Summer Days~

Every summer has a story...

Norwegian roads are scenic as well.  There are tunnels all over the place. 

 Quite interesting and different our homes in Branson, Missouri

 and in Florida.  makes for a scenic and interesting change.

I find it pretty, but Arvid seems to not care.  

Says he saw too much of it growing up.

Our first days here so have have been perfect.  Weather is good

 and seeing everyone always is good.  Arvid's mom is doing

 great.  For a lady who is 90 years old she is amazing.

Not sure what we expected, but she's much more 

movable than we thought and that is very god to see.

Our granddaughters are gorgeous.  Grown up and as loving as can be. 

 We are super happy to have this time to see them and to send with them.

Michelle's wedding is in less than 2 weeks.  I'm getting excited.

Michelle is baking cupcakes and making her own cake. The 

girl is super talented and she does and amazing job.

For the next few days we will be enjoying time with family.  I 

even get to have kisses from Chico, their doggie. We also enjoy

a few outings on our own.  Especially in the evenings, which is a 

very good time to relax and unwind from the days activities.

Greetings to all.  Looking forward to our summer days here in Norway.

I am missing our little Sniff a lot.  I know he is well cared for, but at the 

same time I know he is wondering why we are not there with him.

Summer.. take the time to soak up the sunshine in your life...

~Nadiya~

Life.. We Learn As We Go...

Never tell your problems to anyone.  20% don't care and the other 

80% are glad you have them.  A private life is a happy life...

I realized something just a few days ago.  It was rough, maybe even a little mean spirited.

 but bottom line it is the truth.  No one wants to hear that you are grieving it that you

 are hurting or not doing so good. Not because people do not care but because

 it makes them uncomfortable.  I did not understand  this but now I do. As
you can see below, it was put into perspective from two different people.

  I am one to bear my soul, but maybe that is not so great.  People are more at ease 

thinking that everything is good.  It's like when you meet someone. They ask "you how are

you?"  Typical answer is "I'm fine and you?"  No one expects you to tell them otherwise. 

If you do then they are at a loss for words. They feel uncomfortable and they stop

 making eye contact.  I know this because one did i did just that I told exactly 

how I felt.  I felt sorry for the person because suddenly they were quiet

 and wished I would disappear.  Can't blame them.  Life did not prepare 

them on how to deal with a person who was not "all right."

Yesterday was a pretty good day even though we had some dark stormy weather.
 It rained and it thundered, but Arvid and I seized the opportunity to go to the
 movies and at the same time to experience a place called Latinicity.

Latinicity is a unique type of dining experience.  You go there and as you enter you are
given a card.  With this card you go to all the food stations, and yes there are many.
As you order what you want they just swipe your card and add to the food purchase.

Here you can enjoy combining selections from 10 innovative kitchens, tapas restaurant,
 coffee cafe and a fully stocked bar.  As I said you get what you want, swipe
 your card, find a cozy place to sit, enjoy the city view and as you leave
you give them your card.  They swipe it and then we pay.  Pretty
cool way to experience so many things in the same place.

After eating it was nice to go to the movies, which we did.  Everything is located in the
same building together with a few chosen retail stores.  It was still raining on the outside
so made for a very good outing.  By the time the movie was over the weather was nice
 and almost sunny again.  Once home Sniff was patiently waiting for his foodies.

Wishing you all a very good day.  Today started good we Skyped with Michelle
 and the girls.  After that is was laundry and of course Arvid always doing
something in the apartment.  Today was more painting.  Still some to go.

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.
Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live...

~Nadiya~

Coping...

It has been a terrible.  No good.  Bad day.

My mom says some days are like that...

I have had a very emotional day yesterday. By evening I was drained. Exhausted and just

 about all cried out.  Yesterday I finally met with Liliana.  I have not seen her since 

Shadow died.  I was not ready.  Honestly I was not even sure I was ready to do it 

yesterday, but like everything I do it was just a spur of the moment thing. 

One minute I was making lunch next thing you know I was texting Liliana asking her 

if she had time to see me today.  I got to her apartment.  It felt like we were strangers. 

 I got in and we just looked at each other not many words were exchanged.

 The next half an hour all you heard were two people crying. Crying like there was

no tomorrow.  Crying over Shadow, crying over a friendship that had been put through 

the worst possible test.  Every time I think o have no more tears I surprise myself. 

 I guess the body knows best for the tears came and for half an hour it never stopped. 

my face since Brutus died is puffy. Dark circles under my eyes and always a

puffiness and hollowness that I am sure will never go away.  I will never be the 

same person I was. I swear I have aged 10 or more years.  Feels like it.

I guess no one ever is the same person after they go through the loss of a loved one.

  After the tears all I could ask was how?  How could this happen?  Didn't you hear him cry? 

 Didn't you?  Was there any blood?  Not sure why  I ask this,  but it keeps bugging me. 

 Liliana said he looked like he was sleeping. Like an angel.  My Shadow hated the heat

More tears and they never stopped. My little Shadow.  Never made it to 10 months of life.  

We had him not even 4 months.  For both of us this has been hell.  Liliana is living

 her own hell. I live with mine.  Here neither of us are winners.  We both grieve 

for the same kitty.  I saw a woman destroyed. Like me devastated and

completely grief stricken.  At that moment all I could do was comfort her. 

 She is after all my very good friend. One I trust with my life and would still trust with 

another kitty.  Arvid and I disagree here.  People may judge me.  Truly I don't care. 

 For no one knows Liliana the way I do.  She is one of the most  kindhearted

 persons I know.  I am angry and hurt, but that does not change who she is.

 She would never ever harm an animal. She would rather hurt herself than cause hurt 

to an animal.  She's broken hearted. I think together she and I will benefit in the 

healing process.  For now it's baby steps for us, but I know one day our

friendship will be the way it was before. Maybe better.  Who knows?

I woke up sad.  Thoughts of Shadow and Brutus are haunting me.  It kills me to 

know that Brutus and Shadow are gone forever.  My Brutus.  My baby I will never 

hold him ever again.  An Shadow i will never make him his chicken ever again.  Right now

 I don't feel so good.  Took a walk to the beach to see if it helped, somehow today it did not.

No matter what, life does not stop.  It's in constant movement.  Looking out of 

my window right now I see a beautiful day in the making.  I'm sure 

it will get better for me as well.  To all a very good day.  Remember 

that to judge a person you first have to walk in their shoes.  

Don't judge people.  You don't know what kind of battle they are fighting.

You may think you understand, but you don't.  Not until you know the whole story...

~Nadiya~

Sunday..Funday

It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away.  Life is so much 
more brighter when we focus on what really matters...

Yesterday I had some time again at the beach.  This time I went to Fort Lauderdale Beach 

while Arvid watched TV.  Truth is I can't sit and watch as much soccer or any kind of 

TV that long.  My powers of concentration is just not as good as his is when it 

comes to sitting still and staring at a TV screen among other things.

It was a perfect time.  The beach was very quiet and I had it all to myself.  The splashing 

of the  waves the birds and the swaying of the palm trees was indeed very relaxing. There 

it was just me and my thought again.  Loved it and can't wait for the next time.

Come evening Arvid went to listen to music with a friend.  I was really not in the mood 

so I decided to go to the movies instead, and let the boys have a few drinks on their
 own and some "boys" time.  I love the movies and going on my own does
not bother me one bit. Sometimes I really actually enjoy it even more. 

 Before the movies I dropped Arvid off to his location and I had one more opportunity to

 cruise the beach.  This time at night.  Was also fairly on the quiet side, but again beautiful.

The day started out beautiful.  Boats cruising along and we have a good view.
No complaints here about that.  Shadow slept with us a little this morning.  Felt good.
He purrs like an engine.  Very cute.  This is the first time he slept so close to us.

Touching us.  Been missing that very much because Brutus was know for being close to us.
 Very close, maybe Shadow will soon like it and do the same.  Can always hope.

To all a very good day.  Sunday's outing today is with a friend, and it's looking
like outdoor seating is what's called for.  Yes we are back to what the
Sunshine State should be.  Warm, sunny blue skies.  Perfect.

Happy Sunday to all of you.

Every second brings a fresh beginning, every hour holds a new promise, 
every night our dreams can bring hope, and every day is what you choose to make it...

~Nadiya~

Hello's From Mexico...

It's nice finding that place where you just go and relax...

The next few days we hope to relax and just have some better days than we have

 been having.  Mexico is where Arvid relaxes.  No phone calls.  For him it is heaven.

For me it is a little more complicated than that.  I enjoy calling my family,

but for the next few days I don't think I will be doing much calling except to my mom.  

Always have to talk to her and stay abreast of what's happening to

 the rest of the family.  Of course we text all the time.

I always enjoyed our trips, but this time my heart is not into it as before.  Something

is missing.  I have made up my mind to relax (difficult); I have made up my 

mind to think of other things other than Brutus, (difficult), and I promised 

myself I will give it my best shot.  That's all I can do for now.  Try.

Here it is another beautiful day.  The sky is blue and I hear the birds chirping

 from our balcony.  I can see the people getting ready to go on their daily tour of some 

sort.  Everywhere around us there is laughter, life and though people

 are sad they don't give up on life.  Don't plan on doing that either.

 From our side of the world, wishing you a good relaxing day.

I like to be lazy. I do like to be busy and really active, but when that's done, 

you can be sure I will be a lazy girl.  I like to take time and relax and enjoy life...

~Nadiya~

Monday..A New Week Begins..

Monday.  New start.  New beginning. 

 New perspective.  Make today count..

As the new weeks begins, I am hoping for better days. My sister said to me, 

"Nad you have to let Brutus go."  I promise to do my best.

Our weekend was OK.  There was music and there was outings with friends.

Could not have asked for more at this time.  Distracting and enjoyable.

On Sunday we went with friends to a Brazilian Steakhouse called Chima. 

 Arvid and I have been there before, but it was the first time

 for our friends.  The company was very good.  

Chima Fort Lauderdale

The food was probably very good also, but it kept coming to you from all sides

 and way to often.  Not sure it is our style.  The meat is sliced right by

 you and before you are done there is more to choose for.  If you

 are a steak lover; this is definitely the place for you.

As the week begins one hopes for better days to come.  In my heart there is 

an empty place that Brutus and only Brutus can fill.  Like I told Arvid, I cannot

bring myself as yet to say goodbye.  It's too final and even though I know

 that I  have to one day, that day is not today.  Shadow is a cutie.

Shadow makes us laugh with all his funny moves and kitten stuff.  He keeps us 

busy and he is a good kitty.  Finally he has slept in Brutus' sunbed. It was killing me 

to see that bed empty.  Yesterday i saw Shadow in it. After 30 days of being empty.

As the new week begins, I wish you all good times and always good days.

Life is like riding a bicycle.  

To keep your balance you have to keep moving...

~Nadiya~