Sunday February 14th ~

At the end of the day you can focus on what's 
tearing you apart, or what's holding you together...

 Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. 

Across the United States and in other places around the 

world, candy, flowers and gifts are usually exchanged

 between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.

It has never been a big deal to me.  As kids my mom would

 always buy us chocolate and give us cards.  This was the most 

special Valentine's day for me,  receiving those cards from my mom. 

 As we grew up she continues to do so.  For so many reasons, 

there will never ever be anyone as special as my mom.

For many this is not a good day.  It brings up loneliness
 and despair.  For me it's just another day.  Arvid does not 

even acknowledge the day as anything but a "normal" day. 

 Being with Arvid I have learnt not to think of any day as special. 

Just the mention of Christmas is enough to upset him.  Does

 not mean I like it, just means I have learnt to live with it.

With my family, and for them I am always happy and grateful. 

 I "celebrate" the days that are so called special.  At least we talk

 about it, laugh about it, and compare notes.  Makes it always

 a better day than if I just had to ignore it because of Arvid.

When you focus on the good the good gets better...

~Nadiya~

Thursday In Branson ~

Because every picture tells a story...

On my way to work I find it sometimes difficult to not stop and take pictures.

  Don't ask me why.  I have many of the same, but as far as I am concerned

everyday the same thing looks different.  As I have mentioned before,

the wheel is one of my favorite attractions to photograph.

I get it from all angles and to this day I am never bored or disappointed with it.

Maybe because it came from Chicago?  Whatever the reason, it  never 

ceases to make me smile and to brighten and cheer up my day.

Most of these attractions are closer to 76 INN.  Arvid's hotel.

Have not really been into any of them, but I still like to pass by and

get pictures. Arvid and I are not one to "do" the attractions. 

No matter where we go. At one time we did, but then we decided

we were not cut out for it.  Making lines is not our thing.

The other day we tried out a "new" place for lunch.  Burgers any which

way you want them.  Arvid loves his burgers and was not disappointed in it,

but when we were done eating he said to me, "how come you did not order

the milkshake?"   Guess next time I will have to get him his milkshake.

The restaurant reminded us a little of Roadhouse in Fort Lauderdale.

The peanuts were there for taking.  When Arvid's daughter Michelle was little 

she loved going to Roadhouse.  She did not eat much, but she loved the peanuts.  All

she used to order at that time was macaroni and cheese.  Now she's a mom with 2 kids.

Just got our deliveries from Pepsi and Coca Cola for the week.  

Everyone is happy and all is good here at Almost Home and 76 Inn.

Happy Thursday to all and may you always live in interesting times.

Just because I post something doesn't mean I am

going through it.   I may just like the quotes...

~Nadiya~

One Of Those Days...

The secret of change is to all your energy,

not on fighting the old, but on building the new...

I feel as if I am stuck in one place and can't get out.  This has been the case since

 Brutus died. Here in Chicago, we have a beautiful condo, stunning views,

 and a city that offers everything one can ever wish for, yet for 

me everything changed the day our Brutus died.

I really need a change, but the question is what kind of change.  I am still

 working on figuring it out and hopefully I will.  Hopefully sooner rather than later.  

In a few days we will be heading back home to Florida with Sniff.  I am looking forward 

to checking out our favorite restaurants, doing some actual work away from a laptop,driving 

my own car and just feeling the sand between my toes as I take a few walks along the beach.

This has not been the best of years, but the future is always looking good.

I know that no matter what life is good and there is so very much to be grateful for.

Wishing everyone a very good day, and remember change is inevitable.

It depends on us really on how we adjust to it.  I have not done so good, but I

 will do better, because I know I have to let go of the things I can't change and focus

 on the things I can change.  Easier said sometimes than done, but always possible.

Here in Chicago you can see and feel the change already.  Cold weather is coming.  

Time to pack up and leave.  I am ready to go home back to sunny Florida.

I am on the hunt for who I have not yet become...

~Nadiya~

Saturday...

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

I will do my best.. that's all I can promise...

Our day started our pretty cold.  Good thing though it will warm up.

What do you think of this BMW?  I can see me driving it...

Checked out some pretty cool outdoor furniture as well.  For those with a

large outdoor space, this will definitely spiff up your place.

As we were coming out of the restaurant yesterday, the parking lot was full 

of ducks and tons of birds.  A passerby said to me, "you don't need to go to the Everglades

 to see anything.  You see it all right here in the parking lot."  Had to make Arvid stop 

so I could get pictures.  How cool was that?  Not everyone was happy of course.

Not exactly sure what we will be doing today.  Saturdays i don't cook.  Pizza day.

Sundays I don't cook either.  It's our day out.  Just the two of us, but tomorrow 

we make an exception.  We take a very good friend out with us for dinner.

During breakfast Arvid and I talked about Brutus.  He told me that I need to move on.

I know I do.  I know I do.  I asked him if he has moved on.  He said he's working on it, but

that I need to understand that moving on does not mean he will ever forget Brutus.  

He said for him it means holding on to his sanity, said I need to do the same.

To all a very good day.  In between the soccer game, Arvid does some housework

while Shadow looks on.  Shadow by the way is not afraid of the vacuum cleaner. 

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at 

the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"....

~Nadiya~