What Grief Looks Like ~

My mind knows that you are gone, but my heart

 will never accept it.  I miss you so much...

 If grief had a face, this would be what it looked like. Eight

 years today without you.  We love you and think of you so very often.  

Dada wrote this song for us back in 2016.  He loved you with all his

 heart Brutus.  Your picture is on his nightstand.  He requested it.

Last night as we laid in bed, just a few words were said.  They

 were, "tomorrow Brutus would have been dead for eight years." 

 Both of us were quiet for the rest of the night before falling

 asleep.  It took me too long before the tears stopped.

And if you've never felt your soul being torn apart

 you've never loved anyone with all your heart...

~Nadiya~

Just Be You ~

I, not events, have the power to make me happy
 or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. 
Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have 
just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.

If you ask me what I came into this life to do,
 I will tell you: I came to live it out loud...

I believe in speaking my mind even though this has
 gotten me into hot water more times than not.  

I believe in never compromising my values.  Not 
after all the work my parents put into it.  I believe that 
people are basically good and that there is goodness 
is everyone if only we take the time to seek it out.

I know that I am a good person.  I know that I
 have led a very charmed life, and I sometimes believe
 that I have a guardian angel watching over me.

I live life each day with gusto and view it as one big
 adventure.  Some days may not be perfect, but what is?
 I believe life is to be lived and I am doing my best to
 have a great time in the process....and one of my favorite
 quotes of all times,"in three words I can sum up everything
 I've learned in life: it goes on."Have a good day and
remember if you love life, life will love you back!

My attitude is that if you push me towards 
something that you think is a weakness, then I 
will turn that perceived weakness into a strength...

~Nadiya~

No Words Needed ~

Photographs open doors into the past.

But they also allow you to look into the future...

A wise person knows there is something

 to be learned from everyone.

Spend your time loving your life.

You were born to be real.  Not perfect.

You don't take a photograph.  You make it.

I am having a wonderful day.  Out of the blues, 

my nephew calls and says, "auntie Nad.  I want to invite 

you and uncle Arvid out to dinner.  They opened up 

this really cool restaurant next to where I live and 

I thought of the two of you."  My heart is full.  

I told Arvid and he said, you know I really like J" so that's

 a big yes.  I love all my nieces and nephews and having them

 close by is such a special  treat.  J lives in Miami and because

 of that we have been more often to Miami than before.

Hello everyone.  Already halfway into the week.

Have a good one and never stop smiling.

Everyone has a story.  Everyone has gone

 through something that has changed them...

~Nadiya~

42 Things Every Foreigner Must Learn About Norway... Part 2

Strength lies in differences.  Not similarities.

How you look at it is pretty much how you'll see it...

Nothing wrong with being different.  In fact my entire life I have strived to be different. 

 I never wanted to be part of the crowd.  I would rather stick out than just be one of the same.

Remember being different is what makes us unique.  Makes us different.  Makes us 

stand out from the crowd.  As I said before, I strive to be different.  I am not

 one who necessarily wants to fit in just to please someone.

To all a good day and soon coming with the rest of what every foreigner should
 know about Norway.  Even Arvid was not aware of a few of these "facts"

Yesterday we had a very very good day.  We spent time with Victoria and Michael at
their home.  As always it is a pleasure being there.  Enjoying their home, view and always
 excellent food. We were also lucky because we were able to see Loffen, their kitty.

Later in the day we met with Michelle and Emil.  We also had a very good time with them.
 We had good food and lots of laughter.  One of our very best days so far, and we
 have had a few of them already, and look forward to more coming.

Differences simply act as a yarn of curiosity unraveling until we 

get to the other side.  I know there is strength in the differences
 between us. I know there is comfort where we overlap...

~Nadiya~

Mornings...~ Sunrises...

There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. 

Don't miss so many of them.  Like the sunrise some things just 

have to happen and all you can do is watch...

Waking up to these beautiful sunrises here is something I don't think I will get tired 

of too soon.  The sun rises around 4:30 everyday, and I'm right there with my camera.
Even so, today like yesterday and the day before, I was awake by 4:40 am.

This morning I woke up so suddenly and found myself thinking of Sniff, Shadow, and
always my Brutus, and I wanted to badly to go home.  I was overcome with missing
Brutus and all I could think of was that I needed to get home.  Of course after the
tears it was a little better.  It's only been 3 days here and I am already exhausted.
Lack of sleep among other things sure can do that to you.  I need a vacation.

I am definitely loving these sunrises.  I wake up early.  Have my coffee and my thoughts
wander to Brutus.  Last year I was so stressed about his paw.  Now there is no Brutus to
worry about.  I miss him so much.  At nights as I lay me down to sleep I think of him.

During the days one is busy with everyone, and that's good.  At nights it's a whole different story.  

I know Sniff is doing good and is well cared for.  Yes, I look forward to hearing everyday from

 his pet sitter, but I am not so worried about him.  He's healthy, and for that we are happy.

Good morning all.  The t-cups in Norway are a little too small for our liking.

So we brought our own from good old USA.  Nothing like a good, big cup of coffee in 

the mornings to jump start one's day.  Have to keep up with 2 little girls so everything helps.

Have a great day and may every sunrise hold more promise,and every 

sunset hold more peace.  It's another sunrise.  Another new beginning.

I keep myself busy with things to do, but every time I pause I still think of you.

You’re the first and last thought of my every day.  I can’t lie.

 I miss you.  My day:  it starts with thoughts of you...

~Nadiya~

One Of Those days...

Don't start your day with the broken pieces of yesterday.  Every morning wake up and 
live like it was your last day here on earth.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us...

Not sure how to explain grief, but one minute you're having a pretty OK moment, 

next thing you know, it changes.  Without warning.  This is what's happening right now. 

 Maybe the sound of the dryer.  Maybe the fact that I just saw Sniff play with Shadow's 

headless mouse or maybe the fact that he's really never far from my thoughts.  Whatever 

the reason is, I'm right now grieving for this little Kitty who on May 17th would have 

been one year old.  Same day as Brutus.  Right now I am really, really very sad.

On a better note, Sniff finally decided to play with the mouse.  Play means he kinda 

kicked it around a few times before getting bored and decided to sleep with it.

It's already Friday.  The days are going by so very fast.  Sniff is becoming very attached

 to us and of course we to him.  Arvid and I love Sniff.  He is a good kitty for us.  

We are grateful to have him to share our lives with.  No matter all the sadness there is 

always something good to be grateful for.  Today among many other things we are grateful

 for Sniff.  My heart is still heartbroken over my Brutus and Shadow, but life is good,

 and we have to make everyday count and make the most of each day.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Remember our lives do
not get better by chance.  It gets better by change.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.
Do you ever wish you had a second chance to meet some oneagain for the first time?...

~Nadiya~

Rainy Day... AGAIN

Rainy days are perfect days to watch TV and cuddle.
Some people feel the rain others just get wet...

I may not have everything I want right now, but I sure am grateful for what I have right 

now, and I am not referring to material things.  More to what really matters, and 

the people in my life.  Many live only to brag about their lives.  All I want is 

something that will ever be granted ever again, yet even so what I have

 with Arvid is what keeps us strong and united.  For that i am grateful.

A few minutes after the above picture was taken, Brutus died.  A light in 

our lives was shut off.  Another spark entered our lives in the form of shadow.

I don't ever forget that though Brutus died life goes on.  At least I tell myself that quite often.
 For it is not fair to Arvid and Shadow to have someone moping around all the time.

The day has started out with rain showers and is kinda gloomy looking, but we work from
home so for us that's OK.  Tomorrow is another day and maybe we see the sunshine a little.
Many tourists at this time of the year in Florida.  Not the beach weather the expected.

February Arvid's daughter and boyfriend will also be visiting, and thank goodness that
the "worst" of this weather will have left.  No matter what coming from Norway or
 any other cold part of the world, Florida's weather is always perfect for them.

Shadows chicken and carrots are in the making.  I have already enjoyed my cafe,
so for me the day is already looking up.  I woke up.  I breathe.. I'm alive.

If you want the Rainbow you gotta put up with the Rain.
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday...

~Nadiya~

Monday...And The 10 Best Counties In America Are..

Mondays are the start of the work week which offer new beginnings 52 times a year!...

According to the Huffington Post:

And The 10 Best Counties In America Are..

I'm liking it right now here in Florida.  Everywhere else has winter. The cold is not for us. 

 Right now for us it's the best place to be.  Summertime nowhere better than Chicago.

Yesterday was not our typical Sunday.  Arvid went to the car auction, and I 

went to the movies.  We both had a good time and met at home for a late lunch.  Arvid

asked if I wanted to go to the beach for Pina Coladas, but I was not in the mood for it.

Who know's maybe later in the week we do our usual pit stop and have one.

Pretty "cold" day for us here in Fort Lauderdale.  Yesterday was windy and it rained

a bit.  Today the skies are still pretty dark, but hopefully will clear up.

Wishing you all a very good day.  If you think it's time I should have gotten over Brutus,

 then I will tell you that I have not.  I never will, but I do hope it gets better everyday.

Happy Monday to all of you.  I can't lie.  I miss my Brutus very much.

It's Monday.  Don't forget to be AWESOME!!!...

~Nadiya~