Monday April 13th ~

We did it last week.  We can do it again this week, 
 even better.  Let's be awesome together.  Happy new week...

Easter came and Easter went.  Did not notice a 

difference in the day.  Suddenly all the days seem to be

 the same.  That is, if I can remember what day of the week

 it actually is.  Yup!  That's how I feel right now.

Woke up to a pretty windy morning, but it's
nice and warm so no complaints here.  Balcony
time today will be nice and breezy. Like it.

People are starting to feel the isolation,
and unfortunately many are not following
the social distancing rules as before. 

Right below us, two of the boats were having
parties.  People kept going from one boat to another,
 and as Arvid said not all were teenagers/young. 
There were a few grown adults, who should
 have had better sense, but the didn't

Boats are passing along the River with more
people than what's called for during these times.
 Hopefully this does not lead to that second
 spread of the virus I keep hearing about.

I'm already tired with watching so much TV, but what
 is the alternative right now?  A little cleaning today.  Have
already sorted through my closets several time, who knows
 maybe today I might find some more stuff to give away.

It's a new week and with each passing day this virus
 is coming to an end.  At least one can hope.

 Wishing everyone a great week ahead.  Think positive, we
 are all in this together, and soon we will be seeing better days.

It's only after you've stepped outside your
 comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and 
transform.  More smiling, less worrying...

~Nadiya~

Flooding In Missouri...

Wherever you go,  no matter what the weather,

 always bring your own sunshine.  Fool me once shame on you.  

Fool me twice, shame on me.  Fool me 92,748 times, you are a weather man...

They say pictures tell more than words.  Here are pictures from

 yesterdays flooding in Branson and and other parts of Missouri.

That's from home.  The water became so much that we had a stream 

running through the front and backyard.  When I sent the video to my

 family and some friends they thought it was a gushing river.  Unfortunately 

videos do not upload too well here, otherwise I would share it.

You can just look at this picture and tell we are not the type to have 

a house.  We had to make a little drain for the water to not get into the house.  Yup.

  We used a machete to make that drain.  We have no shovel, maybe now we will HAVE 

to get one.  Both Arvid and I looked at each other and said, "we have to get back home."

I DON'T like having a house!  The pictures below are from 

downtown Branson.  It's called the Landings.  Our favorite spot in Branson. 

Lots of restaurants, condos and retail shops.  Flooded! The pictures were not taken

 by me, one of Arvid's tenant's shared them on FB and I borrowed them.

Below is another part of Missouri flooded yesterday.  More rain predicted.

Branson yesterday:

In Florida we have the hurricanes.  Here tornadoes and constant 

bad weather it seems.  Looking forward one day to just some sunshine and

a little more "stable" weather.  For now Happy Sunday to everyone.

Humans and weather.  The two most unpredictable things in life...

~Nadiya~

5 Moves That Make You Look Cheap..

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly 

Give without remembering.  Take without forgetting...

Reading the finance news I came across this article... hope you enjoy it.  In our 

lives we have all been "cheap" at some point probably, but when it is to 

the extreme then that can become a very ugly trait.

Thanks to the recent financial crisis, frugality and thrift are increasingly becoming 

positive attributes. But if, like many people, you find yourself looking for ways to trim

 your spending, you may find yourself flirting with what can be a very fine line. 

You know: the one between making smart financial choices and being outright cheap.

 In fact, in many cases it's a line between thrift and outright thievery. You know you've 

hit it when your savings become someone else's loss - or your own.

 Here are a few common examples where thrifty become

 downright cheap. How far would you go?

Thrifty: Buying Items That Are on Sale

Cheap: Only Buying Items That Are on Sale

Seeking out sales can be a great way to help make groceries, clothes and virtually any 

other items you need fit into a tight budget. At the grocery store, for example, you

 might choose the cereal that's on sale, rather than the one that's on your list.

When people cross the line to cheap, however, is when they refuse to buy anything that 

isn't on sale. This can often backfire by causing you to buy things that might be of

 lower overall value or that you wouldn't have even considered buying otherwise. 

You may find yourself spending more than you would have had you just purchased 

what you needed. It can also put shoppers out of touch with the value of what

 they're getting for their money - and isn't that what thrift is all about?

Thrifty: Tipping According to Service

Cheap: Never Tipping at All

Common etiquette requires that customers provide tips for certain services. As a result, 

some of these service providers are actually paid considerably less by their employers,

 because they expect that tips will make up the difference. In some states, this may 

even be less than minimum wage. If you get rude or indifferent service,

 it may be fair to leave nothing, but if you never tip, ask yourself why. 

Is it really because you feel your waiter or taxi driver makes plenty 

of money, or is it just because you can't bear to part with it?

Thrifty: Putting Money Aside for Savings

Cheap: Saving Everything and Living on Nothing

Living a very Spartan lifestyle can a great way to achieve a big goal, but it's no way to live.

 If you're working toward retiring early, buying a house or taking time off work to spend

 with family, travel or pursue other goals, digging deep to make this happen just 

might be worth it. But if you find yourself saving nearly every penny 

and scrounging to make ends meet, it may be time to ask yourself

 just what you're saving for. If you don't have an answer, 

you've probably gone too far.

Thrifty: Taking Advantage of a Good Deal

Cheap: Taking Advantage.

If you find a great way to stretch a dollar, there's nothing wrong with making
 gooduse of it. For example, if you're in a coffee shop that provides free refills,
stick around and enjoy a few cups if you're in the mood. But please, don't
keep the cup and come back later (or every day thereafter) for more.

 A couple of extra cups of coffee probably won't put a dent in a business's  bottom
 line, but if more people follow your lead, it might just quash its free refills.

Thrifty: Cutting Out Internet and Cable

Cheap: Stealing It from Your Neighbors.

If you start cutting costs, you'll soon learn that you can get by with a lot less. But if you want
 to be able to brag about your frugal living ways, you have to actually do without. If you
cut out your Internet but then log on through your neighbor's wireless signal, you're
 about as enviable as the guy who parks a Prius in his driveway
but keeps a Lexus Convertible in the garage.

The Bottom Line

If you've cut your budget so far that you need to resort to taking advantage of others,
 consider yourself cheap. The same is true if your sense of frugality begins to look
 more like austerity or self-denial. Budgeting and saving money should be a
measured approach to reach a financial goal or survive tough times, not an
 end in and of themselves. While being frugal may be trendy right now,
taking this trend to its extremes may be no better than falling prey
 to overspending. After all, neither approach leads to living well,
 which is what smart financial planning is all about.

Nothing wrong with wanting the best deal available...who doesn't? However,
it is possible to go too far...and this can definitely be a turn off rather than an asset. 

 Like the article says there is a fine line between being thrifty and being downright CHEAP!!!

The two most generous people in my life

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by 
what we give.  If there is one thing I have learnt from my 
parents it is to give without expecting anything in return. 

 In my life my best example will always be my mom and
 dad.  They live their lives the way many only wish 
they could.  Simple and always thinking 
of others.  Sometimes too much. 

 A a child I remember my dad taking the shirt off his
 back only because someone said they liked it and give
 it to them.  He did the same with his watch.  Just because 
as he put it, "someone needed it more than I did." 

This from a man who grew up dirt poor and who 
at the time also did not have much, but as he said he 
probably had more than the other person at the time.

The generous man enriches himself by giving; the cheap man hoards himself poor.

A miser grows rich by seeming poor;  an extravagant man grows poor by seeming...

~Nadiya~

Hello Frigid Saturday...

It is so cold outside, I just saw a teenage boy with his pants pulled up.
Dear old man winter, we have had enough already... Brrr

The days of shorts and t-shirts seem so far away.  This is how Arvid 

dresses these days.  Definitely we are NOT in the Sunshine State.

Like I have been mentioning before, Arvid and I are fore some reason
thriving in this cold weather.  Not exactly sure what it is, but so far neither of us
 has really had one of those days where we have said, "I want to go back home."
 At least it has not happened as yet.  As I has said many times..so strange.

The other day I asked him, "do you miss Florida as yet'?  His answer, "not as yet."
As long as Arvid is trading, running around and staying busy  don't think much will
 bother him.  Of course it's cold, but combined with the excitement of a new
place and new things to do...well let's just say there is no complaining
 of how we want to go back home.  Not as yet anyway.  So far so good.

I miss a few things.  Quite a few things, but I know we will go back home and
because of that it is all right.  I am also getting to learn about the surroundings.
Enjoy the change of the scenery.  So different form what I am used to.

  Different is not always bad.  Arvid wears what I call his "uniform"  Hoodies as soon
 as we step out to door.  For those who know him, you know he has bought many of
 the same.  According to Arvid ,"if it fits, then I may as well get a few."

To all a good day.  Just remember that being different isn't a bad thing,
it means you're brave enough to be yourself.  That's my Arvid in a nutshell.

I hear Florida calling me right now.  I am definitely ready again for flip flops,
 warmer weather, sunshine, booming flowers, birds singing and green grass.
It's Saturday, big shirts, messy hair music and coffee kinda day here...

~Nadiya~

End Of Another Summer In Chicago...

Summertime in Chicago is over.

Bye Bye summer time...

This summer like the ones before, we have had very beautiful days sitting out in the

 sun and looking at the boats pass by as we enjoyed something to drink and something

to nibble on.  One of of favorite things to do in the city is to just walk around

 and see everything around us.   Of course, I never miss taking pictures.  One 

day I will look back and reminisce.  So far it is still my favorite city.

The one thing about Chicago that you can count on is that the weather is completely 

unpredictable.  One minute we are out in the sun with shorts and feeling all nice and 

warm and then all of a sudden it is windy and cold.  As soon as you are in the

 shade you need your sweater and in my case a few more warm clothes.

This summer has been excellent as far as the weather goes, but these last few 

days have been colder.  Like I have mentioned before, I am enjoying it, but Arvid not 

so much.  And to think that he is a "Viking"  At least he likes to say that.

As usual when it is this chilly it is always good to jump in the hot tub and warm

 ourselves up a little.  We have done that quite a few times, but not as much as we did last 

summer.  We probably have the nicest pool/hot-tub area in all of downtown Chicago.

Yesterday was very emotinal.  Ana, Queta and Jose came to say thier goodbyes to Sniff.
As soon as Sniff heard their footsteps he woke up from his nap and ran to the door.

In they came and Sniff was all over then.  He loves them and they love him.  Seeing them
touch him, talk to him and hold him was also emotional for me.  They cried as they left.
 I will forever be grateful to them for everything they did for him.  Sniff and us were
 lucky the day we met them.  Until next summer, but as Ana and Queta said, "please send
us little Sniff videos and pictures whey you are in Florida."  Of course we will.

Suddenly this little girl and her mom have made it hard to say goodbye.  They say that
 if you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.



Once back home in Florida our week is looking very busy.  It's back to busy days.
Yes, I am looking forward to being very busy again.  It keeps the mind from wandering
to places I don't want it to go.  Most times it works.  We are going home.

Happy Sunday to all.  There is always something new to learn and feel each day.
Remember wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to
May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down...

~Nadiya~

To All A Good Day...

Life is good. Small things make me smile; good people make me laugh; 
and Arvid and Sniff fill my days with happiness.  Yes, life is good...

Sniff is becoming more and more used to me picking him up.  I do it everyday several times.

  When we got him in March, he hated being picked up even for a few seconds, but the

 same we did with Brutus I wanted to do with Sniff and it is finally paying off.  

Granted he is not as happy to being held for long, but everyday I am sure it 

will get better.  Both Arvid and I miss the routines  (among other things) we
 had with Brutus. We miss carrying him around whenever we wanted.  

Yesterday I went to breakfast with my friend, who also happens to be one of

 the sitters for Sniff.  The conversation centered on Sniff.  She and her daughter adore

 him and they think that Sniff  is just so very smart and so human.  Now how can I 

disagree with this?  Because of Sniff they will probably be getting their own Kitty.

It was another very beautiful day here in Chicago.  Arvid did some work in the
 apartment, more painting and then we had a little outing.  Amazing weather right now.
I know when we leave I will miss this city and it's beauty, especially on days like today.

My sister recently upgraded to the Iphone 7 Plus.  Has anyone "tested" it?  Just curious.
I'm happy with my 6, but always curious about what's new.  I am especially
 interested in the camera.  If you have, you know how to get hold of me
and give me some feedback.  Appreciated.  Thank you!

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Remember, if you don't start out the day
with a smile it is never too late to practice for tomorrow.

~Nadiya~

A New Week Begins...

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of 
success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can...

Yesterday turned out to be a very beautiful day.  Of course we made the most of it.
Just like we do in Florida we do here.  On Sundays we find a beautiful spot on the water to 
have our lunch, listen to the music and enjoy people watching.  Simple but we love it.

As a new week begins, I wish it is a good one for all of us.  I wish that we all find the 
peace we are looking for and for the strength to carry on even if we don't.  

Here is Chicago life is good.  There are days that are not so good, but the fact that
 we wake up every morning and we are able to feel the sun on our faces that alone
 makes for a good day.  For that I am always grateful and thankful.

Good morning to all and may you all have a great week ahead.

Remember friends there is always something to be grateful for.

No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. 

Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs...

~Nadiya~

Løvøya ~ Rørestrand Outing...

There is no better feeling than going to bed at night and 

not having to set an alarm for tomorrow morning...

Yesterday was a pretty relaxed easy going kind of day to the point where we did not know

 what to do the rest of the afternoon. We walked everywhere we could think of we 

ate out and even so we still had many hours left with nothing to do.

We were supposed to take Arvids mom out to eat, but when we called she said she was 

not feeling good. Bummer.  Lunch nonetheless was good. Arvid had his pizza and

 I had the usual a salad.  Starting to feel like a rabbit, a chubby rabbit that is.

Since coming to Norway I have eaten quite a lot of salads. Setting a new record here. 

Of course we had excellent food, drinks and desserts at VM.  We always do. 

 I enjoy her food better than I enjoy going to any restaurant.  

Both Arvid and I are now tired of eating out.

Back home I cook just about everyday and we eat out 1-2 times a week.  Arvid and I 

went driving to every place we could think of.  We went to a place called Rørestrand 

 It's a beach here in Horten and supposedly fast becoming the best beach in Norway. 

Arvid was not impressed.  At least I thought it was pretty but he kept wanting to leave. 

 Said it was too packed. Too small. Me I saw many pretty things about it. Granted

 I would NEVER swim in it.  The water is clear but there is weeds and a fungus type 

of thing growing in it.  Guess after going to the beaches in the USA 

and Bahamas nothing can compare to it.  That's just my opinion. 

The beach was packed in the water and out of the water.  Here in Norway 

like in all cold places, summer is limited and one has to make the most of it.

  Everyone was laying down taking sun.  Many are very wrinkled.

We also went to a place called Løvøya.  We used to go there a lot when Michelle

 was little now not that often.  We both like it better at Løvøya.  More space and 

more to do.  The "beach" was also packed but we had a walk into the

 forest and saw another side of Norway that for me is strange.

It's the camping lifestyle. Seems like camping is the thing to do in the summer. I see none

 of the attraction and all I see is boredom. Probably would shoot myself if I had to do 

this. Even for a day, but then everyone is different. I'm just glad Arvid and I think alike.

  He said he could never understand either what people see in this camping lifestyle.

The trailers and the campsites kinda cute. Has "amenities". Garden. Flowers. TV.

 Internet just about everything you could ask for, but boy the boredom just kills it for 

me.  As I told Arvid I see it and I'm crying inwardly. He said he also.  All I saw was 

half naked people. Sitting outside of the camper drinking coffee, eating cake,

 and smoking!!!  No thank you. Not for me. Not EVER!!!

One thing I can't complain about is the beauty of the nature. There is beauty 

at every turn you make. Trees. Water. Birds. Families. Just pretty sites. 

Makes up for the boredom.  At least I get to take lots of pictures!

Overall it was a good day. Not too much running around. Just him and I

 discovering some of the hidden beauty right here in his hometown of Horten.  

We're having a good time with family, but we are ready to go home!

Good morning everyone.  It's Monday.  Start of a new week. Wishing you all a 

productive week ahead.  If you were in Norway you would be on vacation right now.  

Technically the entire country shuts down during the summer.  Bizarre if you ask me.

Sometime you don't always need a plan.  Sometimes you just need to 

breathe, trust, let go and see what happens.  You are living your story...

~Nadiya~

Macy's Chicago..

Dream as if you will live forever.  Live as if you will die today.  Imagine with
 all your mind.  Believe with all your heart.  Achieve with all your might...

One of the things I really enjoy while in Chicago is going to Macy's.  It's huge and I can 

spend quite some hours just looking, and of course I always find something I really "need."

I also have a few "friends" in the mall that believe it or not have now been there for a few years. 

 I always go and talk to them, and before you know it quite some time has gone by.  Arvid 

always wonders what it is I can talk about with all these people.  Not sure what it is,

 but I have a good time.  Yesterday was no exception.  I made a new friend and

 for the remaining of the summer will chat with her whenever I am at Macy's.

I try to tell Arvid to go and check around for stuff he might need.  He goes, but is back in a flash. 

 He does not like malls, but Macy's as so much going on that it's difficult to understand

 why he can't find anything.  There is a sports bar at the lower level with beers and 

lots of screens.  He loves to watch TV, but not on these outings.  Go figure.

A week or so ag we went together because he needed a few jackets.  He forgot his in

 Florida, and going to Norway is the same as here.  You never know when the weather will 

change.  You need something to block the wind.  I was hoping we would look around a bit, 

but nope!  We went straight to the men's department and withing a half our, maybe less we got

 him his two jackets and were on our way home.  Shopping for him is: you go.  You get.  You leave.

For me it's an experience.  Every time.  I walk around.  Look.  Try on stuff.  talk to everyone 

I meet.  Maybe get a little something or not, and definitely end up at the coffee shop.  In this 

case Starbucks.  Macy's has as least 3 coffee shops (that I can remember)  maybe more.

I love to look at the fountain, and the beautiful displays always there.  Just pretty

I had a little time on my own on Saturday night.  Was great.  Did what I liked and,

Arvid did not even know he got me stuff.  Well now he does.  Sometime this week we plan
on going again and hopefully he will get me something else.  It's more for him really.

To all a very good day and may the new week be prosperous and productive.
It's Monday.  The beginning of one beautiful week.  Greetings from Chicago to all.

The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by
 merely changing his attitude.  Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm...

~Nadiya~