December 31st ~Happy New Year's Eve

May all your troubles last as 

long as your New Year's resolutions...

 This year is about done. I just want to say if I 

have ever been rude to you in 2024 please work on 

yourself so I don't have to do it again next year.

If you have not made your resolutions for 2025

 you still have time.  If you don't keep them don't fret,

 most people don't.  But it makes us all feel good.

Today we see my mom and dad for a little and then later

 Arvid and I plan on going downtown for a bit.  The day is looking

 beautiful, not sure if we will stay out to watch the ball drop,

 but we will be able to probably see it from our balcony.

Wishing a safe and a happy New Year to all.  

May 2025 be good to us all. Today is one of those days 

when being in a different time zone is not so bad.  When

 it's midnight/New Year 2025 in Norway, it is just  6:00 pm

 Eastern Time here in Florida.  At 6:01 the phone rings.  

Every year on the dot.  Victoria and Michael calling.

May your coming year be filled with 

magic and dreams and good madness...

~Nadiya~

Monday December 30th~

The end of a year is a time for reflection

 on the past and anticipation for the future...

 The last Monday in 2024.  What a year it has been.  

 Many good memories made and some not so happy times, 

but in the big picture; I will have to say that it has not 

been the worst of years.  I wish for many that 2025

 sees you doing better in health, love and life.

This year saw us going to Branson a couple of times. 

 Of course one can't forget the memorable times in Norway 

this past summer with family.  Making those unforgettable 

memories with the little ones, and not so little ones is 

something that cannot be compared to anything else.

I have had many a doctors appointments, but given my 

"conditions" nothing unusual here.  Maybe a little more 

pain than I would like right now, but when I think of 

others, and this is just the ones I know, I have to 

say that I have nothing to complain about.

One of the most unforgettable times I have had has been

 the month of August.  I had the month all to myself and I

 did more in one month than I did in the entire year.  I loved 

every moment I had.  I visited family, but the best part was 

going to San Francisco with three other girl friends.

If you ask me what I would like to do again in 

2025 I would say that another trip with the girls to 

San Francisco would make me happy.  I loved that

 city, and I am so happy I experienced it with these 

three  girls.  A whole new experience for me.

As always there is my Sniff who makes me the 

happiest.  Never asks for anything but to be loved, 

brushed, fed, played and more.  Shoots, seems like he

 sure is "demanding" 😂  For him I would do anything.

Having mom and dad here with us is also something I

 will never take for granted.  Being able to spend time with

them even better.  Usually our Sunday outings is just for

 Arvid and myself, yesterday it was the four of us.

Arvid and I continue to celebrate life.  We make each 

day a celebration.  We may not always agree on everything, 

but what we do agree on is that we have a good life and 

we would like to continue making it the best life.

As the year comes to an end, don't look back 

on yesterday's disappointments.  Look ahead 

to all the possibilities yet to unfold...

~Nadiya~ 

December 29th ~

 What the New Year brings to you will depend a
 great deal on what you bring to the New Year...

Yesterday Arvid and I went to the movies.  I love all the 

Disney movies so for me it was a real treat.  Arvid also gets 

a kick out of it.  We had a great time watching Mufasa: 

The Lion King.  The next one on my list is Moana.

I loved the movie.  Usually I get bored halfway through 

most movies, this one kept me glued to the screen.  We saw it in

 3D and the visuals were just stunning.  I loved the storyline 

as well.  Arvid said he like the one with Simba best.

It did rain a little as we got there, but on our way out it 

had already stopped.  Arvid said to me, "this reminds me of 

Puerto Rico when we'd go to the movies.  It's so nice and 

warm."  Arvid loves Puerto Rico maybe as much as I do. 

As we look to the New Year, hold on to what is good.  Let go

 of what is bad.  It is that simple.  Although sometimes it's a little 

more complicated than that, but we give it our best shot.

To all a very good day, and to make the day complete here's 

a little humor.  A day without laughter is a day wasted.

Acknowledging the good that you already have in

 your life is the foundation for all abundance...

~Nadiya~

Saturday December 28th~

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful..

Was a quiet day at home.  I made some homemade plantain 

chips for Arvid and of course some for my mom and dad.  I 

spent 2 hours over a hot stove.  Arvid had the nerve to ask 

me why I had to make so much.  I said because you like it.

For lunch I did not cook.  Instead I took Arvid out 

to Pinchers.  It's a short walk from us and since Arvid 

loves his peel and eat shrimp, all was good.  I usually have

 the blue crabs in a garlic sauce, but today I opted for BBQ

 chicken wings.  My dad loves their chicken wings.

We spent a quiet evening at home watching 

TV and having snacks as in the plantain chips 

I made.  Relaxing, quiet and pleasant.

Happiness often sneaks in through a 

door you didn’t know you left open...

~Nadiya~

December 27th ~

 Every day is a good day. There is 

something to learn, care and celebrate....

Arvid and I have a tendency to celebrate just about

 any and everything.  It does not necessarily have to be 

a big accomplishment, for us it makes life interesting 

to just say, "let's celebrate"   We get a kick out of it.

Yesterday there were many soccer games, and Arvid 

watched them all.  In between of each break this is what

 he would say, "I can't wait for the Holidays to be done 

with so that I can make some calls.  His focus is always

 business.  He tried calling a few "business" people

 but no one answered."  He was not so happy.

At the end of the day we went for a walk.  It was a 

beautiful day and I always have my bag packed with foodies

 for my friends.  Yesterday we actually got to feed amy lil' 

squirrels and a lots of birds.  I was very happy.  Even Arvid

 feeds the squirrels. My food bag needs to be refilled 👏👏

All good at home.  Looking forward to some quiet 

days just the three of us, and I'm sure mom and dad are 

looking forward to the same.  A good day to all.

Perfect is very boring, and if you happen to have a 

different look, that’s a celebration of human nature, I think. If

 we were all symmetrical and perfect, life would be very dull...

~Nadiya~

December 26th ~ Boxing Day

Happy Boxing Day! The best directions for navigating 

this holiday are giving back, as well as paying it forward...

 Today we take it easy and relax at home.  It's been a lot of 

family time lately.  Love it, but also like a little time for just 

the three of us.  That day is today.  Making dinner at home and 

staying in pajamas most of the day.  Sounds like the perfect

 day.  Maybe Facetime with the grandkids always good.

Yesterday we had a good time with everyone at mom 

and dad's.  Max and Kelsey were also there even thought they 

had just gotten back from Kentucky.  Kelsey is from Kentucky. 

 Kelsey by the way can do any and everything.  In Kentucky

 she has horses and when she lived at home she raised them.  

She has the most beautiful strawberry blonde hair.

Everyone made a few different dishes.  As always there

 was more food than we needed, but everything was delicious.

  My mom always makes Arvid his scalloped potatoes.  As always

 he says he eats too much, but that he could not help himself 

because it was so good.  It was a very good time.

Looking forward to just being home and relaxing.  

Family time is good but also tiring.  For everyone.  Mom 

and dad need a little break also from all this hecticness. 

 Today hopefully they also take it easy and go out for dinner 

at Gandules Grill.  Best Puerto Rican restaurant in town.

To all a good day.  For many the holidays are not so easy.  

I know someone who is missing her son right now.  Wish 

I could change that.  I count my blessings everyday.

Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day...

~Nadiya~

December 25th 2024~

Cheers to the best woman I know!

 We'd fall apart without you. Moms know 

how to make everything better—and 

for that, I'm always grateful...

 It's the day so many have waited for for so long.  I love

 Christmas, but the truth is, it's just another day.  It is just a great

 time to see so many happy faces, decorations and listen to

 Christmas music, best of all, today is our mom's birthday.

The last time the entire family spent Christmas and

 her birthday together was in 2015 in Granite Falls, NC. 

 Was a beautiful time.  Life has changed so much.

Today Arvid and I, Nina and David get to be together 

again with mom and dad and to sing her happy birthday.  

The little things in life are the most precious ones.

Mommy Christmas time is always better with you.  

We look forward to celebrating your day with you and to 

enjoying Christmas together.  Memories to last forever.

Thank you for never expecting anything in return.

Thank you for being my biggest fan. I love you.

Happy Birthday, Mom! From my first steps to my 

biggest dreams, you've always been there.  I have said 

this before, and I will say it again; to describe my mother 

would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.

Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.  

To the most wonderful, lively woman I know—may your

 hands always be busy and your feet always be swift...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday December 24th~

On the night before Christmas, may you 

experience the delight of being together...

 Christmas Eve holds a special kind of magic. It’s 

the culmination of the holiday season—a moment steeped in

 tradition, love, and joy. Families gather, friends reconnect, 

and the world is lit with the glow of festive lights

 and hearts brimming with anticipation. 

Yesterday Arvid and I went to Fort Lauderdale.  It was 

fun to be there for the day, but better to get home.

Arvid had a little gathering with a few Norwegian friends.

  He also made a new friend in a guy from his hometown 

in Norway, Horten.  What a small world we live in.

I took the time to do something I enjoyed.  I had a great day. 

Delicious food.  Delicious drinks and some time at the beach.

It was an extremely windy day, but warm.  

There were not that many people at the beach.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.  It's the 

day we've all been waiting for. Christmas is just 

one day away. May your days be merry and bright

 and may all your Christmases be white.  That is 

unless you live in Florida 🌴the Sunshine State.

The list has been checked twice. It's time to 

wait for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve...

~Nadiya~

Monday December 23rd~

The new day brings new hope.  The lives we've led, the 

lives we've yet to lead.  A new day, new ideas, a new you...

 Monday again.  December is almost over. Can't really

complain, it has been a good month.  Mom and dad have 

been here now for almost a month and a half, and they 

will still be here all of January.  Yes, I am grateful. 

Today Arvid and I will be heading to Fort Lauderdale.  

A bunch of Norwegians are getting together after a 

long time.  Should be a good time for them all.  

I will use this time to do something I enjoy.

Two more sleeps and it's Christmas Day plus my moms

 birthday.  Looking forward to being with them.   It's been a

 long time we had Christmas/mom's birthday together.

  Yesterday we had a good time with mom and dad, Nina

 and David.  Just the six of us, but we had food for 20-20 people. 

 My family does not know how to go small.  Had to have some of 

my yummy pastries from my newest favorite bakery.  We all 

love Cuban pastries.  Minus Arvid.  He likes nothing.

A yearly tradition I am so happy to be a part of.  

Victoria and Michael always go and visit the graves of 

their loved ones at Christmas, and always make us 

feel as if we were there.  For that, thank you.  Arvid's 

parents' graves.  Their grandparents, for Michael is 

more a grandson to her than some real ones.

To all a very good day. 2025 is soon upon us.  Hope it 

is better for everyone. Just remember that what we 

 take for granted someone else is praying for.

Start everyday with a new hope.  Leave bad memories

 behind, and have faith for a better tomorrow...

~Nadiya~

Missing You ~ December 22nd ~

Memory is the diary we all carry about with us..

Today is one of those days.  Nothing happened

 that I can think of, but today I am missing my Brutus

 so very much.  I would love to hold him again

Time heals the agonizing grief.  Yes it does.  

Time does not erase the ache in my heart.

Where you used to be  there is a hole in the world

 which I find myself constantly walking around

 in the daytime and falling in the night.  I

 miss you like hell Brutus. 

 You'll be the last thing I think of before I fall asleep 

and the first thing I think of when I wake up.

Sunday and it's a cold one.  Today we go to mom 

and dad's for dinner.  Nina and David are also going 

to be there.  Looking forward to that very much.  

To all a happy Sunday and may you always have 

something to be grateful for.  It's a cold start already.

Sometimes, all you can do is lie in bed, and 

hope you fall asleep before you fall apart...

~Nadiya~