She Leaves Today...

We didn't realize we were making memories.

We just knew we were having fun...

So far we have had a really good time with Danielle, but like everything else this 

is also coming to an end.  Yesterday was her last day with us and we sure made the most of it.

For starters she and I out for breakfast.  Then we will to The Galleria Mall and did some
 more shopping and of course check out the Starbucks as we always do.  We both enjoy this.

Arvid met us there for lunch and of course we went to our favorite restaurant there
which is PG Changs.  Danielle likes it also because when in Chicago the 3 

of us go there quite often.  I really enjoyed our day together.

Later on in the evening the 3 of us went to the Dine-In-Movie Theater.  We 

wanted to take her there to experience it.  Danielle says she has been to one before, but 

wanted to go with us.  She says we are fun to be with and we all have a good time together.

It was very sad to see her go, but that's life.  She now goes back home for a few days and then
she's on her way to London to experience life, school and work in the writing field.  Yes,
 she writes.  She has been published in magazines, she has won a few prizes and
 her goal is to become an editor with one of the top notch companies.
  As she said to us.  "I want to start out with the best there is."

  For the days Danielle was with us life was easy going and not much room to spend
with sadness.  Always happy to have one of my nieces or nephews stay with us.

When Arvid's family visit they come for a much longer time.  They are also now all
grown up and they stay on their own.  When they were younger they stayed with us.  Now
I'm happy to say my nieces and nephews are at the age where we can still have them.

Rain is predicted for many days to come.  The weather for us Floridians is a little chilly,
but for anyone visiting like my niece it seems to be fine.  My niece is one of the few
 people I know who does not like taking pictures nor posting pictures.

 So far she has not posted a single palm tree nor has she tagged herself to any location.
 She is very low key when it comes to her privacy; something Arvid says he admires very much.
  I take pictures of her and she's not happy about it, but lets me.  Says she does not need
 the world to know her every move.  As Arvid says, "smart girl.  I like that." He also said
to me, "you should do the same."  Who knows maybe they know something.

I've always believed in savoring the moments. In the end, they are the only things
 we'll have.  I guess they're called moments because they don't last very long...

~Nadiya~

Life.. It Is What It Is...

Start each day with a grateful heart.
Sometimes life knocks you on your ass... get up, get up, get up!!! 
Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them...

I am really trying to have a good time, and I am sure that even though my heart is not
into it, I am giving it my best shot.  Daytime is bright, sunny and lots of things going on.

I love walking around the area and I do so quite often.  Yesterday it was market day for us.
 We both look forward to this day twice a week.  Every Wednesday and Saturday.
 It's nice to go into town and get all the fresh vegetables and fruit we want.
 Plus it keeps us busy and makes me happy to have something to do.

The other night Arvid and I went strolling into town as we do most evenings.  Lucky
for us there was live music going on.  Best of all for Arvid.  It was the Blues.
 Of course we sat down had a few drinks and a nibble.  At some point
  Arvid got up and asked the musician to play a certain song.

Last night as we were walking and we looked for Mexican Brutus Arvid said,
"you remember me asking the musician to play a song for me the other night?"  I said
yes, but he never played it.  Arvid said it was because the other guy did not know
 the song.  Arvid then said, "I asked him to play baby please don't go." Then he said,
"that was for Brutus." And he proceeded to quote me the lyrics:

Baby, please don't go.  Baby, please don't go
Baby, please don't go, down to New Orleans
You know I love you so.

Of course I started to cry again.  This combined with seeing Mexican Brutus was too much. 
 Mexican Brutus reminds me so much of our Brutus.  Not looks, but everything else. 
 As we fed him, and he grazed all over us; Arvid proceeded to sing to him. 

 Just the way he sang to Brutus.  Same song.  Shadow does not care for this routine as 
of right now.  For those minutes all I pictured was Brutus, Arvid and I happy like we used
 to be when we were all together.  I'm stuck and I am really trying to get un-stuck.

I have been awake since 5 am.  For someone on vacation that is a it early.  I love mornings.
I have already had my cafe and now will just go out and sit on the balcony listening to the
 birds chirping away.  The day is looking good and we plan to make the most of it.

New day for good things to happen and to remember that no matter what there is 
always something to be grateful for.  I remind myself of this everyday.  Brutus may 
not be around anymore, but little Shadow is waiting for us back home.

Good morning all may our day be filled with love, laughter and all things good.  Like I 
tell myself, remember there is always something to be grateful for.  Today and everyday.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive
—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love—then make that day count...

~Nadiya~