Nov 30, 2016

Chilly Start...

Baby it's cold outside...

The day begins on a cold note for us.  For those in the Sunshine State it is always 
warm and for Arvid's family in Norway and mine in other states in the US, 
it is also a cold time.  Never thought that Arvid and I will have these 
temperatures any longer.  At some given time we both lived in
 cold places.  His home was Norway and I lived in NYC.

Was cold, but for over 20 years he has been in the USA and I have been living 
in the Sunshine State.  Neither of us are used to these low digits in the weather, 
but like everyone who does experience this we will also "adapt"


Take a look at the images below.  I'm sure you can tell which is which.  Question is 
where would you rather be right now?  I know for certain that many like the 
snow and the cold weather.  Many in my family do.  Otherwise why
 would they have left life in Florida for cold winters elsewhere?  

Also here in Branson I have met quite a few people, yes I talk to everyone.  
Many have lived in Florida and have told me that they do not miss 
the humidity nor the weather.  Find it difficult to believe especially after
 experiencing the cold first hand again after so long.  But we are 
all different and that's what makes us all unique.


Good morning everyone.  Have a great day and stay bundled up.

Wherever you go, no matter the weather always bring your own sunshine...

~Nadiya~

Nov 29, 2016

New Week Already...

Without new experiences something inside of us sleeps.
The sleeper must awaken.  Be open to whatever comes next...

Yesterday Arvid said to me, "I think we were both ready for this change." True,
 I wanted and needed a change, I thought it would lessen the pain in my heart. 
 The change in scenery has done us both good, but the one thing it cannot 
do is to stop my heart from hurting and my brain from thinking.

Yes we have been busy, we have been on the go.  By evening my body 
is exhausted but my thoughts are never at rest.  The brain keeps on working.

It has been cold here. Very cold. The other day as Arvid was chatting with my sister 
she told him how warm it was in Puerto Rico. When he was done talking to her
 he said to me "sounds good right now.  Did we do the right thing?"


All I can say is yes.  Arvid is happy with his trades.  He has traded for hotel stays
 for us when we first got here and once things settle down he says he will 
be busy running around.  Here there are quite a lot of people who just
 like Arvid are into trading. Even more so than back home.

The main reason why we are here after all.  Did I mention there were lots of
 cars for potential buyers here as well.  We do have a 3 car garage now 
and Arvid can't wait to "fill" it up.  Have to see how that goes.


As a new week begins we look forward to exciting new experiences.  Lots of 
new things to discover and explore.  We have already scouted out a few places 
this weekend and came out with quite some good deals.  Yes this place though cold 
looks promising. Arvid is in his element, and is as he says, "feeling better than ever."

Do we miss Florida?  Hard not to especially in this cold weather, but once
 you're indoors it's nice and warm.  We have made up our minds to give it a try.  If we
 see that the weather is too much to handle we can always go back home to Florida
 and just come to Branson in the summers.  Like many know there is no place like Florida 
during the winter.  Victoria puts it best when she said, "but you lived in Paradise."


To all a great week ahead.  May it be productive and rewarding.


Stay hungry.  Stay foolish.  Never let go of your appetite,
 to go after new ides, new experiences, new adventures...

~Nadiya~

Nov 28, 2016

New Scenery...

Today is not just another day.  It's a new opportunity,
another chance.  A new beginning.  Embrace it...

A new scenery is what we wake up to and what we will be having for a while.
I always wanted to experience the change of seasons.  This is my chance once again.


Do I miss the water and the sunrise from our balcony back in Florida?
What do you think?  But it's a good change for us.  For now.

Good morning everyone. Hope to see the Sunshine State in a few months.
Just the other day Arvid and I stocked up on winter clothes.  Sounds 
strange even to me. No more shorts and t-shirts for now.  Hmmm...

Starting today, I need to "forget" whats gone.  Appreciate what still remains,
and look forward to what's coming next.  I cant forget, but I can look forward...

~Nadiya~

Nov 27, 2016

A Very Cold Sunday...

Never be afraid to try something new, because life gets boring when
 you stay within the limits of what you already know...

The limo travelled from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Branson, Missouri.


Scenery is dramatically different, but still have some of our favorite foodies.


One thing for sure it is quite a lot colder than what we are used to.
Some days it is even colder than Norway.  For now it's all OK,  hopefully soon it
will be time to go back to the sunshine state for warmth and sunshine.  Yay!


Sniff Sniff is happy here although at times he is a bit confused as to where he is.
He loves to run from window to window and check out everything that moves.
Falling leaves is something new to him.  Squirrels, deers and even the site of another
kitty cat keeps him busy to the point that he is totally exhausted from lack of sleep.


What I love best is that Sniff is always close to me.  His favorite spot is on the window
sill next to my desk in my office.  Yes, for the first time I have a space all of my own to
 call my office.  It is actually a "guest" bedroom, but the truth is, its my own space and
 I will find it very hard to give up.  Good thing is that there are many hotels here.

As with any move there is always so much to do.  We are still in that process
 of getting it all together.  Lucky for us, we are happy with our house
and that in itself is a good start. One thing for sure, it's not city life.

Yesterday was cloudy with fog most of the day.  Extremely cold.  35F/0C
This is definitely NOT the sunshine state.  Back in Florida life as always is
warm, sunny and the beach is calling me.  For now I can't go but soon...


Sunday.  Hopefully a relaxing day, but who knows?  Can change just like that.
Hello everyone.  Hope your Sunday is a good one and stay warm.  It is sure cold here.

And suddenly you know, it's time to start something new and trust
 the magic of beginnings. This is the start of something beautiful...

~Nadiya~

Nov 25, 2016

Black Friday...

Go to the mall on Black Friday, they said.
You will never come out alive, they said...

And the shopping frenzy has begun.


Some of these shoppers have been waiting for over 24 hours to shop. Not something 
can say I would ever do, but honestly if you want a good deal, for some the wait is
 nothing.  Many set out little "camps" on the outside of stores waiting for that deal.


Some store open their doors while Arvid, Sniff and I are still sound asleep.  
Black Friday, to me just another gimmick to get Americans to shop and spend 
money they really don't have.  Someone put it "nicely" by saying, "let's get our mind 
off America's debt crisis by maxing out our credit cards on a reckless shopping binge.

Yesterday Arvid and I needed a few essentials for home.  I "desperately" needed a 
blender to make my coquito.  A recipe from my sister and for some reason I had to have 
it last night.  We got to the store before 6pm.  I just could not understand why there 
were people just standing in long lines all over the store and not buying a thing.

Finally I asked, "why are you all standing here."  One lady said, 
"because we are waiting for the Black Friday deals to begin."


Thankfully we found a blender that was not on the Black Friday list and we
 got out of there as fast as we could.  Needless to say we did not get
 everything we wanted.  No way we were going to stand in line for hours.
  I came home did some online shopping, and I'm happy.

Shopping is a woman thing.  It's a contact sport like football.  Women 
enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being
 trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase....
If men liked shopping, they'd call it research.

~Nadiya~

Nov 24, 2016

Thanksgiving 2016...

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.
Practicing gratitude is a very powerful tool to shift your attention on the things you
 don't have to the things you do have and this alone will make you feel better...

Thanksgiving is such a big celebration here in the USA.  It's one of the holidays where 
hundreds of thousands of travellers make their way back to home.  Everyone looks forward 
to being home with family and loved ones, and enjoying a very traditional Thanksgiving meal
 during this time of giving thanks.  Traditional Thanksgiving Meal.  Interesting tid bit, 
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve
 minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.


The year has had its ups and its downs.  Even so, there is so much to be 
grateful for;  I remind myself of that everyday.  I may not have everything I
 want, but I sure have all that I need right now.  For that I am grateful.

A new phase begins for us.  Temporary, but still something different.  I am grateful for that. 
 Happy to experience something new and to move on to a "better" place than I have been since
 my Brutus and Shadow died.  A thousand words couldn’t bring you back… I know this because
 I tried, neither could a thousand tears… I know this because I cried, you left behind a broken
 heart and happy memories too…but I never wanted memories…I only wanted you



For now wishing you all a good day and don't forget, as we express our
 gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to
 utter words, but to live by them"  Happy Thanksgiving to all. 
 Be safe, enjoy and yes put on those few extra pounds...




Thanksgiving is not yet even over and all the talk is about Black Friday and the 
DEALS!  Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States
traditionally the beginning of the Christmas Shopping season. It get's crazy.



An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving after all is a word of action. Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day,
 but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have..

~Nadiya~

Nov 23, 2016

Changes...

The secret of change is to focus all of you energy, 
not on fighting the old, but on building the new...

Everyone can use a change in their lives, especially if one seems to be stuck.  Like
I have mentioned before, I need a change.  I want a change and I am ready for change.
Sometimes one also has to be very careful for what one wishes for.  Because it might just
 happen and then one has to be ready to deal with it.  It's easy to want something,
 but to actually have it happen is another story.  It then becomes ones reality.


Brutus' death has left a huge vacuum in me.  I can't move on as easily as most.
I told Arvid that a change would do me good.  Strangely, he agreed.
Ready or not I am going to find the change I need to move on.


Definitely not the sunshine state.  Here we bundle up all day and all night long, even Sniff
needs his sweater to survive in this cold.  Yes, compared to Florida this is the Artic.
Florida, is still home and will always be. But for a little we experience Missouri.


I may be in another State, but a part of my heart is forever with my Brutus.
Hello everyone.  Greetings from Branson.  Like someone once said, the first step
 towards getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.

Today is Jaxen's birthday.  My sister and family are missing a part of their family as well.
  Happy birthday in heaven Jaxy.  Your mama, papa, sister and brother miss you so very
 much.  I hope you found Brutus and Shadow and together you are all playing.


Don't be afraid of change.  You may lose something good, but you
 may find something better.  Progress is impossible without change..

~Nadiya~

Nov 21, 2016

Choices. Chances. Changes. It's Here

Choices.  Chances.  Changes.  You must make
 a Choice to a Chance or your life will never Change...

We are far from home right now.  Not many Palm Trees in sight and no beautiful
 beaches.  Totally different scenery, but it is an open road that leads to changes.


Here in Missouri we get to cruise along bits and pieces of Route 66.


Arvid said he has found his niche here.  He's very excited about all the trades possible 
to do.  Unfortunately it is very cold right now compared to how it is back home.

Sniff was home alone for about a week and a half, but I went to Florida and brought him
 to what will be his new home for a while.  He is still getting used to it, but I can tell he already
 loves it.  He will be happiest here.  Trees, birds, falling leaves.  Just what he loves.

All is good we.  Lots of interesting things to see and do, but it is different from 
Fort Lauderdale, and it's cold.  No shorts for Arvid and I right now.  We are
 fully bundled up.  Hmmm... Not sure how I feel about being so cold.

Time to go and get something warm to drink and to heat up the body.
Good morning everyone.  Wishing you a beautiful day and hopefully 
it's warmer where you are than it is right now were we are.


Remember everyone it's the things we can't change that sometimes end 
up changing us.  I'm on the hunt for who I have not yet become.

Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.
Change is hard at first.  Messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end...

~Nadiya~

Nov 20, 2016

On The Road Again..

Sometimes a girl just needs wide open spaces...

Good morning to all.  Life for us seems to always lead us on a road trip.  We get 
the call and we are on the move.  Moving is what we like, at least some of the times. 
 I hated leaving Sniff alone, but it was for a short time and he was well cared for.


Life they say is in the here and now.  Not the tomorrow's and yesterday's.
And so we begin another road trip always seeking something new and exciting.
Our road trip leads us to Branson, Missouri.  Totally different from what we are used to.


Arvid is most happy when we are on the road.  I have some reservations about it,
but I also like it.  Maybe not as much as I used to.  But it's become a part of us now.
When Brutus was alive I hated being away from him for long periods.  Yet we did it.
I was not happy about it.  But like I said it's what we do and it's how we make a living.


 I really like our view and will miss it.  Our road trip takes us to colder climates.
 Hopefully we do not get the flu fright away.  I'm excited for an adventure!


Good morning all.  The next few days will be busy ones.  Want to wish you all
 good times and good days in advance.  Remember wherever you go, go with
all your heart.  It's not about the destination.  It's about the journey.

Life is only half lived if you have never gotten in a car and 
driven off on the open road, going where it takes you..

~Nadiya~

Nov 19, 2016

Happiest Time Of The Year...

Life was so different this time last year.  I am stronger 
because of my hard times.  Wiser because of my mistakes...

Every which way you turn it's Christmas.  People are smiling, laughing and 
enjoying life.  It's just the happiest time.  I love it and want to be caught up in it.


Every day we should remind ourselves of just how fortunate we are.  Fortunate to be 
able to wake up to another day and to be able to appreciate all the goodness
 that surrounds us.  I have many  many reasons to be grateful and I am the
 first one to remind me of them.  Life is for us to live no matter what.


One of my favorite reasons to smile these days.  He is just precious even when
 he tries to bite me.  Someone said that they were love bites.  Hard love bites. 

I love the spirit of the Holidays everywhere.  The sounds, the smells and the laughter 
reminds me of when I was a little girl and had no worries.  How sad it is that 
when we are little we want to be grown ups. and when we are grown we 
sometimes long for those days when we were young and carefree.  
Life sure takes us in many directions.  Like it or not.  


Wishing you all a happy Saturday and always happy times.  Sometimes we
 need to remind ourselves that not because we do not have everything we 
want means we can't be happy with the things we do have.  

I am the first to say that lately I sometimes do "forget" so much of what's good around 
me.  Remember everyone to always do one thing everyday that makes you happy.

Spend a day doing nothing: Let your mind wander; let nature entertain you;
 let stress go.  Saturday, let's crawl under a big blanket and watch movies...

~Nadiya~

Nov 18, 2016

And So Begins A New Day....

When shifts and transitions in life shake you to the core,
 see that as a sign of the greatness that's about to occur... 

Life is always an adventure.  Takes you places sometimes you never expected.  Throws 
you surprises you never wanted, but it's life and you cannot change what's happening.  
One can only change oneself and either go with the flow or stay stuck in the same spot.  


Stuck is what I have been and am, but I a working very hard to pull myself out of it.

They say that a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. I am very
 ready to start taking those little steps.  My Brutus lives in my heart as does my 
Shadow.  Not a day goes by that I don't miss Brutus and don't think of them. 
Forever Brutus will be my baby.  I still have some not so good days, 
but I also have some very good ones as well.  Life!


 Sniff is here and and he wants love and I have lots of love to give.
Many times life is not what you wanted.  Not what you expected,
but always something to be thankful for.  No matter what.


To all a good day.  I can feel a new beginning coming towards me and I am
 willing to give it a chance.  Yes, I am running to it with open arms.  It's the best way
 to heal and to move on.  One has to push oneself to do the things that need to 
be done.  I'm willing and ready to give it a try.  Sniff is a good start.  He makes 
everything better, and I have grown accustomed to that cute little face.

To all a very good start of the weekend.  Stay warm and always be 
thankful and grateful for the privilege of waking up to a new day.

November is the month to remind us to be thankful for the many 
positive things happening in our life.  November, please be good to me...

~Nadiya~

Nov 16, 2016

Hello Wednesday...

November, the last month of autumn, but the beginning of a 
new adventure;  time to take risks and to do the unexpected...

One year and 16 days our Brutus has been dead now, but hey who is counting?  Today 
after all this time, at 4:40 am, I dreamt with Brutus.  After that there was no more sleep for me.
  He was in a men's room which I accidentally went into. I saw him and I picked him up. 


He had on a red collar. Means he had a new home.  That's the first thing that popped into 
my head.   My Brutus had a new home and another person who loved him. At first I was positive 
it was my Brutus. Then a little hesitant, but then I saw his paw and I knew it was him. 

My Brutus had a new home, but I was going to take him back with me because he was
 my Brutus. But he had a new home.  This is the first time in one year and 16 days that
 I have dreamt with my Brutus. Is this a sign? I have been awake since then.

When Arvid woke up I told him about my dream.  He said, "no, no, Brutus only
 had one home and that was with us."  We love you Brutus. Play with you little brother and 
know that mama and dada miss you and your brother, but we also have little Sniff.


Arvid and I have been on the road.  Of course somehow that trip "took" us to our 
favorite city.  Chicago.  I have to say we have been and are pleasantly surprised with the 
weather.  It's cold.  Very cold when compared too Florida, but on the other hand much 
better than what we expected.  The first 2 days were bright, sunny and "warm" 
Chicago style.  Enough of the cold though.  Soon time to find warmth again.

Some of what I captured of the super moon as we made our way into Chicago. Yes,
it's wintertime in Chicago, but the boats are still out and the scenery is still gorgeous.


Sniff Sniff is at home.  Waiting for me.  I have missed him, and am missing him, and 
look forward to soon seeing him again.  We have gotten accustomed to that little face.

Good morning world.  Wishing you all a great day.  Cold is coming to everyone
 and it sure is cold right now for us as well.  Bundle up.  Stay warm and like us enjoy
 hot chocolate and if possible stay under the covers for just those few extra minutes. 
 Makes a difference.  Leaving you with a Chicago sunrise.  Just amazing all the time.


November, please be good to me.
But baby, it's cold outside...

~Nadiya~

Nov 15, 2016

Kindness.. It Goes A Long Way

Man can alter his life by altering his thinking...

Woke up this morning with a great sadness in my heart.  Nothing is wrong 
here at home.  Just watching the news sometimes is enough to make 
anyone feel depressed and a bit fed up with the world.

So much suffering going on sometimes I wish I had some magic to make
 the world a better place.  Take away the killings, the suffering 
and just wishing everyone can get along better.


It bothers me to see animals being tortured and killed by cruel and heartless
 people.  Why?  What's your pleasure in hurting a tiny little creature that
 cannot defend itself?  Something that never hurt you in any possible way?  I 
just think of Brutus, Shadow and Sniff and can never imagine someone
 wanting to hurt such a defenseless and precious thing.

I think about families torn together by jealousies and just plain misunderstandings. 
What can cause brothers/sisters/friends etc to just ignore each other and treat
 each other as strangers.  It must be heart wrenching to live this way. 
 I feel for all those families torn apart for no reason at all. 

To all of you I say...clear up that misunderstanding.  Call your mom, your brother,
 your sister.  Tell them you love them.  Life is too short to not enjoy them to the fullest.

I come from a very close knit family.  We grew up respecting each other and appreciating
 each other.  I hope this never changes because there is already way too much bad 
stuff going on in this world.  Love one another that's the best example you can give
 to your children and it's the best way to make this world a better place.


Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. 
Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.. Remember
 that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something. 
 A mistake made by many people with great convictions is that they will 
let nothing stand in the way of their views, not even kindness.

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. ....

~Nadiya~

Nov 13, 2016

Beautiful Time Of The Year...

Good times come and go, but memories last forever.  Blessed is
 the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love...

The picture below is courtesy of Starbucks.  Sets the tone for the Holidays.


Thanksgiving is the next Holiday and then Christmas.  Used to be my favorite
 time of the year.  Now it has lost some of its magic for me, but the "child" in me
is still amazed at the wonder of it all. The magic of the holidays has begun.

Christmas scenes from our favorite city.  Chicago.


Home in Florida it is always a beautiful time as well.  Last year Shadow
spent his first and last Christmas with us.  He was a happy little boy.


This year will be Sniff's first Thanksgiving and Christmas with us.  We look forward
 to many many more with him.  Wishing everyone a good day and may you all
 enjoy this beautiful season that is here.  Nothing like home for the Holidays.

Whatever you decide to do make sure it makes you happy.
One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day...

~Nadiya~

Nov 11, 2016

Happy Weekend All..

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless....

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear 
when you get up close to them..have a good weekend all.  It sure goes by too fast.  
Some say why wait for the weekend to have fun?  I have to say it is always
 a good time to have fun and enjoy life the day does not matter.


I don't know about you, but I am sure ready to kick back and have some relax time.


The weekend is upon us, and I think we should all take time to do the things 
we love and be around our most cherished family and friends! Happy Friday!.....

~Nadiya~

Nov 10, 2016

Friendship...

A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversation or being together.
As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part...

It only takes a little something to put a smile on your face no matter what else is going on in
 your life at that moment.  A kind word, a little token of friendship, it just makes your day 
even better.  My friend Anna made my day.  My weakness is T-cups.  She sent me a little t-cup 
all the way from California.  What's special about it?  One of her kitties is named Taino.  


On the t-cup, as she said there are Taino kisses sent to us.  Now, how can one not be happy 
after that.  As I have my cafe I'm still smiling, and all I can say is thank you for your friendship. 
 20+ years and going strong.  That day we met in California, was one of the best days for me.
  Even though it was also one of the worst times in both our lives.  Strange.  The worst
 of times and the best of times happened during that time in our lives.


You know how they say that we may not have everything we want, but we have everything 
we need?  It's true.  I have good friends, I have a good and loving family, and that includes 
my Norway family of course, I have Arvid and Sniff, and I have my best friend Anna.

Yes, I have what I need and for that I am always grateful.  As they say there is always 
something to be grateful for.  My question to you is: what are you grateful for?


To all  a very good day.  Never forget that true friendship multiplies the good in life 
and divides its evils. Strive to have friends; for life without friends is like life on a desert 
island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him/her is a blessing.

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.
A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it
 back to you when you have forgotten the words....ANNA

~Nadiya~