Weather Woes.....

There's nothing like a little rain to bring people together.

It seems like we have been waiting forever for the sun to come out and for the weather to warm up.  Today we finally thought this was going to happen.....well no such luck.  It is raining and it is cold.

The good thing about the rain is that we get to wash our balconies.  Living in a condo you cannot wash your balcony because you then wet the ones below...but with all this rain everything is wet.

Another good thing about this rain is that we do not have to go malling around we get to spent time all of us together and to just relax and have some good times.  Always good.

With all of its good things I want the rain to go away and I would love to see the sunshine again.  After all, this is Florida...The Sunshine State...

It is nicknamed the "Sunshine State" because of its generally warm climate—...let's hope this warm weather comes here soon.....

I am missing Eleuthera where the weather is more constant and where you do not see these drastic drops in temperatures.....we wish we were there right now in our bikini's and shorts.....

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

until next time....

Teenagers.....Enough Said

The young always have the same problem - how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another.

For those of you with children I have new respect for you....  especially if you have teenagers.  I never thought it was easy but, on the other hand I never had first hand experience.

Right now as you may know we have 2 teenagers staying with us.  Only for 2 weeks but, if you are not used to it then two weeks can be very ...let's say a time of adapting.....for both parties.  

Arvid, Brutus and I have our routines and like everyone we are not too prone to changes.  The girls have theirs as you can imagine they also like it their way.  Bottom line is that they are 16, this is our home, they are staying under our roof so in the end it is what we say that counts with some give and take of course.  It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.

This has got to be a very difficult time for parents.  I have no kids so all I know is what I see right now and what I hear from my sisters who also have teenagers.

One thing I will say....I always wanted children....unfortunately, I have none.  With all the difficiculties involved, all the worrying parents go through I bet the good times more than make up for it.   Given the chance, I would have chosen to have a child....taken the gift and run wih it.

We love the way our life is right now...that's a given.  We have gotten to a point where we are quite happy with our lifestyle.  It is free and we go and come as we please......every so often I see a little child and my heart skips a beat....what if...what if...

Life is what it is......I am happy...we are happy.  Certain things are beyond ones control so you make the most of what you have and you enjoy every moment of it.....  I have lots of nieces and nephews and they make up for not having any children of my own....

Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.

until next time...

Shopping Days.....

Have not had the time lately to do much on my blog...I apologize.   Having company and having lots of work has taken over lately.

Our two 16 year old guests cute as can be have kept us pretty busy.  I have seen more malls these last few days than I care to.  Yesterday I took them to Sawgrass Mall (http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=1262) .  Not my kind of place.   Too big, too many people.  I prefer the smaller malls with more specialized stores.  My favorite is The Galleria Mall.  Small enough so that you do not get trampled and run over by millions of shoppers looking for a bargin.

Not all was in vain.  The girls did some pretty heavy shopping.  Even I was amazed at the shopping power in a 16 year old.  Some amazing buys were found.  Just look at the pretty shoes they got.....  I look at these young girls shop and I see how times have changed.   They must have spent a cool $600 together in just a day of shopping.  When I was little that was unheard of.  We move with the times I guess.   My honest opinion is that it is still too much.  I like the way I was raised where I appreciated what I had and was always thankful for it.  Seems those values are no longer the same for some.  I am afraid to ask what we are doing today......

This quote so very describes these two young shoppers:

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping....

until next time...

Beautiful Day For Boat And Manatee Watch.....

It seems finally that we will be having a bit of a warm up.....long over due.  Very relaxing day so far and it seems that we are not the only ones enjoying the beautiful weather.

From our balcony we are seeing boat after boat passing along ...both big and small.  Have lost track of how many have gone by.

Also, we have spotted over 60 manatees heading South.  The manatees have been very affected by all this cold also.  They cannot survive well in waters below 68F.  Here are a few pictures I took from our balcony.....

Just a little information on these sweet marine mamals:

The Florida Manatee, Florida's state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer or sometimes crawl through shallow water. They also have powerful flat tails that help propel them through the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see and hear quite well.

They are gentle giants, that seem to have no fear, nor aggression towards people. They swim in shallow waters, near the surface and are endangered because they often are injured by boats and their props.

Arvid and I usually do our walks along the river and we have been fortunate to spot the manatees and we have been even luckier to have been able to touch them.  Their skin is quite rubbery and despite their huge appearance thay are vey gentle creatures....unfortunately due to the cold weather we have been having the manatees have been dying.  Makes me very sad...........

http://www.savethemanatee.org/manfcts.htm

Even Brutus is enjoying the "show" from his favorite spot at the window...

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms

until next time...

Sweet Dreams....

Almost bedtime and so looking forward to a goodnight's sleep.  Today we have been out most of the day and of all places malling around with the two girls staying ith us.  It has been quite fun but pretty exhausting.  We have been to the Galleria Mall
(http://www.galleriamall-fl.com/) ....pictured to the right.   Never underestimate teenagers....they can sure shop until you drop.....but, was fun.

After that it was out to lunch and then what else....yes!!! more shopping.   They shopped for hours while Arvd and I just waited along but, they had a good time and that's what matters.

Arvid, Brutus and I are home alone tonight and we just relaxed and watch some TV...of course we had a few of our favorite snacks...it is Friday after all.  Brutus as you can see is resting on his favorite spot which is Arvid's lap......

Calling it a day for now...tired and ready for bed.  Goodnight all....

“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, That I shall say good night till it be morrow”

until next time....

Busy Days Ahead....

Always gotta keep busy or the voices start telling me to do wild things

It has been quite hectic here lately and it will continue to be so for at least the next three weeks or so .....lots to do for our presentation in Canada and it is taking more time than I expected.

You see I am a perfectioist and if it's not just perfect then it is not worth doing....hence the longer time frame but, I am really having a great time so that makes up for all the extra work.

Also, we have company visiting from Norway.  Two teenage girls 16 years old.  One is Arvid's daughter and the other is her girlfriend.  It is nice for a few days to have someone to fuss over and do things with.

Brutus as you can imagine is not too keen on change so he is having a little time adapting.  He just sniffs around but, does not hide.  That's a good sign.

Lately I hae been missing the laid back days we have in Eleuthera.  Unfortunately, our next time there will not be until the end of March.....greatly looking forward to it...in the meantime it is work...work...and more work....

A charming woman is a busy woman.

until next time..

Bitter Cold Days....

It has been so cold here in Florida lately that one would think we were living in some Northern State.

While for many this cold is maybe a mild summer for us Floridians it is harsh.  This weekend I wore 3 sweaters, 2 pairs of pants, jacket, gloves and scarf and I was still cold.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0109/Snow-in-Florida-Big-chill-culling-unwanted-iguanas-and-pythons

It has been much worse for the animals and the crops.  Sad because so many people depend on this for a living.  Check out the link above and see for yourself.

Just look at Brutus.  He is all bundled up the poor thing is also frozen to death....he is also a bit spoilt and we do pamper him so.
Here he is resting his little head on my pillow and covered up with my sweater.....he slept that way for hours.

Hopefully will be going t the hot tub in a bit to warm up.....how are the rest of you faring out there???

No matter what we always make the best of what life dishes out...I may think this is cold but for others this may just be the perfect weather...iit's all in the eye of te beholder....

If we were in Eleuthera right now it would ne much warmer than here....I could be in shorts.....

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

until next time...

Music Is What Feelings Sound Like....

It seems like everyday something is happening here in Fort Lauderdale.  This weekend we have our yearly Riverwalk Blues Festival.  We do appreciate music and tend to go to as many venues as possible no matter where in the world we are.   Arvid loves to dress up in his "Blues" gear.

This particular festival is just steps away from us so we just walk enjoy and can come back anytime we like.  It is a good break after a long days of work.  We were there the last two nights and will be there today again. It's fun and we get to see quite a lot of artists.  Even Brutus is a Blues fan...just look at him all geared up with Arvid's Blues hat/cap.  We have a jukebox and we listen to music in or "music" room every Friday....Brutus is a constant presence there also.  Seems like music also relaxes him...at least Arvid firmly believes so....Arvd thinks Brutus is some kind of a wonder....

This year it is a bit cold (very COLD!!)  so we will be gearing up to full winter gear....for us here in Florida anything below 70F is winter....even so Arvid and I are always having a good time with just about anything we do. 

When we are in Eleuthera we also go out and listen to music.  There we have island music.  We love it also.....Would have been nice to be there right ow because it is so much warmer there.....

Have a wonderful weekend all and may your life also be filled with music and laughter....

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.

until next time.....

I Am The Lucky One......

We do not remember days; we remember moments..... have more memories than if I were a thousand years old.

These last few days have been very hectic and very busy and it will continue to be so for a while...probably until March.  Of course this is good yet, at the same time I may not be as consistent with my blog as I would like.

This is temporary...until I catch up with a few things that need taking care of.

I would just like to thank all of you for your feedback on my post about my grandmother.   Some of you left comments on my blog others wrote to me privately.

When I wrote this post I did not realize how much it would mean to me at the time.  I have sat down and read it time and time again...thinking of all the things I want to say, that I have not said and should have but, my message seems to have gotten through quite clearly my grandmoter is a one of a kind woman.....

Something I did not know but was mentioned to me by one of my aunts living in Canada is that the day I posted this blog about my grandmother was also the anniversary of my grandfathers death.   It was 42 years to the day he died.  I don't recall him much.  Just some pictures.  I know he was a tall and handsome man.

For all of you who still have your grandmothers around do not be afraid to tell her you love her and to let her know how important she is to you.

When Arvid first met my grandmother he was smitten with her right away.  You see he said to me that my grandmother reminded him of his....he loved her very much and shared with me some very happy times he spent with her.   One of his favorite memories of his gramdmother was her good food.  Seems like she was a good cook.....well that's also my grandmother she was and still is an excellent cook...today she of course does it much less.

I have really enjoyed talking about Ma.....memories of her bring a smile to my lips.  She was the best storyteller among other things.....I have so many good memories of the time I spent living with her.....memories that will forever live in my heart...I am the lucky one...thanks to her I don't need a therapist......

“Our memories are the only paradise from which we can never be expelled.”

until next time

Ma...My Grandmother

Grandmothers, some say they are like angels in training and they are not wrong.  This describes my grandmother to a T.

Today I promised to write about my grandmother a truly amazing woman.  Born 1921 in Guyana, South America.  That's her pictured with some of her grandkids, also with my sister giving her a manicure.  She loves pretty nails and loves them red.  

At the very tender age of 40  (black and white picture) she became a widow with 11 children to raise all by herself the year was 1961.

My grandmother whom we call Ma has been a great influence in my life and in the lives of my 4 sisters.  You see when my parents decided to leave Guyana in search for a better life for all of us it was my grandmother who took care of us.  With her already 11 children she did not hesitate to take on 4 more.   My sisters and I ranged from ages 1 to 4 years.  

Life was difficult for her but we never felt it because she sheltered us from the harshness of the world and, let me tell you the world can be harsh at that age without your parents.   While most kids our age had their parents to protect them and to worry about them we had our grandmother. 

Ma sacrificed her life for  her children and for her grandkids.  When most women her age were still enjoying their lives she was busy rasing all of us.  Ma never remarried a decision she says she has not regretted because she has reaped the benefit of seeing all her children do well.  She has over 30 grandchildren, and over 20 great grandchildren. 

In many ways my grandmother is fortunate because she has met most of them.  In other ways we are the lucky ones because we are able to enjoy her company and her wisdom.

It is amazing her wisdom.  At her age one would think that Ma's thoughts belong to a time long ago but not true.  For instance, she lost her husband when she was 40.  My first husband also died when I was very young.  Believe it or not sometimes I talk to my grandmother and all of a sudden the age between us does not matter....it just disappears and our conversation just flows.  She relives some of her past through me and I find comfort through her words.

She is not judgemental.....not to say she does not have strong opinions.  That she does and it just makes her even more interesting. 

When most of her children and grandchildren left to persue their own lives Ma decided to move to Canada where some of her children also lived.  Imagine leaving a tropical country for bitter cold Canada winters.  That she did without complaining.

She lived on her own because as she said she did not want to be a burden to her children.  Today at the age of 89 she is as sharp as a tack and still lives by herself.

Granted she is slower in her movements and everything takes much longer than it did she still manages to do just about everything.  She loves to watch the news.  If there is somehing going on in any part of the world she will know it before it happens.

I love her and I would have loved if she were able to read because today she could have read my blog and would be happy to know that I don't mind telling the world that she is unique, she is one of a kind and that I am extemely grateful for everything she has done for me and for my sisters.

Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple. Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love.

until next time...

Busy...Busy....Life In the City

Today has been very hectic. Have been working ever since I woke up except for the necessary interrupions and still have lots more to do.  I am working on a presentation we will be giving at The Real Estate Trade Expo in Canada.  This is happening March 12th thru the 15th. 

I am very much looking forward to this because you see my grandmother lives in Canada.   I do not see her very often so the fact that we will be in Canada is the opportunity I have been waiting for.

As a matter of fact is was my husband Arvid who said there was no way we would go to Canada and not visit my grandmother.   Can't wait to see her.

Tomorrow I will dedicate my blog to my grandmother.  She is a true inspiration and one amazing woman.  Here is my grandmother with me and my 3 sisters.  At this time my youngest sister was not yet born.  We call her Ma.....and I love her.......

In all of its craziness we did manage to take some time and go to the hot tub.....it relaxes us especially when we come right back to work.....

We miss the easy laid back pace of life in Eleuthera.  Already here we are all kinked up, our shoulders and back hurting from being too much on the laptops and not enough time outside......

This is what Eleuthera is all about.......

“One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”

until next time....

Time For Me.....

“This is my life. it is my one time to be me. I want to experience every good thing.”

Today I decided to take the day for myself.  After all everyone deserves a bit of pampering once in a while and who better to pamper me than myself.   You see Arvid was at a meeting all day long so I actually had the entire day all to myself.
As it turns out I had so much to do that it did not leave me too much pampering time.  Not a problem will still make the most of the day.

I did find the time to go and get a pedicure and a manicure.  Decided to have my toes painted blue......yikes.  Not a favorite color for nails of Arvds but, I like it and that's how I did it.   Made me happy and that's what matters.

Then I decided to treat myself to one of my favorite lunches.  Crab legs....yep I ate all 4lbs of crab legs by myself and enjoyed it to the last itbsy leg.  No guilt here just pure enjoyment.  After that I thought...hmmmm......ice-cream could be all right aslo.  Well you guessed it.  Brought out the Haagen-Dazs...and had a feast.  You see when I want something I don't wait for someone to give it to me.  I make it happen or at least I try my darnest to make it happen.

Feeling a little guilty right now (only a tiny bit) so when Arvid gets back home we will take a nice long walk along the Riverfront.  You see it is just stepts from us.  Sure feel better already and did not even go for the walk as yet.    On our walks we usually come across many stray kitties.  You know by now I have a weak spot for kitties.  Everytime we go we take them food.  Sometimes there are 2 kitties other times more than 4.  We look forward to seeing them and feeding them. 

Now I'm thinking if we go for the walk then tonight I can have some additional snacks.  Well not too bad.  I have been good all day.  Deserve some snacks.   When we are in Eleuthera we sort of snack almost every night.  I know not good but, you see out there each day is a vacation.  Here n Florida it is mostly work and not much play......In Eleuthera it is mostly play.  Miss my afternoon island mojito....

“Taking time for yourself should never be seen as a burden. Not on you, and not on anyone else.”

until next time

 

Live And Enjoy.......Life is a Super Bowl....

Just relaxing and taking it easy today.  The big day for Americans is finally here.  SUPER BOWL XLIV.  Perfect day perfect weather.  Not too hot not too cold.  If you are one of the lucky ones going to the Super Bowl today have fun....Tickets start anywhere from the hundreds of $$ to the thousands of $$.  A friend of mine purchased his for a mere $1000.

One of my favorite things to do is people watch and trust me there is a lot of that going on everyday and more so this weekend.  It's The Super Bowl Weekend and I am on the prowl for a celebrity encounter..ha!ha!...  Stalker alert is on.....

I love to just talk to people for no reason whatsoever.  My husband finds this a little strange and thinks I must be nuts to just approach someone and talk to them.  Me I think it is OK and, as long as no one complains I will continue to enjoy it.

The most famous celebrity we have met was Steven Segal.  I approached him and told him that Arvid was a big fan of his....after that it was easy street for Arvid.  We actually were chatting with him for a long time.

Have seen other celebrities but only from a distance.

When in Eleuthera we happend to catch a glimse of Matthew Mcconaughey and Kate Hudson while filming of the movie Fool's Gold.  There was also the time we spotted Lenny Kravitz....yes, he has a home in Eleuthera.  Still waiting to catch a glimpse and maybe chat with Mariah Carey.  She also has a vacation home in Eleuthera........never know who you might encouter there for many people love to just go to the island because it offers them a little privacy from their "normal" lifestyle.

In Mariah Carey's upcoming album 'Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel' a special 35-page booklet co-produced by Elle Magazine,  Mariah names Eleuthera as her favorite island in The Bahamas.  She described it as "an unspoiled vacation paradise with breath-taking beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters".

Now I ask you is she right or is she right? 

No man is a failure who is enjoying life.

until next time