Work...

Taking care of business everyday.  Taking care of business every way.

We've been taking care of business and working over time

Just like the song says, that's exactly what we are doing right now.  Today we have our

last shipment to Norway before the summer begins.  Whatever is left at the warehouse 

will be done when we get back home. Going to miss theses weekly trips to Miami.

Have a lot of foodies for the kitty at the warehouse, so just hope she's there.  I've bought

 her a food bowl, water bowl, treats, canned food and a big bag of dry food. This way there 

is no reason for her to go hungry while we are in Norway.  Makes me feel better already.

 Today I was awake very early with Brutus.  He just keeps running away from me because he knows
that I will grab him and give him his medicine.  He really hates it, but knows its coming.
Good morning everyone.  It's already Tuesday and I need to get busy.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard...

~Nadiya~

Decisions... Decisions..

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy...

Sounds like nothing to even talk about, but the truth is it is stressing me out quite a bit.

With Vanessa's baptism approaching and the days winding down until we leave for Norway,

 I am still in a little bind as to having the right dress for the occasion.

So far I have rummaged through my closet and have found these and the best 

thing is that they all fit.  Just not 100% sure as yet of which I like best, in worse case I

 still have a few days left before we go to Norway to go to the mall.  Who knows?

Seems as if this summer will be a cold and wet one in Norway.  Better than the 100 plus 

degrees of last summer and no AC.  Sounds good to me, except for the rain.

Whatever the day may hold it has already started out beautifully.  You see I woke up with
 an email from my almost 8 year old niece and as I opened my laptop the first face that was
 there was our granddaughter Vanessa.  Life is good and I know I am truly blessed.

Good morning all.  New week and another chance to make it better than the last.

Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm.
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully...

~Nadiya~

Sunday.. Funday

A Sunday well spent brings a week of content...

This picture above is from Chicago.  On Sundays in Chicago we had this favorite spot.

It's a Chinese Restaurant.  It actually called the Chinese Friendship Restaurant.  Arvid 

and I call it Glens, because the first time we were there our waiters name was Glen.

When you ask Arvid what he misses in Chicago one of the places is "Glens"

Relaxing day.  Family day and my day to NOT do any cooking.

I like cooking, but I also like to have a day off.

Today is my dad's birthday.  I love this man with all my heart.  All the goodness
in me in us we inherited from our dad and mom.  He taught us compassion and kindness
 to each other.  Traits that are the way I live my live.  He showed us how to be good.

When life throws tomatoes at you make Bloody Marys.

It's Sunday Funday....

~Nadiya~

Changes Coming...

It only takes one person to change your life...you...

Like it or not change is here. Yes, same sex marriage is now legal in the United States. 

A very big and much awaited event for many.  Me I have no objections with it. As far

 as I am concerned we are all the same and we deserve the same rights, 

privileges and benefits. That being said I am happy.

  Many do not agree with this ruling, but hey life is like that, you don't have to agree 

or like everything but showing tolerance and kindness towards your 

fellow human being is for sure not such a big deal is it?

Today in Fort Lauderdale we had quite a downpour as usual when it rains it rains

 hard and fast and also just like that it goes away.  Hurricane season after all has 

already begun and summer in Florida is usually hot and rainy

Lots of cleaning up to do today.  The good thing is that we get to move everything and 

do a proper "spring"'cleaning even if it's a little late.  Better late than never

I'm very disappointed because Brutus' paw is acting up again. Has not even been 10 days 

without the pill and he's already starting to open up in several places.  Am I stressed?  You bet I am.

Hopefully today Arvid and I get to do something fun. Last night we had plans, but the

 window installer took so long that by the time we cleaned up and made the place

 dust free for Brutus to come back outside we were just too tired to go anywhere.

Even so we had a relaxing time at home watching movies and of course soccer.

Somehow there is always a soccer game so we try to work around it. Arvid

Works hard and TV relaxes him very much.

Well time to continue doing my chores and hopefully get quite a lot done.  

Was hoping to go to the mall today, but not so.  Maybe a little next weekend.  

Enjoy your Saturday everyone and as my niece Reshma said, "a new era has begun."

Be the change that you wish to see in the world...

~Nadiya~

Learning Experiences...

I look for these qualities and characteristics in people. 

Honesty is number one, respect, and absolutely the third would have to be loyalty...

They say that experience is the teacher of all things and what better way to learn than
living and experiencing life in the good times and in the not so good times.
 Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn. 

I have come to learn that many are not really who/what they claim or appear to be.
 I have learnt that not because someone says they are your friend means they have
 good intentions towards you.  I have learnt that many people are just fake and
 that they only pretend to like each other just because it is simpler.

This I have never understood.  Why someone would pretend to like another person when
 in reality they actually hate/dislike that person.  I guess we are all at some time or another
 guilty of this.  I sometimes wish we could stop pretending we like each other and
 just accept that this is not always possible.  I wish we could be honest with each
 other and just say, "I really don't like you."  Does this make a person bad? 

Even I at times have encountered people I don't really like that much.  We all have
 that person/persons in our lives we would rather not, but again life is not
 perfect and we have to deal with what we are given in the best possible
 way we can.  I mean we just can't make them disappear:)

If  life were that simple.  My dad always said that honesty is the best policy.  Sometimes
 I think we all lack some degree of honesty.  Seems that for some it is much
better to hide behind the truth that to come straight out and say it....

As they say, "Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. 
Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."

Have a good day all and remember, "For every good reason there is to lie,
 there is a better reason to tell the truth."

Another thing I have learnt in life is that there are more good people than not.

I always want to believe in the goodness of a person.  Not many times have I been wrong.

Have a great weekend everyone.  It is Friday after all and soon it's time for a cold one as my dad says.

Another VERY warm day begins here in the Sunshine State.  Break the
 mold and make it count, and make today another ridiculously amazing day.

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. 
Actions express priorities.  What are yours?...

~Nadiya~ 

Another Good Day...

It's fun, it's fun to be with friends and have a good time....

Yesterday I had a blast once again with Liliana.  This time she came over for lunch at our place.

Brutus knows her and loves her so as soon a he heard her voice, he was all over her.

No matter how many times I tell Liliana to not bring him anything, she never listens.

Most of his toys come from her.  Yesterday he ended up with 3 more.

When Liliana comes to visit she likes her wine.  She knows her way around so well that 

she says to me, "don't worry Nadiya, I know where everything is," and she does.  This time 

I joined her with a little drink of my own.  My very own homemade Cosmo.  Not sure if I like 

the drink or the glass better.  Either way makes it so much more enjoyable in a pretty glass.

A little trip to the pool to check out what was going on and watch the boats made for a nicer time.

I enjoy cooking for those who enjoy food and Liliana loves my cooking.  Loves food period.

As always I made several dishes and whatever was leftover was hers to take home.

There was tons of leftover because I always cook more than what I know is needed.

No matter what I make, there is always chicken.  That is what I eat just about everyday.

Liliana who eats everything had a selection of pork chops, meatballs and liver.

I don't eat liver, but she seems to love it, so I made it for her to take home.

It's already Thursday.  12 more sleeps at home and then it's off to vacation land.

Destination Norway.  Looking forward to it very much.  We have not seen our second 

granddaughter as yet, so it is with great anticipation we await our arrival to Norway.

Not sure what the day holds as yet.  Lots of confusion going on right now because we are 

installing new windows in the front.  Hopefully within the next few days. Moving everything

 out of the way makes me feel as if we are moving once again.  Already the living room is

 filled with boxes.  You see our desks are right next to the window so everything on 

it and it has to be moved.  But that's the price you pay to get what you want.

Thursday begins beautifully.  It's the last day for Brutus' rest period for medicine. Tomorrow
he begins an 11 day stretch with the pill and that is officially the countdown to Norway.

A little trivia for you courtesy of my aunt:  Did you know that more than
half of the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska?

Good morning everyone.  One more day and Friday is officially here.  You know
 what that means ...weekend.  Time to make some noise as they say at the hockey games.

It's Thursday.  Let's do this.
Let the good times roll...

~Nadiya~

Today's Thought...

There can be no happiness if the things we believe in

 are different from the things we do..

And with this thought in mind, don't forget that you also need some time for yourself.

The world is busy, we are busy, but there is always room for a little quiet and down time.

We all should try to take even if it's just 5 minutes a day and just sit down and do nothing.

Yesterday I needed a little of that.  Five minutes and a cu of tea and I was all

ready to go again.  Nothing like some tea in the afternoon to soothe a person. 

Mango flavored tea was what it was.  Well not much time to spare right now.

Lots to do and not enough time, so until next time wishing you all a great day.

The happiest people are those who are too busy to notice whether they are or not...

~Nadiya~

Another Good Day....

The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. 

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us..

Almost every morning we wake up to a text from my mom wishing us a very good morning

 and a very good day.  If for whatever reason she fails to send this text, we all start

 to worry that maybe something is wrong.  Maybe she's not feeling well or 

maybe she is even sad.  We so expect to see it that when we 

don't the mornings are not complete.

This morning was no exception.  Occasionally one of us is still not completely awake, but 

otherwise we all "chat" like crazy for a few minutes, before starting our day. Love

 waking up to this "nonsense" as some might think of it. Moments that will forever

 be remembered.  This morning my sister Nirvana's response was to take a

 picture of the door sign in the hotel where she is staying. Nirvana,

 Juan and Kimsy are in Washington, DC for Kimsy's award 

ceremony that took place on Sunday at the White House.

Just "nonsense", but sure makes for a pleasant start of the day. 

The day so far started out on all positive notes.  My nephew Gabsy just texted us.

He applied for a little summer job and was just told he got the job.  Can't believe little 

Gabsy is also now a working young man.  Boy time is flying by too fast.

Little Gabsy is now a gorgeous young man with a job.  I suddenly feel 

the need to see them and I so desperately wish I could hug them right now.

Another busy day begins.  Putting everything in order before we heave for Norway.

Very stressful sometimes because I look at Brutus and his paw is still ot healed.

As always hoping for the best, and hopefully will not have to cut short my visit.

Good morning everyone.

Life is a succession of moments,

 to live each one is to succeed...

~Nadiya~

Monday Again...

It's Monday.  Don't forget to be awesome....

You know what we love about Monday mornings?  We get to Skype with our 2 grand-

daughters, Michelle and Emil.  Arvid and I look forward to this day with great anticipation

 and we are never disappointed.  Just seeing their little faces and these 

big eyes looking at us makes Monday mornings special.

So far the rest of the day was pretty much predictable.  Lots to do and even

more so because soon we will be leaving for Norway.  Taking care of our shipping

 business, and making sure everything is in order before we go.  Still have a container or two

that needs to be shipped.  Just waiting for all the merchandise to show up.  Also and very important

is to make sure we get paid for our services and to pay our debts.  Nothing worse than owing.

Today for lunch I tried something new for me.  As usual I always make 2 things.

One for Arvid one for me.  His was salmon and shrimp and for me I tried the

 crab cakes made from scratch.  They were delicious and can't wait to make them soon again.

The crab meat I got from steaming the crab legs.  Still have one left so maybe tonight.

Still lots to do so until next time.  Wishing you all a good remaining of the day.

Wake up.

Kick Ass.

Be Kind.

Repeat...

~Nadiya~

My Dad...

Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad...

It is much easier to become a father than to be one....

With this being said, a smile comes to me and I picture my dad.  My dad is not a part-time dad,

 he is always there for us even if we live hundreds of miles apart....you can say he lives to be

 our dad.  I cannot recall a time when I have needed my dad and he was not there for us....for so

 many it is so easy to become a father than to be one...but my dad takes pride in being our dad.

 He has been there through good and bad and still is.  I know that no matter when, where

 and how, if we need him he is there...for my dad family is first and always has been.

Growing up I have so many memories of him as a child.  The first 4 years of my life was 

spent with my mom and dad.  The next 5 years we were raised by my grandmother in Guyana,

 but my parents were always in my mind.  Looking for a better life for all of us, my mom

 and dad "left' us in Guyana and went to America as we called it back then.  I was only 

4 years old, but I missed them everyday and I looked forward to their yearly trips 

every Christmas always hoping we would be able to go home with them.

My favorite memories of those Christmases were not the presents nor the candy they 

brought us...it was knowing that for 14 days I would be going everywhere with my dad. 

 No matter where he went he took me with him.  He was always holding

 my hand making sure I was safe and that nothing ever happened to me...

for as long as I live I will never forget those days..

ALWAYS HAS TIME FOR US!

When we finally left Guyana to be with them, it was one of the happiest days of my 

life because you see we got to be with mom and dad EVERYDAY after that.  

We did not have much as far a money goes, but what we lacked in that 

department we made with love.  As they say a truly rich man is

 one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty...

my dad's arms are always open for us.

My dad was and still is the most liked man in the neighborhood.  He was and is kind to 

everyone he meets.  All of the little kids loved him because he would always buy

 them ice-cream from the man that came in the bus.  The grown ups love him 

because he is Mr. Friendly.  Making friends is just his nature...a quality I 

believe all of his 5 kids have inherited....and it seems his grand kids as well. 

Being a parent is not an easy job...I have no kids, but I see my sisters, friends, parents

 and others and I realize that it takes lots of work and sacrifice and even so you never

 know how they will turn out.  Fortunately, we turned out OK even if I may say so.

 For me Father's Day is everyday, but on this special day dedicated only for dads I would

 like to wish my dad a very happy Father's Day.  Daddy, I love you and I want you to

 know that I never take you for granted.  From little you taught us to be kind, and 

respectful to everyone....no matter who they are... a quality I find very lacking

 in today's younger generation.  You were very strict on us when we were little

 and today I am thankful for that as are Nina, Nirvan, Mala and Rima....

Looking forward to many, many more Father's Day...

I love you daddy.  I found this poem and thought of you....

What Is A Dad

A dad is someone who

wants to catch you before you fall

but instead picks you up,

brushes you off,

and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who

wants to keep you from making mistakes

but instead lets you find your own way,

even though his heart breaks in silence

when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who

holds you when you cry,

scolds you when you break the rules,

shines with pride when you succeed,

and has faith in you even when you fail...

THAT'S MY DAD...

I've had a hard life, but my hardships are nothing against the

 hardships that my father went through in order to get me to where I started...

~Nadiya~

Loving Life...

Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: 

"What! You too? I thought that no one but myself...

Yesterday morning found me having breakfast with Liliana.  As usual we had a very good time.

Both of us were able to do some venting off, and to catch up on what's going on in each

 other's life.  Though we live so close to each other, we are both very busy and

 are not always able to get together that often, so when we do we 

really make the most of it.  As always we had a great time.

The afternoon found Arvid enjoying a Friday outing with "the guys"  As he always
tells me, just come in with us.  They would all enjoy talking to you, but the truth
is this is a guys thing and I am more than happy to spend a few hours
on my own.  I don't mind go with them and picking them up, but
so far I have tried to not go into these gatherings with them.

I am making the most of my Blackhawks tee-shirt.  Wearing it as much as possible
in the next few days.  Of course that means lots of hand washing, but worth it.

Today no plans as of yet.  Yesterday we had plans of going out to listen to music, but
like I always say with us plans are made in the spur of the moment and in the spur
 or a moment they are also unmade.  Even so we enjoyed the company of
good friends.  Was definitely a good evening all together.

Good morning everyone.  Once again we had plans and once again they have
suddenly been put on hold.  Life is good.  We are happy and that's what matters.
The other night we saw the movie Spy.  Was pretty funny.  Love going to the movies.

Remember, happiness, not in another place but this place,
not for another hour, but this hour.  Happy Saturday Amigos.

If there's one thing I learned, it's that nobody is here forever.
 You have to live for the moment, each and every day . . . the here, the now...

~Nadiya~

No Matter What...There Is Always Something Good...

Pain can change you, but it doesn't mean it has to be a bad change.

Take that pain and turn it into wisdom..

My body has gone through many changes in the last year and a half.  None that I like, but as 

you know we don't live in a perfect world so we do the best we can and we always try

 to make the best of whatever situation comes up.  For me dealing with the

 weight gain is something that is just at times overwhelming.

I don't recognize myself at times.  My clothes don't fit and I just always feel FAT!

 I am working very very hard to deal with, and doing as much as I can to help

 with the weight gain.  Every little thing counts.  Just have to give it time.

Recently I have been having another kind of issue to deal with.  My feet, mainly my 

heels hurt like crazy.  I have been trying all types of shoes but in the long run nothing works.

Yesterday I decided once and for all to go to the Walking Company.  They sell all 

sorts of shoes for problem feet like mine.  Only thing is that they are not 

really pretty.  After all this pain, the decision was fairly easy.

Just like when we bought the Sleep Number Mattress,  my feet were measured, and

the arches were analyzed.  Turns out the arches on my feet according to the girl, were collapsing.  

I had no arches.  Either it was a sales tactic or the truth, but with all the pain I have been 

experiencing I will agree that the arches on my feet were almost non-existent.

Let's just say that I am now the owner of a few "comfort shoes."  Let's also say

that these shoes are not in the least attractive, but hopefully in a few days the pain on my

 heels will be less.  As I was walking around with one of the shoes I fell straight to the ground.

Not sure why, but next thing you know I was flat down.  The thing is it hurt like hell.

Had to sit in the store for at least a half hour.  The salesgirl started to get worried

 and asked if she should call and ambulance.  I looked at her and said, 

"if I were laying down flat half dead ye should.  If I were bleeding to

 death also you should, but for a simple fall and

 bruise I don't think there is a need for it."

The afternoon did have a pleasant ending.  When Arvid heard I was hurt he

 rushed to my side and said, "let me take you out to lunch."  PF Chang's it was.

Friday already.  Brutus still on break from his pill.  Paw still not healed, but life is good. 

 The sun is shining.  Hot as hell, but a very beautiful day awaits us. Breakfast 

with Liliana as well.  Yes looking forward to all of it.

To all a very good day. 

 Remember there is always something to be grateful for,

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. 

Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like...

~Nadiya~

It's Called Life...

Life is like riding a bicycle.  

To keep your balance you must keep moving...

For "older" people my mom and dad seem to be more active than ever.  When we were

growing up money was scarce and all they did was work and make sure we were 

taken care of.  Time for themselves was not something they had. Today I believe

 they are busier than Arvid and I.  They are constantly on the move.

Mom, Lilly and Rima

Now that we are all older, they can do what they have always wanted to do,

but gave up because...well 5 daughters is not an easy chore. 

In the last 10 days my parents have visited Philadelphia, where Nina and family live.

From there they went to New York for a big party, celebrating my aunts 50th 

wedding anniversary.They "partied" on for a few days and afterwards

got into the car again and drove to Virginia to visit

another sister.  Rima and her gang.  

Last night Rima sent me a picture of them relaxing and being watched by Marley.

Marley is the big black Labrador you see there.  Don't let his size fool you.

  Marley is gentle.  Looking at them right now makes me miss them terribly.

  Sometimes I wish they still lived in Florida, close to us.  

Already Thursday morning.  Already all the plans we had made as of last night have 

suddenly changed.  Happens all the time in our line of work. As Arvid says, 

"we have to be flexible."  Does not always make me happy, but it's what we do for a living.

Good morning from beautiful Fort Lauderdale.  The sun is shining and life is

good.  If things don't go our way we always make the most of what we have and enjoy life.

If you want something you've never had then you have  to do something you've never done.

Every story has an end, but in life every end is just a new beginning....

~Nadiya~

New Day..New Possibilities...

Eventually I plan to seize the day.  Right now I'm just pacing myself.

Happy Wednesday...

The first thing I do when I wake up is look and see where Brutus is. Most mornings

he is laying in bed right next to either Arvid or I.  Not so today.  He was with us

in the wee hours but when I woke up, I found him on his "sunbed"  He is still 

 on it.  Brutus has lots of beds.  Like way too many.  He is very spoilt.

Even as he lays there, he is constantly keeping an eye on me.  You see it is at this time 

everyday that he has medicines, but lucky him and us, yesterday was day 10 for his 

pills so today begins a little rest period.  Paw still not healed, but since his white

 blood cell count is low the vet wants to have a look at him again this week. 

 Another set of blood work will be done to him.  So far for this will be the 3rd set of 

blood work in less than 2 months.  Not only is it extremely expensive, but it is

 also very stressful on Brutus and on us.  Always hoping for the best.

It's getting nearer and nearer out departure to go to Norway.  Having 2 

grand-daughters is an extremely strong pull and not having seen little Vanessa as yet

makes it even more appealing.  Yes I look forward to seeing everyone, but I am also very stressed

knowing that Brutus is not better.  Brutus will be needing medication, and knowing that most likely

no one will be able to give it to him.  Does this sound like a good stress free time to you?

Good morning everyone.  Lots to do today so best is to get busy.

People tend to complicate their own lives, 

as if living weren't already complicated enough...

~Nadiya~

Chicago Blackhawks Win...

Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit....

My niece Kimsy turned 18 years old yesterday.

 She has been in Europe since May 31st.  She started off flying to London.  Hopped on a

 ship for a 12 day European cruise and for the next week she is touring Germany with her dad. 

Tuesday morning already and it is looking really good.  The sun is shining.

The birds are chirping, Brutus' paw is looking a little better and I woke up smiling. 

Making this even a more perfect day it the fact thatt the Chicago Blackhawks won the
Stanley Cup.  This is now their 3rd win in 6 years.  To use a quote by a New York Rangers fan:

"As a NY resident and Rangers fan, I am totally jealous at how ALL OUT
Chicago goes to support the Blackhawks!  You guys really know how to show team
pride and put other cities to shame!  NY does it for the Rangers, but it's not on this scale...not
even close...Hoping you guys pull it off in Game 6!  Let's go Blackhawks!"

Blackhawks   (check the link to see how they do it in Chicago.  Simply AMAZING)

I will be the first to tell you that I have never seen anything like this either.  The entire
city of Chicago is just all Blackhawks.  Yesterday on FB I saw a man take his pet to the vet Brutus
used to go to.  Well look how they were both dressed.  Now I wish we were in Chicago.

On the other hand, gives Arvid and I a reason to celebrate this weekend.
It's not like we need one, but always nice when we have one and what better than this?

Good morning everyone.  It's another beautiful day to be alive and to be smiling.

Real women love hockey.  Smart women love the Hawks.
Players win games.  Teams win Championships.
Winning isn't everything.  It's the only thing...

~Nadiya~