Happy Tuesday ~

The secret is keeping busy, and loving
 what you do.   In life, all good things come hard, 
but wisdom is the hardest to come by...

Wishing everyone a good day and hope that is is better than yesterday.

Soon we will be heading back to Florida where Sniff is patiently
 waiting for us.  Can't wait to open the door and see his little face.
 Yes, now we start making memories in Florida with Sniff.  Good times
 await us all and time to get back into the lifestyle we left behind.

It was good to be back in Chicago, especially to
be back in our own apartment.  It still needs a little more work to get
 it all ready, but come next summer we have something to do.

 The most important part of the apartment is all set up.
  Sniff's spot is ready for him, and that's what matters.

A long drive back home awaits us.  NOT looking forward
to that, but the reward that awaits us is well worth the drive.  Both
Arvid, and I take turns driving so as to not get too tired.  Somehow
 as soon as it's my turn I am sleepy.  How strange is that?

Wishing everyone a good day.  Remember life is
to be lived and experienced.  Whatever it is you do do it
with a smile and a grateful heart.  Have a rocking day.

One of the things I learned the hard way was that
 it doesn't pay to get discouraged.  Keeping busy and making
 optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself...

~Nadiya~

Back To Chicago ~

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, 

but anyone can start today and make a new ending...

Seems we can't get Chicago out of our minds.  This is the 

fourth time buying an apartment in Chicago, and always in the

 same building.  You can say we really like not only the city,

 but the building as well.  The building is smack in the 

middle of downtown.  Our views are of the lake,

 city and park.  Sure does not get any better.

This was our view from our last apartment.  We bought

 it back in 2015, right before we made the move to Branson,

 and became hotel owners.  Brutus did see it for a little.

  Sniff lived there also for a couple of months 

Yes the view was spectacular.  But once our life as hotel 

owners started we realized we were not going to be able to use it much.

  We had given ourselves a timeline of 5 to 7 years to be in Branson, and 

make the hotels flourish.  Luckily for us it took less than 2 years,

 by then we had already sold our place in Chicago.

With the hotels sold, the obvious thing to do was move back to

 Chicago for the summers.  Of course we visit Norway,

 but Chicago is where we want to be most of the summer.  

Wintertime it's definitely Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Arvid has become quite good at buying our homes online.  

He bought our house in Branson online, so when we bought in

 Chicago it was no big deal for him.  You see he has studied every 

stack in the building and knew exactly which one we would like.

When he went to Florida a few weeks ago, I guess he had too 

much time on his hands, because when he came back he 

said to me, "pack your bags we are moving to Chicago." 

 He had already bought us an apartment.  He said to me,

 "it's your fault because you did not want to come to Fort Lauderdale

 with me.  You know what happens when you leave me alone."

I never know what to expect with Arvid. Life with him is 

very unpredictably, but as he said, "never boring."

I guess we are moving back to the city.

As our families have all said, "life is back to normal for us." 

 After all that has happened in the last 2 years we are 

picking up and starting back where we left off.

Let me tell your something.

 I'm from Chicago. I don't break...

~Nadiya~

Sunday To Remember...

The most beautiful things are not associated with money; 

they are memories and moments. If you don't

 celebrate those, they can pass you by...

We relaxed.  We packed  And we did a few fun things. 

Each place we went, we both said, "this will be the last time we

 will be here."  Then Arvid would say, "at least for this year."  

We do plan to come back to Branson every summer.

Today we checked out a floating restaurant called Paddlewheel.

  The views were magnificent and the food was good.

Yesterday we went for drinks at Chateau on the Lake.

  Definitely one of the best views in Branson.  We enjoyed a little

 something to nibble on, listened to the music, and soaked in the scenery. 

 Another place we will not be going back to until next summer.

Wishing everyone a Happy Labor Day.  Have fun, but be safe.

Remember to always live for the moments you can't put into words.

It's sad to know I'm done. But looking back, 

I've got a lot of great memories...

~Nadiya~

Nashville ~

There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going...

I would love to one day visit all of the United States.  

It is beautiful, and we still have a lot of grounds to 

cover, but hopefully we will one day get there.

Our journey today takes us to Nashville.  Arvid and I have 

not been here as yet, so I look forward to checking it out.

Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee

 and home to Vanderbilt University. Legendary country music 

venues include the Grand Ole Opry House, home of the famous

 “Grand Ole Opry” stage and radio show. 

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and 

historic Ryman Auditorium are Downtown, as is the District, 

featuring honky-tonks with live music and the Johnny 

Cash Museum, celebrating the singer's life.

In Nashville, if people don't like someone, they say, 

'I don't really like him,' 
then add, 'bless his heart.'

 In Hollywood, they kind of leave 
that last part off.

To travel is to take a journey into yourself...

~Nadiya~

Life Is To Be Lived ~

Life is made up of special moments which make it worth living.  

There are many cherished moments that are missed due to the

stress and fast pace of daily living.  We must slow down and

 remember how precious it is to be alive and to be loved....

 It has been extremely hot in Norway, and the fact 

that there is no air conditioning in most places have

 made the nights and days pretty much unbearable.  

Yesterday evening for a change we had some colder air 

while sitting on the balcony.  Arvid’s mom, Molly has an 

amazing view and it was quite enjoyable to just sit there watch

 the boats go by and enjoy a cup of coffee.  While she 

and Arvid spoke I read and enjoyed the view.  

We had a good time the other day with the 2 granddaughters.  

We had them for a couple of hours in the park.  As all 

little kids do, they have a limitless amount of energy.  

Both Arvid and I were tired but content.  It’s good to see them, 

be with them and enjoy time with them.  Even if we are worn 

out we also find in us lots of energy to keep up with them.

Arvid’s mom who we were told was not doing so good 

is actually doing very good.  As Arvid said, “ she’s
 doing much much better than we expected” 

 She sees better than we do and she hears pretty good.  

For a 90 year old woman she is very fortunate because she’s 

much better off than many 10-20 years younger 

than she is.  This makes us happy. 

 Another sign that she’s is great health is her appetite.  

As Arvid said to her, “ you sure have a healthy appetite.  

You eat all day long.”  These are all good signs.  Molly is

 still strong and healthy.  Good news all around.

As for me, I miss our Sniff.  I have not started yearning

 to go home as yet.  When Brutus was alive I wanted 

to go home the very next day.   I know Sniff is healthy

 and well cared for.  I’m a little more relaxed.

I do look forward every morning to hearing

 from his pet sitter and getting a picture of Sniff.  He is

 a good good kitty and I love him so.  My mom also gets 

updates about Sniff.  He's covered by all f us.

Just talked to my mom for the longest of times and I 

miss her-very much.  Also miss taking to my sisters, 

but fortunately I can call them anytime I like.  Thank 

goodness for international cell phone plans.

We are staying with Arvid’s mom as I mentioned before.

  Not bad, but I would much rather stay on our own.  

I miss having a little alone time with Arvid.  

We have gone out to Fishland and as always that as 

he says is one of the the best of times.  As always he meets friends

 from his childhood days.  They catch up on each other’s life.  

So really we have not gotten much alone time as yet.

When in Branson, the week goes by so very fast. 

  Norway is beautiful.  I enjoy spending time with the 
2 little ones, Michelle, Emil, Molly, Victoria and
 Michael.  Had it not been for them Norway
 would hold no attraction to me.  

We went to Victoria and Michael's.  As usual this was one 

of the highlights of the trip.  We had delicious food, 

spent time in good company and had a very good

 time with them.  Yes. One of my favorite 

times in Norway is at their home.

Victoria and Michael never disappoint.  Victoria 
is glamorous in every aspect of her life.  The 
minute you walk into their home everything is
 perfectly arranged and everything matches. 

 I have never seen anyone anywhere set a table the way she does. 
 Every single detail is accounted for.  Sometimes it feels
 wrong to eat and ruin such a perfect table setting.  
Of course the food never disappoints either. 
 Needless to say, we had an amazing time and
 a delicious meal.  We always do.

It has been another good day, and yes it's another day 
closer to going home to Sniff as well. I miss the little dude 
and his meows.  Mama loves you Sniff Sniff.

It’s all about the little moments 
that make life a big adventure...

~Nadiya~