July 10th~ Horten, Norway

 Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves 

to recognize how good things really are...

Back home I usually get an early morning walk a few days 

a week.  Usually I go out walking around 5:30 in the morning,

 but here in Norway it's a little too cold to do so, but I will at least 

try to go out a few days here as well.  Mornings are so beautiful. 

 Just me my playlist and open spaces.  I love this alone time.

This was the other day.  Today it's wet and cold again.

 

Arvid and I have been running around a little doing some 

furniture shopping.  We need to set up the bedroom so that the 

girls can have a place to sleep over when they come and visit.

All is good.  We had some sunshine yesterday.  Definitely

 makes a huge difference.  As usual, I am missing my Sniff.

As we were leaving Florida Arvid said to me, "too bad 

we can't bring Sniff with us.  Then you will stay longer."  Yeah if 

Sniff were here I would, but he isn't.  I did bring a reminder 

of him, and every time we see it, we think of lil' Sniff.

To all a good day.  Here in Norway it is wet and still cold.  

The rain is a good excuse to stay in and organize.

Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just 

according to the way you look at things...

~Nadiya~

July 9th~Horten, Norway

Eat breakfast like a king, lunch

 like a prince, and dinner like a pauper...

 Breakfast where life begins, one bite at a time,

 and I am sure enjoying mine, but at the same time 

I'm missing my little Sniff and all his cuteness.

This little face cracks me up.  Sniff knows how to pull our strings.

Today our nephew J turns 31.  He's celebrating

 in Argentina with Paola and a lot of skiing.

The first few days I slept at least until 7am.  Today I was 

wide awake at 4:30 am.  Not to twist and turn and wake Arvid up,

 I got out of bed and went for a walk.  Perfect walking weather

 today.  I met the early morning seagulls yakking away.

It was a very beautiful start of the day.  Busy again today. 

 Last night we were so tired we both fell asleep around 10pm

 while watching TV.  Getting better everyday, especially 

now that the apartment is filled with the sound of music.

The happiest people make the best of what

 they have instead of crave what they don’t...

~Nadiya~

July 8th~Horten, Norway

Keep your face always toward the sunshine,

 and shadows will fall behind you...

 Your Norwegian summers are definitely not your 

Floridian summer.  Both places have their so called extremes. 

 Where as in Florida there is a heatwave, here in Norway it's

 been cold and wet so far.  In all fairness to Norway, we

 have only been here for a few days.  It should be better in

 a few days.  In the mean time, I bring my own sunshine.

It's been very good days so far.  On the day we arrived we got

 to spend time with Michelle, Emil and our three granddaughters. 

 It was a very good time.  Little Amelia ran to me and

 hugged me so tightly I did not want to ever let go.  

The girls love us and we adore them. 

 I'm so happy because this year Aleah and Vanessa have

 not been to shy, and have already spoken to me in English. 

 I love them and hearing them call me grandma (bestemor) in

 Norwegian is just the most amazing feeling.  They do it naturally

 with Arvid, but with me they have been a little more shy.

As we do every year, on our second day we all

 meet for pizza.  Everyone from the youngest to the oldest

 looks forward to it and we always have a good time.

After we saw everyone Arvid and I had a little time

 to sit back and just enjoy the view.  It was really cold,

 but the spurts of sunshine did warm us up a bit.

To all a good day and may the new week be a productive

 one.  Arvid and I will be enjoying quality time with family. 

 What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.

I am grateful for every precious moment life offers me.

 It allows me to see the miracle in each experience...

~Nadiya~

July 7th~ Greetings from Norway

You can't buy happiness, but you can buy coffee, and 

that's pretty close. Coffee is the best part of waking up...

No matter where we are.  Mornings are always 

best with a cup of coffee.  It's my quiet time before 

Arvid is up and about. I really look forward to it.  Good 

morning to all from Arvid's hometown in Norway.

 

My first thought this morning was Sniff.  Sniff is 

never far from my heart, but right now it's time to begin 

making beautiful memories in Norway with family.

Now it's time to "sit back" and enjoy the "ride" as in the vacation.

Always take the scenic route.  Life is short

 and the world is wide. Better get started...

~Nadiya~

Saturday June 6th~

I prefer physical exhaustion over mental fatigue any day...

Arvid and I have been on the go for almost 24 hours.  We are tired. 

Our day started yesterday at 5am, and after that long

 journey to Norway we are still awake.  Though it is 

11:30 pm in Norway, back home in Florida it's only

4:30 in the afternoon.  We have not adjusted as yet.

After a few hours we boarded again for JFK where

 we had another five hour wait.  Long day.

After that it was an almost 7 hour flight to Norway.

  My first sight of Norway from the plane.

I get my Sniff updates and  when I show it to Arvid

 even he says, "aww he looks so sad,"  Us saying 

goodbye as we were leaving.  Sniff sure was sad.

If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit...

~Nadiya~

July 5th ~

 A vacation helps to relieve stress and boredom, gives us 

a change of scenery, provides us with adventure, and

 helps to bring us closer to the people in our lives...

 When your bags are packed, your passport is ready, and 

you're on the way to the airport, the vacation anticipation 

is at an all-time high.  We are now in vacation mode.

Soon on our way.  The journey is long and I do not like

 flying, but sometimes the reward is worth the aggravation.

Excited at the same time a little sad because I just 

don't like leaving Sniff for this long.  I know he

 will be okay and that makes me feel better.

We have an almost 24 hour of travel today.  That's 

not all flying time, but from the time we leave home

 until we arrive.  Definitely a long day, but the rewards 

are worth it.  This plane will take us to our destination.

 Isn’t it amazing how much stuff 

we get done the day before vacation...

~Nadiya~

About Last Night's Fireworks~

Ignite the night with fireworks.

Light up the sky with dazzling fireworks...

 Last night had its moments and we were fortunate

 to see it from the bedroom and living room.

We watched it with Sniff.  Arvid never left his side.

It was beautiful.  We had a good day and a good outing.

  I was awake early and went out to see the beginnings

 of the sunrise.  As usual, it did not disappoint.

To all a good day.  It is the start of good times coming.  

Sunrise reminds us that while there are clouds in life. 

The beauty is in the way, the light shines through them...

~Nadiya~

July 4th~

America is another name for opportunity. 

 We must be free not because we claim

 freedom, but because we practice it...

 It was on July 4th, 1776 that the 13 colonies 

ratified the Declaration of Independence and proclaimed 

themselves free of British rule, meaning that  as of now

 the United States of America is 248 years old.  To all, 

a Happy July 4th.  Freedom lies in being bold

I get up every morning and it’s going to be 

a great day. You never know when it’s going 

to be over, so I refuse to have a bad day

Here's to the land of diverse cultures and traditions.

Wishing everyone a Happy July 4th.  Morning 

comes whether you set the alarm or not.

Forgot to share these yesterday.  It was pretty cool.

As I always say, mornings hold a special magic for me.

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we

 please, but as the opportunity to do what is right...

~Nadiya~

July 4th~

Do yourself a favor and learn how to walk away...

 A long time ago my then sister-in-law and always friend

 told me something that at the time left me wondering.  She 

told me that she terminated a friendship she has had for

 over forty years.  When I asked her why she said, "it was

 not good for me anymore."  I always wondered why that 

would be so, especially after being friends for 40+ years.

Whenever we call each other I always ask about

 that friend of hers.  "Have you seen her?"  Have you 

talked to her again?"  Always the same answer, "no."  

She has told me several times that that friendship was

 toxic and although it hurt to cut ties, it was best for her. 

 I still didn't understand how that could be.  Today 

maybe I have a little better understanding.

Like many things in life, sometimes a friendship

 or a relationship has run it's course.  Always best 

for everyone involved to go their separate ways.  

That being said, we are soon ready for takeoff.  I am very 

excited this year, and that's all due mainly to three little 

girls I have the pleasure of calling my granddaughters.

To all a very good day.  There is not always a 

happy ending. Life is about the adventures you take 

and the memories you make.   I'm so ready.

There is no wisdom without leisure...

~Nadiya~

July 3rd~

The more you praise and celebrate your life, 

the more there is in life to celebrate...

 For many the July 4th celebrations have begun.  

Most households: Fireworks, family reunions, concerts,

 barbecues, picnics, parades, baseball games.  The day 

marks the 248th anniversary of the signing 

of the Declaration of Independence.

Here at home it's all about making sure Sniff is not scared 

of thunder, fireworks and whatever else it is that scares him. 

 Trust me, Sniff is beautiful, but he is not the bravest kitty on

 the block.  I just love him more than words can express.

Another amazing morning.  Beautiful skies, beautiful sunrise.  

I believe I am already missing the palm trees and beautiful Florida 😂

Happiness requires that we celebrate the positive sides of life.

 Peace requires that we accept both the positive and 

the negative outcomes of life and move on...

~Nadiya~

July 2nd ~

 An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day...

And so begins another beautiful morning here at home, but

 don't be deceived there are also thunderstorms on the way, more 

rain and lightning.  Just a typical summer day in Florida.

Once again I was awake very early.  Truth is,

 I love mornings.  Whereas I am a morning person, 

Arvid is a night owl.  Somehow we make it work😂

The weather is being crazy and Sniff is in constant fear of 

the thunder, but for some reason he does not bolt away.  

He seeks refuge with Arvid.  It's really special to see.

Good morning, world!  Let the beauty of what you love be 

what you do.  I will never get tired of these mornings, but at 

the same time looking forward to a little change of scenery.

 When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully...

~Nadiya~

July 1st ~ New Month

In the garden of life, July is the month

 when dreams blossom into reality...

And just like that June is over.  Hello and welcome July.

May this new month bring you joy, prosperity, and

 countless opportunities.  That summer feeling is in the

 air, and with it many a wonderful things await us. 

It is another month again, may you find every 

single thing you desire to achieve, achievable.  Forget 

the last and welcome the new month with your whole heart. 

May you have calm nights ahead. Happy New Month.

Yesterday was the Florida Panthers big celebration parade.  Let's just 

say, the rain did not stop the party.  I was not there, but I saw it on 

TV and friend that were there shared videos.  It was a party all right. 

Rain or shine, the fans were in full force to celebrate the Panthers.

Just take it as a beautiful

chance for you to rebuild yourself...

~Nadiya~