Hello's From Vermont ~

It’s lovely to know that the world can’t

 interfere with the inside of your head...

Greetings from scenic Vermont.  With just a few days here,

 my sister and I have to make the most of it.  While the rest of 

the fang is busy with school and wok, Mala and I will get to 

spend a few hours on our own everyday.  How cool is that?

They say breakfast is the best part of the day.  So true.  Loving this

 cool weather, but unfortunately I gave away most of my winter 

clothes to tenants at Almost Home and the few I did keep are now

 in our apartment in Chicago.  Not the smartest of moves.

Sachin has the room with the view!  Truth is all the 

bedrooms in Mala's home have this awesome view.  You 

see all the colors as they change.  How great is that?

Rio is the newest addition to the family and this is my first

 time meeting him.  Like all pets he is totally spoiled and loved. 

 Rio is King and what Rio wants ..let's say Rio gets.

  I know it's the same at our home.  Sniff rules.

Everyone loves Rio and Rio loves everyone, but the 

relationship between Rio and is papa is extra special.  

Those two just adore each other.  Who saved who I

 am not sure, but it sure is wonderful to see.

Just a little reminder to us all who have pets. When we adopt

 a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having

 to say goodbye, but we still do it. And we do it for a very good

 reason: They bring so much joy and optimism and happiness.

 They attack every moment of every day with that attitude.

If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads...

~Nadiya~

Favorite Time Of The Year ~

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air...

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Every turn is Christmas.   My favorite time of the year, 

unfortunately Arvid does not like it.  It has to do with his childhood.

Christmas brings out the happy in me even more.  I am not one 

who stresses about what to buy, nor do I shop months in advance.

I enjoy window shopping and yes, I do get a kick out of seeing 

people "agonize" the many, many things on their Christmas list.

All it takes is one Pina Colada and I am happy.

Happy shopping all.  Me I am going to take it easy.

Christmas now surrounds us, happiness is

 everywhere.  Our hands are busy with 

many tasks as carols fill the air...

~Nadiya~

Hello Beautiful Wednesday ~

Grateful today for all the things I often take for granted. 

 When I started counting my blessings, 

my whole life turned around...

As usual Sniff and woke up very early. He had his 

brushing, but did not want any foodies as yet.  He 

prefers to eat when his dada has breakfast, most times.  

Sniff also like to help his dada with his work.

Some mornings he does let me know he’s hungry,

 and of course he gets foodies, but no matter what, when 

Arvid has breakfast Sniff wants more foodies.  Same goes

with lunch.  When Arvid eats Sniff has to eat.  Cute when you

 see it happening.   Sniff let’s us know he wants his foodies.

Very quiet morning.  The Intracoastal is quiet.  Still. 

 No wind.  Pretty to look at while I had my cafe.  

I usually go to the Swap Shop once a week and buy 

my fruit.  Most weeks on a Wednesday.  Hope to do the 

same today.  Missed my coconuts very much when we 

were in Branson so now I make sure I have it every week, 

and I always get extras to last me a few additional days.

It’s good to be back home.  Back in Branson it is super cold.

  The tenants text me and tell me.  They also send me 

pictures.   That always makes me smile and for a little

 while I’m back in Branson and at Almost Home.  

Yes, a very special time of my life. 

 Even though it was hard work.  I loved it, 

and I love hearing from them.

Mom and dad are on their way to New York once again.

  Nina and David are already there.  It was to be a 

getaway for them, but in between there was a death 

in the family, so it’s not the happiest of times.  

Nina and David do get to enjoy a few days in the

 city before the funeral on Saturday.  Nina really 

misses Pennsylvania and the colder weather.

Rima in California is just a few hours away from 

all those fires.  Very distressing for us.  Also my friend 

Anna is not far from it.  Anna is having a very rough time 

right now.  It’s been a little over a week her Taino died.

My sister Nirvana and Kimsy are soon off to Paris and Madrid

 for a few weeks.  J and Alexandra are soon back to Cancun

 for another wedding.  He just got back from Puerto Rico. 

 I’m going dizzy trying to track my own family.

Arvid and I are doing good we are happy to not be in 

the freezing cold.  It’s beautiful here.  The sun shines

 everyday.  We see boats, palm trees and the water. 

 Arvid is always in shorts which is what he loves. 

 Life is good.  Wishing everyone a beautiful day and 

just remember no matter where we are what we do there 

is always something to be thankful and grateful for.

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

It is a direction not a destination.  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~

A New Week Begins ~

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do,

 something to love, and something to hope for...

I had some time and what's one of my favorite passtime? 

 Looking at pictures of course.  Yesterday I Mala sent a few 

pictures of Rio.  They have had him since February of this 

year, and boy has he grown. I can't wait to meet him.

Rio has been know to eat everything in site.  That includes wood.

  That being said Rio has had emergency surgery twice in his

 life already.  The good thing now is that Rio seems to have 

gotten over that stage.  We are all super happy for that.

He now can take walks and have play dates without having

 to use his muzzle.  As you can see, Rio makes everyone happy.

The next few days Arvid will be busy attending 

trade meetings.   He's a happy camper.  I have some 

time on my hands so will be inviting Liliana over for 

lunch and to get reacquainted with Sniff.

  Liliana and I share a strong friendship, no matter what

 has happened in the past.  I am a little nervous meeting 

with her again, and I am very sure she feels the same.  

One thing I do know I can trust Liliana.  

Looking forward to having a good time with her 

and to strengthening our friendship once again.

Monday is looking good already.  Lots to do, but feeling ready.

Being back in Florida is good.  I have had a wonderful time

in Branson.  I have made friends that will always be there, I felt 

more accomplished that ever before, but our life is here

 in Florida, surrounded by palm trees and sunshine.

Hello Monday.  Hello new week.  

Let's prepare to be amazing.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens;

 but often we look so long at the closed door that we

 do not see the one which has been opened for us...

~Nadiya~

Happy Sunday ~

Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is 
made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come 
too infrequently. And if you don’t collect all these tiny 
successes, the big ones don’t really mean anything...

Every morning Sniff comes to the bedroom to wake 

me up and let me know it's time for his brushing.  Even before

 I have my cafe, I spend a good 5 minutes brushing him.  After that

 he wants his foodies.  It's a routine we have and I love love it.  Sniff 

is just so precious and he has made our lives so much better.

Yesterday Arvid and I celebrated 17 years of marriage.
 I decided to treat him to a day out on the beach.  We started
 out by having drinks from place to place.  I do not tolerate
alcohol too well so after the first place I was way
too tipsy, but it was our special day after all.

Nothing better than to start off the evening with
a Mojito on the beach. The beach is now full scooters.
 Maybe they were there before, but we have not been
 around for so long so I am just noticing them. 

California has them and Chicago has also had them for years now. 
You can rent it and just drop off wherever you like. The latest
craze.  No one has to walk anymore.  Yesterday,  Arvid
was also treated to his first Uber ride.  The driver was not
sure how to navigate through all the construction
going on so Arvid of course directed him.

Arvid's day so far is filled with soccer games.
 Three games. After the first two he said he was a
little tired watching TV.  I wonder why? 

Sniff follows him around like a little puppy.  Arvid loves it.
It's a beautiful and very warm day here in Fort Lauderdale.

 Soccer is about to be done and soon we will go and enjoy our
Sunday outing.  Life is always good when one stops looking
for all the things that can go wrong.  Just enjoy and make
 the most of it.  At least give it your best shot.

Wishing everyone a Happy Sunday and to
all the Veteran's a Happy Veteran's Day.

Happiness is not a station you arrive at,
 but a manner of traveling.  Even if happiness forgets
 you a little bit, never completely forget about it...

~Nadiya~

A Feel Good Day ~

Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy.
 There's going to be stress in life, but it's your 
choice whether you let it affect you or not...

Fort Lauderdale's skyline.  This was not taken

 by me, but it's just so pretty that I had to share it.

The one below was taken by me yesterday at Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Arvid and I were there for some shopping and lunch.  Arvid was the

 one shopping. When Arvid buys, he buys one of each color. 

I enjoyed walking around.  It's been 2 years since I last 

went to Sawgrass.  Many more stores than when I was last there. 

 It was pretty because when it got dark all the palm 

trees were lit up with pretty lights. Loved it.

Yesterday we also went to one of Arvid's colleagues'

 home and though we have been there before, it still amazes me.

 His home is a haven for exotic animals.  We were once again treated

 to a tour of some of it. I fell in love with the baby Lemur.

We saw many more exotic animals.  I was fascinated
and would love to visit soon again.  Yesterday was another
 beautiful day.  In between work we also found time
 to do some fun stuff.  The best way to go.

Looking forward to another fun filled day today.

To all a very good day.  Let's not forget that the things
 we take for granted someone else is praying for.

Some people will only be as wise as their environment 
allows them to be. Hint: Change your environment!  You don't
have to tell me what your limits are when the decisions
 you make, your actions and body language says it all...

~Nadiya~

A New Day Begins ~

I've had a blessed life. I've pulled back from trying

 to control my destiny and gone back to accepting whatever 

fate has in store for me. I live for today because 

I don't know what'll happen tomorrow...

Everyday Arvid says to me,

"we now are going to really enjoy our lives."

He says, "we will be taking it easy, relaxing,

 and taking time to enjoy all the things we like."

If that includes having a Pina Colada at random times, then I am happy.

Sniff is doing great.  Though he does not like being picked up we still try.

I woke up to a beautiful day, and I plan to make the most of it.

Hello everyone, remember learn from yesterday,

live for today, and always hope for tomorrow.

There is no perfect condition so now is the perfect time

 and today is the perfect day to take action...

~Nadiya~

A Broken Heart ~

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, 
which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime,
 and falling in at night. I miss you like hell...

When it comes to expressing oneself, no one does

 it like the Latin people.  They have a way with words.  

I was lucky to have been raised in a Spanish/Latin culture. 

 I took all of the good things I wanted from that culture

 and hopefully none of the not so great ones.

They show emotion like no one I know.  

When happy you definitely will know and when they are sad, 

boy you can feel their sadness deep into your soul.

My friend Anna is heartbroken over her Taino.  

I feel her sadness even though we are hundreds of miles apart. 

 I know what it's like to go home and feel the stillness.  The quietness.

  To not hear those little footsteps of her Taino.

When you lose a part of your heart it is almost impossible
that you will ever regain it, but one always tries.  I know, but to
 stop trying is like saying you have given up, and that is not
something I do, and I know it's not something Anna does either.
 If ever there was a person who struggled against adversity
and always came back stronger, that would be Anna.

This is a hard blow.  Her Taino was part of her life for
18 years.   He was there through her ups and downs, trust me there
were many downs.  How one does it?  I don't know.  All I know
is that you do it one day at a time.  You fight the terrible
sadness that invades your heart.  Some days it works great,
others...well it's back to square one.  Then you start all
over again.  That's how I do it. That's how we all do it.

My heart is broken for Anna.  My heart is broken all over again
for our Brutus and Shadow. This thing called grief comes in waves.

Unless you have experienced grief, you will never fully
 understand what it is all about.  Each person deals with it differently.
Just remember there is no time frame for grief.  Grief can make
you question your life, your purpose, and your goals.
And this isn't always a bad thing.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal
love leaves a memory no one can steal...

~Nadiya~

Always Something To Be Grateful For ~

I have a lot to be thankful for. 
I am healthy, happy and I am loved...

Life goes on.  The days are going by fast, and soon

 2018 will be over.  As I have my cafe on the balcony, 

everything is perfectly still.  The only sound I hear

 is the thumping of my heart and the pounding 

in my head.  Me and my thoughts again.

My heart gets sad just like that.  I can't help it.  I know

I have come a long way and that the grief is less, but in 

all honesty these last few days have not been so easy for me. 

 The fact that my friend Anna just lost her fur baby

 has made it even sadder.  I will be better.

We have a beautiful little boy with us.  Sniff.  Full of love 

and life.  We love him very much and one day I am sure I will 

be able to bring myself and call him "my baby" as well.

Everyday I remind myself of all the reasons to be grateful.
Like I always say, I may not have everything I want, but
I have everything I need.  May we never forget that.

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light,
 for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your
 food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason 
to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself...

~Nadiya~

3 Years Today ~

The cat could very well be man's best friend 

but would never stoop to admitting it...

They say that man's best friend is his doggie...in our 
case man's best friend is our Kitty.  That would have been Brutus.  

It's already 3 years our little Brutus died.  Life changed for us.  Most 
definitely did. Today Sniff is our little boy and we do love him so.

They also say if animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering

 outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a

 word too much, unlike so many people who just talk for talks sake and most of 

the time it's just a waste of your time or just out of politeness one has to 

listen and pretend to enjoy an otherwise senseless conversation.

I would give anything to "hear" Brutus again.  To see him.
 To hold him, but it is what it is and that will never be possible. 

 Brutus and Arvid had a special bond and it was just amazing to watch 

these two interact.  I know also that this bond exists with many pet owners 

and their pets...it's just beautiful to see man and animal together. 

 Brutus slept in the curve of Arvid's arm at nights 
and though he got tired Arvid  would just hold him for as
 long as he, Brutus was laying there...that's LOVE. 

 Sniff sleeps with us, but he won't let us hold him.  Many a times 

both Arvid and I miss that something extra we shared with Brutus.  

We love Sniff, but Brutus took our hearts with him.

Three years has gone by.  In three years our lives went
 through tremendous changes.  Would we have gone to Branson
 had Brutus not died?  I don't think so, on the other hand 
the time I experienced in Branson will always 
be one of the most special times of my life.

How strange that tragedy also brought something
 wonderful into my life.  My heart misses our Brutus,
 but in our daily lives it is also very happy with 
our little Sniff.  Life it is what it is.

A cat can be trusted to purr when she is pleased, 

which is more than can be said for human beings...

~Nadiya~