Going Home ~t

When you love what you have,
 you have everything you need...

The day is here when we go back home to Sniff.
I have to say I have enjoyed being in the cold weather again.
  Did not bother me one bit, but it is sure good to be going
 back to the warmth of the Sunshine State.

Can't wait to see Sniff.  To pick him up and give
him lots of love.  He hates being picked up, but I do
it all the time.  One day he is going to love it.

For now it's goodbye Chicago until summer.  Then Sniff
 will be coming with us and everything will be better.
 He makes our life complete.  The way Brutus did.

 Yes, I miss Brutus a lot.   Wish he was here with
Arvid, Sniff and I.  He will always be my baby.



Live for the moments you can't put into words...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday ~

The secret of having it all is knowing you already do...

Soon going home. Always happy for that.  

No matter where we go, I always look forward

to being home.  Home where the 3 of us belong.

Chicago has been fun. Cold but as mentioned before,

 I love it.  I enjoy walking in the cold and yes feeling

 to very cold air on my face.  Luckily I kept my winter 

boots here. Kept my feet always nice and toasty.  

Arvid has his as well.  I am EXTREMELY surprised

 that Arvid did not complain too much about the cold. 

All he said was “it’s very cold.”  Usually he 

would complain about it all day long.

Yesterday was cleaning day.  Loads of laundry to do.  

I actually enjoy doing laundry I get to be on my 

own for at least an hour or two.  Arvid insists

 on helping, but it’s not his favorite chore.

This afternoon a little trip out for lunch and some

 more shopping.  Arvid did a little shopping yesterday. 

Today looking for some stuff for the apartment.  

I’m all set and ready to see Sniff.  He’s doing good,

 but I know he is also looking forward to us coming home 

soon.  Can’t wait.  I’ve missed him so much and this was 

only a week.  Imagine when we leave this

 summer for almost 3 weeks.  

Can’t think about that right now.  Hated to leave 

Brutus and now I hate to leave Sniff.  These little fur 

babies sure have a way of inserting themselves into our

 lives and our hearts.  So happy and grateful for that.

Wishing everyone a great day ahead.

Soon we will be seeing Sniff.  Happy.

Grateful today for all the things I usually take

 for granted. The most beautiful way to start 

and end the day is with a grateful heart...

~Nadiya~

Beautiful Views ~

The good life is a process, not a state of being.

 It is a direction not a destination...

Sunsets from our balcony.  Even though it's cold, I just can't

 seem to resist going out and taking a few pictures. 

Sunrise from the balcony.  I am really enjoying the views,

 but I would rather be home with Sniff.  I miss him very much.

Our walks are always interesting and fun. 

 Be it winter or summer always something to see.

30 degrees F (5C) this is on a warm day, and you still 

find outdoor dining in the city and as if that was not COLD,

 there are lines of hundreds of people waiting to go in.  

This is everyday winter and summer.  And yes, 

I have eaten there with a friend and we also waited

 close to an hour to be seated.  It was an experience.

Chicago has a lot going for it, but somehow I am not

 too into being away from home anymore.  I think I am just 

tired of always moving around.  Now I want to be in one place. 

  Arvid and I were thinking of going to Punta Cana,

 but suddenly I do not wish to go anymore.

I am happy with our life and grateful for all the 

things we do.  As Arvid says, "we have worked hard

 enough to be able to enjoy life and do as we please."  

Guess he's right, but all I want is to go home.  

Wishing everyone a beautiful day and 

hope your week is going well so far.

The more you are positive and say, 'I want to have 

a good life,' the more you build that reality for 

yourself by creating the life that you want...

~Nadiya~

Chicago Life ~

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn

 or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of

 living every minute with love, grace and gratitude...

The last days we have been  having an adventure in
Chicago.  Yes it's cold, but we have all our winter clothes we 

brought from Branson so it will be a breeze.  Mostly for me.

Sniff will be coming with us in June.  He will be cared for by 

the same family that took care of him in 2016.  Anna, who was then 

a little girl loved him then and looks forward to seeing him again.

  Brutus has never lived in this apartment.  It's all Sniff's.

Hello everyone.  Remember, this is a wonderful day.

We have never seen it before.  Let's make the most of it.
Below is the beginning of the sunset from our balcony.

Yesterday we had snow flurries.  Someone said,
kindness is like snow.  It beautifies everything it covers.

Expect nothing and appreciate everything...

~Nadiya~

St. Patrick"s Day In Chicago ~

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more.

And nothing but happiness comes through your door...

Yesterday I went out early for a walk to be part of 

the St Patrick’s day celebrations that were and is still going on. 

 It was cold 31F,  so I bundled up pretty good.  Luckily it was

 very sunny and before you knew it I was getting warm. 

 Many were in shorts!  Yes shorts. Crazy!

The people. The parade. The life that is this city reminded 

me why we love Chicago so much.  Arvid stayed in to

 watch a soccer game. I just wanted to be out. See the 

river and experience everything taking place.

I loved walking in the cold and brisk air.  Reminded me

 of being in Branson. I had the best time.  Everyone was 

happy and just having the best of times.  The weather did

not seem to matter at all.  Was fun to see and experience.

Arvid and I had our share of being Irish as well.  Later 

on in the day we went to and Irish Pub.  The beer

 was green and everyone was very happy.  

It felt great to experience all of this in the city we love

 so much.  I secretly believe Arvid loves Chicago more than 

any other place.  Too bad it's so cold in the winter time.

So far we have been having a great time.  It is definitely cold.  

I am so enjoying it, but I know Arvid is cold even though 

he is not mentioning it too much.  Unusual for him.  

It just goes to show how much he loves it here.

Good morning everyone.  The celebration continues today.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend and making 

lasting memories.  To all Happy St. Patrick's Day.

I've always thought you have to believe in luck to get it.

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light.

May good luck pursue you each morning and night...

~Nadiya~

Cold Chicago Days ~

It was one of those March days when the sun 

shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is 

summer in the light, and winter in the shade...

Arvid is as happy as can be.  Says he’s on vacation,

 even though we have been working continuously.

We did not realize there was still quite a lot to do to

make the apartment safe and ready for Sniff.

Before we leave it will all be ready for him.  

Still some things to do, but at least safe for him.

I love the city, but I don’t believe I am as excited 

about it anymore as Arvid is.  I prefer being 

in one location now.  Going away on

vacation every now and again is OK.

No denying it we have a beautiful apartment.

 The views are amazing be it day or night, but I rather
 be home with Sniff.  Home where I know where everything
 is.  Where I have my car and can take off whenever I
 want, and go wherever I like.  Chicago is beautiful,
and very cold right now; there is no denying that.

As a new day begins I have to say I am looking

forward to seeing what it holds.  Yes there is always

something going on and something to do.

I love being here and we are enjoying everything the
city has to offer.  I guess it’s not completely home

as yet because Sniff is missing.  Once he’s here with
 us it will be different.  I miss the little dude a lot.

Good morning all.  Wishing you all a great St. Patrick's
 day weekend.  One thing I know for sure, it is going to be a very
cold day here in Chicago. Yes, that's ice you see in the lake.



To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake 
it is necessary to stand out in the cold...

~Nadiya~

Greetings From Chicago ~

I'd rather live a life filled with challenges, 
rather than a life filled with routine...

Even in winter Chicago has its charm. 

 Definitely our favorite city of all times. The snow on
the lake is melting.  Though very windy, surprisingly the first
few days were not that cold.  Come today that changes.  

Landing in Chicago.  Picture not taken by me.

The Bean.  A must see be it summer or winter. 

It's a very cold day here, but we're in Chicago so that's all that matters. 

 Of course Arvid will soon start to groan about the cold, but Arvid is Arvid.

Greetings to all.  We are here and I can't wait to experience

 our first winter in Chicago.  Even if only for a week.  They say it's 

harsh, guess we will be finding out more  in the next few days.

What good is the warmth of summer,
 without the cold of winter to give it its sweetness..

~Nadiya~

Back To Chicago ~

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now.
 Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you 
happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you
 have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. 
Every minute should be enjoyed and savored...

I have always wanted to be in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day. 

 When I mentioned it to Arvid a few months ago he was

 all for it.  We knew it was going to be cold, but that was 

not going to stop us. Hopefully Arvid will be able to

 handle the frigid cold Chicago is experiencing.

With Arvid you never know.  The man is cold here in Florida, 

so you can imagine how he is going to be in Chicago.  His saving
 grace is he and I both love the city.  We have been looking 

forward to this for months now and finally the day is here.

I am most interested in seeing the River flowing in green. 

Definitely will be amazing to see it live rather than just

 from pictures on the Internet.  Either way its gorgeous.

Looking forward very much to this week in Chicago. Time to
 do some cleaning up to the apartment and make it ready
for Sniff.  In just a few months Chicago will be home again
 for the summer. This time around Arvid is happiest.

Wishing everyone a happy day, and may we always
 remember, it's all about quality of life and finding a
 happy balance between work and friends and family.

Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive...

~Nadiya~

Hello Tuesday ~

Life is really simple, but we 

insist on making it complicated...

Our week began on a real positive vibe.  Between running 

around, we also took some time to have lunch with some friends. 

 A little business, and a lot of pleasure.  Always nice to hang

 out with friends whenever possible.  The fact that we are also 

listing their house made it  sort of a “business” lunch.

We were heading to our favorite place for chicken wings, 

but just our luck they are closed on Mondays.

No problem there.  Bokampers is right next door and that’s 

where we headed.  Food was good and between bites, we took

 care of business and got caught up with some other stuff.

Another busy day awaits us.  Why is it anytime we 

have to go on a trip the unexpected has to happen? 

 Is this the case with anyone else?  I's sure it is.

Tomorrow we leave for Chicago.  Finally the day

 we have been waiting for so long is here.  Seems like the

 perfect time for a getaway.  Unfortunately, when we got

 the tickets we did not anticipate it being as cold

 as it is right now.  Just have to dress for it!

Sniff will be cared for by Gladys.  She’s so good with him,

 and he loves her.  Sniff loves everyone.  He’s super friendly.

  Gladys comes in 2 times a day. Could not be any better. 

 As long as Sniff is well cared for, that's what matters.

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Hope for

 you it’s as good as it looks for us!

I may not have gone where I intended to go, 

but I think I have ended up where I needed to be...

~Nadiya~

New Week Here ~

It's Monday, set the tone for this week with a good workout,

 and a healthy meal.  Your goals are met with small daily choices... 

Monday again.  March is zooming by us, and still so much

 to do. As the new week begins, I hope everyone is doing well 

and you are all set and ready to face the new day/week.

As always we had a very good Sunday. It was peaceful, relaxing,

 good food, and great ambiance.  Makes up for our our hectic days.

Sniff is a happy little dude.  Last night he made so much 

commotion in the bedroom, he woke Arvid up several times.  

Add to that he, was just running like crazy all over the place

 and across the bedroom.  Arvid was very worried Sniff would

 injure him.  I just slept even though Sniff was racing around us.

Good morning everyone.  Remember, anything's 

 possible if you've got enough nerve.

Finding your passion isn't about careers and 

money. It's about your authentic self .  The one 

you've buried beneath others needs...

~Nadiya~