Sunday Morning ~

If the sun comes up, 

I have a chance...

Once again it's too early for this.  Been awake

 since 1 AM, and got out of bed by 3:15 AM together 

with Sniff.  Sniff of course had lots of brushing, love 

and foodies.  Like all smart kitties, he's back in bed. 

 Exactly where I should be.  Hopefully I will.

I know that I will be very tired later on today, 

but for now I am wide awake.  We have had a very 

good weekend so far, and it's not over as yet.  

Yesterday we went for a long walk along the River

 and as always there was something going on in the 

park.  So happens there was music.  It just happened 

to be the Blues.  We got something to drink and

 stayed for a little, then walked back home.

When I wake up I miss my mom and my dad. 

 I miss going to their "home"  I miss going 

with her to have breakfast or just coffee.  

More soccer on today for Arvid.  He's happy.  The 

last few days he was getting restless because we have

 not been on the move so much.  Arvid and I need to be

 in constant motion otherwise we get restless and bored. 

 Not so sure this is always good.  Especially not for me.

Yesterday Arvid saw pictures of Brutus on my laptop.  

The kitties are by background picture.  He stopped,

 and he said, "it's boysie"  After that we were both quiet 

for a long time.  I cried😿.  We really miss our Brutus,

 and Arvid wiped his😢😢 eyes several times.  Life 😢

Good morning everyone.  I think I may go back 

to bed and hopefully sleep a little more.

Today will be a good day. So wake up and smile.

 It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is.

 As long as we are together, it will always

 be a beautiful day. Good morning...

~Nadiya~

Thinking Of You ~

Christmas is not a story of hope. It is hope....

Christmas is missing a little of it's spark.  Don't get 

me wrong, I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. 

 I am grateful to have a wonderful family and good friends.  

Special mention to my friend Anna in California.  

Thank you always for your friendship and love.

We still have a few "old" traditions. 

 Like card giving. I love it.

I am happy because today we will be with family.  

But in in heart I am missing my Brutus so very much.  

Today I also think very much of Shadow.  He was

 with us for such a short time.  November to 

March.  He had one Christmas with us.

We have our Sniff.  I love him like crazy, and he sure

 makes everyday a day to be thankful and grateful for.

My thoughts are free to go anywhere, but it is

 surprising how often they head in your direction...

~Nadiya~

Beautiful Views ~

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

 It is a direction not a destination...

Sunsets from our balcony.  Even though it's cold, I just can't

 seem to resist going out and taking a few pictures. 

Sunrise from the balcony.  I am really enjoying the views,

 but I would rather be home with Sniff.  I miss him very much.

Our walks are always interesting and fun. 

 Be it winter or summer always something to see.

30 degrees F (5C) this is on a warm day, and you still 

find outdoor dining in the city and as if that was not COLD,

 there are lines of hundreds of people waiting to go in.  

This is everyday winter and summer.  And yes, 

I have eaten there with a friend and we also waited

 close to an hour to be seated.  It was an experience.

Chicago has a lot going for it, but somehow I am not

 too into being away from home anymore.  I think I am just 

tired of always moving around.  Now I want to be in one place. 

  Arvid and I were thinking of going to Punta Cana,

 but suddenly I do not wish to go anymore.

I am happy with our life and grateful for all the 

things we do.  As Arvid says, "we have worked hard

 enough to be able to enjoy life and do as we please."  

Guess he's right, but all I want is to go home.  

Wishing everyone a beautiful day and 

hope your week is going well so far.

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~

It Happens...

Nobody told me they'd be days like these...

Sometimes the best thing we can do is ride out the storm.

We all have days which seem intolerable and at times more

than one person can handle.  I for sure know this for a fact.

Every so often I feel like saying "the heck with it," and walk away.

The last few days have been not so good days for me.  I know why.  Today
 makes 1 year since Shadow died.  It still pisses me off like crazy and
 makes me want to scream and never stop.  He was just a baby and I
feel like just shaking Liliana until I get all this anger out of me.

There is anger, there is resentment, there is hurt, there is pain and of course heartache
for the loss of Shadow and the loss of a friendship.  We have spoken again, but it
has been strained.  Yet I know that Liliana will always be there for me.

Today is also 1 year and 4 months since my baby, our Brutus died.  And no,
I cannot forget him and I cannot stop missing him.  He is and always will be my baby.

Then there is Arvid and Sniff.  Not so long ago it was Arvid, Brutus and I.
Both looking at me when I am in one of these "rages."  Does not
happen often.  That is good.  They look at me with these big

eyes and wonder what the heck is wrong with her.

Long time ago, Arvid said to Brutus, "be careful around mommy.  She has

a knife in her hands and a killer look."  Now that of course made me laugh.

Everything else at that point started to look better.  Life is not always

easy.  Heck most times it is downright difficult, but it almost always

looks better if we approach it with the right attitude.

There have been many a times Arvid has also been fed up with things and I was
the one to help him through this crisis.  It's nice to have someone you can
 count on.  That someone can be just about anyone who knows you
 and knows how to lift your spirits and does not walk away from you in
the toughest moments of your life.  For me it's always Arvid!

Wishing you good times and good days ahead.  Just remember, spending
 today complaining about yesterday won't make tomorrow any better!  Sniff
 sees me sad, and runs right up to as if to ask, "what's wrong?"  I love him

There are days when everything seems wrong,  when little things hurt 
you for no reason.  But then there are days like today; when the world just
 sings to you,from the minute you open your eyes in the morning 

to the minute you shut them again at night...

~Nadiya~

Thankful Always...

Never let the things you want make 

you forget the things you have...

Talking to my parents and to my sisters yesterday, they all tell me that fall is

already in the air.  They already feel the chill of winter approaching..

This is when I am happy to be living in the warmer Florida climate. There was a
 time I lived in New York and though I love the city, I never got used to the 
freezing winters.  I hated to be bundled up in so many layers of clothing.
  I love the fact that here in Florida we can always wear summer clothes.

Or go to the beach all year long (this though, we never do).  Another good thing

is that one can do is drive their cars with the top down all winter long.  If we

 so wish. Yes, I feel fortunate to be able to have warm climate all year long.

 Many, like my sisters and parents love the change of seasons and they

enjoy the winters.   Arvid, Sniff and I not at all!  We like warm.  Coming back

 from Chicago we have had the AC on at all times.  Sniff is sneezing non stop,

 and Arvid swears that it's too cold inside the apartment.  It's only 78F

 My parents and two sisters at one time called Florida home.  Today they
 unfortunately no longer live here and seem to be happier in their new States.  

I an currently experiencing difficulties with uploading pictures to my blog 

and a few other things with the blog.  Hopefully will get it fixed soon. 

Wishing you all a good day and never forget to ask yourself,

:what are you grateful for today?  You'd be surprised.

Gratitude is a habit of the heart...

~Nadiya~