Life Is Good ~

Enjoy your own life without comparing it to that of another...

No questions about it.  Sniff has the best seat in the 

house everyday all day long, and both Arvid and I love it.  

To know Sniff is to love him.  He has this calmness about him 

that you can feel and sense right away.  He soothes

 our hearts and fills our home with love.  

Every evening his first favorite spot is right between Arvid's legs.

Just like with Brutus, Arvid does not move.  He watches TV and 

stays still until Sniff decides to get up and move over to my side.  

This is every night.  A little routine the 3 of us have. We love it.

Coming back to Florida and to the life we had has been good.
We do things we used to do and some.  I still stay in touch
with my friends in Branson.  Yes, I do miss Almost Home
and the people, but I am sure loving our life here.

Like many, we enjoy the simple things in life.  Those bring
us the most happiness and for that I am always grateful.

People who delight in simple pleasures and manage to smile
 in spite of the difficulties they face have the clearest vision of life...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday In Mexico ~

I haven't been everywhere, but it's on  my list...

The days here are all the same.  Warm, beautiful, sunny and clear blue skies.

We wake up to the boats being loaded with tourist.  Heading out to explore

 some vacation destination.  I look at them and all is see is people getting 

burnt to a crisp.  Not for us.  We have done a few of these, but on our own.  

Right now I much rather sit in the shade with a fruity drink and do 

some people watching.  As is, I am already pretty burnt.  I can 

feel heat emanating from my body.  Enough sun for me.  

Our trip to Playa del Carmen was a HOT one.  Both Arvid and I are
very burnt.  I have to say it again, I do not like the hot weather.
 This has been too hot for me.  I am ready to go back
to the cooler temperatures in Branson.

So far we have had some very good days.  Days of doing absolutely nothing
work related, as you can imagine I am ready to go bananas.  I need to get home.
I need to go to work and I want to see Sniff.  I have had enough vacation.

Just a few more day left.  Definitely will enjoy them,
and get even more tanned.  I just don't know how anyone can "vacation"
 this long.  Don't get me wrong, I love travelling, I love vacations,
 but both Arvid and I have agreed that we like 5 to 7 days max.
Gives us time to enjoy ourselves and not get restless.

Hello everyone.  I will remind you of what I tell myself
 everyday, "stop over analyzing.  Life is simple."

Life is really simple,
 but we insist on making it complicated...

~Nadiya~

The Weekend ~

A good life is a collection of happy moments...

The weekend was spent with my family in Tampa, Florida.  Short visit,

 but boy was it good.  We got in on Friday and went straight to my sister and

 brother-in-law's home.  They are still in the moving in process.  They just

 bought a home in Tampa.  All we can saw is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!

They are very private and prefer not to have pictures posted, but I don't

 think a picture of the little lake behind their house is too much of an

 invasion. In the mornings the sunrises are just stunning on the lake.

The few mornings we were there I of course captured the sunrise and the fog.

The temperature was on the cooler side, which my sister and I enjoyed.

On Friday we took them all out to dinner.  Arvid is now a fan of Latin

 food so we tried a Puerto Rican restaurant.  Food was delicious,

 drinks were awesome, and believe it or not everyone of us

 had dessert.  This is unusual, but it was so good.

Both Arvid and I have enjoyed seeing our families, but now we

 are a little tired.  Tired from running from one place to another.  As he 

told Tiffany yesterday, "we are so ready to come back home to Branson. 

 It's more work here in Florida than it is running the hotels in Branson."

Yes, I am so ready to go home.  This "vacation" has worn us out

completely.  We have not had a single moment where we have not been 

running around doing this or that, be it working on something or visiting

 with family.  I enjoy all the family, but now it's time to go home to relaxation.

On our way home from Tampa we also made a stop in Sanford. 

 We had to put some for sale by owner signs on a few of our lots.  A very 

interesting weekend over all.  We even had time to go to the mall and 

do some shopping, but now it's nice to be back in the apartment 

and have some "quiet" times for the next few days.  

Hope everyone has had a great weekend.  I am already missing my parents

 and sister.  At the same time I look forward to the next time we will be seeing them.

Here is to the start of a new week.  My mind is in Branson 

and the hotel.  All is running good with Tiffany and Chris, but being 

me I feel the need to be there.  Happy Monday to all and may this 

week fly by.  It seems we have been here for a month already.  

Looking forward to being home soon with Sniff.

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more,

and nothing but happiness comes through your door.

New day, new week, new possibilities...

~Nadiya~

And So Begins Another Day ~

Because when you stop and look around, life is pretty amazing...

Yesterday’s temperatures were in the high 40’s (F) but even so, 

it was one of the coldest days I can remember. Colder than when 

we hit -4F. The wind was wicked and it was roaring like crazy!  

Sniff did not get a moment of rest. All he did was run from window to window 

watching the leaves fly.  When we got home he was still running around. 

He did not even want to eat, but as soon as we sat down Sniff suddenly

 was tired, hungry and was ready to cozy up to us.

It rained so much last night, but my car still is not sparkling clean.

  Silly me. Thought it would get a good wash. As soon

 as the weather warms up a good wash it will need.

Mom an dad are all settled into their rental apartment and they love it.  

Lucky for them it has two bedrooms and 2 baths.  Already they 

are booked with family visiting. They love it.  My parents are a 

people person.  They love to have company and to entertain. 

 Same with the rest of my sisters, and Arvid's family. 

 They love company and they love to entertain.

Wonder what happened to Arvid and I ?

Arvid and I are a whole different story. We like company, but we are not

 much for entertaining. We like our quiet time in the evenings and Arvid does 

not like to miss his shows.  Company is good, but not if they overstay their 

welcome. I remember once I had to ask some friend of Arvid's to leave. 

 My parents are the opposite. Growing up we entertained a lot!

When we lived  in Florida, February was an interesting month. 

We had family visiting an we usually has some interesting meetings 

we went to.  Also we would visit my parents in NC.  

Life in Branson is now relaxing.  Tiffany and Chris have made all

the difference.  Enjoying life everyday!  Working hard is always fun, 

but with so much time on our hands I am starting to get bored!

Hello Tuesday.  Hope today you are going to be kinder than yesterday.

Life is like a camera.  Focus on what's important,

 capture the good times, develop from the negatives, and if 

things don't work out, go ahead take another shot...

~Nadiya~

~Saturday Vibes~

I love being on vacation and not knowing what day of the week it is..

My niece Reshma and family are enjoying Cancun for Easter.

Basking in the sun, sipping on coconut water.  Sounds like heaven to me.

I have "begged" her to post a picture on Facebook, but her answer was, "I don't want 

to."  Just have to wait and hope.  At least she sent these to me.  She loves me!!! 

Sachin, my nephew is into everything soccer.  The first thing he did was 

go to the beach and he has already found a few soccer beach buddies. 

 Guess his vacation is already a success.  I love that boy!!

Here in Branson all is good.  As usual busy.  Time to look into tickets! 

 Arvid has already consulted a few times with Michelle yesterday making sure 

she and the girls will be ready and available when he gets there, and fortunately 

we were also able to Skype with them.  Little Vanessa called me 

"bestemor"  means grandma.  Made me super happy!!!

That's Aleah, Vanessa and of course Lilly Vade.  They make me happy.

Last night was a girls night for me.  Was good.  Arvid even popped in for a beer.

Margaritas, chips and salsa, good company made for a good Friday night.

Happy Saturday Have fun times with the ones you love.

You may call it "girls night"  I call it therapy...

~Nadiya~

Making The Best Of Life..

By making the best of all things we make the most of ourselves...

Yesterday and the day before were definitely ones of those nicer days.
 Cloudy on Monday, but warm.  Yesterday was sunny and very warm.  High 70's.
Rest of the week will not be that cold but definitely colder.  All the way in the 20's at nights.

Life is Missouri definitely has a few quirks.  Like one will never know if the

day will be cold or not.  Yesterday there was a tornado warning, but lucky us nothing 

happened.  One day I heard a siren as I was in the store.  Had no clue what it was

 until someone said that's the warning signal of an approaching tornado.  

This was early January when Arvid was in Florida. 

Life continues its pace here for us.  Arvid is busy busy all the time.  Running from

 here to there doing this and doing that.  Most of the times he likes when

 I go with him, but many times I get out of it.  Works for both of us.
We have definitely met some very nice people in Branson.

Sniff is never neglected.  Both Arvid and I make it a point to spend extra time 

with him and to play with him quite often.  He is after all a very good boy.

To all a very good day.  Don't forget that the best things in life are the people you love,

 the places you've seen, and the memories you've made along the way.

Things didn't turn out the way they were supposed to, but what can you do?

You must take life the way it comes at you and make the most of it...

~Nadiya~

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~

Home Again...

Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you

 apart.   My memories beat inside me like a second heart...

As we left Chicago memories of last year came flooding back to me. Last year 

we left with Brutus. Who was to know that in exactly one month after that he

 would die!!! If you would have said that to me I would think you were crazy.

This year we left Chicago with Sniff.  He was not medicated.  We did it when we 

left from Florida to Chicago but that did not go so well.  Within a few days of 

arriving in Chicago we had to take him to the vet. Like Brutus Sniff was extremely

 good in the plane.  He did give a few hollers in the taxi and a few meows in the 

plane, but overall he was very good. He sat the entire time with Arvid. 

I wanted him on my lap, but Arvid said that he was sleeping 

so we did not want to disturb him too much.

I did not think I was going to be sad when we left, but truthfully we both were. 

 Even so,  looking forward to going home.  As the plane took off from Chicago I thought

 of Ana and Queta and it made me sad. I thought of Brutus and made me even sadder. 

Queta texted me as soon as we landed asking how Sniff handled the flight.

 I wrote this as we were up in the air.  I was thinking of opening the door when we get

 home, and it is with a heavy sadness knowing that no Brutus will be running up to us! 

 No wonder Arvid said it felt different.  For me in that moment it was an empty 

feeling in my heart when we walked in the door.  Don't get me wrong, Sniff is

 a joy and we love him.  It's just home has always been, Brutus, Arvid and I.
Tomorrow is 11 months without our Brutus and 7 months without Shadow.

I hope Sniff likes his Florida home.  Chicago's condo is much smaller than our 

Florida home so I know Sniff will enjoy the space and the running around.  His first

 night was spent wandering around, a few cries now and again.  It is still a little

 unfamiliar to him.  He's checking out every little nook and cranny around.

I am not the type of person to be sad all the time. I am usually happy, easygoing 

and I laughed often.  I miss that person.  I want me back. Of course to get me back

 I have to work on it. I am. Yeah I am, but some days are just hard.  Leaving 

Chicago was harder than I thought but for whole bunch of different reasons.

Soon it will be a year that Brutus died. I have not held him in a year.  An entire year 

soon that I am missing my Brutus. Also it will be 7 months since that little Shadow died.

 I'm just a little overwhelmed right now, but being home and close to them and

 seeing both Shadow's and Brutus' favorite spots at home makes me feel in

 some way closer to them.  At least I tell myself that it will be so.

I have never dreamt with my Brutus nor with my little Shadow.  Is that normal?  

Shouldn't I at least be able to dream with them and "see"them?  Why won't they come 

to me in dreams?  Don't they know I NEED to see them?  I need to see you Brutus!!!!!!

Here at home the only thing you hear is Hurricane Matthew.  The stores are almost all
 sold out of water, canned foods, Home Depot is almost sold out of all things needed in
 an emergency such as a hurricane.  Here in Fort Lauderdale, we expect rain by
 late Thursday night early Friday morning.  Unless of course things change, but
 for now we are pretty much safe at home.  Just in case I have made a bag with
 supplies ready in case we need to go to a hotel with Sniff.  He's coming.  

When Brutus was alive we always had a bag packed for him.  In Florida the word 
hurricane is not unfamiliar.  People just go crazy and buy everything out.  Most people 
would have supplies for months if what I saw going on in the grocery stores today.  
I did not buy much because if we lose power it all goes to waste.  Have water
 for us and Sniff.  Food and litter for Sniff.  We are set and ready.

The big question on the international news these last few days has been:  Is Florida safe?
What can I say?  We live here.  We have seen a few.  We have seen destruction, but
 fortunately we have been "lucky"  Yes we have had direct hits to places we have lived, 
but we weathered the storm without damage.  Sadly many have not been so fortunate.

Today has been a beautiful day so far.  Sniff is getting more familiar with his home. 
Arvid and I have been very busy.  Already yesterday we have made a few trips to 
the warehouse among other things.  The apartment is messy.  Papers, mail, 
"junk" and stuff everywhere.  Slowly it will get back to "normal"

Hope you have all been having a good day so far.  Still lots to do.  Staying busy
 has it's merits.The mind and body gets worn out by night.  Last night we
 were both bone tired.  For once we both slept without interruptions 
all night long.  It's been a while that this has happened.

There are memories that time does not erase... Forever does not 
make loss forgettable, only bearable. Memories are bullets. Some whiz by 
and only spook you. Others tear you open and leave you in pieces... 

~Nadiya~

Saturday In Norway...

Never apologize for showing feeling.  
When you do so, you apologize for the truth...

On Friday I get a text from Sachin, my nephew.  Usually at home we text quite often. 

 Mostly we chat when soccer games are going on.  Both him and Arvid like the same teams

 and the same players so by me he and Arvid are really chatting.  I love this because it is another

 bond that makes life so much better.  I love my Sachin so when he is sad and hurting my

 heart is breaking and not being thee to soothe him and worst of all not being able to help 

him is killing me.  Being in Norway right now makes me feel the distance even more.

Two days ago Sachiin texted me and told me that Jaxen, their doggie may have cancer.

Right now a little boy's heart is breaking, and I don't know how to help him.

Here in Norway all is good.  Arvid and I had a day by ourselves yesterday and will also 

have one today.  We use these days to do things around town and one of the things we enjoy

 doing is going to visit the cemetery where his dad is.  Always peaceful times there.  

Both sets of my grand parents are dead.  The last being my grandmother in Canada.

Sadly I have never been to the cemetery after her funeral.  Every year we  come to his

 dad's in Norway.  Makes for one of our best times here also.  I hope one day I can

 go visit my grandmother.  Canada after all is much closer than Norway is.

Arvid and I had a little outing yesterday to a nearby town called Tonsberg.

  Beautiful place right on the water so in a way it feels like being home again.  When 

you are in the sun in Norway it is extremely HOT!!  Neither Arvid nor I can do this.  

He used too be a sun lover, but now the sun bothers him. Norwegians love sitting in the 

sun and who can blame them?  Their summer is very short.  We live in Florida and we

 NEVER sit in the sun and we try to stay out of it as much as possible.  

He choose to sit in the sun because we know as soon as it goes down it gets COLD.  

After about 20 minutes in the sun Arvid was uncomfortable and said he has had enough.

  Before an hour we left and according to him that was the last of Tonsberg for us. Too

 bad because it is a pretty place.  He did manage a beer, and me creme brulee.

I have been less stressed this year.  I don't have my Brutus to worry about anymore, I think
 of Sniff Sniff and I know he is good.  I am missing my Brutus everyday and I look forward
very much to going home back to our Sniff Sniff and to our life back inn the USA.

To all a very good Saturday.  Here in Norway July is vacation month.  Everyone in the country
 is on vacation.  Well just about everyone.  The days are beautiful and the nights as well.

I hate the feeling when I really want to help, but there is nothing I can do.
Make the best of what is in your power and let the rest just happen.
After all tomorrow is another day...

~Nadiya~

Happy July 4th...

Freedom is never given, it is won..

Living in the USA and being an American is something one should never take for granted, 

but we do.  I have seen, heard and read about life in other countries, but the freedom we 

have here and the choices are something that not everyone enjoys.  America may not 

be the best country, nor the best place to live according to so many surveys, but as 

far as I am concerned there is NO other place on earth I would want to call home.

Arvid is from Norway, but from what he has told me there was not a day in his life that he 

did not yearn to leave.  To explore.  To venture out into this world they call America. 

 Once he came here some 20+ years ago he never looked back.  His family lives

 in Norway, but home is here in the USA when we once shared it with

 Brutus, Shadow and now Sniff.  Home is the 3 of us right here.

Being born in a different county makes you appreciate the USA even more.  Here we 

have the freedom to say and do what we like.  On the actual day, July 4th we always 

plan on being with Brutus. Now we will be home with Sniff.  Arvid likes to make

 sure that the Fireworks did not scare him Brutus so we stayed in.  Sniff 

deserves the same and will get it. During the day, well there are

 many things one can do and still get into enough "trouble"  

The City of Chicago puts up a great show.  It all takes place right withing walking

 distance of us.  Right at Navy Pier. A few years ago when Arvid's brother and girlfriend 

visited us we went with them to navy Pier on July 4th.  Was a good time.

To all a happy July 4th.  Remember, it's better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

America, America O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!!!!!!!!!

It is easy to take liberty for granted, 

when you have never had it taken from you...

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me..

~Nadiya~