Hello New Day ~

If you feel happy, Smile with all your heart,

 if you're down, smile with all your might...

A beautiful cooler day awaits us.  As always

 when it gets this cold Arvid indulges us both with 

his famous hot chocolate.  His specialty.

Yesterday was a full day with my family.  I believe

Arvid is getting a little concerned that I am leaving

 him alone too much.  Families, you love them but at 

times can be overwhelming. My family.  His family. 

 Watcha going to do?  You gotta love them.

The day has warmed up a bit since we woke up. 

 I love this cool air.  The doors are slightly open.  Arvid 

of course is bundled up, and still says it's too cold 

to have them open.  He is one true Viking.

To all a very good day.  I say looking on 

the bright side of life never killed anybody.

Always believe in the magic of a new beginning...

~Nadiya~

New Week Vibes ~

The love in our family flows strong and deep,

leaving us memories to treasure and keep...

Before Mala came to Florida, she asked for one thing.  

Margaritas.  Not too difficult to fulfill her request,

 and when 4 sisters are together is makes for

good times.  Just missing Rima very much.

I am enjoying every single moment with my parents

 and sisters.  J is also coming over as much as he 

can while everyone is here.  Unfortunately, Max is

 sick and could no be here over the weekend.

Lucky for me, there is an abundance of soccer games. 

 Keeps Arvid happy and busy.  Gives me more time 

alone with my family.  We are both happy.

As the new week begins, all I can say is thank you.

I have everything I need right here with me.  I 

am grateful for Arvid and his patience with my 

family, but as I told him, it goes two ways.  

As much as Arvid does for my family (ours now),

 I do the same if not more for his (ours as well).

Arvid says, that my family does not like to over 

prolong the day/evening.  And for that we are

 both happy.  Nice and short is best.

The Norwegian gang will soon be here, and 

I am sure we will be busy everyday.  A good busy 

because we will be spending time with family, and we 

will be bonding with our granddaughters.  Like I 

always say, I am thankful and forever grateful.

Wishing everyone a great start of the new week.

Dream as if you will live forever; Live as if you will die today,
and never tell your problems to anyone...20% don't care
 and the other 80% are glad you have them...

~Nadiya~

Hello New Day ~

You can't go back and change the beginning, but

you can start where you are and change the ending...

So far we have been having a great weekend.  

I spent time with my family, and of course that trumps 

everything.  Having a great time with everyone.

My sisters love Cuban coffee and while they are here

 we go every morning for coffee and a few of the delicious

 pastries.  This we only do when we are all together.  Once

 everyone goes back home it's back to their routines, but 

for now we will all enjoy our daily routines together.

Last night Arvid and I went to a concert.  It was a

 group that sang songs from the Rolling Stones.  It was

 not bad, but it was better for Arvid than it was for me. 

 That being said, we had a very good time.

After that we went to an after party for the Blues Club

here in Fort Lauderdale.  Most of these people were booked

 on the Blues Cruise that leaves today.  Blues Cruise

We met at the "party" a group of Norwegians.  

Said they were mainly from Oslo, and that there is about 30 

of them going on this cruise.  Arvid says he would NEVER

 do it.  Says he does not need to hang out with the same people 

all day long.  Especially since he can't drink like them.

Looking forward to what the day hold.  For Arvid it's

 a lot of soccer.  For me it's time with my family and 

then of course Arvid and I will have our Sunday outing. 

 Perfect day for all of us.  Maybe tonight I go out 

with my sisters for Margaritas.  Just the 4 of us.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  Another day with my family.

Happy and always grateful.  Hello Sunday.  Time to be amazing.

Keep your face always toward the sunshine,

 and shadows will fall behind you. Write it on your 

heart that every day is the best day in the year...

~Nadiya~

So Happy ~

You can't live a perfect day without 

doing something for someone who

will never be able to repay you...

Someone went back to sleep and now does not

 want to get out of his bed.  Sniff is just like

 his dada.  He loves his beauty sleep.

I wish everyone a day filled with all things good. 

 I am happy because for the next few days I get to enjoy

 being with my family.  Rima we miss you very much. 

Hopefully, if all goes well we see you in March.

 Every single day is a good day no matter how bright

 or dark it is, because it always brings an opportunity

 to start a positive beginning in your life...

~Nadiya~

Hello Friday ~

Life is beautiful. You have to be thankful that 

we are living.  Wherever you look is beauty.  I know

abut the bad things, but I look for the good things...

Friday.  Even better because today Nirvana is once

 again coming to Florida and my sister Mala as well. 

 Vermont had a snow storm yesterday, and hopefully 

Boston-Logan International airport is on schedule.  

We will be picking her up later on this evening.

Hope the weather holds up and Mala can leave.
 Can't wait to see her.  I miss her a lot.

Yesterday we were busy.  We were on the road close to
 7 hours.  We are still in the shipping business, and at times
 we still have to go and check out a car for a customer.

Yesterday we were in two different locations looking
at two cars.  The buyer bought them both.  We love
 road trips, so for us this was another road trip.
  Unfortunately, traffic was pretty hectic.

After all those hours on the road, Arvid had just one
thing on his mind.  One of his favorite places to eat. The
 nachos are pretty good, but too big for just me.  I told
Arvid that when our Norwegian gang gets here we
 have to go, then we can all enjoy the nachos.

We got home tired and spent a few hours
sitting out on the balcony.  Very relaxing.
 Something Arvid enjoys very much.

The day is going to be amazing.  I look forward

to some  very amazing days with my family.

I wish everyone a great weekend and whatever you,
 do do it with great zest and flair.  I love my life
 and the ones in it.  I am grateful always.

~Nadiya~

Happy Thursday ~

My mom and dad gave their kids the greatest gift of all,

  the gift of unconditional love. They cared deeply about who

 we would be, and much less about what we would do...

I am so happy.  The last few days I have been 

spending lots of time with my parents.  My mom has 

pretty bad arthritis, and if I can help her in anyway 

possible I will do so while they are close to us.

As always Sniff and I have been awake early.  

He cries for his brushing, which he gets as soon as I 

can get some clothes on.  He falls all over my feet and

 never leaves until he is brushed and happy.

Food comes after brushing these days.  Once he 

has eaten he goes back to bed with his dada.  They 

both sleep for another couple of hours.  Sometimes

 when Arvid gets up, Sniff does not want to move.

Yesterday my parents took Liliana and I out to lunch. 

We went to one of our favorite restaurants.  The 

food was delicious as always and we had a good

 time all of us.  Arvid was busy doing other 

things so he was happy with a Burger.

Yesterday during our walk we encountered a variety

 of new friends.  Always happy and always have my

 camera ready.  You never know what you will see.

Arvid and I have a busy day today.  Maybe we will 

see my parents a little in the early evening.  For now 

good morning everyone.  Wishing you all a happy day.

Life is good.  Sometimes we forget.

I love my life and the ones in it...

~Nadiya~

Life ~

No matter how bad things are, 

you can always make things worse...

Our walk yesterday took us somewhere we had
not been to before.  It was a mixed neighborhood.
 Very interesting and a little different.

  It was a very pleasant walk.  We encountered many
 furry friends.  For me that's a good time already.
We of course ended up walking by the river. 

At some point Arvid looked at me and said, "You smell that?"

How could I not; the entire river was stagnant and stinky.

 It was the smell of poop and all things rotten.  

Boats are passing by with residents holding up big banners.

  Protesting the situation.  For many there is feces all over 

their driveway and yards.  The smell.  You can imagine.

Not a pleasant time for many.  Combined with 

the overwhelming number of new constructions, residents

 have had enough and are even protesting all this new 

developments going on. 

 The infrastructure in the city of Fort Lauderdale will 

not be able to handle it all.  Arvid puts it best, "only 

problems in the future.  Not a good time to buy."
In the meantime I do enjoy these sunsets.

On another note, I spent the day with my parents. 

 My mom and I went around.  We did some shopping, we 

went to a Cuban bakery.  Everything was delicious.  Puerto Rico
 has spoilt me.  I need my cafe con leche everyday now.

My mom was in a shopping mood.  She ended up

 with quite a few pairs of shoes.  I was tempted, but 

I really don't have the space for anything.  

Plus Arvid's rule is, "you bring something, then you

 have to give up something."  Right now I don't want to give 

up anything and the truth is I don't need more shoes.  

Wishing everyone a great Wednesday.  Make it count.

Life is at its best when everything has fallen out 

of place, and you decide that you're going to fight

to get them right, not when everything is going 

your way and everyone is praising you...

~Nadiya~

Happy Days ~

 Once you replace negative thoughts with positive

 ones, you'll start having positive results...

Yesterday evening Arvid and I were invited to a gallery 

opening of a friend.  Jim is the proud owner of thousands 

of Max Schacknow pencil drawings.  Absolutely beautiful

 pencil drawings.  Quite a few people were there.

Arvid was of course one of the lucky winners of 

the raffle last night.  He won a bottle of wine, and

 believe it or not he had a few offers to trade for it. 

 Someone even offered some cash.  I said no.

I enjoyed the champagne, the cheese and crackers

 and mingling.  Arvid as usual did not try anything, but 

he did chat with everyone.  The Arvid of today has

 blossomed into a social butterfly, compared to

 the Arvid I met some many years ago.

Not sure what the day holds, but if everything goes 

according to plan, my mom and I will be checking

 out a few places.  My dad will be busy watching 

cricket and Arvid as usual is a busy busy bee.

To all a very good day.  Remember, we do not know what

 tomorrow hold, so live life everyday to the fullest.

I am in charge of how I feel and 

today I am choosing happiness...

~Nadiya~

Back Home ~

There's no happier person than a truly thankful, 

content person.  Be thankful for everything that 

happens in your life; it's all an experience...

Back home and as always it feels good.  At the

 same time it was bittersweet saying goodbye to 

my sister Nivana.  Made us sad to leave her.

On the bright side she will be coming to Florida 

on Friday as will Mala; and Nina will also be visiting 

from Tampa.  Only one missing will be Rima.  Hopefully

 March she will be here if all goes according to plans.  

Sniff as always was so happy he did not 

know what to do.  He had lots of brushing and kept

 crying for more. Which he had as well.  Finally

 he calmed down and was able t relax and sleep

 between  Arvid's legs.  His most favorite spot.

We spent lots of time with Nirvana.  Together the

 3 of us enjoyed some very delicious mojitos, piña 

coladas and some.  The earthquake put a damper on things

 a little, but did not stop us from having a good time.

Arvid and I went to Puerto Rico with the intention

 of buying a little condo.  We were hoping to 

go once a month for about a weeks time. 

 Unfortunately this did not work out as we planned. 

 We saw some units with AMAZING views.  We

 were all set to do the deal, but the situation in

 PR made us rethink it all.  At least for now.

That being said, it's good to be home.  The Internet

 is working and Sniff is by my side.  My life is full.  

Mom and dad have been in Florida a month already.  

Saw them yesterday after we came home and will be 

seeing them again tomorrow.  I'm happy and I'm grateful.

Acknowledging the good that you already have

 in your life is the foundation for all abundance...

~Nadiya~

Puerto Rico ~

It takes an earthquake to remind us that we 
walk on the crust of an unfinished planet...

We felt the earthquake in Puerto Rico.  I heard the 

wind howling and felt the building shake.

We saw my sister and how worried and stressed she

 looked.  Living through Hurricane maria and then 

having to experience earthquake after earthquake sure 

take a turn on you.  I wish she would move to

Florida and be closer to J her son and to us.

We arrived to an island that was still without power

 in many areas.  We have been lucky that our hotel has power

 and water.  When my sister like s many did get power,

 it just came and went.  Ad it continue to do so.

Arvid and I have been travelling the island in search

 of a place.  Arvid is keen on buying something 

in  Puerto Rico.  I am more cautious.

We have seen many apartments.  Some with amazing 

views.  I can't stop taking pictures of the beaches and the 

palm trees.  Picture perfect views and beaches.

We have had a very good time in Puerto Rico.
 Arvid has once again tried new foods and has liked it.
  Lots of good drinks, but most of all am happy to have
 seen my sister.  She will soon be once again in Florida
 together with Mala, Nina and my parents.

The other night my sister Nirvana said to me,
"I'm afraid to go to sleep."  It tore my heart apart.  Like so
many in Puerto Rico she has been through hell
and back, and it seems to continue.

Fear sounds like Earthquake in a black night.
I used to sleep nude...until the earthquake...

~Nadiya~