Las Vegas Time...

Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it the fullest, 

but not so fully that you run out of money...

Today is our last day in Las Vegas.  We have been here since Sunday and I have to say that I 

have walked every part of the the Strip.  So far it has been a really good time, but we will

 sure be happy also to be going back home.  I really miss Brutus and we really are tired

 of eating out.  Neither Arvid nor I are crazy about eating out for so many days and the

 worst is that we both HATE to eat breakfast out.  For us breakfast is best at home. 

These last three day I have had most of the day to myself and to do whatever it is I want, 

while Arvid is busy with his trading.  He is in his element and we both are having fun 

doing exactly what we want.  Yesterday I visited the hard Rock Cafe, The Coca

Cola Shop, the M&M's factory and the Mandalay Bay hotel and Casino.

No matter where you go there are hundreds of people, but I was very surprised when I saw 

twice the amount of people in the M&M's shop.  Hundreds of people buying M&M's and 

all kinds of merchandise.  Got me all caught up in the moment as well, so had 

to make a few purchases as well.  Did not want to feel left out.

As Arvid spends the days in his trade meetings, I took the bus yesterday and toured the

 entire Strip, again.  There is just so much to see and do.  I also walked for hours these 

last few days.  Best way to see everything.  Being on my own I was able to linger 

for as long as I wanted and wherever I wanted.  Was good to not have to rush.

I was able to see everything I wanted and at my own pace.  Very relaxing.

Today will visit the Forum Shops, a little indoor exploring today.  Last night we
were entertained Jimmy Buffet style.  Music, girls dancing was fun.

I'm missing Brutus so really looking forward to tomorrow when we will be home with him.
 Wendy his pet sitter sends us a picture everyday.  Make me miss him more.

Yesterday I also visited The Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay.  The most impressive
creature there was the Komodo Dragon, and when in Vegas you just
have to try the Buffet.   Food galore.  We did it enough said.

Well my day begins.  Last day so have to make the most of it.
Greeting to all from Sin City, Las Vegas.  You know what they say:
Everything and anything you want to do, you can do in Las Vegas.

I love Las Vegas. I like that Las Vegas has everything. 
Everything and anything you want to do, you can do in Las Vegas..

~Nadiya~

Amazing Time...

Something amazing happens when you're in love and don't give

 a damn about what day it is anymore..

We made it to the Grand Canyon and seeing it was even more impressive than I thought 

it would be.  Arvid's comment to all that awesomeness was, "it was OK."  Made

me wonder what really makes an impression on him.  To anyone who asks,

I would always say, "whatever Arvid says, just ignore,"  

For those who have been to the Grand Canyon, then like me you must have been

 in awe of this sight.   For those who have not, all I can say is put it on your bucket list.

Sometimes we all get so caught up in our own problems that 
we forget how amazing the world is.

We also made it to Hoover Dam.  Another very impressive sight.

I was pretty amazed with Hoover Dam.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. 
But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.

As the days go by, interesting things are happening.  Last night I once again 
had the pleasure of witnessing Arvid in action.  We went to something called "Cowboy
Trading"  Let's just say that Arvid was involved in very trade that took place.  He is a TRADER.
Soon we will be going to Kentucky to chase storms.  Yep!  Arvid traded for a week of storm chasing. 

We had lunch with friends from Fort Lauderdale and evening drinks with them. All together the 
days are going by too fast.  While Arvid trades in the  daytime, I keep myself busy and 
entertained by doing some fun stuff.  I'm Happy.  He's happy.  We meet for lunch and
 have the evenings together to do more fun stuff.  Las Vegas..a MUST visit place!!!

Good morning everyone.  I am ready to explore something new again today.

I'm having the time of my life figuring out this next move...

~Nadiya~

Las Vegas At Night...

Las Vegas looks the way you’d imagine heaven must look at night....

What a beautiful sight at night.   The Las Vegas nightlife truly is unrivaled.

And when the stars come out, so does everybody else.

All over the country, when people are hungry at three in the morning, they go to Denny's. 

But in Las Vegas, when people are hungry at three in the morning, they go to... um, Denny's? 

Yup! A massive, metal-enshrouded Denny's on Fremont where, in addition to the usual 

Moons Over My Hammy-type eats, there's a full bar and, on the off chance you

 got lucky at one of the spots above, a wedding chapel.

Meet the High Roller Ferris Wheel, the world's tallest observation wheel.

The High Roller is 9 ft (2.7 m) taller than the 541-foot (165 m) Singapore Flyer,

 which held the record for the world's tallest observation wheel from its opening in

 2008 until High Roller opened to the public on March 31, 2014.

As you can see Las Vegas is a 24 hour city.  The entertainment never stops, and for 

a few days we will be enjoying some of this non stop action. People watching

 is one of my favorite hobbies.  So far I have not been disappointed.

To all a good day.  Here in Vegas it is always weekend, and as someone said:

A weekend in Vegas without gambling and drinking is just like being a born-again Christian.

What happens here, stays here.

~Nadiya~

Being A Tourist...

Sightseeing, an activity that delights the truly idle because it seems so much like 
scholarship, gawping and eavesdropping on antiquity, flattering oneself with the 
notion that one is discovering the past when really one is inventing it, 

using a guidebook as a scenario of swift notations..

I'm still holding my breath for you never know what can happen in the last minute.

Our life is such that even our best laid plans tend to go south, but today I have

 actually decided to use as a sightseeing day.  Can't believe that I actually

 have an entire day with nothing fixed to do.  Seems strange.

That's why I'm holding my breath and hope all goes well.

Today I will actually do the tourist thing.  Not exactly sure where my destination will
 take me, but I am sure that whatever it is I will definitely have a good time
while Arvid attends his meetings. More so because I have 
not been in theses parts before.

Exciting because I am always up for something new.  I enjoy diversity, change 
and new experiences.  Can't say the same applies to Arvid, but I know 
he is willing to go along with it for my sake.  Can be fun!

To all a very good day.  Sometimes not knowing where you 
are going is half the fun.  Makes getting "there" even better.  I'm happy.

As someone said: Travel makes one modest. 
You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

Put down that map and get wonderfully lost...

~Nadiya~

Las Vegas Here We Are Here...

Everything and anything you want to do

you can do in Las Vegas...

Today we head out to Las Vegas.  The last time Arvid and I were here we

stayed at the MGM Grand.  We were there to see the fight with Oscar De La Hoya

 against Bernard Hopkins. We were all prepared for an evening of entertainment.  

We had the best seats in the house. Drinks in hand we sat down as the fighters came on.  

Before you can say what happened, the fight was over.  Oscar De La Hoya was knocked out.  

Not what we expected, but it happens.  Guess the fight lasted longer than I actually 

remembered. The thing is Arvid and I had a blast and something to always remember.

Just the idea of being in this city is exciting.  Sin City here we come.

Neither Arvid nor I are the types that like to gamble, but who knows

I will of course try my luck and let the dice roll.  Who knows,

I might come out the big winner for the night.  

Anticipation kicking in.

If you know how to live in Vegas you can have the best time...

~Nadiya~

Lilly Vade... Happy 7th Birthday...

Aim for the stars, and I'm sure you'll touch the sky. Wish you a very happy and sweet birthday.

Only an aunt can give hugs like a mother, keep secrets like a sister, and share love like a friend...

My youngest niece turns 7 today.  Lilly Vade is nothing but a miracle.  From the time

 she was conceived, her future was very uncertain .  My sister Rima and George

 went through quite a bit to guarantee that Lilly would make it into this world.

Well gladly she made it with a bang, and from the day she was born she was just the most

lovable little girl in the world.  Lilly was born in San Antonio, Texas and now lives

in Virginia where she bosses everyone who comes in contact with her.

From the day she was born she was THE energizer bunny like I have never seen.

She never gets tired, she never quits and she never gives up, but when she finally 

has to give in, she is as peaceful as an angel and it just gives one pleasure

 looking at that beautiful face and those big curls all over her face.

I have been very lucky that we have been able to see her from the time she was born

 and fairly consistently afterwards.  Arvid knows that I miss the kids and he 

always makes time for us to go and visit with them.  We have been 

several times to Texas to see them.  Also to Virginia.  For

that I will always be grateful for and happy.

I love this little girl to death.  The same way I love all my nieces and nephews,
and Aleah.  For them there is nothing I would not do.

The years just keep going by way too fast.  She gets bigger and
wiser every day.  Lilly is the definition of cuddly, lovable and all things girlie.

We love you Lilly Vade and though auntie and uncle are not there to celebrate with
you, you are in our thought and in our hearts.  ALWAYS I LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Lilly Vade, just to let you know that the love between an aunt and her precious
little niece is FOREVER!!!  Lilly Vade to have a niece as
wonderful as you makes me the lucky one.

Greetings all from Arizona.

If nephews and nieces were jewels, 
I would have the most beautiful gems ever...

~Nadiya~

For Molly...

Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second...

Arvid's mom does not do emails nor any of those apps where we send pictures to each other.  What 

she  does do is read my blog so this is especially for her.  A little guided tour of our 

daily travels via pictures.  This way she can be a little more connected to us.

Day one we spent in Texas:

On the way to Pecos we saw a hotel burning down.  This cause quite a delay. 

There are windmills everywhere, which of course made Arvid excited.  The day was 

long with lots of driving.  Fortunately we sat very well in the mini van we rented. 

 Both Arvid and I share the driving so to make it easier on ourselves.

Of course we had to have our Sonic Burger at their drive in joint. Fast-food burger 
and fries joint with an old-school feel, including retro drive-in service.  When Gabby 
my nephew lived in Texas he loved going to Sonic mainly because the
 girls will roller skate right up to up with your food.  

On the second day we left Texas and headed to Arizona.  To get to Arizona we drove through
New Mexico passing through some very scenic roads and sights.  We even cruised a little
on Historic Route 66.  We passed through Sedona, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque,
Arizona. Sedona sits a a very high altitude.  We were actually cold.

Once we got to our destination for the night we were greeted with an amazing sunset.
The night was spent in Winslow, Arizona.

Yesterday was a very long but good day.  We saw interesting things
and we both passed through a State we have never been to before.  New Mexico.

To all a good day.  Today we have a leisure day.
Today we see the Grand Canyon, another new experience for both of us.

If a picture is worth a thousand words,
 then the imagination is worth a thousand pictures...

~Nadiya~

Pecos, Texas

You know the good part about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans.

This is America. We’re entitled to our opinions. Wrong. This is Texas.

 And my opinion is the only one that counts...

Greetings to all from Pecos, Texas.  Let me just say if you are looking for glamour you came 

to the wrong place.  Fortunately we are not.  Here to check out some land we have and

 to see what new things are taking place.  Arvid and I have been to Texas 

several times, but not to Pecos.  The day can be interesting.

This is the Pecos River Bridge. Completed in April 1959 it is the highest highway bridge in 

Texas, at a height of 273 feet. The bridge is 1310 feet in length.

Popular sign posted inside  posted inside the saloon. The Jersey Lilly Saloon.

Today, the Jersey Lilly saloon is a state historical site and museum hosting about 100,000

 visitors per year. Like i said if you came to Pecos looking for nightlife, restaurants, bars, 

malls you definitely came to the wrong place.  On the other hand if you are interested 

in a piece of history do pay it a visit.  You never know you may be surprised.

Well it's time to take off and start our day.  Time to check out our Texas investments.

Looking forward to whatever the day holds.  Everything will be new for us.

Good morning from Pecos, Texas everyone. When in Texas, expect to see windmills.

As someone said, "you may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."

Greetings from Pecos, Texas.

Taxes and Texas—they have the same letters,

 but only one can go to hell...

~Nadiya~

Road Trip...

The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same.

Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination....

We are most happy when we are on the move.   Seems like constantly doing 
something or going somewhere is a way of life for us.  This is the norm in our world, 
and we both love it.  The one drawback for us it that we cannot always take Brutus with us.  

Yes, we worry about him and we constantly check in with his pet sitter.  
Brutus is in the best possible hands  and in that sense we are relieved.

Both Arvid and I are high energy people.  Neither of us can sit still for long.  
Maybe not always the best, but for now I know no other way of life and I like it.

Jenn and I..long time ago

Today we start a road trip that will take us to Dallas, Texas.  First things first we
 will be checking up on some of our investments there.  From there we head to 
Arizona and the Grand Canyon.  Always incorporating a little business with fun stuff.

 I hope I can meet up with a very special friend of mine if possible.  
For me this trip is already worth it just to meet up with her again.  
Together we shared some beautiful times in New York. 

  Red hair, green eyes...she's the devil in person and boy we sure have always had a good time.
 I just wonder how we managed to stay out of trouble in New York.  I mean together we
 were just always barging into everything.  Not always good when working 
on the streets  of New York.  We worked as EMT"S for NYC.

 From Arizona, we take off to Las Vegas.  Unfortunately, we will not make it to California
as planned.  I was so much looking forward to going by my old home.  Another time it 
will be.  Quite a lot of driving in a few days, but as always looking forward to all of it. 

A journey is like marriage. 
The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it....

~Nadiya~

Brutus Again...

There are only two times I feel stress, DAY and NIGHT....

Brutus is done with the second pill.  Has been done a few days now, but we have noticed that

the swelling is still there and that it is now starting to ooze a little.  Not happy because 

soon we will be on the road and now I am stressed.  Stressed because it seems

the problem we thought was under control is now reappearing.

I called the vet and was told that for now I can try and soak his paw twice a day, five minutes 

each with an Epsom Salt solution.  Now we are talking about a cat here.  What cat will 

allow you to soak their paw for 5 minutes, and two times a day?  Then if you know 

Brutus, you will know that this is nothing but MISSION IMPOSSIBLE.

Of course there was also the second recommendation should this fail.  Once again Brutus might 

have to undergo surgery to clean out the infection.  I'm stressed.  I need to learn and do 

what others seem to be able to do.  Meaning I need to learn to let go.  Release 

the stress since I was never in control of it anyway.

Soaking with Epsom Salt is going so-so.  Brutus is now afraid of everything.  He
is thinking that we are about to give him medicines.

This morning about 4am we heard him gurgling.  Arvid jumped out of bed
 to see what  was going on.  Brutus was just puking.  Guess it's from
 licking the Epsom Salt off his paw.  Why can't he get better?

Not very happy right now because there is absolutely nothing I can do.  November he
 will probably be going in for another, biopsy his paw most likely will be cut
 open once again.  Like I have said life is not easy.  Not easy at all.

Good morning everyone.  I am a firm believer in the following:
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

I was taught from a very young age that life is not easy. You have to fight for
 your dreams and keep on moving forward. Its okay to look back sometimes too,
 its a reminder where you have been and what you been through. It makes you realize
 how far you have come and keeps you motivated for the future....

~Nadiya~