Sunday...

If the problem can be solved why worry?

 If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good...

For some reason I'm not feeling so great today.  Maybe because I hurt a little more

than usual, not sure. The last two days were busy and we did quite a little running 

around.  Some work and some just good times spent with friends.  While we were busy,

everything was just fine, but by the end of the day I was sure tired.  Guess I still need some rest.

You feel fine, and then, when your body can't keep fighting, you don't.

Could also be that I am a little stressed because of Brutus.  Since he started his treatment,

he has been extremely quiet.  Hardly eats anymore.  Does not drink water either.  I have to give

 him water with a syringe.  Just seeing him so lifeless makes me worried and stresses me.

The doctor told us that this oxygen therapy would increase his appetite.  Has not happened.

You must understand also that I worry more than usual.  Brutus is after all our baby and if

he is not doing good, trust I'm not happy and I sure don't want to do much either.

Being Sunday Arvid and I usually take the day for ourselves.  Today we will be enjoying 

it in the company of good friends.  Looking forward to that and hopefully will de-stress

a little.  Quite a few places to pick from so that's always good. Today for the first time 

since my surgery I drove a little on my own.  It felt good.

Looking forward to Skype with our grand-daughter in a little.  Just seeing that smile

on her face is going to sure help a lot to change my mood.  Aleah is precious and

can't wait to chat with her.  All day long she is smiling and smiling.  I need some of that.

Enjoy the day everyone.  It is a beautiful day here.

Your mind will answer most questions 

if you learn to relax and wait for the answer...

~Nadiya~

Saturday...

Courage is being scared to death, but standing up anyway.

If you don't  learn how to be scared, 

you'll never really learn how to be brave...

Today will be Brutus' third day with the oxygen treatment.  Can't tell much so soon, but

I want to say that I think it is helping him.  The paw is still bloody but it is looking a little

less swollen.  I don't think he will ever enjoy taking his medicines but who does.
In all of this he is scared but being very brave.

As far as the treatment goes he has been handling it pretty OK.  He just sits in the chamber
without too much of a fuss.  He looks kinda concerned at being locked up, but handling
it like the champ he is.  Yesterday we watched the first 20 minutes then heft him alone with
nurse.  They prefer that so that we don't talk while they are observing him and taking notes.

Arvid and I just waited in the car.  We wanted to be close by in case we were needed.

When we went back in, Brutus still had about 10 more minutes in the chamber so
but we wanted to be there to take him out and comfort him.  The nurse told
us that every so often Brutus would nod off but as soon as he (Brutus) saw him (nurse)
looking he would "wake" up.  Guess Brutus did not want to seem like he was slacking off.

Once home Brutus is very tired, and he has been sleeping most of the time.  Not too
happy about this, but I guess it's normal under the circumstances.

Promises to be a pleasant day.  Third treatment today and already I think it looking
better.  Getting myself also ready for the second surgery which is right around the corner.

All of this waiting is just driving me nuts.  Just wish it were all over with so that Arvid

and I can resume a semblance of "normal" living again.  I'm getting tired of not being able to
 drive and move around on my own. Arvid has been extremely patient in this process.

Yesterday we had a treat.  We went to a car show with some friends, and
we also met some others we had not seen in a long time.  Both outings were good.

Today we just got a new washer and dryer today (much needed), installation included. 
 Within 10 minutes everything was in the apartment and the men were gone.  Arvid says to me, 
"I'm now going to not connect everything together."  Me to him, "but I thought they were going to
 install  and do everything?"  Arvid, "I sent them away.  The did not look too confident and I
 did not like the way their eyes moved around the place."  Well that's Arvid for you... :)  

Have a good day everyone.  Remember, create rituals of things
 you look forward to doing on a regular basis.

Wishing you a happy Saturday.
Every moment is a new beginning...

~Nadiya~

Friday...

Yes, I like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain
I'm not much into health food, I am into champagne...

Friday already and the good thing about it is that we will be meeting up with

friends and enjoying a cozy meal together.  Have not seen them in a while so looking 

forward very much to this afternoon.  Best thing is that will get to see little Madeline again.

This was taken almost two years ago, but it is one of my very favorite with Madeline.

When we met she hardly spoke much English.  Today she is completely fluent and 

almost no trace of an accent.  Ahhh.. the advantages that the young have.  

Usually our Fridays were times for music and a little evening outing.

Recently, we have been doing more outing in the day time and spending the 

evenings at home mainly because almost all of last year Arvid was not feeling that

great.  Finally he begins to feel better and it's my turn to not feel so good.

Even so, this has not stopped me from enjoying my Pina Coladas.

Nothing comes between me and my Pina Coladas, and who says you can 

only have one on a Friday.  Rules are meant to be broken and if I want a 

Pina Colada on a Thursday or any other day well so be it.  You only live once!

CHEERS to all and have a great weekend!!!

If you like Pina Coladas, getting caught in the rain
If you're not into yoga, if you have half a brain
If you like making love at midnight in the dunes on the cape
I'm the love that you've looked for write to me and escape...

~Nadiya~

Brutus Again...

Being patient is one of the hardest things we've learned to do,

 we can't rush things over here...

Finally Brutus' medicines arrive from New Jersey!  So excited.  This 

means that as of today we will start his hyperbaric treatment.  Both Arvid and 

I have high hopes that this combined with his medicines will be that miracle cure we need.

This is what the chamber looks like.  Brutus will be in it for one hour.

At that time he will be give a high dosage of pure oxygen. 

This is one of the kitties being treated in the chamber.  Supposedly,

Brutus will be all relaxed and should even doze off.  I hope so because

I worry that he might try to claw his way out and hurt himself even more.

We have our hope riding that this treatment will be the one that 

will finally make him better.  I have read all about it, have spoken to a good friend 

whose doggies life was saved by it, and at the same place.  Our Brutus needs this badly.

We have tried just about everything we can think of.  Not going to call it our last hope,

just hope it is the treatment that will make him all better again.  He is not even 8 years old as yet.

Yesterday he had his first dosage.  This medicine has a side effect that if Brutus does
not ear or drink something right away, his throat and stomach lining could be damaged
by being burnt.  Guess it's very strong.  So as soon as medicine is over, Arvid takes him to foodies
I take him to the water and if this does not work he gets moist food via a syringe or water by syringe.

In all of this Brutus is not the happiest of campers.  Can you blame the little guy?
We are patient because we have to be and, always hopeful and positive otherwise...

Wishing you all a good day.  Be kind and gentle to each other.

Sometimes being patient is worth it and sometimes it's not. 

I guess only time will tell...

~Nadiya~

Halfway There...

Hey, guys today is Wednesday!! Hump day! 

We get through today and tomorrow and next thing 

you know it's the WEEKEND! YEAH!...

Already halfway through the work week!  Yeah!  Soon it's the weekend.

Well almost soon.  Still lots to do and customers to take care of so

for now busy, but we would not have it any other way.

Fast update on Brutus.  He is still not doing great, but if you saw him all you 

would see is a little kitty that looks happy all the time.  The paw looks horrible.  It's 

been a few days now since he has had no medicines.  Still waiting for his to come from 

New Jersey, via FedEx.  My mom thought this was funny, his medicine coming FedEx.

Time to get going.  We have some busy days ahead of us.  Hopefully it also means

we will be picking up on some additional business.  The week is looking good here.

Have a great day all.  Remember tomorrow is THIRSTY THURSDAY!

Happy Hump Day would be so much more entertaining if people

 greeted each other with a hip thrust instead of a hello...

~Nadiya~

Hello New Day...

As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common,

 everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly

 grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with 

gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth

 and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright 

sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm...

From where I am the day is looking to be a true winner.  The weather is warm.  

The sun is shining and I am already enjoying it's warmth.

Though it is still fairly early in the day, the boats are already out.
Living in Florida it seems like everyone should have a boat.  No we do
not have one as of now and hopefully will not ever again.  Fun but lots of work!

Arvid, Brutus and I do enjoy looking at them and admiring them.
As far as I am concerned that's enough.  Always good to have a boat trip,
but not to own the boat.  All I remember was cleaning and cleaning the boat.

Wishing you all days filled with happiness.  Never underestimate
the power you have to make yourself feel good.

Hope is the sunshine and sprinklers of your life. 
It's what makes you grow and thrive...

~Nadiya~

Eat Your Vegetables...

Vegetables are a must on a diet.

I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie...

Want to feel better? Well eat those vegetables.  It not like we don't

know it, but sometimes a good steak sounds so much better than boring vegetables.

Vegetables and fruits are carbohydrates that provide a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, 
and other substances to protect against disease. Fruits and veggies are also valuable no-fat,
 no cholesterol sources of fiber and fluid.

Generally the more vivid the fruit or vegetable’s color, the more essential nutrients it holds. 
That deep orange or red coloring in carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, apricots,
 peaches, and strawberries signals their vitamin A content. Dark green leafy vegetables
 such as greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli are loaded 
with vitamin A as well as folic acid (a B vitamin that is essential for cell growth
 and reproduction). Vitamin C is found in more than just citrus fruits, it is also 

power-packed into strawberries, cantaloupes, tomatoes, green peppers, and broccoli. 
When fruits and veggies are loaded with color, they’re loaded with nutrition!

Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may 
reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.

May protect against certain types of cancers
May reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

May lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing
 kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.

 So let's all have a healthy day and let's pack in some of those
vegetables and fruits into our diet.  Only to our advantage.

A vegetable garden in the beginning looks so promising and then after all
 little by little it grows nothing but vegetables, nothing, nothing but vegetables...

~Nadiya~

Happy Sunday...

Today is special, and so are you...

Normally when we get mail it is either tons of junk or mostly bills.  Either way it's nothing

to get excited about, but yesterday evening Arvid picked up the mail and he came in with a 

huge red box.  He said, "it's from Norway and it's for you."  Like a little kid I was all ready

 to open my package before Brutus got to it.

By the way Brutus did beat me to the big red box.  I let him sniff it a bit 

as Arvid opened it up for me.

Surprise! Surprise!  Inside the big red box there were two other packages

beautifully wrapped and a beautiful card all for me.  Needless to say

I was very surprised and very touched.  The presents were from Helle.

If you remember, Helle is that little girl who touched my heart and who thinks

I am a pretty cool person.  She even wrote it in the card for me.  There is something

about Helle that makes her unforgettable.  Her smile, her, gentleness, her loving

personality... so many things.  All I know is she hasa special place in my heart.

Thank you Helle and family for all the pretty presents.  I love my colorful

pillow.  Comes in very handy when I cough or sneeze.  The hearts are beautiful,

the candy delicious, but I think my favorite is the beautiful card and the what's written in it!

Wishing you all a wonderful day.  Sunday is our day to just take it easy

and do something together before the week begins.  Yesterday was a very

nice day spent with family.  Tomorrow Arvid gets to spend a little alone time with 

Victoria, always good.  Yes, all is good in our world.  Hope the same is for all of you...

I like food and sleep. So if I give you my food, 
or text you late at night, you are special to me

~Nadiya~

Beautiful Day Here...

All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking...

Very pleasant start of our day.  After breakfast we went for a nice little walk.

Something we have not done in a while because of me really.  It felt good to get

out of the apartment and feel the fresh air on our faces.  Today was the perfect setting

the skies are blue and there was a crisp coolness in the air that made it even better for a walk.

Arvid was all the way ahead of me.  Yes, I am moving a bit slower, but moving.

Every so often he will stop and wait for me.  He's so cute.  I love looking at everything 

and taking pictures of things.  That's also part of the reason I am always so behind. 

Arvid is constantly telling me to "move it" and to put the camera away.  I rarely listen.

As you can see below, these are some of the pretty sight we encountered during our walk!

It was a perfect morning and the day is looking just as good.  

Finally we got to Skype with Michelle, Emil, Aleah and Chico.

This definitely made our day even better!!!!!

Today Gabby our nephew also turns 16!  

Where has the time gone by?  Little gabby

is now a young man.  We love you Gabby.. ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!

Happy Saturday all...

Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time..

~Nadiya~

Brutus...Hurting Again

 Pets are our close companions because they provide love, comfort, safety, 
warmth, happiness, levity, wonder, laughter, and friendship. Pets teach us to have
 more patience  with life and to enjoy the simple things...

When Brutus is hurting and there is nothing we can think of to do to make him feel better 

is about the worst feeling I can have.  At least if Arvid is hurting or I am hurting,

we can communicate with each other.  Brutus just sits in a corner and if he comes

out of his hiding spot he just stares at us as if asking, "why don't you do 

something so that I can be better?"

Yesterday was pretty bad.  All of his cuts are starting to open up again.They are oozing 

and  as one doctor recommended, I soaked a cloth in some cold water and antibacterial soap

 and just cleaned the wounds.  Even before I touched his paw,Brutus pulled back and as I 

applied the cold cloth he literally screamed.  Yesterday and the day before he was hidden
behind some of my clothes all the way in the closet.  A spot he has not used before.
Took us quite a long time to find him.  He stayed there most of the day, unless he was
hungry in which case he showed up.  He ate then went back in his hideaway.

That tells me he is really hurting.  He has not used his scratching pad which

he loves.  He has not followed Arvid around much, which is also his pass time.

This morning he woke up and slept with us for a little on the bed.  His usual routine.
He is also as of right now is not in hiding so that's good, but the paw is looking
gruesome and  I am afraid to apply the wet cloth for fear of hurting him.

Today we go yet to another doctor.  This doctor was recommended by
a friend who said that his doggie was saved thanks to the unique treatments given
by the doctor.  Supposedly the doctor blends modern medicine with a little bit of
holistic treatment.  Right now we are so open to suggestions.  If there is anyone out there
who has any suggestions, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

You can INBOX me to:nadiyas@gmail.com or you can inbox me via Facebook.
I know you all care for Brutus. You have all been here for him, for us throughout this
 entire process and I do appreciate the kindness you have shown and the recommendations
 you have always given me.  Today we are still looking for suggestions for his care and
for a treatment.  Has anyone seen something like this?  Please Please let me know.

For now he's not yet hiding.  Both Arvid and I are just looking at him and
trying to anticipate what he wants and needs.  I do not want to leave him alone
I am probably over cautious, but that's how I am.  Our baby is hurting and
I am sad because I cannot stop his pain.  What does that say about me?
Soon it's time to take him to the vet.  Hoping always for a miracle!!!

For now wising you all a good day.  Remember our pets may not be able to talk to
us, but they definitely know how to tell us what's going on in many other ways.
The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?" but "Can they suffer?

The universe is big, its vast and complicated, and ridiculous. 
And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles. 
And that's the theory. Nine hundred years, never seen one yet, but I will never give up.
Maybe it's soon time for a little miracle to work its wonders for us....
~Nadiya~