Jan 31, 2023

Sisters ~ January 31st ~

You may be as different as the sun and the moon,
 but the same blood flows through both your hearts.
 You need her, as she needs you.  Sisters πŸ’š...

 You fight. You play together. You “borrow” each other’s clothes.
 You tease each other. You get into your mom’s makeup. Growing up 
with a sister can be awesome, but it can also be annoying—like
 living with a BFF and the class mean girl all at once. 


Having a sister is probably the biggest love/hate relationship you’ll
 ever experience.  Still, sisters have a bond like no other. Whether you’re
 the responsible big sister or the wild-child little sister, you know what 
you have is special—and no one else but you better mess with her.


Among the many things I am grateful for in life, having
 four sisters is definitely in the top of my list.  Most of the times,
 we do not see eye to eye, but I'll tell you one thing, if one of us is going
 through a difficult time in our lives we don't even have to tell the other. 
 Somehow we know.  We always know when the other is hurting. 
 Because sisters share a bond like no other and I have four πŸ’™


There is no one I would rather have in my corner than my sisters.
There’s nothing quite like a bond between sisters. You’ve been through
 it all together, whether you’re two years apart or ten years apart.


 You always have each other’s back, even when you don’t want
 to admit it. When you had your heart broken or suffered through
 a friend breakup, your sister was the first one there for you.


 One thing for sure is that you can never break this bond and 
it will stay with you forever. No matter how many times you fight
 or disagree,  you always find yourself right back at her side.


On a random note, last night on the news:


This just reinforces Arvid's conviction that we did the right thing.  
Mine as well.  As always πŸ˜‚ we keep telling ourselves that this would 
be our last move.  I have heard this more times that I can remember.


In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips.  
For there is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather; 
To cheer one on the tedious way, To fetch one if one goes astray, 
To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen whilst one stands....

~Nadiya~

Jan 30, 2023

Monday January 30th~

You keep bringing happiness into people’s 
lives—and onto their walls. πŸ€— I love you!...

 Come tomorrow Florida will be an even better 
brighter place.  My sister Rima will be here for a few days, 
and all I can picture and hear is her laughter, smiles 
and best of all, the most positive attitude there is.


  She is a ray of sunshine in all our lives.  I love 
her πŸ’› and there is no more to say.  Of course she is also
 everyone's favorite baker, but while here there is NO 
baking.  She will be treated like the queen she isπŸ˜‚


She's my baby sister and no matter how old we get 
the bond between sisters just gets stronger.  I just wish they
 know how much joy they bring into my life.  Rima brings joy 
into everyone's life just by being who she is.  She's the cool
 sister and I just adore her.  I want to do so much with her.


Another amazing week begins and all I can say is 
"thank you"  I have everything I need and so much more.


Rima, you make the world a happier place.   You cheer me
 up no matter what my mood is. You have a way of seeing
 the good in all people, and it makes you a delightful person
 to be around. Your positive attitude is one of a kind.


Yesterday we spent time with my parents and then we all 
went to dinner.  Chicken wings is a favorite of everyone.  
Thank goodness for that.  As always they were delicious.


As the new week begins, I am super excited and happy
 to have my sisters visiting Fort Myers.  Unfortunately Mala 
was unable to make it.  Next time.  For now I am grateful and 
definitely looking forward to every moment we have together.


To all have a wonderful week and enjoy every minute of it.


Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic 
world simply by being there for each other...

~Nadiya~

Jan 29, 2023

Mom and Dad ~

 My relationship with my parents is 
among the greatest gifts of my life.  All that I 
am, or hope to be, I owe to my parents...

Mom is always cooking up a storm for us.  No matter
 how much pain she's in,  whenever we're there she
 has ton of foodies always waiting for us πŸ˜ƒ


My dad is her helper and a great host.  You'll never go thirsty at their place.


My parents are getting older.  We all are, but to this 
day the love the have for each other is unmatched.


I am grateful everyday to have them in my life.  That I never take for granted.


Everyday we are discovering more and more of our
 new area, and liking it very much.  Hopefully we will not 
move from here, and one day it will be the only home 
we have.  I'm getting tired of constant moving.


Wishing everyone a a good day and a reminder to enjoy each
 day to the fullest.  Life is full of surprises.  Not all good.


A good father is a source of inspiration and self-restraint.
A good mother is a root of kindness and humbleness...

~Nadiya~

Jan 28, 2023

Saturday January 28th~

When reality and your dreams collide,
 typically it’s just your alarm clock going off... 


The so called cold spell never really came our way.  
Yes, it was cooler than we wanted but warmer that predicted πŸ‘. 
 Overall a very good day, and made for a good outing yesterday 
with my parents.  Arvid had to take my dad for some "cold ones" 
at this funky little place we discovered at the Swap Shop.


The trip to the pub located in the Flea market was a total success. 
 Mom and I walked around a bit, but really didn't find anything
 we wanted.  We then headed to the bar where Arvid and my dad
 had already begun on cold ones.  We all had a good time.


I did not find any of my favorite fruit, but we did end 
up with some very sweet cherries.  Always a winner.


Driving around showing my mom and dad around a bit. 
 Always fun.  I love the stories my dad tells to Arvid and us
 of course, and I love the stories Arvid tells to my parents.  It 
transforms him into a different person altogether.  Together 
the 4 of us had a ton of laughter and so much to share.


Saturday.  Arvid has a ton of games scheduled for today. 
Hopefully he will stay awake to watch them because πŸ˜‚
yesterday after quite a few cold ones with my dad he was 
not able to watch all of the game.  I blame it on the beer.


 A good day to all. In life the unexpected is the rule.  Expect it.


Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you
 what can’t be done, and why. Then do it..

~Nadiya~

Jan 27, 2023

Friday January 27th ~

Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should 
avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing....


 Yesterday we had dinner at mom and dads.
  Always good to be with them.  Mom and dad may 
have to suddenly leave due to a death in the family.  
My cousin died on Tuesday in Orlando ❤.  


I come from a culture so very different than Arvid's.  
Most of the time I am really glad about that.  My culture 
is warm and inviting.  We care too much and sometimes that is
 also our downfall.  I don't say that Arvid does not care, but 
he does have the knack of compartmentalizing  easily.


It would make my life so much easier if I learnt to do this.
  I get to that eventually, but Arvid gets to it very fast.  That
 is how he deals with "stuff"  I can't say it's wrong. 
 It just does not work for me, sure wish it did.


Arvid and I went to "our" Swap Shop a couple of weeks ago.
  Something to check out.  What I "love" about Swap Shops
 is the fruit section.  Sadly this one did not have the specific
 fruit I am looking for.  In this case, I prefer the Swap Shop 
in Fort Lauderdale.  It has everything fruit wise 🍍


What "our" Swap Shop has are different little bars and 
restaurants.  This caught Arvid's attention very much and
 he insisted that he had to find the right place for him and my 
dad to have a few beers.  That he did and just like that Arvid is
 a fan of the Swap Shop.  Lots of beers on draft that he likes.


It will be  "cold" this evening.  Will most likely have to
 skip our Friday outing, but that can all change also depending
 on how we feel and if my Norwegian husband is willing 
to face the "bitter" cold as he calls it πŸ₯Ά  He says
 he's not Norwegian anymore, but Floridian πŸ€”


Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.
You get in life what you have the courage to ask for...

~Nadiya~

Jan 26, 2023

Thursday January 26th~

Some days are like this. And the only way to 
get through them is to remember that they
 are only one day, and that every day ends...

 Sniff makes me happy and no matter how I feel just holding 
him close to me makes everything better.  He does not talk. 
 he may listen, but one thing for sure he's always by my side. 
 Right now I'm having one of those days. I will get better.


Like everyone, I have my ups and downs.  I am doing really well, 
but every so often it annoys me that I can't do the things I did before. 
 I cannot lift anything heavy with my left arm, and if I forget and do it, 
I pay dearly for it at nights.  My problem is that I am too stubborn 
and as Arvid told my parents, "she refuses to ask for help."


I honestly do not believe that being stubborn is always a good thing. 
 Makes life difficult for everyone.  I do not like to ask for help or for
 anything, and sometimes I know that it is necessary to do so.  I have
 lots to learn about asking for anything.  I rather give than receive.


Once again Sniff and I have been awake for a while enjoying 
the peace and quiet of the morning.  I would have liked to sleep in a
 bit longer but... sometimes you don't always get what you want.


Once again there is some boat activity going on. 
 Arvid is Johnny on the spot.  Nothing escapes his eagle 
eye as he like to tell me.  There are still many boats on 
dry land, especially on our way to the downtown area.


My goal is not to be better than anyone else,
 but to be better than I used to be...

~Nadiya~

Jan 25, 2023

Wednesday January 25th~

Food, friends, sunshine, days well spent...

Any day downtown is a good day and when you get to share 
the place you love with friends, makes for even a better day.  Our
 friends visiting love everything Ford.  Why not then indulge by going 
to a place where the theme is all about cars.  That is Fords Garage.


Though today is on he sunny side, the temperatures have
 dropped a bit.  Once again we are having some cooler days. 
 Every once in a while it makes for a "good" change.


I love my mornings with Sniff.  We are awake early. 
 It's quiet and no one not even Arvid is stirring.  Arvid keeps
 telling me to ask my sisters to come over since we have a
 "guest" room.  The "guest" room happens to be my
 space with Sniff.  Our quiet time together. 


 I would love for my sisters to visit, but I would prefer 
they didn't stay with us.  I know why I say this.  It is 
best for the relationship and they also agreed on this.


That being said, Arvid is always helping with "stuff" 
 I love that and I love that everyone loves him.  I want
 to keep it that way πŸ˜‚  You come, you visit, you leave.
  We do the same.  Visit with my parents then in a few 
hours time to leave.  Nice and pleasant for all.


Wishing everyone a good day.  Halfway thru the week already. 
 Time is sure going by fast.  I wish I could put a little pause to it.


Life is short, and if we enjoy every moment
 of every day,  then we will be happy no matter 
what happens or what changes along the way...

~Nadiya~

Jan 24, 2023

Tuesday January 24th ~

 Life is full of surprises.  You don't know what will
 happen so enjoy and be ready for surprises...

Mom and dad moved to "their" second house, and it is a beauty.


It's located in the Historic District and it's one of the most
 admired bungalows without a doubt in Dean Park.  Its a 1952
 Craftsman Bungalow.  It's cute as can be.  I love it.


This is one cozy little house.  It's like stepping back in
 time, but with everything modern and newly renovated.
  I won't mind living in this house.  It's full of charm.


My sisters also fell in love with this house. The
 first one they stayed in was huge, but did not offer 
this cozy feeling.  Mom and dad liked the first
 one, and now are loving this second one.


Mom and dad are having a good time enjoying
 the sunshine state.  A little rain yesterday, but in 
no time it was over and the sun was shining.


Sniff as usual is awake and doing his thing.  He loves my
 mom and always runs to greet her when the visit.  Sniff is 
a lover.  He loves everyone, well almost everyone πŸ’™


Participate in life instead of just watching it pass you by...

~Nadiya~