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 💚...

 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 💙

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 😂 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~

Monday January 30th~

You keep bringing happiness into people’s 

lives—and onto their walls. 🤗 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 💛 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 is😂

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~

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 😃

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~

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 👏. 

 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 😂

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~

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 🥶  He says

 he's not Norwegian anymore, but Floridian 🤔

Be like a tree and let the dead leaves drop.

You get in life what you have the courage to ask for...

~Nadiya~

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~

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 😂  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~

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 💙

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

~Nadiya~