Next Stop Is Puerto Rico ~

No one can ever take your memories

 from you - each day is a new beginning, 

make good memories every day...

Both Arvid and I are very excited to be going to 

Puerto Rico.  Looking forward to seeing my sister and 

to see what the island looks like after Hurricane Maria. 

 I already have in mind a few places I would like to see.

Come tomorrow we will be enjoying a little of 

the island life.  For me Puerto Rico will forever 

hold some of the best memories of my childhood.  

We did not have everything, but we had everything

 we needed and most of all we were always surrounded

 by love.  When I think of Puerto Rico I think of love,

hugs, warmth, good food and good people.  Yes and

 beautiful beaches.  Our parents took us to 

the beach just abut every weekend.

Puerto Rico, see you soon.  It's soon 

coffee and umbrella drinks with my sister.

Happiness is letting go of what you 

think your life is supposed to look like...

~Nadiya~

Interesting...

Beauty is self confidence applied directly to the face...

Here is to natural beauty.  They say that beauty is how you feel

on the inside, which then reflects in your eyes.

Beauty can sometimes use a little help, hence makeup!

I find that another thing that expresses beauty is a persons ability to laugh.

Our niece Danielle is one to whom laughter comes easily and
 spontaneously.  When in her company both Arvid and I find that we are
 laughing even more than usual.  The girl has a heck of a personality and
 she leaves you feeling good always.  I really miss her.

Wishing you all a day full of laughter and happiness.

It's a beautiful day so make the most of it and never forget
that life is what you make of it and your attitude will decide if
it's good or not. Don't forget, the best is yet to come!

You can turn painful situations around through laughter.

 If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.

~Nadiya~

Special Moments ~

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

Good morning everyone.  For us here in Missouri it is 6:30am.

Sniff and I have been awake for a while.  Coffee made,

 Sniff fed, played with and like each day, we are ready 

to make memories and collect happy moments.

Tomorrow is my eldest nephew's birthday.  Max turns 25, and last 

night his mom, my sister Nina came across a letter Max wrote to 

the tooth fairy some 19 years ago.  This is so Max.  Memories 

came flooding back of that little boy, barely months old 

who visited me in California when I became a widow.

Today Max is almost done with his studies. 
Come May Max will be graduating from

 Duke University with a doctorate in Physical Therapy.  As he told his sister 

Danielle and the family, "please address me
 as Doctor Dyal from now on."  

Well, Dr. Dyal, in my heart you will still be that little boy 

I babysat many years ago when I lived in New Jersey. 

 At the same time I will occasionally address you as
Dr. Dyal.   Just for the heck of it. 
You've definitely earned it.

Today our eldest granddaughter turns 5.  Aleah visited us in Florida
 when you was just a few months old.  Made us the happiest of grandparents.
 We do not see her and her sister Vanessa often, but thanks to
technology, we do "see" then on Skype.

A beautiful day awaits us all, but for those with birthdays even more special.
Aleah, grandma and grandpa from America loves you and Vaness very much.
Soon we will be able to see you all and give you real hugs and kisses.

To all a great day.  Make memories that last a lifetime.  Today and always.

You close your eyes to reality.  Not memories.
No matter what happens, some memories can never be replaced...

~Nadiya~