Wednesday May 25th ~

 Today can be the Hump Day or 
a day to remember. Your choice...

When you're busy time flies even faster than ever. 

 I have had to cancel my haircut appointment and unfortunately 

my manicure-pedicure.  Now twice. I have had to meet

 tenants after five and by then I am way tired for

 a haircut or a manicure.  Will keep on trying.

We have had a couple of open rooms, but within a 

half an hour I have had them rented.  Of course not 

the same day.  I need time to clean them and 

make them fresh for the new occupant.

Three of our current tenants are from Florida and

 according to their boss, they would like to rent 3 more 

rooms for more of their workers coming from Florida. 

 Kinda strange to see cars in our parking lot with Florida 

plates.  Mine was the only one.  Not so anymore😃

Wishing everyone a good day.  If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.

If things are getting overwhelmed, take a break, and reiterate.

 Sometimes a little rest in between helps to clear your head. 
Your direction is more important than your speed...

~Nadiya~

Day of our Lives ~

 Be like a postage stamp, stick
 to a thing until you get there...

Some days Sniff just finds a spot and focuses on it no 

matter what we do or how much we try to distract him.  

The other day he kept watch for hours.  What he was

 seeing or hearing we still do not know, but he sure 

was concentrated.  He never missed a beat.

It's not yet six AM and I have been up for the last hour. 

 Not unusual, but today it's raining like crazy.  Very hard 

with extreme lightning and thunder.  Sniff is just scared

 out of his wits, and staying as close to me as he can.

At least it is not cold.  Yesterday temperatures hit 77F (25C) 

made for a very beautiful day.  Hopefully this will be the trend 

from now on.  Everyone is looking forward to warmer days.

Having my own car once again sure makes a big difference.  

Yesterday I was able to leave work an hour earlier than usual while

 Arvid stayed back.  I sure got a lot accomplished in that hour.

Good morning everyone.  The rain continues, but now it's

 just a soothing sound.  The weekend is already looking up.

If a mind thinks with a believing

 attitude, one can do amazing things...

~Nadiya~

Sunday October 3rd ~

 Life is a great big canvas, and you 
should throw all the paint on it you can...

I slept in and it felt so good. I have not been sleeping

 so good these last few nights.  Lots of loud “noise”

 lately, coming from  all around, everywhere.

From there street you hear them cars reviving up ,

 and lately there have been a few new people

 in our building. They talk/make noise

 until the wee hours of the morning.

 This morning was quiet.  I didn’t get up early

 to feed them kitties 🤭, so I slept in until 6 am 🥰 

 I feel rested and very relaxed right now.

Lately we have been watching lots of TV ☹️. 

 Our shows combined with some streaming 😂

 programs, it’s been busy 😮.  Lots to watch.

Yesterday was a pretty ugly day on that it rained

  or was wet most of the day.  Dark and gloomy with 

lots of wind. Made it perfect to stay in and watch

 more TV.  Missed out on my favorite frozen drink, but 

there will be more 🍹 This morning it's pretty hazy, 

most likely it clears up as the day goes along.

Sniff is  good. Sleeping a lot 😀 as usual. 

 Arvid stays busy no matter what and where we are. 

Having lots of soccer games does occupy 

quite a lot of his “free” time lately.

  No walks in the weekend, but come tomorrow we will

 be back on track.  “My” little beach kitty, Chiquita 

has not been around now for a little over a week 😔, 

however I still leave food and water in her spot.

  Maybe she's there at a different time now.

Life is not easy “out there”  My” kitties here in our 

complex are all doing good 🙏.  As of yesterday all 

10 were still there.  Looking healthy and robust.  

I love them all and it makes me happy to feed

 them and see them.  Every morning I go out to 

walk and to feed them I am always scanning the area 

just in case. I don’t know what to expect anymore,

 but for now they are good and doing well. 

Looking forward to tomorrow when I go out

 again to see/feed them 😍🐈 Good morning everyone. 

May your day be magical and amazing all at once.

  October is already a good month. My sister Rima and

 family will be moving back to the East Coast.  Hopefully

🙏💚 by Thanksgiving they will be visiting our parents in 

North Carolina. Mom and dad are already planning the

 menu.  They have not seen Rima and family since 2019.

To all a good day.  It still very warm here in 

Puerto Rico,  but with each new day I look forward

 to a tiny bit cooler temperatures.  Even one 

degree cooler is appreciated right now 🌞 

Live life to the fullest. You have to color outside the lines once 

in a while if you want to make your life a masterpiece. Laugh

 some every day. Keep growing, keep dreaming, keep following

 your heart. The important thing is not to stop questioning...

~Nadiya~

December 1st 2020 ~ A New Month Begins ~

New month new goals, new beginnings, new start,

 new mindset, new focus, new intentions, new results..

 New month begins.  Last month of 2020.  The world 
anxiously awaits the end of this year, and we all hope

 that the new year will bring us a brighter future

 and better things, as in NO MORE COVID!

Arvid, Sniff and I have been in Puerto Rico for three

 months.  The way I see it, we need to go home fairly soon. 

 I told Arvid that we cannot be here longer than February, virus 

or no virus.  I need to go home and take care of a few things.  

We are definitely enjoying life here.  Love that my

 sister, Kimsy and J are around, and we get to see them 

at least once a week.  Makes being here even better.

Arvid and I have really gotten to know the area 

we live in.   Arvid knows how to get around the island 

as well as anyone else living here.  Arvid knows 

how to get around anywhere.  Period. 

Looking forward to better things to come.  December

is the month where miracles can happen, and the have.

Here in Puerto Rico we are having 75 degrees F. 

 The sun is out and we are pretending that we have snow.

  Sniff and I like seeing the snow fall.  Even if it's

 only pretend.  Happy 1st of December. 

For last months words belong to last month's

 language and next months words await 

another voice.  Happy New Month...

~Nadiya~

Island Life PR September 2nd ~

Life takes you down many paths 

but my favorite ones lead to the beach...

It's is going to take us a few days to get everything

 straightened out and to be organized.  But now

 that we are on island time, who cares?  

We have all the time to take it easy and just go

 with the flow.  At least Arvid thinks this way, I'm 

still on my own time, and no matter where I am 🙈, 

I am always me.  I am not as Arvid would say, "the 

easiest person."  Too stubborn and I like it my way.  

Being on island time I will have to learn to be more

 patient.  I believe that one of my "worst" traits

 is my impatience.  I have to work on it.

Looking forward to walks on the beach.  I do

 love the beach, but for some reason we it was not

 a part of our lifestyle in Florida.  Hopefully here

 in Puerto Rico I will have more time to fully 

appreciate it and make the most of it.

Sniff is still having a difficult time adapting to his
 new home.  He has not had a good sleep since we arrived.
 He gets a few cat naps, but he's never relaxed. 

Always jumps at any kind of sound, and there
are lots of sounds.  Different from what he was used to.
 He will get there soon.  For now he finds it under the
 bed safest.  Sniff is not one to go under beds, but
 as of now he seems to be most comfy there.

B.E.A.C.H.: Best Escape Anyone Can Have.

An ocean breeze puts a mind at ease...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday ~

Always remember, your focus determines your reality....

For now Reshma has opted to stay in Australia. 

 So far where she is all seems OK.  I just hope

 this continues to be so.  Though I don't see her

 much, I miss having her home in the USA.  

Somehow it feels closer and I know she's home. 

 Mala misses her a lot as do the rest of her family.

In the meantime, she's loving her life in Australia.

This Coronavirus has affected everyone's life in

 more ways than one can imagine.  Many have to cut 

short their travels and return home earlier than planned. 

 This is the case for Victoria and Michael.  They are

 returning one week before planned to Norway.  As we all

 know, Norway like so many countries is also on lock down.

Here at home we spend long times on the balcony.
I read a little more than usual, and that's saying a lot.
We watch more TV and have more together time.

We spend extra time watching the sunsets.
This for me is always a pleasure and it makes me happy.
 I try not to get up as early, but sometimes it just can't be helped.
  Our days have a good vibe after our balcony time.

Sniff's happy, relaxed and doing well. After all
is said and done, life is good and we are grateful.

Gratitude helps me focus on what I have 

instead of what I don't have, allowing me to stay

 focused on my blessings instead of worrying

~Nadiya~

Everyday Is A Good Day ~

The only difference between a good 
day and a bad day is your attitude...

Happy hour on a Wednesday.  Does not get any better than this.

Started with my favorite, a Pina Colada, 

but then I could not resist the watermelon Mojito.

  All of a sudden it is now a favorite.

Yesterday I started going to the gym again.
  I hope to be consistent.  I have already had one of my
many checkups since coming back to Florida.

 Unfortunately, my thyroids are not working well.
I have a very high TSH level.  I should be
at a .4 -.1   Unfortunately I am at a 2.37

From what I have read and what the doctors have
 told me, weight gain is what I have to look forward to.
It's been an uphill battle since getting thyroid cancer.

 In under 2 months I went up 4 sizes, and no matter
how much I try I just can't seem to get rid of it.  I'm
bummed out at times, but I will continue to do
whatever I can to help the situation.

I have been given a new dosage of mt Thyroid meds.
One can always hope that one day it will be regulated.
  Since the cancer, it has been a roller coaster.

  There are days I am totally exhausted without
having done much.  Then there are days I just can't
 seem to control what I eat.  It's just one day at a time
 and I'm not winning the battle of the bulge.

Whatever you decide to do make sure it makes you happy...

~Nadiya~

Life ~

The more you are thankful, the more 

you attract things to be thankful for...

Arvid is most happy when he listens to music.

 Here in Chicago that happens so very often. 

 No matter where you go, there is always someone

 playing on the sidewalk.  The other day at 

the Fresh market was no exception.

  After we got what we needed, mainly Arvid's 

bread and some goodies for me, we had to take some

 time out and listen to the music.  Yes, there was a guy 

playing, and we have seen him around at different 

corners of the city playing.  Arvid recognized

 the music and of course was drawn to it.

Here at home Arvid and Sniff have a very
 good time together.  Sniff talks and Arvid does.
 When Sniff "talks" Arvid starts to play with him.
I think that the one being played is Arvid,
 but he does not mind.  He likes it.

Saturday started out beautifully, and then just
like that something changed.  I saw a video a Brutus
 and Shadow and suddenly I'm not feeling so good.

I won't use the word depressed, but not sure what
 else to call this feeling that is swallowing me up right now.
 Of course there is also the guilt because Sniff was
 right next to me when the tears came.

 Life sometimes is not always exactly as we wish
 it to be, but on the on other hand, as they say the things
 we take for granted someone else is praying for.

I know it's going to be a good day, just have to
wait out the sadness that has come over me.  It passes.
 I know because it happens every once in a while.
  Time to think of other things and to get busy.

Wishing everyone a day of happiness and contentment.
  Remember even though we sometimes we let our
thoughts wander and take us back to the past,
it's also important that we do not stay there.

I just close my eyes because I might seer your face.
  I just close my mouth because I might hear your voice. 
 I just close my ears because I might hear of you, but
 I could not close my heart because I love you...

~Nadiya~

Mornings ~

The most beautiful way to start and

 end the day is with a grateful heart...

Good morning from our home to yours.

Mornings are still one of my favorite part of the day.  Quiet and peaceful.

Wishing everyone a peaceful day filled with love and laughter.

The secret to having it all is knowing you already do...

~Nadiya~

It's Starting All Over Again ~

Stay positive and happy. Work hard and don't give up

 hope. Be open to criticism and keep learning. Surround

 yourself with happy, warm and genuine people...

And yesterday I zoomed into this couples happy day.  

Taking place across the river from us.  I love our 

location.  There is always something going on.

After lunch, a little outing along the
 beach made for an excellent Sunday.

New week again.  May is soon upon us.
  This year sure is going by fast.  Just wish I had
 a little more sleep, but it is what it is and as you
 know, the early worm catches the bird.

New week all.  Bring it on.  May your 

coffee be strong and your Monday be short.

Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard 

and sacrifice,  and, above all, don't let anyone limit

 your dreams.  You can control two things: your 

work ethic and your attitude about anything...

~Nadiya~

A Little This A Little That ~

If my world were to cave in tomorrow, I would look
 back on all the pleasures, excitements and worthwhilenesses 
I have been lucky enough to have had. Not the sadness,
 but the joy of everything else. It will have been enough...

There is a lot to discover in one's own backyard. 

 Hopefully Arvid and I will do more of it.  We are already 

making the effort to see other areas other than Fort Lauderdale.

  And there is always something to discover and to see.

Sometimes the simplest of things brings the most pleasures.

My mornings with Sniff are one of a kind.  Love every minute of it.

One of my favorite pleasures right now is my Coconut Pineapple Martini.

After all, there is always a good reason to celebrate.  We always find one.

Little walks with Arvid.  Always something to look forward to.

Our afternoons are special.  We go for walks and
we see a little of everything.  It's like going on a little
 mini adventure.  Love the ducks and the rooster.

Happy Wednesday all. Sometimes, 
the simple things are more fun and meaningful
 than all the banquets in the world. 

Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness
 is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come 
too infrequently. And if you don't collect all these tiny 
successes, the big ones don't really mean anything.

~Nadiya~