Hello Monday ~

Leave a little sparkle wherever you go...

New week.  Time to make sure that whatever you did

 not get accomplished last week gets done this week.  

Always time to move on to a better start and

to correct the mistakes of last week.

Yesterday we went to Bahama Breeze.  My favorite 

thing there is not the food, but this coconut-pineapple Martini.  

This can definitely change my perspective on drinking.

Hello Monday.  Let's prepare to be amazing.

Positive mind. Positive life.  Positive vibes...

~Nadiya~

Hello Sunday ~

Someday you will look back and understand why it

 all happened the way it did.  Spread love wherever you go. 

 Let no one ever come without leaving happier...

Finally we can relax a little. We redid the floors in our 

apartment, and it seemed like a race against time to have them

 completed, cleaned and ready for company yesterday.  

After 3 weeks of very hard work the place is now almost

 100% livable.  All that's left is arranging and organizing

 my clothes.  Sounds like a simple job, but not really.

The worst part is starting.  Luckily I have started so the rest

 should be better, I hope. All Arvid says, "get rid of this,

 get rid of that,"  I am actually doing that.  Sniff's pet 

sitter has already gotten bags and bags of stuff.

Today we really need a relaxation day.  After moving

 and lifting heaving furniture from one spot to another our

 bodies are pretty achy.  Usually Arvid has a few soccer games

 to watch, unfortunately none today.  Not good because 

I usually use this time to go walk around the mall.  

Wishing everyone a relaxing day.  They say that sometimes

 the most productive thing we can do is relax. It's always important

 to have a balance in your life between work and play.

If a man insisted always on being serious, and never

 allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would 

go mad or become unstable without knowing it...

~Nadiya~

Hello Friday ~

They say a person needs just three things to

 be truly happy in this world: someone to love, 

something to do, and something to hope for...

It’s been a really good week, and as usual when one

 is busy time just flies. As always coming back home after 

being gone for a few day, lots to catch up with.

  Arvid is go, go, go.  Finally it’s Friday and we allow 

ourselves to take a little time to do something fun.  

Tonight we go and see Buddy Guy in concert.  Truth

 is we have seen him before, and I was not too impressed.  

Too much profanity coming out of his mouth. 

 On the other hand he is good.  When in Chicago,

 we usually go to his club.  There we also

 see him and yes, more profanity.

  That being said it is always nice to go to a concert,

 especially when you know a few of the songs,

 and you know the artist is sure to sing.  

Arvid said to me, “tonight I will get tipsy.” 

OK with me because the theater is right across the

 river from us.  We take the boat across to go 

and same to get back home. No driving.

We are both pretty tired and it will be good to 

just sit back. Enjoy the music and not do any work.

The weekend begins.  Looking forward to it very

 much.  Tomorrow we will be having company over.  

Excited about that.  J and Alexandra are coming

 as are Michael and Victoria. Fun times ahead.

I’m so happy J lives close to us.  Miami after all,

 is not that far from us.  His only free time happens to be 

Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately it does not 

always work out, but this weekend it does.

Sniff and I have been awake for some time.

Arvid is still in bed.  Good morning all and happy Friday,

 and enjoy the weekend ahead.  Beautiful morning here.

  A little "chilly' but I love it.  Have already been out on the

 balcony with my cage.  Life is good so let's live it up.

Today in Norway our eldest granddaughter turns 6.

I just do not know where the time has gone by.  One day 

she was this tiny little thing, today she's a 6 year old DIVA.

Happy birthday baby girl.  Bestemor og bestefar fra America

 love you very much.  Lots of hugs today going your way.

Happiness is letting go of what you think you life is supposed 

to look like. Happiness comes in waves.  It'll find you again...

~Nadiya~

Feeling Good ~

I really live a simple life and don't need very much to feel

good and happy. Don't get me wrong; I believe you should get 

what you earn. Sometimes you have to fight for it...

Home again.  Busy again.  Happy as can be.  Best

 of all the 3 of us are together again.  Sniff was super 

happy when we got home as were we.  I really

 do not like leaving him for so long.  

It's just not right.  I just don't want to think of leaving 

him all alone for 3 weeks this summer.  Breaks

my heart.  Same as when we left Brutus.

Back in Florida life is busy.  In Chicago we took it easy, 

and just relaxed and for a change it was a vacation.  

Yes, we did do work in the apartment, but most

 of the time we walked around the city.

Good morning all.  A brand new day awaits us. 

Let's make the most of it.  Happy Thursday all.

You will never get everything in life but you

 will get enough.  Hard work makes you feel good 

because you have accomplished something...

~Nadiya-

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~