Tuesday May 12th~

Always be a first version of yourself and

 not a second rate version of someone else...

 The other day at the grocery store's parking lot.  

I really think this person is trying to make some 

kind of a statement. The question is what kind of

 statement.  I found it worthwhile to take a picture 

because I have not seen any car this dirty so far.

Yesterday we had a fairly busy morning, 

but after that the day got a little calmer. We 

had lunch at home; it was good to eat at home 

after eating out soMany days. For myself I made 

chicken curry with rice and a cucumber salad.

For Arvid I made salmon in a mushroom

 and pineapple sauce. Arvid loves pineapple

 in his food. He also had a salad and rice.

There was soccer and then after cleaning up I

 had a little time to just relax. Sniff is once again 

being difficult with his food. He’s not eating

 and that as you can imagine, stresses me.

After the game we went for a walk.  I was very

 surprised and extremely happy that I was able to

 walk without extreme pain.  We walked for over an

 hour, with a few stops to look around.  Always

 a thing or two that catches our attention.  

For Arvid it's the homes on the water.  For me 

it's the wildlife everywhere.  It was a good walk. 

 We saw lots of geralds (groundhogs), rabbits, 

squirrels and birds.  Made for a happy outing.

 We even saw an orange kitty roaming around.

Morning is here and we have a few things to do.

  Sniff and I are up very early.  Arvid still has a 

few hours of beauty sleep to catch up with.

On a different note, American Idol crowned their 

season 24 winner last night.  Hannah Harper is from

 Missouri. Just about two hours away from Branson.

 She's good, but was not my first choice.  My vote

 went to the runner up, Jordan.  The song that 

 made her a winner.  It started with like this:

Hannah-harper-string-cheese-lyrics

Another sunrise to be grateful for.  Bit on the cooler 

start of the day, but always blue skies and sunny.

Each day holds a surprise. But 

only if we expect it can we see, hear,

 or feel it when it comes to us."

~Nadiya~

Monday May 11th~

 Life is not about how hard a hit you
 can give.. it's about how many you can 
take, and still keep moving forward

The new week sees all of us in Branson.  We 

have had some some very good days. Yesterday 

was a bit on the gloomy side in the afternoon, but 

our day was good. I even made a new friend.

Because it was going to rain (and it did)

 at the time we usually go out for our Sunday

 outing, we chose to go to a different place.  Indoors,

 but by the lake.  I read the reviews and I saw pictures

 of the place and it looked really nice.  So we decided 

to go.  It was not exactly what we expected, but our 

food was very good and we saw the last bit of the

 Barcelona vs Real Madrid game.  It was good.

As the new week begins, I’m not exactly 

sure what our plans are. We have so much in 

the works, I just hope we can delegate some

 of it to others. We have traded for a house in 

North Dakota. Never seen this house.  Only

 from pictures. It does require some cleaning. 

 Like I told Arvid, if we  can find someone to 

do the cleaning then we won’t have to do the

 almost 16 hour drive to clean it out. I’m not 

looking forward to that drive nor to the cleaning.

 Fingers crossed we can find someone to do it.

Sniff is adjusting very well. He always 

does so good when traveling from place to 

place. Much better than our Brutus did.

Yesterday I finally saw Charlie. The grey kitty 

I fed last summer. She has a home but loves to

 roam all day long. She was on a vacation with

 Dave her human daddy and Jackson, the doggie. 

 When I saw her come out of the car I called 

her, and she ran towards me. I’m so happy.

 I have already seen my Gerald as well.  

Many birds and squirrels.  Branson is alive 

with wildlife. Sadly I have also seen many

 dead animals on the road. Makes me sad.

Last night we had a meetup at Star Bar with

 friends. Sadly there was Karaoke. Not our favorite 

venue, and it makes for a difficult time having a 

conversation.  We had yummy drinks no did a review

 on Google and brought home a coffee mug. Soon I 

will also get the Star Bar signature  mason jar.  

Yeah, small things like this get me excited.

Star Bar never disappoints as far as there cocktails

 go.  I have never had one that was not to my liking.

 Matthew the bartender can make anything.  I have 

seen many ask for things I have never heard of and

 Matthew just whips it up.  Mine are always the 

same. Not boring, but not adventurous either. 

Wishing everyone a good day.  A happy and 

productive new week.  Enjoying my cafe in 

my Star Bar coffee mug and smiling.

Be like water, my friend," to flow around 

obstacles, and stressing the importance of using what 

works, discarding the rest, and adding your own essence, 

all while focusing on inner growth, real-life

 application, and living authentically...

~Nadiya~

Sunday May 10th~

If you love life, don't waste time,

 for time is what life is made up of...

 Yesterday was just another very good day for us. 

For starters we are having the best weather possible. 

Blue skies, sunny jet when you’re by the water

 there is a coolness in the air. Loving it.

Arvid as always had a few soccer games to

 watch in the morning and early afternoon hours. 

 He watches a lot of soccer.  I took that at time 

to go to Almost Home and see a few friends.

 I was specifically going to see one of our

 previous tenants, she still lives there  going on to 

12 years. She’s going through a really rough time and

 I told Arvid that I would like for us to help her out. 

 So I made arrangements, met with her, and hopefully

 with our help she can breathe a little easier. Life is not 

easy for so many. Definitely not for her right now. 

While at Almost Home I also met up with 

several other tenants. Yeah they were our tenants 

as well when we ran Almost Home. It was really good

 to talk to all of them.  I laughed quite a bit with the

 stories of one of the guys.  Arvid and I had taken him 

out for drinks when we were there and I want to do it 

again soon. He makes us laugh with his stories.  

After that I came home. Arvid’s games were still

 going on.  After his game I took him out to dinner to 

the place of my choice.  We went to Capone’s Speakeasy. 

 Definitely the best steak I have ever eaten.  It just

 melts in your mouth. I have been dreaming of 

this steak since we left Branson last year.

After Capone's we went to Branson Landing. 

 The day was just too beautiful to not be outdoors. 

 Nowhere better than the Landing.  On the lake, good 

views, boats passing by and obviously great drinks. 

 Any place that carries Landshark beer is a winner

 for Arvid, but if you also have the views and ambiance

 to go with it, it's the place for us.  Such is LandShark

 Margaritaville at Branson Landing. It's our for great 

outings place.  When you know, you know. 

Whenever we are by anyplace on the water 

Arvid gets this itch to buy a place on the lake. 

 That itch goes away within a few weeks when 

practicality and reason kicks in, but for those few

 weeks, boy is he busy on his quest for that place.

  Life with Arvid, always interesting. Always busy.

Back home it was relaxed time with Sniff and a

 movie on Netflix. The day was very good.  My

first 2 days in Branson so far have been better than

 I expected.  Life is good right now.  Even though 

there are things going on under the surface (medical) 

I will take happiness right now.  It feels very good.

A good day to all, and to all a Happy Mother's Day.  

Especially to my mom and my four sisters.

To the world you are a mother, but to 

your family you are the world. A mother's 

love is the first home we ever know...

~Nadiya~

Saturday May 9th~

Embrace the glorious mess that you are

 and remember, You are your best thing...

 Sniff and I made it safely to Branson.  Sniff was 

so good in the plane.  He hardly uttered a sound.  I was 

so surprised, but happy. When travelling with a pet one

 has to make the line to check in.  It took us two hours

 to just check in.  The airport was packed.  Hundreds 

and hundreds of people in tiny Punta Gorda Airport.

I was awake at 1:30 in the morning just to make 

sure Sniff did not suspect anything, that he ate and 

used the litter pan before we got into the Uber.  Sniff 

ate, and used the litter.  He's a really good boy. 

Once Arvid picked us up, he got very excited

 but was quiet throughout the remainder of 

the ride home.  As soon as we got home, Sniff

 wanted foodies.  He ate and within minutes he

 also used the litter pan again. Best lil boy.

Both Sniff and I were so tired. All we wanted to

 do was just have something to eat and collapse in

 bed. Arvid and I went out for lunch and once we got 

home all I wanted to do was absolutely nothing.

Within a few hours we look at each other and Arvid 

says to me,”I ran out of things to do.  What shall 

we do?”  Now I was even more tired. I said to him,

"how about we go out and meet up with Roger?”

  At that same moment Roget called Arvid to see

 if we were coming at the usual hangout.  Within 

minutes I got dressed again and off we went.  

I only stayed out an hour, came back home 

showered and laid down in bed.  Arvid stayed ou

t a little longer with Roger and some others. 

Sniff in the meantime made himself at home 

revisiting his favorite spots.  He sure remembers 

all his places. He enjoyed his first day stalking

 birds and just running up and down the steps. 

It was a perfect first day for Sniff and I 

back in Branson. The weather is just perfect. I

 can tell this will be a great summer in Branson. 

We already have plans to do a few things.  

The morning began beautifully with birds for Sniff 

and I.  We even saw our first cardinal.  Definitely

 as my mom said, "a good sign."  To all a happy day.

Life isn't as serious as

 the mind makes it out to be...

~Nadiya~

Friday May 8th~

As we count up the memories from 

one journey, we head off on another...

 Sniff and I are awake very early.  We have an 

early start and a lot to do.  Today we go to Branson.

  Arvid has already been there for a week, but due 

to several doctors appointments, we could not 

go with him.  Sniff always goes with me.

We woke up to a quiet and peaceful morning. 

 Peaceful until I try to get Sniff in his cat carrier. That

 in itself is a job.  Just have to give myself a lot of extra

 time for this.  Sniff is not easy to get in the carrier.

Travelling with Sniff is not as easy as it was.  He's now

 a little more difficult and if I am lucky he may not howl the

 entire trip.  That has become the norm. Only happens when

 we are in the plane, otherwise he is a well behaved kitty.

Sniff has been sniffing his carrier for days now.  

He knows something is going on, and he sure isn't 

 happy about it.  Soon time to battle with him.

To all a very good day.  Not exactly excited about

 the next few hours with Sniff in a plane, but looking 

forward to being home with Arvid.  We have missed him,

 at the same time I have really enjoyed my time alone.

Yesterday I was hoping to see Legacy before leaving.

  I went in the morning and afternoon.  She was not 

there, but in the afternoon I saw Newbie again.  They

 have food so they should be all right.  Yesterday I 

bought a lot of food both wet and dry for all the 

kitties and left it with Abe.  Abe also feeds them.

Being comfortable on your own is a superpower...

~Nadiya~

Thursday May 7th~

Go where you feel most alive.  Take 

only memories, leave only footprints...

 Sniff definitely knows that something is happening 

soon.  The suitcase has been out for a week now.  Just to

 get him used to it and to know that we are not leaving 

him alone.  Not sure he believes me. The other day I 

looked everywhere for him, could not find him.  I 

opened the suitcase to put something in it and 

there he was.  Napping so very peacefully in it.

My relaxed time is coming to an end for now.  Once 

we get to Branson I know Arvid has a lot going on and if 

all goes according to plans, we are going to be very busy 

in May.  I know he already made plans for us to meet 

with Russell and his girlfriend. I know Russell, but 

have not make Kate as yet. Looking forward to it.

Yesterday I spent the day with mom.  After my

 doctor's appointment mom came to our condo and 

from there we took off.  We started off with a

 little Cuban cafe con leche and goodies.

After that we took a little trip to the mall.  There 

was really not much we wanted, but always good 

to walk around a bit.  Browsing is as much fun as

 anything else. I enjoyed the time with mom.

After the mall I took her out to lunch at my 

favorite Indian restaurant.  So happens she and dad 

also like it there.  The food never disappoints. Dad

 is still in New York and will return later today.

The funeral for my cousin was on Tuesday. 

 Like everything these day, it was streaming live. 

I have never seen so much grief in one room.

  I felt it, and just could not stop myself from being

 engulfed in the grief as well.  I cried for a cousin

 I never met. I cried for a family, my family broken

 from so much heartbreak in such a short time. 

 I cried for me because right now I am also 

unsure as to what is happening with my thyroid

 cancer situation.  I cried because a beautiful

 19 year old, full of life is no longer here.

Mothers and daughters together are

 a powerful force to be reckoned with...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday May 6th~

Sometimes good things fall apart

 so better things can fall together...

 Yesterday before going to the doctor I drove by Legacy.

  I was so happy.  I saw that she was eating.  Yes, Cindy

 from our building gives her food every morning, but it 

just made me happy to see her.  I took a few pictures of

 her and left.  On my way back from the doctor I once 

again stopped by Legacy.  Of course I knew she won't 

be there, but I cleaned up the area and left fresh water.

I saw my endocrinologist, but as of right now I do 

not know where I stand in regards to my Thyroid Cancer

 situation.  My doctor said, "your body is not responding

 to the treatment."  She has requested to see me again in 3

 months rather than 6.  Once again I will be going through

 labs and another neck ultrasound among other things. 

Depending on the results, I may or may not need

 to do a biopsy.  Time will tell.  I was feeling a little down 

yesterday because Cancer has taken the lives of so many

 in our family.  Also it has really wrecked havoc in the lives

 of many friends.  So yeah, for a change I was angry.

I came home and went to lunch with Gail.  She

 chose the place and once again she drove. We 

had more time to chat yesterday and it was very

 good.  We both got a lot off our shoulders.

I ended the day mentally exhausted, but in many 

ways it was a good day.  Friendship does not go away,

 and sometimes just hearing a friends voice makes 

everything seem better.  Yesterday after a very long

 "break" I spoke to my best friend again.  Things happen, 

but true friendship will always find its way back.

Another busy morning here.  Soon heading out 

again to another doctors appointment.  Hopefully 

this one will give me better news/outlook.

The most memorable people in life will be the people

 who loved you when you weren't very lovable...

~Nadiya~