads of laundry.

I have made dinner at home both yesterday and today. 

 Was so goo to eat at home.  How I missed home.

Life comes around only once, so do whatever makes

 you happy, and be with whoever makes you smile...

~Nadiya~

Happy Friday ~

I am loving our life here in Fort Lauderdale, at the same 

time I do miss Branson and the friends left behind.  Looking 

forward to summer of next year, and to seeing them all.

Here in Florida all is going good.  I thought we would be 

slowing down a bit, but life is a hectic as always.  Arvid is constantly 

on the run.  I have been trying to not get caught up in his "business"  

Not always possible.  At the same time he is something else.  

My parents and sisters love him and he makes them laugh.

Not sure what the day holds, but it is definitely a beautiful one.

It will soon be three years without our Brutus.  How did it 

get to be 3 years already?  I miss him so much, but little Sniff is

 all love and he has earned a special place is our hearts also.

Wishing everyone a beautiful start of the weekend. Always

 remember that a good life is a collection of happy moments.

One of the simplest ways to stay happy is 

letting go of the things that makes you sad...

~Nadiya~

My Canada Trip ~

Live for moments you can't put into words...

Canada.  What an unbelievable experience this was.  After 7 years I once

 again met up with immediate family, and friends.  I also made new friends

 and acquaintances.  Also met family I did not even know we had.  Overall it 

has been an experience that will forever hold everlasting memories.

The main event was of course my cousin Andrew's wedding to Aniq.  

They come from similar backgrounds, but at the same time so very different. 

 The combination of the two made for an amazing time.

The wedding consisted of approximately 500 people.  For the first time that I

 can remember, our side of the family was the smaller group.  Our family was 

only about 200 people.  The girl's side was 300.  Yes we were outnumbered 

for the first time.  It made for a wonderfully, beautiful, colorful wedding.

It was a sit down catered wedding for 500 people.  The  minute you 

entered the hall you were just floored at the details and the attention 

that was put into it. It was a stunning way to start the reception.

I got in on Thursday and was met at the airport by my sister and parents.

We all stayed at the same hotel together with a few cousins and 

some other aunts and uncles close by.  Let's just say that 

no one had much sleep at all, but no one complained either. 

 We were there to have a good time and boy did we.  

The evenings were special because after all the different functions, 

we would all gather in our parents' room, chat for hours and enjoy a 

little adult beverage and lattes.  No one wanted to go to bed, but of course 

we had to because the next day was also full of celebrations.

We did make time to visit our Grandmother.  That was a priority.  On 

Saturday morning after breakfast we all went to see her.  Just like when I 

visit Arvid's dad's cemetery in Norway, visiting our grandma was calming, 

emotional and peaceful.  We talked to her and I know she heard us. 

 We told stories about her and that made everyone smile and laugh.  

Our grandmother was and will always be SPECIAL!

One of the wedding celebration was a Holud Ceremony. 

 Check \out the dance on this you tube video

Holud Celebration

The girl and her side of the family had on amazing clothes.  My sisters and

 I and our parents also had on the special clothing for that evening as did

 many of my cousins, uncles and aunts.  Everyone looked BEAUTIFUL.

I come from a colorful culture.  Full of beauty.  On this occasion

 there was ample times this was witnessed.  It was a great celebration

 of two lives coming together and the future that awaits them is any

 and everything they want.  For now it is honeymoon is Italy.  

It s good to be back home also.  Here is where I belong, but for those few days

 I was transported into anther world.  Sometimes it was like a fairy tale.

Happy Thursday to all.  Make memories that will last forever.

At the end of the day all that matters is love and memories. 

 Make sure you give it, and make sure you make them...

~Nadiya~

Some Days Are Better Than Others ~

Whenever I miss you I just hug my pillow and pretend it's you.

Grief it's like an ocean.  It comes in waves ebbing and flowing.  

Sometimes the water is calm and sometimes it's overwhelming.

All we can do is learn to swim.  Oh, how I miss you...

As I was going to sleep the other night, my thoughts drifted away

 (again) to Brutus. I try so very hard not to go that way.  All I 

encounter is grief and more grief, but my thoughts have

 a mind of their own and Brutus is always there.

I tried so very much to shut it off, but suddenly the image of Brutus

 looking at me on the day he died was what kept coming back.  

No matter what I did that image was there. I have not cried so hard 

in a long time, all over again the grief consumed me.

Arvid held me and after a while it subsided.  I am missing that

 bundle of joy that he was.  We love Sniff but he does not allow us

 to get really close to him.  He does sleep very close to me

 in the mornings and for that I am grateful.

As I was telling Arvid, there are hardly any pictures of him 

holding Sniff, but when I look back to our life with Brutus there 

are hundreds of those.  How we miss him.  Up to this morning Arvid 

said to me, "there will never be another one like Brutus."

We love Sniff but we were so used to picking Brutus up everyday

and carrying him around.  Just as if he were a baby.  He was our baby

. I try everyday to do the same with Sniff he does not like it much, but I 

am not giving up.  Arvid has stopped trying because Sniff tends to bite us.

I don't go around being sad and depressed all day.  I am the

 opposite of that, but sometimes the heart gets weak and the tears 

just fall.  Today is another day and it is a good one.

After all this time..I still miss you everyday.  Well everyone can 

master a grief but he that has it.The only people who think there

 is a time limit for grief, has never lost a piece of their heart...

~Nadiya~

More Weather Woes ~

Well it's official.  The weather has been diagnosed with Bi-polar Disorder...

Yesterday it was freezing cold.  The wind sure did not help any.  More 

rain coming so as you may imagine, not happy right now.  As Mondays

 go yesterday was no exception.  After all the rain in the weekend 

there was tons of cleaning up needed in both hotels. 

 On the bright side, we were fortunate that we did not have serious

 damage like so many did.  We lost power on and off at the hotels, but 

nothing serious.  Unlike Florida, the Internet and cable TV are

 still up and running.  Very happy for that otherwise we 

sure would have had some not so happy tenants.

Feeling pretty lazy with this weather.  Not wanting to wake up in the 

mornings especially when it's so cold again.  The killer here at my hotel is

 the wind.  We have many breezeways and when you pass through

 them it's like going through a COLD wind storm.  Everyone

 says more "bad" weather is still in sight.  Hopefully not so.

Yesterday the sun finally did show up.  Did not get much warmer, but

 was good to see sunshine again.  As Arvid and I went to Springfield on Sunday

 we saw flooding in many of the rivers and water  was cascading down the rocks

 on the sides of the roads.  Makes one wonder about the power of nature.

The week has already started on a busy note.  Before we know it will 

soon be over.  Hope everyone has had a good start also and that the

 week ahead is one full of productivity and accomplishments.

Here at home it's clean up time after all the rain.  Gutters were full of

dried leaves and debris.  Now it's going to be better when the next rainfall comes.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and our joints are not delightful,
since it got so dang cold.  We feel old!  We feel old! We feel old!...

~Nadiya~

Always Something Good...

There is always something good coming.  Remember that, and when you 
get something good, enjoy it.  Don't always go looking for something better

Every so often I find something that will catch my attention for a while.  I'll stick to it 

until I get tired and like everyone else move on to some new interest.  Right now I am 

enjoying making myself cappuccinos and cafe lattes.  I have the milk frother right here

 at home, which I happened to "find" once again as I was cleaning the cupboards.

  Of course I was excited and for the last week I have been indulging myself 

at all hours with my favorite coffee beverages.  Simple things.  I'm happy.  I always 

find time to indulge myself during the day.  It's good to make time for oneself.

Our day have been busy.  Lots to take care of before leaving for Chicago.  We hope Sniff Sniff

does well in the plane.  Brutus as everyone knows was a traveller.  He handled being in a plane

like a pro.  On the drives we have had with Sniff Sniff he has not been that "good"

At one time we were so worried how Shadow would be.  His constant movement

 intrigued us as to how he would sit still for 7 hours in the carrier.  Little Shadow.

Today makes it 209 days since my Brutus died.  There has not been a single day that I
don't miss him and wonder why.  Little Shadow has now been dead for 88 days.
I still don't make sense of it.  I try to tell myself that maybe Brutus was in pain.
 Maybe he was suffering and I did not know.  None of this helps.

To all a very good day.  Don't forget to smile and to always be grateful.

Missing someone isn't about how long it has been since you have seen them
 or the amount of time since you've talked.  It's about that very moment when 
you're doing something and wishing they were right there with you...

~Nadiya~