Feels Good...

Life is what you make it.....

It's good to be the 3 of us again.  Been 10 days we were in different states.  Was good 

to be in Florida and do a few of the things I don't normally get to do, but it's even

 better to be here with Arvid and do the things we like to do together.

As it is with Arvid, whenever I am not around he does something crazy to surprise me. 

 He's just a romantic at heart.  More so than me actually.  I love him for it 

and though he does not always know it, I love his surprises.

Brutus adapted to his new surrounding right away.  He found and used his litter without

 problems not help from us.  He eats well and drinks his water.  We are happy that this is so. 

 He was the perfect kitty in the plane.  He never "said" even a meow.  At the airport 

everyone was complimenting me on what a beautiful kitty he is and how shiny

 his fur is.  Of course I agreed with them all.  It is after all the truth.  

Brutus is beautiful and he is well cared for and that you can see.

He was very happy to see his dada.  The first night he checked out every corner of the 

apartment.  The apartment is not big so it did not take him tat long to see it all and

 claim his spots.  He has many of his same beds here so for him it is all familiar.

Arvid is super happy to see us.  He's still in his happy stage.  Haha. Have to make the 

of it.  He took me to this very good steak restaurant.  One of our favorites when 

in Chicago.  Smith and Wollensky.  Just great food.  After dinner we went to 

our favorite restaurant at the Marina and listened to some very lively music 

from the 70's and 80's.  Was very good. I even had o Hawaiian Mojito.

We had such a good time on Sunday we decided to go there again yesterday. 

 Once again there was music, great weather and good food.  You can say that

 we are enjoying Chicago very much.  Best city during summertime.

In between all of the fun we are also working very hard. Right now we are 

working on fixing up the apartment and making it cosier for us.  Arvid works

 and works all day long.  I work as well, but he does all the hard stuff.

Yesterday was just perfect. We accomplished quite a bit and we also enjoyed 

ourselves.  Today more of the same so to all of you, have a great 

day and don't forget to make each day count.

The day is what you make of it, so why not make it a great one?....

~Nadiya~

Left Me Thinking...

When it comes to luck, you make your own,

good, bad or indifferent.  
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing...

As I sat watching the sunrise this morning with Brutus, I started thinking of something

 someone said to me a while back.  We were just talking about how lucky we were to be able
 to do a few of the things we enjoy.  She said to me that it really had nothing to do with luck 

rather than with dedication and hard work.

This is know, but it was also nice to hear it again.  In today's world many believe that they 

are entitled to everything without so much as picking up a finger.  Fortunately, I come

 from  a family of hard working parents and they instilled that in all five of their daughters 

who have also done the same for their children and still are.

Back to this young woman.  Does not matter that she may not see this.  

Sometimes relationships that start out on the wrong foot has the chance of getting

 a brand new start if both are willing.  This is the case with us.  I've known her

 a since she was a teenager and have seen her  blossom into a beautiful young woman.

I have seen hard work and dedication in her that reminds me of the way we were raised.

Anything she ever wanted and wants was not given to her.  It was earned.  Many children

use their parents as way of getting what the want or what they think they are entitled

to.  This young woman as long as I can remember has never asked for anything.

When she was given anything there was always a thank you that followed.  Something

that seems to be lacking in the younger generation of today.

Again I will say how grateful I am that my parents taught us well.

Thank you's were always spoken in our household.  Like I said, she will not

see this, but it made me feel good writing about it today because she knows I 

feel this way about her.  How?  Because I have told it to her.  Any parent would 

be proud to say,"this girl is my daughter"  Hardworking, goal oriented,

driven and did I forget to mention beautiful..  She has her dad's eyes and I love her dad.

All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do.
there is nothing like biting off more than you can chew, then chewing away....

~Nadiya~

Sunday...

If you really want to do something you will find a way,

If you don't you'll find an excuse...

We all face challenges, and we keep giving our best always, but sometimes 

there are days when even the smallest of challenge seems overwhelming. 

When this happens I think of my sisters.  Each of them with kids, and with just that

life is a challenge always.  They are always worried about something yet they all 

face life gracefully and accept all the challenges and difficulties thrown their way.

I never hear them complain about much.  They always are positive and ready 

to take on whatever life throws their way.  I admire each and every one of them!

Another Sunday and what better way to enjoy it than in the company of good friends

 and good food.  Somehow food always tastes better when shared with friends.
Sundays...also a day for Arvid to catch up with family and have quality time.
Wishing you all good times and don't forget to be awesome.

The best of times is now...

~Nadiya~