Tuesday December 15th ~

 If the only prayer you ever say in your 
entire life is thank you, it will be enough...

This is how my mornings begin.  An early 

morning walk,  sunrises, feral kitties.  Simple

 things which make me the happiest.  Life is simple 

it's us who usually tend to make it complicated.

Then it's back to Arvid, Sniff and my cafe.  Could

 not be any better.  Love our life and would not trade 

it for anything in the world.  Just the simple things.

The other day Sniff refused to use the litter, he's

 still having issues about it so Arvid decided to dig into

 the sand in order to get him to use it.  Arvid used to do the same

 with Brutus.  It didn't work right away, but eventually after 

some more digging on Arvid's side, Sniff did it.

Sniff is on the moody side these last few days.  

Some days he eats, other days we beg him to eat, but

 he's happy and is having a good time through it all.  

I told him we were going to take him to the vet, 

and suddenly he was "good" again.  Didn't last long, 

will see how he is this week.  Never a dull moment.

The simple things are also the most extraordinary

 things, and only the wise can see them...

The secret to a good morning is to

 watch the sunrise with an open heart...

~Nadiya~

Sunday August 23rd ~

No matter what happens in life, be good 
to people. Being good to people is a
 wonderful legacy to leave behind...

The days continue to fly by.  Before you know it 

August is soon over.  Christmas is looming in
the horizon.  For many summer is soon over,
and autumn will be knocking at their doors.

 What a year it has been. Arvid continues to
 keep track of how many people in a boat.

Today is Arvid's last soccer game.  He's been 

looking forward to it for quite some time.  Of course

 we will be placing a bet on it.  Just $1.00 💲💲

The last two games played we betted on.  He won

 the first bet.  I won the second.  So we are even.  I 

know that on today's game Arvid will win, but just

 for fun I made the bet with him.  He enjoys it 😂.

I'm feeling blah.  All is good here, but in
 Norway a little kitty is missing from his home. 
He's been gone now for 5 long weeks.

  His mama and daddy are family.  Makes the little
dude, Loffen family too.  I'm sad because I picture
 my anguish should something happen to Sniff, and I
 know exactly what Victoria and Michael are going
 through.  I still grieve for Brutus and Shadow.
 Of course, now I'm worried for Loffen 😢.

The day here is beautiful.  Lot of things to do
 this coming week.  Always good to stay busy. 
Makes one feel as if life is "normal" again.

The numbers are going down.  We're not there yet,
but it's starting to feel like we soon will be. 

Hello Sunday.  Hope everyone is enjoying
 their day and getting ready for the new week that
 will soon be here.  Life is full of surprises,
 Arvid loves surprises.  Me not at all.

Life comes with many challenges. The ones
 that should not scare us are the ones we
 can take on and take control of...

~Nadiya~

March 5th ~

View life as a continuous learning experience.  Experience is a 
sometimes cruel teacher, it gives a test before presenting the lesson...

On Saturday we all worked at Almost home spiffing up 

some rooms for new tenants.  It was a lot of fun the 4 of us 

working together and then of course seeing the results.  

Always good when we work as a team.  Tiffany, Chris, Arvid and I. 

 We also have a good lunch of chicken wings (a favorite),so it 

made for even better times.  Saturday was very good.

Tiffany and Chris have two boys.  I think I finally found someone

 who enjoys chicken wings more than I do.  The youngest 

is only 14 and he can out eat us all in wings.

March 5th.  Two years since our little Shadow died. The few 

months we had Shadow with us he kept us busy.  He was 

very, very active little boy.  He was a baby after all.  

Arvid and I find it very difficult to talk or even think of how he died.

  We both agree that he was fearless and had he lived he would have 

been unstoppable.  Maybe the bravest and fiercest of our 3 kitties.

How strange it is.  Both shadow and Brutus died on the 5th.  

Different months, but every 5th of every month a little piece of 

my heart is ripped appar all over again.  My Brutus took my heart.

Little Sniff is filling our lives and leaving his paw prints all over us. 

He make life everyday better.  Sniff makes that ace in my heart

 more bearable.  He is now my little boy and because of him

 I am sure one day everything is going to be better and better.

Life goes on.  Nothing has stopped us from moving forward,

but it's in those moments when I have quiet time.  My mind wanders. 

 It goes to places it shouldn't.  I don't stay there, but there are days I wish 

I could go back in time.  Go back to when Brutus was alive.  And, no I 

don't live in a fantasy world.  If I did our Brutus would be here.

To everyone out there.  Never judge someone without knowing 

the whole story.  You may think you understand, but you don't. Before you

 start to judge, step into their shoes and walk the live they are living, and if you 

get as far as they did, just maybe you will see how strong they are.

The strongest people aren't always the people who win,

but the people who don't give up when they lose...

~Nadiya~

Cold Start Of The day...

Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive..

Though the temperature has warmed up a bit, we woke up

to a a crisp and cold morning.  As you can imagine I am loving it 

(for now), Arvid is all bundled up and Sniff does not want

 to leave his warm blankets.  A beautiful day awaits us.

The nice part is that it is going to get sunny and warmer.  Loving it right now

Fall is in the air.  Can't wait to experience the change of seasons and colors.

To all a beautiful day.  Enjoy it, live it.  

A little progress each day adds up to big results...

~Nadiya~

Something Different...

Nothing will change in your life if you don't do

 something different from what you've been doing...

Everyday life in Branson, Missouri is getting more and more interesting.  

Time just seems to fly and before you know it the weekend is over, the new week 

is on us and the business that has become our lives once again kicks in. 

 Gets our adrenaline pumping and makes for interesting times.  One never

 knows what to expect with each new day.  We like it that way. 

Yesterday Arvid and I were invited to a little BBQ.  The temperature never was above

 45 degrees Fahrenheit, even so we both helped out, enjoyed some very jumbo sized hot

 dogs and Arvid even enjoyed playing some pool with some of the people there.

  Very different from our usual times in Florida, but I ave to say we had a very

 good time and instead of the hour we would have usually spent, we ended up 

staying for over 3 hours.  New record for us.  We met very nice people,

 and everyone brought something which made it even more enjoyable. 

Some of them even had pets with them.  Made for a different, yet enjoyable time.

To all a very good day.  I am enjoying life here in Branson.  I have made friends.

I do look forward to going back home to Florida, but for now all is good here with us.

Never be afraid to try something new, because life gets boring 

when you stay within the limits of what you already know...

~Nadiya~

Regular Day..

When you wake up thinking "it's just another day...
'That when you know it's time for change...

Living downtown Chicago means no car.  That is it is so much better to NOT have a car.  

One there is hardly anywhere to park, and if you do find a parking spot it is VERY expensive. 

 Every so often if we need the use of a car, Arvid would rent it.  We do some bulky

 shopping, definitely Home Depot, pet store, one of my favorites, Bed Bath and 

Beyond and so forth.  But not having a car is actually a relief here. 

Before we left Florida we already booked a car for a few road trips we will be
 taking in the next few months.  Even though we don't need a car, the days we
 rent one are very exciting.  I make long lists of things we need to get
as does Arvid.  We just like driving bottom line.

Another outing in the hot tub.  Arvid does this weird contortion to keep his
leg out of the hot tub.  Something to do with the blood clot and the fact that the hot
 tub is not recommended because it can cause the clot to move.  But it does
 not stop us from going.  It just too good to not go.  We love it.

One thing about us, we really don't care what anyone says or thinks.  It looked strange
 the way Arvid was positioned.  I actually told him that anyone coming would think
he was just doing yoga.  And what happens?  The first time we went a girl
came and that's exactly what she thought.  Very funny.  The other day we had
the hot tub all to ourselves so no one noticed any of his contortions

Sniff is getting more and more comfortable with his surroundings.  We could not be any
happier.  I look at Sniff and I love him, but every so often I catch myself and
 remind myself that he's Sniff and not Brutus.  I will not lie.  I miss
 my Brutus everyday.  I don't dwell on it, it's just how it is.  

Our days are busy.  Still lots of little things that need to done.  Arvid and Sniff working as 

a team, and when Sniff really gets in the way he gets a little reprimand.  Sniff is glued to 

Arvid.  Arvid moves Sniff moves faster and always in front of him.  We have to be

 extremely careful to not step on him.  Sometimes it's really difficult.

Life is good here for us.  Sniff and us are already having patterns and routines.
Sniff is so much like Brutus that sometimes when I look at him I think I see Brutus.  But then
of course I realize it was just a trick of the light.  My Brutus is not here, but he is always
with me. I miss that kitty more than anyone would ever know.  Sniff makes life good again.

Sometimes we focus so much on what we don't have 
that we fail to see, appreciate, and use what we do have...!”

~Nadiya~

Back Home...

We are not given a good life or a bad life.  We are given a life.

It is up to us to make it good or bad...

Back home again.  Home is always best no matter who we visit.  My family or Arvid's family.  

While visiting we always have a good time, but as you know there is no place like home.

Sniff was not dancing with joy when he saw us.  Unlike Brutus who used to miss us 

like crazy, Sniff was like,"Oh you're back?  About time."  

After about an hour then Sniff started to "talk" like crazy and then is when he 

decided to eat his soft foodies.  I guess my friend Anna was right.  Sniff had lots 

of attention when we were gone and was happy.  He's such a good kitty.

Weather wise it is beautiful right now.  Warm, but cool in the mornings.  Arvid and I already 

had our first walk for the day and hopefully later today we will head out again along the lake,

 and feed the duckies.  We really enjoy that in Chicago, plus the walks are just beautiful.

Yesterday was very hot when we got home.  We had a long drive, it rained quite a bit,

 and before coming home we made a few pit stops.  Pet Smart for Sniff, Trader Joe's

 for a few treats, and the grocery store.  Overall we made good use of our time.

After any trip no matter how short or how long there is lots to do.  Catching

 up with , work, laundry, cleaning and some other chores today.  Spending time with 

Sniff and just enjoying the nice weather and views.  Last night the moon was amazing. 

 Arvid refused to get up from watching TV to look at it.  I was there enjoying it.

I hope everyone is having a good week so far.  I miss my family already.  I miss Lilly Vade

 a lot.  She is as Arvid said, "a non-stop chatter box."  Love her like crazy.  Was good 

seeing them, hopefully will see Nirvana and family sometime this year, but she and 

Kimsy are enjoying so very fun times in India.  The have a very awesome guide, 

and now friend who takes them everywhere and now is a good friend as well. 

To all a very good day.  Life in Chicago is good.  Sniff is doing great.  As

 always we enjoy being here.  For me it's not exactly the same.  I am missing my Brutus,

but it is still a beautiful city with lots to do and lots to see.  When the weather behaves.

You have no idea what people are dealing with in their 

personal lives, so just be nice.  Its that simple...

~Nadiya~