Saturday December 24th ~

 Among the things you can give and still keep

 are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart...

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through 

the house.  Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; 

 the only one on the prowl here at home is Sniff.  And he 

makes the quietest of moves.  He is out little happy boy.

A very good morning to all of you, and a merry

 Christmas Eve.  Rise, shine and spread joy.

May this day be a magical and blissful one.  May we 

always remember that a thankful heart is a happy heart.  Being 

thankful for what we have, that is a good place to start.

It's cold and getting colder.  The good thing about

 Florida is that this cold just lasts for a few days.

May you never be too grown up to

 search the skies on Christmas Eve...

~Nadiya~

Saturday June 25th ~

As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, 
it is perhaps more important to have a plan for 

rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep...

The entire weekend to ourselves.  No work,  This feels good,

 but at the same time so weird.  Getting used to being home is a

 strange feeling, but have to say we are handling it like champs.

We have time to do a few things again.  Just taking 

time during the day to go for a drive, sit and enjoy the view 

sure is a big accomplishment from how it was just days ago.

Branson has a few amazing places and we sure are enjoying it.

Suddenly we have relax time again.  It sure feels good, 

yet weird at the same time.  From February 28th 0f this year 

until mid June Arvid and I were on the go at AHL just 

about 7 days a week.  The previous owners sure did a "job"

 on the hotel.  Today it's back to running smoothly

Wishing everyone a relaxing and peaceful day.  

The mind should be allowed some relaxation, 

that it may return to its work all the better for the rest...

~Nadiya~

Saturday May 14th ~

 No matter what yesterday was like, birds
 always start the new day with a song...

Last night.  Both very tired.  Having a much

 needed relax time together.  They have earned it.

Since I switched the position of the bird feeders,

 Sniff has been having the time of his life.  He spends 

hours just watching them.  Now he does not 

get enough sleep time.  Imagine that.

Today is a short day at work.  We really do not have

 to go in, but I feel like I should.  The tenants expect me 

there and I just can't find it in me to disappoint them. 

 Plus my roses need lots of watering everyday.

Looking forward to a relaxing day.  Hope everyone has the same.

Today is a new day.  Even if you were wrong 

yesterday you can get it right today...

~Nadiya~

🎓 Riley Vinay 🎓

 Behind you, all your memories.  Before you, all your dreams.
Around you, all who love you.  Within you, all you need....

As the new week begins I start it out still in awe of my nephew

 Riley Vinay. The professor as Arvid still calls him to this day. 

Like so many, Riley graduated from high school on Friday. 

Class of 2021. Chaparral High School.  Temecula California

 Unlike so many, Riley made the experience REAL 🎓.

 Riley expressed what it was and how it felt to be a high 

school senior.  He realistically shared his views 

and his experiences of the last four years.

Arvid and I read his speech together, I was in tears

 the entire time and Arvid was all teary and emotional as well.

 Arvid has seen Riley grow up.  Just like he has seen many 

of my nieces and nephews grow into their adult selves.

Riley is extra special.  Arvid could tell stories

 about him 💜 all very cute and unique. For Arvid 

Riley will  always be the professor.  Try as I do, I can’t

 seem to believe that the little boy is now a young man 

ready to face the grown up world.  You go Riley!

Riley’s words have touched a place in my heart for their 

realness and for the raw emotions it expresses.  My little

 nephew has left me speechless and completely in awe.

A new week begins, for Riley like so many a whole 

new world awaits them.  I see a lot of Rima in Riley. No 

matter what life throws their way, there is always something 

positive to to come out of it.  Rima oozes positivity and a 

zest for life.  Riley also sees the good side of everything

 even when life sometimes tells and shows you otherwise.

Today my nephew has taught everyone a lesson.  He 

has shown us all in just a few words and his actions that

 with courage and determination nothing can stop you.  

I must say I come from a family that never gives up. 

 Life is not always easy, but maybe that’s what we 

need in order to be our best selves. We need to 

struggle and to fight for what we want.

Riley is on the path to great things coming. 

I’m a proud aunt always. Today Riley has humbled me

 with his words 😊🖤 Before he enters the world of college, 

Riley and family will be going on a little mini vacation/adventure 

to San Francisco.  Let me just say, when Rima and family

 go somewhere the see and do everything possible. 

Good day to all and a happy new week ahead.

Monday Morning Blues? Why not change the color of 

your Monday to yellow and brighten up the coming week...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday May 26th ~Here Comes The Rain Again

It's a new normal and I really do think that global
 weirding is the best way to describe what we're seeing...

And just like that the beaches reopened.  

There are a lot of happy beachgoers today.  This

 is probably the best reopening in a long time. 

 Happy days are back, and no Arvid and

 I will not be going to the beach.

We live surrounded by beaches, and yet we rarely

 ever go.  We go to a beach only when on vacation.

  Our last time on a beach was in Puerto Rico.

I do love the beach and I would love to go there

more often.  Who knows maybe I will just decide to

 do it on my own.  I like long walks on the beach.

Here at home we are just taking it easy.
We are still in self imposed isolation.  I asked Arvid
if he would be comfortable seeing or being around
other people right now and he said "no"

I asked him if he would be comfortable by July and
he said not really.  Right now it's weird.  Everything is open,
yet we are still in isolation.  How long will we continue
 to be this way?  I'm not sure, but I miss my family.

As of now, Norway's summer trip is on hold.
Arvid is not comfortable with travelling, but who knows
 what tomorrow holds.  Everything is changing daily.
 What was the "way" yesterday, no longer is today.

Plus anywhere you go out of the US one has to be
 self isolated for at least 10 days, and when it's allowed
 for foreigners to come back in the US, they will also have
to be isolated for 2 weeks. That is unless the guidelines
 change. This is not easy times if one wants to travel😞,
but guidelines are constantly changing each day

The rain continues.  Last night we had tornado warnings.
The streets are flooded.  This is the start of the rainy
 season in Florida.  Everywhere it is wet and humid.

It's a new day, fresh start, fresh energy, new 
opportunities. Get your mind right, be thankful,
😊🥰 be positive and start your day right...

~Nadiya~

Sunday May 10th ~

There’s no limit to what you can learn with an open mind...

Here in Fort Lauderdale reopening is taking a little longer than 

the rest of Florida 😯, but it's soon coming, and we are ready.

The parks are still empty, and those who are following

 the social distancing guidelines find themselves all alone

 at times.  We don't mind, we like it.  At least for now.

  Safer for all concerned, especially for Arvid 😄

As I mentioned a few times before, Arvid jumps into on

 coming traffic just to keep the 6 feet distance between people.

  Lucky for him, right now the traffic is almost non-existent.  

Today is Mothers Day.  Wishing my mom, my 4 sisters,
 Anna and all the mothers a very happy day.  Below,
mom and I through the years. Like mom, no one.

 Below my sister Nina and her 2 kids.  Our niece and
nephew Max and Danielle and of course Texie.

Next is Nirvana with J and Kimsy.

Then comes Nirmala, Reshma and Sachin.

A last, but not least is my "baby"
sister Rima and her children.  Gabsy, Riley
and Lilly Vade with the doggies.

Being a mother is the hardest "job"  I have heard it
 said many a times.  I also know from my mom and my
 sisters that at times it is also the most rewarding.

My friend Anna in California deserves a special mention
on this day also.  She is a selfless mom and friend.

Rainy day here in Fort Lauderdale.  Happy for that.
 The duckies get to live and play another day,

Happy day all.  Notice all the people 
who make an effort to stay in your life.

Life only comes around once, so do what makes
 you happy and be with people who make you smile...

~Nadiya~

Good Vibes Always ~

Happiness is a gift and the trick is not to 

expect it, but to delight in it when it comes...

Pretty relaxing day we had yesterday.  Both Arvid

 and I had a few things to do, which we did.  After

 that we met for lunch, and then it was home 

for a soccer game for Arvid and Sniff.

I choose to do a little more running around. 

 The last time I had a coconut was when we went to 

the swap Shop with my parents, and yes, I miss my 

mom so very much.  Wish they were still here.

We did not see 😭Aleah and Vanessa now for 

2 days.  Neither Monday nor Tuesday.  Aleah 

was sick and now she is doing better😙. 

Yesterday Michelle and family took the tour on 

Jungle Queen.  Aleah got to see and hold a baby

 alligator.  We only saw the pictures not her

 doing it, but still happy.  Yesterday we saw 

them for about an hour.  Happy times.

Today I woke up at a more decent hour.

  So happy for that.  This is just an indication

 of a good day ahead of us. Happy day.

It is well to be up before daybreak, for such 

habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom...

~Nadiya~

Friday Vibes ~

You just can't beat the person who never gives up...

Friday..start of the weekend and who knows

 what will happen.  It's been a long time since we have

 had a weekend alone at home.  Feels good and strange

 at the same time.  I'm so liking being home.

Today we plan to go out for lunch and to also

 go to the Swap Shop.  Hopefully nothing happens

 to change our plans.  Looking forward to my fresh 

fruit and my coconuts.  It's been almost 5 months

 now since I had my last fresh coconut.

Since coming back from Las Vegas Arvid has

 been very busy.  Lots to follow up with.  After all, 

trading is our business and it sure keeps

 him busy.  Arvid loves it as do I.

It feels good to take the boat across the River, and 

to just walk to restaurants and music venues again. Exactly 

what we used to do in Chicago, and now we no do it here in 

Florida as well.  Grateful and happy for all the blessings

 we have.  We have worked hard and continue to do so.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  Let's not forget

 that happiness is a direction, not a place.

Have a fabulous Friday.  May your cup overflow 

with Peace, Love, Joy and pure Awesomeness...

~Nadiya~