Saturday May 16th~

 We live in a wonderful world that is full 

of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no 

end to the adventures we can have if only 

we seek them with our eyes open...

Arvid and I enjoyed a very nice outing

 yesterday in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  It’s 

a quaint but very charming little town. 

The "Stairstep Town": Downtown Eureka Springs 

is built entirely into the mountainside. You won’t

 find any stoplights here; instead, the entire downtown 

area is listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places as the Eureka Springs Historic District.

Seems like there are no elevators around.  It is 

after all a very quaint town.  Arvid and I climbed 

stairs just to everywhere we went. Even the elderly had to 

climb stairs if the wanted to get to a particular restaurant. 

 Not just one set of stairs but minimum of three sets.

We enjoyed lunch accompanied with music.  

Afterwards we walked around a bit. Checked out a few

 pubs and realized there is a lot more we would like to see 

here in Eureka Springs.  The people were friendly and 

very down to earth.  We also met a few nice people.  

We checked out a few places, some very cool

 looking pubs as well.  Very small, but they reminded us

 of some of the blues bars/venues in Chicago.  Definitely

 a place we will have to check out some more.

We liked Chelsea pub and grub quite a bit.  There

 were many cool posters on the wall.  One in particular 

caught our attention.  Arvid of course made an offer 

to the owner to buy it.  No luck with that.  Knowing 

Arvid, he will try again.  Next time we go there.

The outing left us wanting for more.  Maybe another 

trip is in our future.  Just have to wait and see.

Morning is here.  Sniff is very 

occupied with his wildlife friends.

It’s not what you look at 

that matters. It’s what you see...

~Nadiya~

Sunday August 24th-

People will never truly understand

 something unless it happens to them...

 I know Oliver is no longer here in the neighborhood,

 but I still have a bag with food and water just in case 

he shows up.  I know he would not, but I keep looking

 for him.  Maybe whoever took him brings him back. 

Unless of course he has a good home.  I miss him.

Yesterday I went to 3 stores to do my grocery 

shopping, by the time I got home I was tired, but I 

still had to unpack and make lunch.  In between I

 look for Oliver. You see our breakfast table looks 

out straight to where Oliver always was/lived.

Sniff has been on the prowl on and off. When he

 gets tired he just goes to sleep. Then up again looking

 for birds and squirrels. I keep putting peanuts out

 just so that the squirrels can entertain Sniff.

Yesterday we went to the movies. As I have 

mentioned before, I love the movies. It relaxes 

me and it gives me a chance to just sit and not

 have to do or think of anything.  So relaxing.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and relaxing day. 

Sometimes all we need to do is just sit and do

 nothing.  Sundays are time to recharge your

 battery in preparation for the week ahead.

At the end of the day what really matters is that

 your  loved ones are well, you've done your best, 

and that you're thankful for all that you have...

~Nadiya~

July 12th~ Horten, Norway

Two hearts, one love, endless happiness...

 Today my parents and sisters all go to Florida together

 with other family. As mentioned before, my aunt and uncle

 are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone! May

 your 50 years together be just the beginning of a lifetime filled

 with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Wishing you both

 a golden anniversary filled with cherished memories and the joy of

 knowing that your love has stood the test of time. Happy 50th!

Would have loved to have been there.  Another time 

it will be.  There is always lots of family gatherings. 

 Would have loved to see my cousins coming from 

Arizona.  Always have the best time with them.

Yesterday we had a little outing with Michelle 

and the girls.  Where else but the mall.  Was a good 

time.  The little ones all got goodies they choose.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Today we also 

get to enjoy the company of the entire family.  We all 

meet for lunch at a very cool place.  Pictures tomorrow.

As always no blog is complete without my Sniff.

Laughing, loving, and making memories with family...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday October 24th~

Winter is coming.  We know what's coming with it...

 The other day my sister sent me a picture.  She said "I

 pull it out every winter.  Keeps me warm."  I'm not one to get 

souvenirs, but I loved these socks.  My sister and my mom

 both are warmer in winter with them.  And they look cute.

  Can't forget my T-cup either.  I love t-cups.

On Sunday our youngest granddaughter had her birthday party. 

 She will actually turn 2 on October 31st.  Yes, she was born on 

Halloween Day.  Since Halloween is a "busy" day, she had an

 early birthday celebration.  We may not have been there, but we

 sure enjoyed the pictures and videos that was shared with us.

Sniff is getting in the Halloween spirit, at least I am trying to get 

him into it, because nothing like taking pictures of my Sniff Sniff.

Yesterday was the first of three doctors appointments scheduled 

for this week.  Next week lucky me, just two unless but I am waiting 

for a call back to see a specialist.  All depends when I get the call and 

when they have an opening.  Having a "condition" is a hindrance.

Good morning and a good day to all.  Remember to

 always live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive.

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try...

~Nadiya~

Monday July 24th ~

A new week rolls in.  A week full of promise,

 potential and endless possibilities...

 As the new week begins, I am grateful for all 

the good times I have had so far with family.  I have 

enjoyed it all and am very satisfied.  I now look forward

 to the new week and what it holds.  There is always

 something good waiting right around the corner.

The new week brings us new strengths, 

new possibilities and hopefully better attitude.

Spending time with the ones you love is always good for your mental health.

The best part of it all, the new week brings me closer to being 

home with Sniff.  After all is said and done, he is my happy place.

To all a very good day.  We are looking forward to

 some good times with our two eldest granddaughters.  Today 

we go to the movies with them and then they sleepover with us.

Whenever I think about you being my granddaughter,

 I'm filled with overwhelming pride and gratitude...

~Nadiya~

Monday December 26th ~

 New beginnings are in order, and you are bound to feel 

some level of excitement as new chances come your way...

The last Monday of December 2022, and my last week of radiation. 
 Today I have "off" that leave four days and five treatments remaining. 

 Once again sleep has been evading me.  Why I don't know.

On December 24th we went to dinner at Nina's (my sister) and David's

home in Tampa.  We all made so much food that we could have fed 

over 50 people.  We were just 10 of us.  It was a happy time.  I Enjoyed 

myself and ate a lot.  Nina made flan for Arvid which he ate plus 

I took rice pudding among everything else, he also ate that. 

Sniff has gotten smart and sits on the dryer when I have it on if he's

 not under the cover.  He knows how to find heat.  Today I will

 be buying him a little warming bed like he has in Branson.

Finally it is warming up.  Took a few days, but it's coming. 

 We still have the heat going, Arvid and Sniff do not handle cold so well.  

I do better, but lately I have been even colder than Arvid.  Why?

Soccer is back on and someone is very happy and busy again.  It's a full day 😂

Always remember that the life in front of you 

is far more important than the life behind you...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 12th~

 Everyday brings new choices...

Gerald the groundhog has gotten bolder by the day. 

 He now comes out every day for longer and longer periods.  

I watch him from above and he just stares right back.

He moves around the backyard, and comps away on whatever 

it is he finds.  I buy him carrots because I read somewhere that

 both chipmunks and groundhogs eat carrots and fruit.  Every

 so often he gets apples and grapes as well.  I think he's happy.

Waking up to a cloudy morning.  Maybe a little rain

 today, but that's only good because we need it.  Everything 

is getting dry, plus the deck can use a little washing 😂

Sniff get lot of time again with us, and we are all loving it.  

Wishing everyone a good day.  make it an amazing one.

Find the little things in everyday life that make you happy...

~Nadiya~

Friday June 3rd ~

 Live every day as if it's going to be
 your last, and one day, you'll be right...

And just like that another week is soon over.  It's been
 a very busy one, making it go by even faster than ever.

Even though it is busy, we still took time to have 

lunch out together, and of course I could not miss taking 

pictures of one of my favorite landmarks in Branson, The 

Branson Ferris Wheel of course.  All the way from Chicago.

With the rain comes the waterfall.  

I see on my way to and from work.

Boys time.  Every evening after a long day at work it really is 

a sight for sore eyes.  These two have a bond, even if sometimes 

Arvid is a little less than patient with Sniff.  Sniff after all 

walks all over him constantly. Arvid's tolerance level is low

 at times, but once Sniff is settled in, all good with them.

Wishing everyone a great day and an early start of 
the weekend if that's the case.  Seems a long time ago

 we started our weekends early.  Now we're lucky if

 we have Sundays off 😂 What a life we live.

Some days you just have to create your own sunshine...

~Nadiya~

Monday May 2nd ~

 You learn something out of everything, and you 

come to realize more than ever that we're all here for

 a certain space of time, and, and then it's going

 to be over, and you better make this count...

Once again, a new week is upon us.  Weekends do seem

 to vanish into thin air, especially when we work it.  Arvid

 works hard.  Like no one I know.  I sometimes look at him and 

wish I could do some of the physical labor he has been doing

 lately, but when he starts a project, he is tireless until it's done. 

Looking at Sniff you would think he's doing all the hard 

work, but Sniff is a cutie, so he's allowed to slack off as much 

as he likes, and to be tired after that.  He does it so well.

Wishing everyone a productive week ahead.

Not everything you're going to do in volleyball - or 

in life, for that matter - is exciting or fully functional, 

but if you have the willpower to make each minute 

count, you'll benefit in some way. And it will make you

 a better player and a better person in the long run...

~Nadiya~

New Day Wednesday

 Don't miss out on something that could be

 great just because it could also be difficult...

Sniff finds comfort in the closet under my clothes.

  Whenever I don't see him, I know where he took off to. 

 And yes, he gets clean linens to lay on there as well. 

Sniff is never not well cared for and loved.

Allery season is here, and once again I have it in a bad way. 

 Started yesterday for me.  Nonstop sneezing and watery eyes.

  Yep, happy times ahead.  Will most likely have to confine

 myself in the office for some days, and that it not me.

One of my original tenants from 2017 checked out 
Monday evening.  Room already rented by Thursday.

  Robert, Arvid and I have a huge job on our hands. 

 First turnaround in this room in five years.

 First thing we did, mainly Arvid, was to remove trash.  

That includes furniture.  The tenants enjoy watching 

Arvid smash things apart.  No one like Arid when it comes 

to doing these things.  He is strong. He's a one man show.

When it comes to cleaning, then I get involved.  Together

 with our maintenance guy, we clean, and not to brag

 but I clean probably better than anyone I know.

My hands are all split open from bleach.  Yeah, gloves

 rip open, but cleaning does not stop.  My clothes are 

discolored from being on my knees scrubbing, and 

yes, bleach is all over them.  That's how it is.

I'm bone tired and today more of the same 😂

Because this is our life and that's 

the only explanation you need...

~Nadiya~

February 24th ~

 When it comes to life the critical

 thing is whether you take things for 

granted or take them with gratitude...

Hail, rain, snow.  That’s what we have right now.

 Now I’m a little tired of this winter.  According to

 everyone, one of the worst winters in years. 

 So far, there has been a lot of freezing days accompanied

 by lots of snow, and it seems it’s far from over 🥶.  My birds 

still seem to be coming around, but probably the winter

 condition (snow, rain, ice) will freeze their food 🤐

 and they probably won’t be around for a little. 

Sniff’s running around Arvid.  Must have

 missed him also very much 😊  We both did.

Arvid brought back quite a few momentos from 

Norway, one of those was a collage of Brutus

 we gave to his mom many years ago.  Said it 

was one of the first things he packed away.  

Arvid also brought me back some jewelry belonging 

to his mother.  I was very touched.  It’s a pretty set,

 and I will definitely be using it.  It warmed my heart.

Whenever Arvid comes back from Norway you 

would think he’s coming back from some 🌍 obscure

 part of the world judging by the way he carries on

He comes back and right away starts looking into 

all sorts of venues with things for us to do.  One would

 seriously 🙈begin to think that suddenly he is once

 again alive after being “not alive” for a long time 

 Seeing him in high gear makes me smile, and in

 a way I’m grateful to Norway for waking him up to

 life as usual 😊. He is on a high kick of all the things

 we have to do.  Not complaining at all.  Loving it.

It’s good to have him back home with us. It’s where 

he belongs, and he has not stopped saying it and 

smiling at how happy he is to be home 😍.

 To all a very good day.  Hopefully spring is 
soon here.  Winter has gone on long enough.

Dark and grey day here, but still much better 

than what's going on in the rest of the world.  Let's

 just hope we are not looking at World War III.

Do not spoil what you have by desiring 

what you have not; remember that what 

you now have was once among the

 things you only hoped for...

~Nadiya~