Tuesday December 20th ~

 We are always getting ready to live but never living...

The other day while chatting with my radiation friends we 

all agreed on one thing.  Never wait until tragedy strikes to decide to

 live your best life. I have been guilty of that.  Tragedy is a sharp awakening

 of how fragile life is.  But I remind myself and now even Arvid says it 

 "we need to live for today" we cannot guarantee what tomorrow holds.

On that sentiment, cheers to everyday and to enjoying life.

Even though day 11 of treatment was not a good day for me.

 I know today will be better, but yesterday  it sure kicked my butt. 

 I have the burning of the skin, the nausea, the pain of my left side, a bad 

headache and that taste in my mouth that just does not go away.

Day 12 I am sure today has to be better.  Just wish the nausea

 and the bad taste in my mouth would go away.  So what

 if my skin is burnt?  Given time it will unburn 😂

You only live once, but as they say if you do it right

 it's all that matters.  This beautiful creation is another 

one from my sister Narima.  She does life RIGHT.

Good morning and a good day to all.  Countdown to 

Christmas begins and Sniff is all ready to rumble.

Some days all you need is a little alone time, and a beautiful 

sunset does not hurt.  Simple things in life are the best.

Brave thoughts, but am I ready to follow through on them...

~Nadiya~

Friday ~

It is up to you to see the beauty in everyday things...

I have been awake for quite a few hours already.  

Sniff has been brushed and fed.  Now he's once again in 

bed with his dada.  Life is good and both boys are fast 

asleep as it should be.  It's not even 6am as yet.

As I woke up I automatically check to see if the sun 

was up, but it being before 4am the sun sure was not. 

 On the other hand  saw this and of course I had to 

step out.  Zoom in and capture the shot.

Though I try to go back to sleep, once I'm awake it's pretty difficult

 to fall asleep again.  So I already had my cafe.  Watched a little 

on Netflix and finished up my online Real Estate continuing

 education class.  Overall a pretty productive morning so far.

Our day seems pretty open so far, but that can change

 as soon as Arvid wakes up.  He is busy, busy all day and sometimes

 pretty late into the evenings.  This is supposed to be a slow

 down time for us, but I don't think we can do slow down.

It's wintertime, but judging from the above picture 

taken a few days ago who would believe it?  On the

 other hand, "winter" in Florida is exactly this. 

 Yes, we are very fortunate to be living in a place where 

no matter what the season is, you can always go to the

 beach, and your dress code is flip flops and shorts.

Pina Coladas go hand in hand when living in Florida.

  At least for me they do.  Our weekend has already begun 

and who know maybe today we have a few more of these 

tropical drinks with the little umbrella in them.  I am ready.

Wishing everyone a great day and a magnificent start of the weekend.  I woke up.  I have clothes to wear.  I have running water.  I have food to eat.  Life is good.  I am thankful.

Everyday may not be good, but 

there is something good in everyday...

~Nadiya~

Rise And Shine All ~

Work hard, stay positive, and get up early. 

It's the best part of the day. Early to bed and early to

 rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise...

A little too early for me to be awake, 

but like it. Have already been awake for 

almost 3 hours, but was still laying in bed

 hoping to fall asleep again.  No such luck.

Of course Sniff somehow knew I was awake, 

and he made his presence felt.  He started 

meowing for foodies.  Of course I got up.  

Fed him.  Brushed him, and made had

 my cafe. Still very dark outside.

 Now the day is looking pretty long. 

 Sniff being the smart one here already 

is back in bed snuggled up close to Arvid.  

Those two never miss out on sleep. 

Won't mind some more sleep either.

Another day with more learning of the

MLS system for me.  Staying busy is what 

keeps me sane, and of course I love it.

  Arvid as everyone knows is ALWAYS busy.  What he does 

all the time continues to be a partial mystery, but busy he is.

Good morning all.  A reminder that limitations live 

only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations,

 our possibilities become limitless.

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is 

that little extra. Always be a first-rate version of yourself, 

instead of a second-rate version of somebody else...

~Nadiya~

Daylight Savings Time ~

I don't mind going back to daylight saving time. 

With inflation, the hour will be the only thing I've saved all year...

It's here once again.  It’s almost time to spring forward! 

Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 a.m

. And yes, this is the one where you lose an hour of sleep. 

But don’t fret! That means you gain one more precious hour of

 sunlight at the end of the day to beat those end-of-winter doldrums.

So don’t forget to set any clocks that aren’t on a smart device ahead

 one hour before heading to bed Saturday night.  And get ready to 

have your microwave display the wrong time for the next 8 months 

because you don’t want to break out the instruction manual.

Lawmakers in Florida are tired of the whole "fall back" 

and "spring forward" rigamarole. So they've approved a bill to keep 

Daylight Saving Time going throughout the year in their state.

The bill now goes to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott -- but it's

 far from a done deal after that.  Even if the governor approves, 

a change like this will literally take an act of Congress.

But if all is approved, Floridians -- who'll set their clocks

 ahead one hour this Sunday when Daylight Saving Time

 begins, won't have to mess with it ever again.  

Florida will then join Hawaii and most of Arizona, the two places 

that are exempt from the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The Act established 

the system of uniform Daylight Saving Time throughout the  US.

My heart grieves for our Brutus and Shadow.  Everyday.
  Some days the grief attacks me stronger than others. Today is 
one of those days.  Little Shadow.  Full of life.  Brutus, the day
 came into our lives you changed it forever.  Both dada and I
 will never be the same.  You had us from  ~meow~

So after all is said and done, do not forget to change those clocks tonight.
We are closer to spring everyday.  Warmer days are coming.  For many
 this means that the clock in the car will finally be correct.

Don't forget it's daylight savings time. You spring forward, 
then you fall back. It's like Robert Downey Jr. getting out of bed...

~Nadiya~

A Beautiful Time Of The Year ~

New days, new weeks, new months, new seasons
are all life's way of saying that we are worthy of a fresh start...

There is beauty everywhere you look and everyday here in 

Branson we are reminded of it.  Usually we see deers everyday.  

Normally an entire family of four or more.  Lately the deers 

have become bolder.  They do not run off as fast as before.  

And yes, I do manage to get some pictures of them.

The other night was full moon.  Arvid and I went out a little and as we got 

home the moon was in its peak.  The above pictures of the moon

 were taken from our from door by yours truly.  Got to say 

even i am a little impressed with the pictures.

Above was an outing we had at The Landings.  The sun was

 setting and it made for some pretty pictures and a very good time.

Definitely a beautiful time of the year.  Seeing the many colors of the season

 makes it a happy time.  As I have mentioned many times, the weather 

in Branson is strange.  One day you are having 80 degrees and

 within a few hours the temperature can drop a good 20 degrees. 

 Happened to us on Sunday.  The change was immediate and 

we went from being nice and warm to very cold.

Christmas is everywhere.  Right now I wish I was closer to family. 

 Christmas has always been the favorite Holiday in our family. 

 At Christmastime I always enjoy spending with my family. 

 Not happening this year, but can hope for next year.

Arvid and I did the tourist thing over the weekend and went to see the 

Branson Christmas light display.  One of the many Christmas displays in Branson.

May your day be filled with faith, love,
hope and beautiful blessings.  Good morning world.

A little progress each day adds to big results...

~Nadiya~

Daylight Savings Time ~

I don't mind going back to daylight saving time. 

With inflation, the hour will be the only thing I've saved all year...

In the United States, almost all states and territories turn their cocks back

and forth, except for Arizona (aside from those in the Navajo Nation),
Hawaii, The Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.  The exact time of
the change-over will be 2 a.m on November 5th



For those of us in the U.S., the next time we’ll be changing clocks after
this will be on Sunday, March 11th, 2018. Clocks will be moved one hour
forward, meaning that you’ll see the sun more throughout the evening.

Even though we are all grown and have been away from home for so very long,

my parents still see us all as their little girls.  Every year we get a call from my mom.

She says it's just a little reminder just in case we forgot to switch our clocks.

Do you know that there have been times when it sure has happened.

For one of my sisters it has happened quite often.  Now it's a big 

joke among us.  We all call her, text her and email her reminding

her to set her clocks at home.  Now a tradition.

Arvid says that this is not his favorite time of the year because the days are

too short and he can't get as many things done as before.  Sure he is wrong

because the man never stops.  Not sure what he does, but he does it well.

Saturday morning.  A little on the dark side right now,
but looking beautiful for the rest of the day and that's a sure

indication that our day will be just as good.  Wishing you the same

Don't forget it's daylight savings time. You spring forward, 

then you fall back. It's like Robert Downey Jr. getting out of bed...

~Nadiya~

Hello's From Branson ~

Life isn't meant to be easy.  It's meant to be lived.

Sometimes happy, other times rough.  But with every up and

down you learn lessons that make you strong...

After all, Branson does have pretty sights.  I love passing by this Hollywood Wax Museum. 

Hollywood Wax Museum is a landmark on Highway 76 in Branson, Missouri,

the live entertainment capital of the Midwest and the only wax

museum in the country devoted entirely to celebrity figures.

A recent multi-million dollar renovation has brought more star power and

dynamic style to the attraction, located in the Hollywood Entertainment Center

on the strip. Branson visitors can now get close to some of the most famous

people in show business and step right into the spotlight with icons

of the silver screen, recreated so faithfully that you'd swear they

are were alive. Hollywood Wax Museum in Branson MO houses

tons of uncanny replicas of your favorite movie and TV stars.

Little by little we are hoping to see more of what's in Branson.  Like the

Branson Showboat.  Arvid and I have tickets to go on it. Enjoy the

evening cruise, the dinner and show that comes with it.

I don't feel good.  Not knowing what's happening with my sister does not make

me want to do much.  Difficult to concentrate.  Happy she is all right, but really

want to talk to her.  Hear her voice.  I need reassuring and only she can do it.

The so called cooler days are gone.  It is back to full blown summer in Branson.

Sunny days are back with cooler evenings.  Not sure it can get any better than this right now.

  Sniff Sniff is into chasing a string these days.  He has got me so trained.  As soon

as I walk into the house he will let me know what he wants.  These days it's not food first. 

It's playtime first, second and always for him.  I love our Sniff Sniff.

Goodbye Summer.  Hello Fall.
Everyone should take time to sit and watch the leaves change color.

Memories are bullets. Some whiz by and only spook you. Others tear you open

and leave you in pieces.  Remembering is easy. It's forgetting that's hard.

~Nadiya~