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~

Hello Friday ~

They say a person needs just three things to

 be truly happy in this world: someone to love, 

something to do, and something to hope for...

It’s been a really good week, and as usual when one

 is busy time just flies. As always coming back home after 

being gone for a few day, lots to catch up with.

  Arvid is go, go, go.  Finally it’s Friday and we allow 

ourselves to take a little time to do something fun.  

Tonight we go and see Buddy Guy in concert.  Truth

 is we have seen him before, and I was not too impressed.  

Too much profanity coming out of his mouth. 

 On the other hand he is good.  When in Chicago,

 we usually go to his club.  There we also

 see him and yes, more profanity.

  That being said it is always nice to go to a concert,

 especially when you know a few of the songs,

 and you know the artist is sure to sing.  

Arvid said to me, “tonight I will get tipsy.” 

OK with me because the theater is right across the

 river from us.  We take the boat across to go 

and same to get back home. No driving.

We are both pretty tired and it will be good to 

just sit back. Enjoy the music and not do any work.

The weekend begins.  Looking forward to it very

 much.  Tomorrow we will be having company over.  

Excited about that.  J and Alexandra are coming

 as are Michael and Victoria. Fun times ahead.

I’m so happy J lives close to us.  Miami after all,

 is not that far from us.  His only free time happens to be 

Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately it does not 

always work out, but this weekend it does.

Sniff and I have been awake for some time.

Arvid is still in bed.  Good morning all and happy Friday,

 and enjoy the weekend ahead.  Beautiful morning here.

  A little "chilly' but I love it.  Have already been out on the

 balcony with my cage.  Life is good so let's live it up.

Today in Norway our eldest granddaughter turns 6.

I just do not know where the time has gone by.  One day 

she was this tiny little thing, today she's a 6 year old DIVA.

Happy birthday baby girl.  Bestemor og bestefar fra America

 love you very much.  Lots of hugs today going your way.

Happiness is letting go of what you think you life is supposed 

to look like. Happiness comes in waves.  It'll find you again...

~Nadiya~

Sunday At Home ~

So much of our happiness depends on 

how we choose to look at the world...

Quiet Sunday at home so far.  Love it.  Weather is great,

and having a few things to keep us busy is even better.  

Last week was very strange not going to Almost Home.  Well

I actually did go to meet with tenants, but it was not the same.  We 

had many things to do and to catch up with so we stayed busy.

10 days now since we left Norway.  I miss the 2 little girls.

We had a great time with them this summer together with everyone 

else.  Aleah our eldest granddaughter somehow knew I could

 not speak the language and she was good and kind enough to 

speak to me a few of the English words she knew.  Best was

 when I said something to her and also to Vanessa in English 

they repeated it.  I loved it and I miss them very much.

My favorite was when I said to her, "I love you more."

She repeated it to me.  I miss hearing those words.

Today we go out to dinner with Tiffany and the gang, this time 

their treat.  Both Arvid and I are looking forward to it very much. 

 We always have a good time with them.Today we go to a steakhouse.  

The best part is the company, and of course good food.

Happy Sunday everyone.  Will be "learning" all over again what

 it feels like to be semi-retired.  Not sure how long I can handle it.

I'm not semi-retired.  I'm just taking it easy...

~Nadiya~

Friendship...

A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversation or being together.

As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part...

It only takes a little something to put a smile on your face no matter what else is going on in

 your life at that moment.  A kind word, a little token of friendship, it just makes your day 

even better.  My friend Anna made my day.  My weakness is T-cups.  She sent me a little t-cup 

all the way from California.  What's special about it?  One of her kitties is named Taino.  

On the t-cup, as she said there are Taino kisses sent to us.  Now, how can one not be happy 

after that.  As I have my cafe I'm still smiling, and all I can say is thank you for your friendship. 

 20+ years and going strong.  That day we met in California, was one of the best days for me.

  Even though it was also one of the worst times in both our lives.  Strange.  The worst

 of times and the best of times happened during that time in our lives.

You know how they say that we may not have everything we want, but we have everything 

we need?  It's true.  I have good friends, I have a good and loving family, and that includes 

my Norway family of course, I have Arvid and Sniff, and I have my best friend Anna.

Yes, I have what I need and for that I am always grateful.  As they say there is always 

something to be grateful for.  My question to you is: what are you grateful for?

To all  a very good day.  Never forget that true friendship multiplies the good in life 

and divides its evils. Strive to have friends; for life without friends is like life on a desert 

island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him/her is a blessing.

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it

 back to you when you have forgotten the words....ANNA

~Nadiya~