It Is What It Is...

I can't tell if it's killing me or making me stronger...

Nothing can stress me out as much as not being able to make

Brutus feel better and to know that he is hurting.

Once again we are having some rough days with him.  To say he is difficult,

is putting it mildly.  Brutus breaks every mold there is about what a cat should

like or how a cat should do certain things.  this makes giving him medicine even

more difficult.  he hates soft food; therefore cant hide it in there.  We had a good thing going

with putting the food in some cheese.  Well he sure figures it out.  Now he refuses to eat it.

Tried giving him treats; nope he smells the pill.  Everyday is a battle here.

Soon we will be going to Norway, but if Brutus continues this way I have already told 

Arvid I may not g for this long a time.  That's sad because there is quite a lot to look forward

to this summer.  I am hoping that Brutus will take his pill.  We even went to the vet

 and asked if he would consider giving the pill to Brutus.  He said "not a problem."

Now I guess it's up to me to see how it goes and to do what is best for Brutus.

When it comes to Brutus I believe that I an not too rational.

I get all emotional and that's maybe where I lose sight of 

things.  He is after all the baby.

Have a good day all.

Remember, life is what it is.

Accept it and move on.  No other choice.

Life is not the way it is supposed to be, it's the way it is.

The way we cope with it is what makes the difference...

~Nadiya~

One Day At A Time...

I have a new philosophy, 

I'm only going to dread one day at a time...

Yesterday before Arvid was even awake, I was already at the lab waiting for yet another

blood test.  Now I am so used to it i just stick my arm out and before you know it it's all over.

Going there that often has it's "privileges,"  I already know most of the girls.  Also learnt that

the trick of not having to wait forever is to show up as soon as they are open, which is 7am. 

Thing is many have also learnt the same trick.  Got there early thinking I would be if not 

first, then one of the first.  Not the case the place was already crawling with people.

Either way, there are lots of technicians working so it moves fairly fast.

That taken care of, it was time to struggle and battle with Brutus to take his pill.

All of a sudden a technique I had thought to have mastered, that is giving 

him the pill has become one big struggle every day.  Takes me close to

 5 tries before I manage to do it.  By then we are both stressed.

Since coming back from Chicago there has been rain, thunder, lightning and more rain 

combined with humidity.  The good thing is that Brutus is no longer afraid of the thunder. 

 Arvid has been there with him throughout it all.  From the time Brutus was 

a baby,  Arvid would lay on the bed with him and gently talk him out of it.  

He still does and it has worked.  Strange how you can teach them.

As everyone knows, FIFA Games are on.  As you may imagine, Arvid schedules

 everything around them.  Even phone calls.  Busy days for him because quite a few

games on.  Now he switches from one to another.  Believe it or not this has not slowed

us down any.  We just plan our time differently.  Works great.  Yesterday we were in Miami.

This took quite a LONG time, but it was work and the truth is when it's work games take 2nd place.

So he missed it, but those who know Arvid know that this was no big deal either.  

As he said, always another game coming up soon.  He is always happy.

While Arvid was occupied watching yet another game, I took the time and went for 

a manicure and pedicure.  For a change I did not have to rush and was able to enjoy

the foot and hand massage.  I usually skip it because of always something to do.

Sitting next to me was a 90 year old couple.  What was so cute was that even though they 

both appeared to be asleep during their pedicures, the wife never let go of his

hand. I had a smile and when the man woke up of course I chatted with him.

Sharp as a tack he was.  He was given 2 hard candies after they were done.

He gave me one of them.  I told him it was for him and his wife.

He looked at me.  Winked and said, "I want to give it to you."

Well make may day and I'm still smiling.

 Good morning everyone.

Let the good times roll.

When you marry, ask yourself this question:

Do you believe that you will be able to converse well with

this person into your old age?  Everything else in marriage is transitory...

~Nadiya~

Hello Sunday...

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy...

Hello all.  Brand new day and it is looking pretty good.  A little hot, humid and wet,

 but nevertheless a gorgeous day to be alive and to enjoy all that the day has to offer.

On Sundays we Skype with Michelle and our grand-daughter Aleah.  

Always such a beautiful way to start the day.  That Aleah is always smiling. 

 Makes me just want to grab her and kiss and hug her.

As Sundays go, Arvid also catches up with his family.  Always good.

Now that the FIFA games are going on, we also schedule everything around it.

Arvid is a die hard soccer fan.  He loves to see the goals.  We both have bets going on,

 so this makes the game even more interesting.  Today we see USA, and hopefully they will win.

To all a very good day.

Remember, if you have good thoughts they will shine

 out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

Something amazing happens when you're in love

 and don't give a damn about what day it is anymore...

~Nadiya~

And It All Came Back...

The laughter, the memories, the pain the happiness.

Memories warm you up from the inside. 

But they also tear you apart...

Maybe it's something to do with the gloomy weather.  Rain, dark skies and more rain.

Whatever it is is has gotten me feeling a little on the "sad" side and thinking of things

ad of people from times gone by.  Times I have kept bottled up inside a secret 

place in my heart; afraid to let loose the emotions I feel because of the hurt 

that comes with it.  Sometimes I guess it's not so bad to "open" up.
And so began another trip down memory lane.  Does
happen too often, but when it happens well....

Memories are what we all want to make until one day that memory causes

more sadness than joy, but even so it's a memory that I would always 

choose to have and hope to never lose any of it.

Memories I have many. Like everyone good and not so good.

Yesterday I opened Facebook and I was practically stunned when 

I saw a certain face staring right back at me.  For me time ceased to exist at 

that moment.  Right then I was transported to a time and a place far from here and

I remembered every single detail of the day.  I am cursed with a too good of a memory.

I don't dwell on the past, but sometimes just a little something can really take you

back to a certain time, a certain place and a certain someone.  That my friends

is what happened to me yesterday.  Today I'm good. 

Like they say we may forget the person (I haven't),

but the memories stay there forever and ever.

There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock

 and take all the sadness away, but I have the feeling that if I did, 

the joy would be gone as well..

~Nadiya~

Hello Friday...

I try to live my life one day at a time.

and if I look too far in advance, I get too stressed...

It's Friday and already I am exhausted.  Not because I am overworked, but

because of stress.  Stress comes in the form of Brutus and his paw.  Yes again it 

it all about the paw.  We took him to the vet yesterday to have the swelling looked at.

Well now the doctor says that maybe there is another bacteria involved; meaning an additional 

pill he has to take two times a day.  Thing is the pill is huge.  He takes half a pill twice a day.

There was no way he was taking the pill even after we cut the half into two pieces.

Last night I tried 5 times and he only took one piece of the two he had to take.  Yes, now I 

have something else to deal with.  He needs this pill.  This morning I cut the one pill into 8 pieces. 

 Meaning that every 12 hours he has to take 4 pieces.  means have to prepare 4 pills in 

4 pill pockets.  If it was difficult to give one piece now we have to deal with 4 pieces every
12 hours.  This continues for 10 days.  Additional to this he also takes his regular pill
which may be a permanent thing.  Plus the doctor recommended he take
a booster supplement to yeah, boost his immune system.

Well we have our work cut out for us.  Problem is that I'm not sure his pet sitters will be able to

manage all of this.  Problem right here. We travel quite often.  The vet without knowing all

the details put it best.  He said, "this little one is extremely attached to the two of you."

Yes, Brutus is extremely bonded to us as we are to him.  Question is, 

"did we do him a disfavor by becoming so attached?"

Not sure we would have it any other way. Stay dry all.
 Here in Florida rainy season has begun!
Wet! Wet! Wet!

 Life is a challenge everyday.
I get irritated, nervous, very tense or stressed, but never bored.

The more prepared I am, the more I'll be in control,
less nervous, less stressed and more focused...

~Nadiya~

Always Brutus...

Long lasting lessons are 

usually learned at a steep price...

I am sure starting to believe that life does not want a person to get too comfortable 

in one position, meaning that as soon as we start to think that everything is going 

good or more like as good as it will get; something happens to remind us that we

 should never ever  take anything for granted.  Thus the case with Brutus and 

his ongoing paw issues.  For maybe 2 months now everything was stable.  

Not 100%, but as far as Arvid and I go, it was the most 

progress we have seen in over a year. 

Guess we were starting to get "comfortable" with the situation.  Why not?

after all Brutus was happy, running, playing and doing everything a little fur baby

 should be doing.  Our happiness seems to be coming to an end.  During my isolation period,

Brutus started nibbling at the paw.  More like at a specific part of the paw.  Now it is once 

again very swollen and already there are bite marks (bloody) visible.  It is so swollen I feel 

that if I squeeze too much the entire area will pop.  Why it hasn't is baffling.

When it comes to Brutus and his paw I live in a continuous stage of anxiety.

I watch him all the time and we try to make sure everything is always safe for him.  

Yes we baby proofed the apartment for him and yet his paw continues on a downward

spiral.  Why?  That's the question I always ask and the question I have no answers to.

Today once again we take him to the vet.  I know he will not be happy as you see,

but soon we will be going to Norway for quite a long time.  I want to be stress free,

but I know it will not be possible.  We want to make sure Brutus is as "OK" as 

he can be while we are gone.  Who know maybe the doctor needs to do a little invasive

something to draining the paw.  All I know is that when I am not with him, I am stressed.

Sounds crazy, but you see Brutus need a pill everyday and while we were in 

Chicago Liliana was unable to give it to him.  Not only were we stressed, but so was

 Liliana. She called almost crying because she was unable to give it to him and 

knowing how  important it is that he gets it on his scheduled days.

As of now I am just worried.  Worried that we will be gone for such 

a long time and not knowing how Brutus will do.  You see anytime

we travel he acts up and makes it worse.

For now as always we look on the bright side.  He has the best 

medical care.  He has no outstanding medical bills as does Arvid and I.  Let 

me tell you this is something.  My hospital bills have reached to a point where it

it almost impossible to catch up with it.  Don't know why we have insurance because

the bills just keep coming and coming, but I guess we all have our own stories to that.

For now wishing you all a good day 

and may all your troubles be small ones.

Always remember to rise above little things.

Nothing succeeds like persistence...

~Nadiya~

Triple Strawberry Smoothie...

I have more healthy cravings than my normal eating habits,
 like I crave fruit and cold things like smoothies....

A smoothie, is a blended and sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruit and

 in special cases can contain chocolate and or peanut butter. In addition to fruit,

 many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, honey or contain syrup and ice ingredients. 

They have a milkshake-like consistency that is thicker than slush drinks. 

They can also contain milk, yogurt or ice cream. Smoothies are often marketed to 

health-conscious people, and some restaurants offer add-ins such as soy milk, 

whey powder, green tea, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplement mixes.

Smoothies became widely available in the United States in the late 1960s when ice cream

 vendors and health food stores began selling them. By the 1990s and 2000s, 

smoothies became available at mainstream cafés and coffee shops and in

 pre-bottled versions at supermarkets all over the world.

Living in the warm climate just about every corner there is a smoothie vendor.

When it's hot nothing tastes a good as a smoothie.  On of my favorites is the 

Triple Strawberry Smoothie.

Very easy to make:

1 up fresh or frozen strawberries.

1 cup fat free (skim) milk

3-4 tablespoons strawberry jam

1 cup vanilla or strawberry light frozen yogurt

2 ice cubes

You can always top it off with fresh berries.

Combine strawberries, milk and jam in a blender.  Process until smooth.

Add frozen yogurt and ice.  Process until smooth.  Garnish with berries and serve immediately.

You can also use strawberry milk for an added strawberry flavor.

For now enjoy a few and indulge yourselves.  I certainly plan to do so very soon.

Remember, the problem with people who have no vices is that generally

 you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.

Love is a fruit in season at all times, 

and within the reach of every hand...

~Nadiya~

Home With Brutus..

Wake up, it's morning time with cheerful moments.

Wishing you a very good morning and a very good day.

See Miracles In Life Everyday... S-M-I-L-E

I love going on vacation.  Who doesn't?  But what I love even more is

coming home to Brutus.  Both Arvid and I enjoy our outings, but since we have

Brutus in our life, it seems as if after a few days we are both ready to go back home to him.

it is a beautiful morning here at home and the best thing is that I can touch Brutus,

and give him lots of hugs and kisses.  Not saying he is always happy about it,

but for sure we are.  Yes, there is no place like home.

Life will not go back to what we call "normal" again.  Done are the days

of eating out everyday (happy about that), touring different blues venues.  Good to

do, but nice to get back inn our routines.  Now to concentrate again on more doctors

appointments and to see what's going on with Brutus' paw.   The thing is still swollen.

Yes, it's back to being down to earth again and I am liking it already.

I think the best times are those when we are busy and when the three of us are together.

Would not change that for anything in the world.  We are lucky to have each other and happy.

Well everyone it is already Tuesday.  Before you know it the week will soon

be over, so time for us to get busy and be productive.

Wishing you all a good week and good days ahead.

It is not how much we have, 

but how much we enjoy, that makes us happy...

~Nadiya~

Time To Say Goodbye...

It's time to say goodbye.

Until the next time...

Arvid and I have had a very good time in Chicago, it is after all our favorite city.
That being said I can't wait to get home to Brutus, to see his little face and to pick him up.
If you remember the lat time I was with Brutus, I was in isolation and was not able to touch
him or play with him.  He did mot understand any of this.  When we get home,
 I plan to make up for all of it.  He loves being brushed so he will be getting
 extra long sessions of brushing.

Being in Chicago is always a good experience, but for sure having your
own place does make a big difference.   We were in a perfect location.
Macy's and all my favorite stores were right across the street from us.
The park and all our musical venues were also minutes from us.

Everyday after breakfast I would take a a brief trip to one of my favorite stores
while Arvid relaxed in the room and watched the news or some other show on TV.
We would meet by noon and then do our tour of our favorite parts of Chicago.
Eat at our favorite spots and then do some pubbing or go and listen to music.
When in Chicago music is a must.  Everywhere you go there is music.
We also went to the Farmers Market, one of my favorite things to do
 and yes did stock up on a few of my favorites.

The Blues weekend was a little cold in the beginning but since it was also
World Cup Games going on, we did a combination of both so when we did not
care for an artist we went and watched the game.  Was truly a very good time.
 We both were happy with this arrangement.

Now it's time to go home and we are also very happy.  Not a day would go by
without me missing Brutus.  I asked Arvid if he missed Brutus and he said he
did not want to think of him because then he would miss him too much and would
 want to go home.  We will be in Norway for a long time and I know that
everyday I will miss Brutus like crazy and want to be home with him.
Life sometimes gets  complicated.

The Park and City at night

We love Chicago, but it's not home anymore.  I know we will always come back,
but for now we are ready to go home.  Home is where Brutus is no matter
where we go.. Home is always best.  Home is Brutus, Arvid and I.
 Home is where we will be today.

Home is where the heart is.
Home is where Brutus is waiting for us...

~Nadiya~

Nirvana Kimberly... Kimsy From Child To Woman

Some people are special cause of what they say or what they do,

 but you are special to me because of  who you are in my life, 

and the way you care and treat others. 

Just by being you,  you've made all the difference...

Kimsy was born in Puerto Rico in 1997.  She is 17 years old today and just like Reshma, 

I look at her and I don't know where the years have gone by.  Time is going by too fast.

 We last saw Kimsy in December of 2012 year and seeing the beautiful young lady she is

 today made me realize that I am a very lucky aunt and how much I miss her.   

I have beautiful nieces who are both wonderful inside and outside and who

 loves me.  Can one get any luckier?  Don't think so.

Kimmy grew up Bilingual.  Now she is also fluent in French and I think she has picked up 

some additional languages due to all the international travelling she has been doing.  

Kimsy is growing up in a circle that one only reads about in magazines, 

yet she is grounded, kindhearted and always there to help out.  

To know Kimsy is to love her.  She is soft spoken and a fierce

 defender of her brother J.  She is my little celebrity jet-setter niece.  

Just thinking of her and I smile.  The girl is just lovable.I remember one year 

when visiting them in Puerto Rico, she insisted we go to the Care Bear Shop

 and get ourselves a care Bear.  She already had a huge collection, but just 

seeing her so excited made me get caught up in the moment.  So we both 

walked out of there with new care Bears and a big smile. 

 Today Brutus enjoys playing with my Care Bear:)

Thinking about her makes me long to see her, J and my sister.  

All my nieces and nephews are SMART!, but there is something about the girls 

that take them to another level.  Kimsy is no exception.  She excels in everything. 

 If there is something that needs to be done, guess who is volunteering?  

Kimsy was elected President of her student class and still volunteers for

everything.  Not so long ago she was in Washington DC on a special tour.

  This June she will be doing an internship in Congress.

DC, beware.  Kimsy is on her way.

Combined with her modelling, school, social and volunteer 

work it's a miracle  she has time for much more. 

We love you Kimsy and I will always be here for anything you ever need.
I know there is nothing that if you decide to do you can't. 

My beautiful niece is all grown up.

You are unique and special  and the world is an open book. 

 Happy Birthday and we hope we can see you all soon.

There will always be people in your life to tell you U can't.

Look them in the eyes and and say WATCH me....!

~Nadiya~

Father's Day...

I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father's equal, 

and I never loved any other man as much...

Tomorrow is Fathers day,

 but as far as I am concerned, everyday is Fathers Day. 

A dad is someone who holds you when you cry.  Remember my dad doing that.

Scolds you when you break the rules, and boy he sure did, and for that I'm grateful.

He shines with pride when you succeed and let's the world know about it.  My dad, and 

best of all he has faith in you even when you fail.  One thing about my dad he 

NEVER EVER gives up and he thought us that everything is possible,

 and to reach for the stars. You may fall many times, but like he says

 the ones that succeed are the ones who get right back up

Daddy thank you for all you do for us.

Thank you for always being there.

Because of you, I know am a good, kind, 

compassionate, determined, strong and capable person.

All I know is that I am a lucky girl.

My dad was always my hero.

Today he is my inspiration to be all I can be and to never give up.

My dad is no quitter and he made sure his five daughters aren't either.

Dad you taught me the love of a father. In your arms I was always safe. 

You taught me selflessness. To you I am forever grateful. I love you dad.

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance...

~Nadiya~

Blues Weekend...

Music is what feeling sound like...

Chicago is a city where there is always something to 
do at least as far as Arvid and I are concerned.  The main reason we 
started coming to Chicago was for The Blues Festival.  We have been coming 
for many years until we decided that this was where we wanted to spend our summers.  
With that in mind we bought an apartment a few years ago smack 
in the middle of all the action...and have never looked back.

Unfortunately due to many reasons, mainly medical;  at the time mainly Brutus,

we sold our apartment last year.  Since then so many things have happened to the 3

of us.  Health wise we decided we would not go to Chicago this year, but due to

the same reason we have decided to actually go back.

As mentioned in a previous post, I had to be in isolation.  Easy decision for Arvid.

Chicago here we are and honestly we could not be happier.  It's the place to be.

This year the Blues Festival will be held from June 13th to the 15th.   
This will be a weekend filled with music, god food and more more music.  
 With that in mind Arvid has already declared it a no phone weekend and 
a no work weekend.  I'm not complaining.  With the exception of a Pina Colada,
 I don't usually drink, but that never stops me from having a good time as well.

Both Arvid and I really look forward to this all year long.  He just loves the Blues...

I enjoy the music, being in the park, seeing the people. Arvid gets transported into 

another world with the Blues....it makes him happy, stress free and so very 

relaxed.  We are both excited and happy to be again in Chicago.  

We both love the city and so far we are having the time of our life.
If only for a few days, we're home again in Chicago.
Wishing you all good times also.

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, 

heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul...

~Nadiya~