Hello Sunday ~ FunDay ~

When life gives you someone very special,
 you don't have to dream anymore...

Soccer is back in full swing.  This means Arvid has to 

plan his  agenda in between the games.  Everything is well 

planned out and thought out.  That's Arvid, always organized, 

definitely making sure nothing messes with his games.

His Sunday calls are scheduled so that they coincide

 when there is a break.  Breakfast is scheduled in the

 other break, and then it's a rush to make sure all 

is ready just minutes before the break starts.

Sniff and I just watch him and stay amazed.  The man

 is one of a kind and not always in the best of ways.  

His actions are at times pretty erratic and we just

 step aside to make sure we don't get trampled.

Yesterday was a pretty sunny and warm day. 

 We made the most of it by going out and having a 

few of our favorites.  lt is was the best of times.  Little

 things.  It's what makes this life so interesting.

Arvid's soccer break is over.  During his next break
 we have breakfast.  Sundays so "special"

It's all the little moments that make life a big adventure...

~Nadiya~

Life ~

The more you are thankful, the more 

you attract things to be thankful for...

Arvid is most happy when he listens to music.

 Here in Chicago that happens so very often. 

 No matter where you go, there is always someone

 playing on the sidewalk.  The other day at 

the Fresh market was no exception.

  After we got what we needed, mainly Arvid's 

bread and some goodies for me, we had to take some

 time out and listen to the music.  Yes, there was a guy 

playing, and we have seen him around at different 

corners of the city playing.  Arvid recognized

 the music and of course was drawn to it.

Here at home Arvid and Sniff have a very
 good time together.  Sniff talks and Arvid does.
 When Sniff "talks" Arvid starts to play with him.
I think that the one being played is Arvid,
 but he does not mind.  He likes it.

Saturday started out beautifully, and then just
like that something changed.  I saw a video a Brutus
 and Shadow and suddenly I'm not feeling so good.

I won't use the word depressed, but not sure what
 else to call this feeling that is swallowing me up right now.
 Of course there is also the guilt because Sniff was
 right next to me when the tears came.

 Life sometimes is not always exactly as we wish
 it to be, but on the on other hand, as they say the things
 we take for granted someone else is praying for.

I know it's going to be a good day, just have to
wait out the sadness that has come over me.  It passes.
 I know because it happens every once in a while.
  Time to think of other things and to get busy.

Wishing everyone a day of happiness and contentment.
  Remember even though we sometimes we let our
thoughts wander and take us back to the past,
it's also important that we do not stay there.

I just close my eyes because I might seer your face.
  I just close my mouth because I might hear your voice. 
 I just close my ears because I might hear of you, but
 I could not close my heart because I love you...

~Nadiya~

Friday ~

No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.

You can only make a difference by being different...

What a difference a few hours made.  Yesterday we

 woke up to a city covered in fog.  A few hours later as 

we were heading out to lunch, it was all cleared away.

One thing about the city, you can never really predict the weather.

After lunch, we checked out a new little cafe that just opened up.  

Of course I had to try their latte.  Very delicious I might add.

We ended our evening with a little trip to the hot tub.

It is six in the morning.  Sniff and I are awake.  

There is rain, thunder and lightning.  Sniff is a little 

scared, so he is staying very close to me.  He's already 

been brushed and fed.  In that order.  Arvid is sound asleep 

so we are just going to relax and enjoy the morning. 

Today my sister Nirvana and nephew Sachin

 both have birthdays.  A special day for our family.  Happy

 birthday to Nirvana who is in Puerto Rico and to Sachin 

who lives in Vermont.  Know that you both are loved.

Not sure what our plans are for today, but it's

 Friday so you never know.  The fog is still around, 

but a little better this morning than it was yesterday

Friday the 13th is still better than Monday the whatever.

You don't stay happy forever. You don't stay sad forever. 

Life is short, and if we enjoy every moment of every day, then 

we will be happy no matter what happens or what changes

 along the way. Success and happiness lies in us...

~Nadiya~

Hello Thursday ~

If the only prayer you ever say in your 
entire life is thank you, it will be enough...

We woke up to this.  For a little not bad, but hope it clears up soon.

These two have a special  time together.  Sniff is a

 "talker" but mostly with Arvid.  With me he's quiet and 

"reserved"  Always fun to see what happens.  Occasionally

 when Sniff is in a playful mood he will try to bite, Arvid

does get a little worried.  Sniff just plays that way.

Some days Sniff just seems to stare up in the ceiling for

 hours.  Even though I have looked and looked there is 

nothing visible to me that would keep him so captivated.

Our daily walks almost always lead us to the duckies.

  I buy food for them and as Arvid feeds then I take pictures. 

 There are so many, it's  impossible to get them all, but I usually

have lots of food so we do manage to feed many of them.

The days are warmer right now. A so called

 heat wave the city is having.  Arvid happy again and I 

am longing for the days of cooler temperatures.  I won't

 have too long a wait.  This way we are both happy.

Thursday already.  Thursdays are our Fresh Market 

days.  Early walk and that's good because it 

is not yet that sweltering hot and humid.

A little side trip yesterday found us at Park Grill.
 Have to say my very berry Mojito was delicious.

Wishing everyone a day of contentment.
 At the end of the day, I am sure thankful my
blessing are bigger than my problems.

My heart is covered with scars.  Don't get me 
wrong,  I wont trade one scar for anything.  It is 
the scars that have made me the person I am
 today and for that I am thankful...

~Nadiya~

America And The World Remembers ~

I will never forget seeing what hate can destroy,

 I will never forget seeing what love can heal...

Today I get my information from the people 

of these United States of America.  A Nation that 

when faced with adversity never backs down.

On Sept. 11, 2001, America was forever changed. 

It has been 18 years since two planes struck the World 

Trade Center in New York City, but that tragic day,

 which served as a true test of the American

 spirit, will be remembered always.

Almost 3,000 people lost their lives during the

 attacks on September 11, 2001, and 18 years later,

 people still pause to remember that day.

Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human

 nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With

 the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for

 strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in

 any way they could." –Then-President George W. Bush

"Today the images that people around the world

 equate with power and democracy are gone but 'America'

 is not an image it is a concept. That concept is only 

strengthened by our pulling together as a team.

 If you want to kill us, leave us alone because we will 

do it by ourselves. If you want to make us stronger, attack and

 we unite." –Adam Maybluum, World Trade Center survivor.

The September 11th attacks were intended break 

our spirit.  Instead we have emerged stronger and more

 unified.  We feel renewed devotion to the principles of 

political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law

 and respect for human life.  We are more determined

 than ever to live our lives in freedom...

~Nadiya~

Just Because ~

Being yourself is all it takes. If you want to impress 

someone don't be someone else just be yourself.  Life has

 two rules #1 never quit. #2 always remember rule #1...

Saw this on the news the other day and thought

 it could be OK to share.  Honestly, as Arvid said, 

"why does Starbucks need and entire building?"

If you're a Starbucks fan, then you know that it was 

founded in Seattle, Washington in 1971.  As of early 2019, 

the company operates over 30,000 locations worldwide.

Someone asked, "why is Starbucks famous?"
 Answer was simple. It was mainly because Starbucks
 has taken something that most people rely on (caffeine)
and packaged it in a way that appeals to most
 people (sugar) even if they don't like coffee.
And that is my Starbucks info for today.

Here in Chicago we are experiencing some very 

changing weather.  One day it's cold, raining, cloudy

 and then suddenly it's warm and sunny.  

You never know what to expect, but everyday 

is a good day for a walk.  You just have to 

choose your timing.  Timing is everything.

Arvid and I are enjoying the hot tub very much, and we 

are using it as often as possible.  Yesterday was perfect. 

 We had it all to ourselves.  We like it like that.

So far our week is going well.  How about yours.  

Not too much longer before we go back home to Florida. 

 Yesterday Arvid spoke to a friend in Fort Lauderdale 

and the friend said, "lucky you not being in this 

horrible heat and humidity."  

I hope when we get back home it's a little
 less hot and a little less humid.  Either way,
looking forward to going home soon.

Given enough coffee I could rule the world. Just because
 it's a bad idea doesn't mean it won't be a good time...

~Nadiya~

Monday Again ~

 Cherish your yesterdays,
 dream your tomorrows and
 live your todays...

Last Monday I was in Canada with family. 

 Loved it very much, but for me there is

 nothing better than being with Arvid, 

Sniff and yes Brutus and Shadow. 

 They are always in my 

heart and in my thoughts.  

This morning like most mornings, i look

 at them and the memories just come

 flooding back to me.  How I miss my Brutus. 

 Some days I think of him so much.

Weather is definitely getting colder

 here in Chicago.  The air is crisp and

 chilled.  Arvid of course is cold and is 

always bundled up.  Sniff is also a bit chilly

 because he stays for longer periods curled up

 in his bed.  Guess I am the only one in 

our family enjoying the cool September air.

Good morning everyone.  A new week is here again.  

And I can't seem to stop saying...time sure flies.

Keep your eyes on the stars
 and your feet on the ground...

~Nadiya~

Sundays ~

A pineapple a day keeps the worries away.

Today's forecast: beach, with a chance of drinking...

I love my piña coladas and the ones at 

Margaritaville are the absolute best.  

Was worth the slight headache.

What started out as a very cold day

 turned out to be absolutely beautiful.

Sundays are for relaxing, and who knows what follows.

Wishing everyone a day filled with wonder and all things good.

I'm a better person when I'm drinking pińa coladas.

Now I enjoy my cafe while it's quiet and peaceful here.

May all your days be filled with umbrella drinks.

Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air...

~Nadiya~

Happy Day ~

In the end, it’s not the years in your life

 that count. It’s the life in your years...

Yesterday was not the best days for walking even so,

 we did.  There was drizzle in the air and a chill. 

 Even I was cold and achy. We both were.

After dinner we decided that the best way to

 spend our time was to go to the a pub.  What 

better place than the pub at Macy's?  

I had time to do a little shopping while Arvid enjoyed

 a little cold one.  After I was done shopping I joined 

him and had a few very delicious Infield's Punch.

A few hours there and we were both relaxed, 

happy and ready to come back home to Sniff, who 

looked pretty spooked as we walked in the door.

We spent a quiet evening enjoying some of our

 favorite snacks and watching TV.  As the cold 

air raged outside we were nice and toasty

indoors with Sniff all curled up by us.

It's a hot chocolate kind of day.  Here Arvid excels.

Good morning everyone.  Stay nice and warm and have

 a great day, and don't forget that everyday believe

 that something wonderful is about to happen.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...

~Nadiya~

Hello Friday ~

Change your thoughts and you change your world...

There is nothing I like better than waking up with

 my Sniff.  He and I always have some bonding time 

before his dada wakes up.  He sits by my side and I brush him 

for a long time.  Sniff won't mind if he was brushed all day long. 

 He loves it and makes it known by sitting on his "spot"

It's a very hazy kind of day right now.  Seem as
 if we are surrounded by a smoke cloud.  Even so, Arvid
 and I will take a little trip out later today for lunch.

I'm looking very forward to going back home to Florida. 
Before when we lived in Chicago I was not that keen
 on going back so soon to Florida, now I can't wait. 

I know the weather is crappy back home, but I don't
 mind.  For now we are having a good time in Chicago. 
Enjoying the weather, walks, the food and the sights.

For what ever the reason is, Friday is always
 the day we wait for.  As Arvid used to tell me,
"music sounds so much better on a Friday."

Happy Friday all.  Sniff is
already happy with his "present"

Life doesn't require that we be the 
best,  only that we try our best...

~Nadiya~