Happy Friday ~

Coffee in hand, sparkle in my eye,

 smile on my face yep, it’s Friday...

It's been getting warmer and warmer, but at the same 

time it has been raining constantly on and off.  Not everyone 

likes the rain, but the ducks living in the area sure are enjoying it.  

I don't mind rain, but since I have been running around 

with my family it is a little of a hindrance.

Sniff had visitors again yesterday. 

 He was happy because he had more toys.

Little by little everyone is leaving, and I am sad.

Mom and dad have been here since December, but

 soon they will leave as well.  I don't want to think

 about it.   It reminds me of last summer when Arvid

 said goodbye to his mom.  Very sad.  Life happens.

I'm already missing outings with everyone.  Life continues.

Sniff and I have been awake as usual very early.  

Sniff cried non-stop for his brushing, which he had, 

 Now he is quietly sleeping.  He's a happy boy.

It's Friday.  It's raining, but who knows what can happen.

If it's anything like yesterday, then I am going to be happy.

Good morning all.  Maybe I will go back to bed and try to get some 

sleep, if not I can always check out places to go to.   Keeps me busy.

VEGAS GOLD CLAIMS  Another Arvid and I thing.

Every Friday, I like to high five myself for 

getting through another week on little more than 

caffeine, will power, and inappropriate humor...

~Nadiya~

Monday ~

Complaining about a problem without 

posing a solution is called whining...

No matter what our day holds both Arvid and 

I have made it a little routine to finish up our coffee/tea 

on the balcony.  After breakfast we head out for a few 

minutes.  Watch the boats, watch the people, and

 suddenly the day seems so much better.  Just the little

 things in life that brings the most pleasures.

A busy week ahead for us, I like it.  Wishing

 everyone a great week ahead and may your 

goals get closer to becoming a reality.

Either you run the day or the day runs you...

~Nadiya~

Happy Day ~

It is the simple things in life 

that are the most extraordinary...

We landed and so far it's been go, go, go.  Yesterday

 was packed, but even so Arvid managed to watch

 Liverpool play.  Almost to the end of the game he said,

 "I can't concentrate there is too much going

 on in my mind and too much to do."

You never realize how much you miss 

something until you don't have it.  It's been 4 

months I have not driven my car.  Yesterday it 

was good to be back behind the wheels. 

 I felt free and energized while driving, but you 

also don't realize how much traffic there is until you 

drive.  You take the good with the not so good.

Another busy day here, but it's good to be home. 

There is no denying it, it's very hot.  But I am loving 

the sight of palm trees.  Arvid looks around

 and said, "not much has changed."

Good morning everyone.  Wishing you all a

 happy Thursday and a reminder than when

 you are enthusiastic about what you 

do, you feel this positive energy.

The most simple things can

 bring the most happiness...

~Nadiiya~

Start Of The New Week ~

When life gives you Monday, 

dip it in glitter and sparkle all day...

New week again, and when you wake up to cuteness 

like this, you know the week will be a good one.  

Yesterdays nice weather did not last too long. 

 One minute we were out on the balcony, 

and before you knew it the temperature dropped

 and the rain began. Chicago for you.

As always when we have to go somewhere, 

there is to take care of.  In my case I need to make sure

 everything is perfect for Sniff and to make sure to leave

 detained instructions to his pet sitter Katrina.

Katrina is from Ireland, but lived in Massachusetts

 and for the last several years home is Chicago.

Sniff has been getting deliveries 

for the last 2 weeks from all different pet

 stores.  My favorite is Chewy of course, but 

because they did not have his litter 

we had to order it from Petco.  

First and last time doing that.  The litter was all opened

and his bag of dry food was also opened.  Not again

  I believe he now has enough food and litter to last him

 the entire summer if not more, but I always have

 to make sure he's set before we leave.

Wishing everyone a very productive start of the new week.

Monday is a fresh start.  It is never too late to

 dig in and  begin a new journey of success...

~Nadiya~

Our Week Begins In Chicago ~

When you love what yo have,

 you have everything you need...

We arrived in Chicago to pretty colder temperatures.

  Saturday was gloomy, grey and it rained quite a bit.  

There was also thunder.  For Sniff all of this 

was just a little too much to handle.

Sniff was very good in the plane.  He made a few

 sounds, more like howls, but overall he was quiet,

 and calm.  Arvid said, “ he’s even more quiet 

than Brutus was” and Brutus was good.

We got to the apartment and the first thing was to 

set up his litter pan.  In less than an hour Sniff did his

 business.  I remember Brutus used to not go to his litter 

for over 12 hours. Sometimes longer.  Sniff also ate, but he 

needed some petting and coaxing from Arvid.  Then he ate.

Sniff has not found his “spot” as yet, but he sure did 

sit between Arvid's legs like he always has.  

If Sniff is happy then I will be as well.

Yesterday we set up his condo. Right now  it’s his

 favorite spot.  He manages to sleep in it without being

 jumpy.  The first night he slept on the bed with us.  

We arrived to no internet once again.  Hopefully 

today that will be fixed.  AT&T  is sending a technician out.  

Also today I meet a potential pet sitter for Sniff.

  Best of. All she lives in the same building.

Yesterday we spent the better part of the day

 (warm part)  at Navy Pier.  Chicago is beautiful. 

 No doubt about it.  I loved the walk.  We had a

 good meal and we sure had an excellent view.

The water in Lake Michigan is a pretty shade 

of blue.  Makes for great views always.  At home,

 we are still figuring out where to put things

 and how to make the most of the space.

Mornings are beautiful and the sunsets also.  

Not sure which is more stunning.  I do like 

Chicago and it does feel good to be back.

As the new week begins, I just want Sniff to get 

more and more comfy with his surroundings. 

 I still have the cough, but it’s getting better.  

Life is good and for that I am grateful. 

Wishing everyone a happy Monday and a great

 work week.  Let's make it an amazing one.

Making mistakes is better than faking perfections.

You don't always need a plan, sometimes you just

 need to breathe, let go, and see what happens...

~Nadiya~

New Week New Challenges ~

When people are protecting something truly special 
to them, they become as strong as they can be.  The most 
challenging times bring us the most empowering lessons...

Saturday evening the "boys" had their time together.  

What started out as Happy Hour went way beyond that. 

 Of course Arvid called me and said, "come over and join us.  

There is live music and we are having a blast."  What was supposed

 to be his outing with Chris turned out to be the 4 of us together having 

a great time.  Of course when Arvid called me I asked him, "did you

 or Chris call Tiffany?  He said they they did not."  I called her.

The weather continues being beautiful.  Loving these 

days with no humidity.  Monday here already.  The weekend 

sure went by fast, on the other hand the weeks are flying by.

Like I said soon it will be July and time to head for Norway. 

 I am already a little "stressed"  It will be a long time leaving Sniff 

all alone.  Though he is not sick the way our Brutus was, I still 

worry about him.  I know he will be well cared for, but what 

can I say.  He's my little Sniff and I love him.

A busy week awaits us.  happy about that.  Makes the day

 so much more interesting.  And so begins another work week. 

 Wishing everyone happy times ahead and may your goals be

 met as the week begins.  Monday again.  Let's do this.

Let's not waste any time.  Let's do it and get it done.
Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable...

~Nadiya~

A Cold Wednesday...

  The other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life.  

"Why," I answered without a thought, "now"...Learn from yesterday, live for today,

 hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning....

I woke up at 4am this morning just laying in bed  trying to go back to sleep but, the 

terrible nightmare that woke me up in the first place just kept playing over and over

 again in my head.  What a terrible way to wake up, all scared, sweaty and

 breathing hard.  Not a pleasant experience...but like someone said "I

 have had dreams, and I have had nightmares. I overcame the

 nightmares because of my dreams"  Let's hope so.

At that very moment I heard Sniff trying to "break" into a cabinet or something.  

I woke up smiling and all nightmares were forgotten. There are few things

 in life more heartwarming  than to be welcomed by a cat.  There was a time

 when Brutus would come to me when I had a nightmare and just lay by

 my side.  Today Sniff does that.  After he makes a racket of course.

On another note things are shaping up in our home.  We constantly have things to

 do and take care of.  We are used to condo living, so being in a house is quite 

different. For now we will enjoy it until we go back to our condo lifestyle. 

 Suddenly the place is starting to look and feel differently.  Soon I guess I will 

call it home for a while.  Strange but, I am sill having a little hard time living here. 

 I still miss the conveniences of having everything close by and just running 

out as I wish.  Now it's cold; it sure is a little different living here. 

They say it may snow either today or tomorrow, but from where  am sitting it is nice
 and warn.  I don't see snow.  Could be OK, but Arvid and I really aren't ready for it.
  Not right now.  We have no snow tires.  Good morning everyone.  Bundle up.
 Stay warm.  Hot chocolate kinda day and always some stuff to do.

Every man dies - Not every man really lives....Don't let the past steal 

your present...Don't let yesterday use up too much of today...

~Nadiya~

Another Day To Live Life To The Fullest...

There's good times.  There's bad times, but there is still time.
Don't let your mind stop you from having a good time...

Me under Cloud Gate aka The Bean.  Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture 

is nicknamed The Bean because of its shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates 

welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It measures 33 by 

66 by 42 feet (10 by 20 by 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (100 t; 98 long tons).

 The design was inspired by liquid mercury and the sculpture's surface reflects 

and distorts the city's skyline. Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 

12-foot (3.7 m) high arch. On the underside is the "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave 

chamber that warps and multiplies reflection.  Designed by an Indian British born artist

I had some time on my own to really check it out while Arvid was watching soccer 

and before we met for dinner.  There is always hundreds of people there.  Probably 

one of the places I have seen the most selfies taken and where brides all come to 

get their pictures taken.  On this day there were 3 wedding parties and 

3  quinceañeras that I witnessed.  I love this city and yes will miss it.

The days are looking beautiful.  In the meantime Arvid and I will
continue to enjoy Chicago.  Soon our time here will come to an end.  Soon
we will be home where Brutus and Shadow await for us.

This has been so far a very delicious summer.  Still have some more
sampling to do.  Hello everyone.  Wishing you all a good day.

Don't waste your time, looking back on what you've lost.
Move on, for life is not meant to be traveled backwards...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday...

Whenever you feel down and discouraged just tell yourself

that things will get better.  Keep believing in yourself...

It's only Wednesday, yet it seems like time has just stood still for the last few days.

  Long days.  On the bright side, yesterday I treated myself to lunch at one of my favorite 

places, and in the process enjoyed having some time at our old stomping grounds in Las Olas

 Also I had a long over due haircut.  I honestly don't know anyone with as much hair

 as mine.  My hairdresser always thins it out taking away lots of the bulk, but even she 

admits that she still thinks inhale more hair than anyone she knows and this is 

after me getting it thinned out.  Very unmanageable at times.  But now it feels

Lighter and for a little it will be easy to maintains. At least I hope so.

Sniffer is becoming more and more adjusted to us and we to him he really is a godsend,

 and we love him.  Sniffer reminds me that there is still a lot of love in us and he demands it. 

 We are just happy to oblige. Arvid is good.  I think he watches too much, but he says it relaxes him. 

Yesterday the day ended on a dark note (weather wise), but it was still beautiful.  Today it

 started our very ugly, but hopefully it will clear up and we may even get some sunshine.

  Strange weather.  Lots and lots of rain.  Flooding in many places in Florida right 

now.  Not fun at all.  On the other hand it is warm and will stay warm.

Today our youngest grand daughter turns 1 year old.  She lives in Norway, and we only

 get to see them in the summertime.  Looking forward very much to that.  Vanessa is a

 gorgeous little baby girl and together with her sister Aleah they have made us happy.

Happy birthday to our little Vanessa.  May all your days be good ones and just

know that you are loved beyond words.  See you all very soon baby girl.

Happy Wednesday everyone.  Remember every
 new day is a chance to change your life.

Wake up.  Smile and tell yourself: TODAY is my day...

~Nadiya~