Hello New Day ~

Some days you just have to create your own sunshine.

It's good to have a good day.  Hello Spring...

Friday was a pretty gloomy looking day, but at least it was not as cold as the last 

few days.  A little rain but that was also OK.  The trees need to be watered and the 

flowers need nourishment.  As Fridays go, very different from what 

we used to do back in Florida. Still it was a good day.

  These days it's just staying busy, doing errands then going home and doing more "work" 

 Yes all is good here in Branson.  Looking forward to see what Spring brings us.

  I want to think that winter is over, but every time we get comfy we are hit

 with a new cold spell.  Today is warm so a good start already.

Arvid does what Arvid does best.  He is always staying busy running from place to place. 

 The man is happy and always excited.  Can't keep a good man down.  He says he eats 

better here and has tried more foods than ever in his life.  Maybe he is right.  

 

In Branson Mexican food is now a favorite.  That would not be him back in Florida, 

but here he "loves" it.  They see him at his favorite Mexican  place and already knows 

what he will be having.  A man of habit and routines.  Always sticks to the same.

Everyday I meet more and more people.  I am starting to get to know my way around 

town a little better, and do not have to use the GPS as much as I did.  Arvid happy 

about that! When the day is gloomy I try to make it better by having a favorite 

of mine.  Alaskan Snow Crabs.  Always a winner.  Everyone who knows

 me knows that food cheers me up and snow crabs make me happy.

Sunday.. not so "quiet" as usual.  Few things to do and places to run to, 

but the fact that it is a warm day makes everything better.

To all a very good day and may you always live in interesting times ~

Sunshine and a smile is my favorite accessory.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn...

~Nadiya~

Fun Days~

Quiet people have the loudest minds...

My day yesterday was busy.  Aside from what i had to do, I also helped a few people

 out with their kitties.  Pictured below is Bozo and I.  Bozo is super friendly, 

and I have seen him so many times that he already knows me and 

meows for attention. Probably because I bring treats with me.

The weather has still not warmed up, but at least it was not freezing yesterday.

I was even able to walk out without a jacket.  I did have 3 layers under so 

maybe that helped quite a bit.  Sniff has been going crazy bird watching.

This wheel came from Chicago and it is a big attraction in Branson.  Arvid and 

I went out to lunch yesterday, and the restaurant is right across from the

 wheel.  I just can't not take a picture of it.  Food by the way was good. 

 Arvid loves his pork chops there.  Me I always stick to chicken.

In Virginia, Rima's kids had a snow day.  Lilly Vade got comfy with her doggie Marley.

Seems as if Marley was colder than Lilly was.  Marley is a big baby after all.

My sister Rima is soon off to Costa Rica's Rainforest for and entire week.

Today everyone is Irish ~  Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.
As the Irish would say: may your troubles be less and you blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness comes through your door.

Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well...

~Nadiya~

More Cold Days Ahead..

It is what it is, not what it should have been, 

and not what it could have been.  It is what it is...

It seems that March is the month for snow in Branson, Missouri.  Yesterday we had 

another few hours of flurries that led to not much accumulation, but white 

covered grounds, trees and cars once again.  It was super cold, 

but the snow did not stick around for long on the ground.  

Temperatures dipping very low once again today.  All things considered

we are very fortunate compared to what is going on in the North Eastern States.

My sister Nirmala is covered with snow.  She literally cannot find her car.  

Once again I am getting the sniffles.  Hopefully not the cold because I sure

 can't afford to be sick right now.  Just don't have the time.  Today will have to 

stock up on more cold medicines for both Arvid and I.  Just in case.

Sniff as always is a happy camper.  He loves it here. Birds, deers, falling leaves

 and squirrels keep him super busy most of the day to the point that he gets

 so exhausted he just collapses and sleeps for quite some time.

Life is busy here in Branson, but good.  Good morning everyone.

Lest's all hope that winter is gone and that spring is good to us. 

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple...

~Nadiya~

COLD Days...

Cold night.  Warm sweater.  Warm tea good book.
Soft socks and a box of chocolates...

Now we have had enough of this weather.  Yesterday was colder than anything I 

have experienced in a long time, and we have had many a cold days.  This entire 

week is predicted to be COLD!  Take me back to the Sunshine State ASAP!!!

Arvid and I have busy days.  Really busy days.  My feet are frozen and my body is

 aching from the cold.  Sniff at nights curls up very close to either Arvid or I. 

 He is also cold, but at the same time he is enjoying watching the leaves 

fall and the birds fly by.  A whole new world for him.

The snow did not stick around long.  Within a day it was melted and all cleared away,
but the cold sure did not leave us.  Somehow it is colder than when it snowed.

I really enjoyed watching the snow fall and being out in it.  It was just a fun time.
Now I want it to be warm and sunny again.  I heard we may have more snow!

My family is expecting a huge winter storm their way.  Two of my sisters
will be having anywhere from 12-18 inches of snow.  Winter is NOT over with us.

Pi day everyone. Go for it.  We will

Cold days.  Warm hearts.  When it snows
you have two choices shovel or make snow angels...

~Nadiya~

Snow In Branson....

There is something beautiful everyday.  You just have to find it...

The tornado came and left.  Now comes the snow.  Yesterday snow was predicted,

but temperatures were not exactly at freezing so when it suddenly started to snow

 I was definitely not sure what was going on.  It came fast and furious.  And it lasted 

for a few hours.  Everything is covered in white.  Very beautiful to look at.

I loved watching the snow fall.  I was outside taking pictures of just about everything.

  I asked Arvid if he wanted to have a snowball fight, but he was definitely not

 having any of that.  Said it was just too cold.  Truth is I did not think

 it was that cold.  I think we have had much colder than this.

Sniff was a little confused.  Not sure what all that white stuff falling from the

 sky was all about.  At first he did not want to be by the window, but then he decided 

he was going to check it out.  When he got tired he just laid on Arvid's lap

 and fell asleep as Arvid watched TV (and dozed off some.)

Time for Arvid to make his famous hot chocolate.  Happy day to all.

Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic....

~Nadiya~

Cold Day, But Still Good...

It is still winter.  
Drink coffee.  Read books.  Be happy...

As we were coming home yesterday, I just had to stop and admire the beautiful sunset.  

For a change even Arvid was quite impressed and did not say much.  Makes you realize

 all the time of the beauty surrounding you, and forget for a little that winter is still 

very present.  For a few minutes the warmth of the sun was pretty comforting.

Here in Branson the tourist season is soon about to kick in.  A very popular attraction

 is the duck rides.  Ride through the scenic Ozarks. Climb to the top of the Mountain 

(aboard the Duck, of course). Discover the history behind some of America’s

 unique military vehicles. Splashdown and Cruise Table Rock Lake. 

Drive the duck, if you want. Quack along with the captain

 and the music aboard this 70-minute Ozark adventure.

We did not do the duck ride in Florida.  Who knows maybe we will try it here when it 

gets a little warmer.  The weather here is very unpredictable.  More so than

 Chicago. The temperature can drop anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees

within hours, which is exactly what is happening right now. 

Sniff and I have been awake since 4:30 AM.  Not sure why.  He is back sleeping 
with Arvid.  I have already had my cafe and looking out the window from "my office"
 waiting to see if the snow is coming or not.  Right now it's just cold and wet outside. 
 Yes it is also predicted that we will have freezing rain.  Joyful day ahead.

Wishing everyone a good day.  We should all try and remember to not miss 
out on the sun today worrying about the rain coming tomorrow.

Happy Saturday everyone.  Make the most of this day.  Laugh,  Love, Read, 
Live, Love, Learn, Play, Dream.  Just be happy.  Live every moment...

~Nadiya~

Weather Woes...

The quieter I get, the bigger the storm brewing inside.

They said when she was born she had a fire in her 

heart and a storm brewing in her soul...

It seems like every week there is a tornado warning, tornado watch or some other 

weird/bad weather behaviour here in Branson.  Lately we have been having tornado

 warnings.  last night it was a tornado watch.  Fortunately it turned out to be "better." 

In Florida we dealt with hurricanes.  I was OK with that.  Arvid and I always had 

a plan and we were always a little excited to take off to a hotel for a night or two. 

Back then we always had a bag ready for Brutus.  Never for ourselves.

Last night I was a little more worried.  We don't know Branson well enough and I 

was not sure what we would do if the roof flew away. My concern was Sniff 

Sniff.  I packed a bag for him and we had his carrier out just in case. 

 He was scared and it bothered me because he hid under the bed and we could 

not readily get to him.  When we had Brutus we would stay on the 

bed with him.  Arvid tried with Sniff but he was scared.

Fortunately the tornado swerved away from us.  Aside for some rain, thunder and 

lightning we are good.  Best of all Sniff came out from under the bed and I

 comforted hi with lots of brushing.  Like Brutus he loves being brushed. 

 Shadow was still too little to like being brushed.  He was so little.

The storm has passed for now.  Next week another tornado may come. 

 Seems like the trend.  Yesterday was fairly warm, but come Saturday we will

 be back to the chill.  Yes, winter is definitely not over as yet!  I thought it was,

 but March I have been told can be a terrible month also.  Will just have to wait and 

see how it goes.  I am tired of this weather.  Looking forward to better days soon.

  I know it coming because I see it in the blooming of the flowers.

To all a very good day.  Just remember, sometime we just have

to bow our heads, say a prayer and weather the storm.  Happy Friday all.

When you come out of the storm you won't be the same person that walked in.

That's what the storm is all about.  After the storm comes the calm...

~Nadiya~

Life...Not Always Easy

Everyone faces challenges in life.  It's a matter of how you 
learn to overcome them and use them to your advantage...

Another day has come and gone.  Yesterday started out too cold and too windy, 

but as the day progressed.. well it warmed up.. Warmth is now relevant. It has 

been a not good day.  Yesterday we got a text.  All it said was, "Mala is in the

 hospital."  From that moment on my day was ruined and I was a wreck.

I'm so far way.  I have no clue what's going on and I can't do anything right now. 

 I am a wreck!  Even if I wanted to go to Vermont right now, it is almost impossible

 to do so.  I feel so helpless.  Suddenly nothing matters, but her getting better.

I wish right now I was back in Florida.  First of all warmer.  Flights are easier 
to get and the airport was close to home.  Here in Branson, everything is a connection.
  Takes a day almost to get to another destination and it is definitely very expensive. 
 None of that would matter if I could just get there right now.

This past week has not been the easiest for me and I guess because of that I have
 not been too easy to be around.  Arvid is a good man, but sometimes his patience level
 is not the highest either.  Sniff senses something and is constantly with me.
  He curls up on our legs and if we don't pay attention he tends to start nibbling.
 Mostly on Arvid.  I think, I know Arvid was more patient with Brutus.

  Arvid tries to get Sniff to sleep or to lay on his chest the way Brutus did.  

Sniff not having any of that.  He is Sniff and has his own way of being.  We love him. 

Every time it seems as if the weather will be getting better something switches around
 and we are back to the "freeze"  A of today, the weather people say that snow is 
in next weeks forecast.  I don't believe so, but who knows. I wish it would
 just snow and get it done with.  Then that be the end of it.  Not this
 switching from "warm" to cold.  The wind is also not easing off.
  So when we have a warm day the wind sorts of ruins that.

Yesterday my grandmother would have turned 96.  She is one of those people 
that life puts in our paths and then our lives are forever changed.  For the better. 
 Ma, as we called her raised not only me and my 4 sisters, but she 
played a role in the lives of all her grand children.  

None of us will ever forget that amazing woman we have had the privilege to have
 had in our lives. She showed us what it was to work hard, protect the ones you
 love and to never give up in life no matter what it throws at you. 

 From a child I just like all my cousins, have had the privilege to be raised
 by a courageous, strong, and determined woman. Our grandmother.

If our home at the time lacked the material things, we NEVER lacked love and affection.
Ma, you were and always will be remembered by all of us.  You touched our lives
 like no has. Not many can say that.  Thank you for giving us a mother like you.

Hoping that today brings better news and more positive outcomes for all of us.
Already my first good news ~ my sister is home with her family.

Hello Thursday~  Time to get the show on the road.

When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure. 
 The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living...

~Nadiya~

And So Begins Wednesday...

Being sick is your body's way of saying you're way to awesome, 

and you need to slow down so everyone else can catch up...

It's only Wednesday and I am totally exhausted.  Wonder why? Allergies?   

The cold? Not sure, but the sneezing as not stopped and it's making me tired.  Yes 

tired of this constant sneezing and sniffling.  Guess the first thing to this 

morning is to make a run to CVS or Walgreen's.  Not bad.

I think Sniff has the right idea.  Seems as if he's not feeling 100% today either.

It is only 9 am here in Branson and he already is going back to sleep.

  Maybe I will do the same.  Little extra sleep has never hurt anyone

 and what better reason that, "I'm not feeling so good?"

Good day to all.  Never stop believing in hope because miracles happen everyday.

Sleeping is nice.  You forget about everything for a little while...

~Nadiya~

Busy, Hectic Days...

I'm too busy working on my own grass to notice if yours is greener.

Pretty busy today. Was only able to check my phone 1400 times...

It's only Tuesday and for some reason I am already exhausted, but then I look at Sniff 

and smile.  If only life was as simple for us as it is for these little fur babies. Sniff 

knows all about relaxing and everyday teaches us that we need to do more of it.

Not a care in the world.  We sit and he just plops himself on us.  Sometimes he wants to be with

 me and if I move too much, which I always do he goes to Arvid.  Either way we are all happy.

This crazy weather in Branson continues.  Sunday was freezing cold and 

windy as hell.  Today was much warmer, still windy and tonight hail, rain and 

heavy winds are predicted.  Every time I think I came away from

 getting the cold it starts all over again.  Very unpredictable.

The skies were dark yesterday, but the good thing is that this ice-cream shop 

will soon be open.  According to everyone it is a must try.  Cant wait for Thursday, 

which is when it is scheduled to open.  Yes, everything in Branson (almost everything)

shuts down from January 1st to mid March.  Traffic is a sign that the city is "awakening"

Well time to rock and roll and get the show started.  Another busy day awaits us.

Today MAYBE Arvid gets a visitor from Norway.  From Norway to Fort Lauderdale and

 to Branson.  Yes, it will be a busy day.  Can't stop trading and making deals.

Hello everyone.  Wishing you a day filled with happiness and all things good.

In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy,

to plow your anger and our energy into something positive...

~Nadiya~

Time Flies...

Time passes, memories fade (not mine),
feelings change, people leave, but hearts never forget...

Yesterday was 17 years since Arvid and I met.  So much has happened with us. 

 We have learnt so much from each other and with each other.  We have experienced 

good times and we have experience not so good times.  Together we don't have children,

 but together we had Brutus.  He was our baby and with him Arvid and I have 

experienced some of the best times in our lives.  We still have good times.
They say your soul know when it is time to close a chapter.  Not mine. 

We had some with Shadow and now we share it with Sniff, but in all honesty the times

 we had with Brutus will never compare to anything else.  He was and will forever 

remain one of the best times in our lives. Nothing can change that for us.

Yesterday was just a not good day for me.  For starters I thought of Shadow and Brutus 

quite a lot.  We saw a gray kitty that was identical to Shadow.  Arvid has been seeing this

 kitty for the past week and today we saw him together.  Made me cray for a long time.

Then to make the day even worse we went with 2 people Arvid met to do some trades.

  Little did I know we had to do an almost 2 hours drive to go and of course

 to come back in order to see the car Arvid was interested in. 

Let's just say the guy we took in the car with us was luck I did not kill him or throw 

him out of the car.  He was annoying, loud, and NEVER did he shut up.  Made for a horrible

 4 hours together.  To top it all the car was not even there.  Talk about a wasted day!

Monday already.  As soon a today is over it seems as if the rest of the week whizzes by.
  Not exactly sure how, but the days are going by fast.  We have already been in
  Branson 4 months.  Our life has changed dramatically and I will say that the
change has been positive.  Yes I miss Florida, but for now this is home.

Hello Monday.  Please be kind to all of us.  Let's do this!

Tears come from the heart and not the brain.
Sometimes, crying is the only way your heart speak when
 your mouth can't explain how broken your hear is...

~Nadiya~

It Happens...

Nobody told me they'd be days like these...

Sometimes the best thing we can do is ride out the storm.

We all have days which seem intolerable and at times more

than one person can handle.  I for sure know this for a fact.

Every so often I feel like saying "the heck with it," and walk away.

The last few days have been not so good days for me.  I know why.  Today
 makes 1 year since Shadow died.  It still pisses me off like crazy and
 makes me want to scream and never stop.  He was just a baby and I
feel like just shaking Liliana until I get all this anger out of me.

There is anger, there is resentment, there is hurt, there is pain and of course heartache
for the loss of Shadow and the loss of a friendship.  We have spoken again, but it
has been strained.  Yet I know that Liliana will always be there for me.

Today is also 1 year and 4 months since my baby, our Brutus died.  And no,
I cannot forget him and I cannot stop missing him.  He is and always will be my baby.

Then there is Arvid and Sniff.  Not so long ago it was Arvid, Brutus and I.
Both looking at me when I am in one of these "rages."  Does not
happen often.  That is good.  They look at me with these big

eyes and wonder what the heck is wrong with her.

Long time ago, Arvid said to Brutus, "be careful around mommy.  She has

a knife in her hands and a killer look."  Now that of course made me laugh.

Everything else at that point started to look better.  Life is not always

easy.  Heck most times it is downright difficult, but it almost always

looks better if we approach it with the right attitude.

There have been many a times Arvid has also been fed up with things and I was
the one to help him through this crisis.  It's nice to have someone you can
 count on.  That someone can be just about anyone who knows you
 and knows how to lift your spirits and does not walk away from you in
the toughest moments of your life.  For me it's always Arvid!

Wishing you good times and good days ahead.  Just remember, spending
 today complaining about yesterday won't make tomorrow any better!  Sniff
 sees me sad, and runs right up to as if to ask, "what's wrong?"  I love him

There are days when everything seems wrong,  when little things hurt 
you for no reason.  But then there are days like today; when the world just
 sings to you,from the minute you open your eyes in the morning 

to the minute you shut them again at night...

~Nadiya~

Hello Saturday...

Good morning.  Life is like a mirror.  It'll smile at you if you smile at it...

Everyone who knows me knows I love food.  By food I don't mean hot dogs.

I love real food.  One of my very favorites is Alaskan Snow Crab.  Living in Florida I

 was able to have it just about anytime I wanted.  That was usually every week.  

Since being here in Branson I have not been able to find it in the grocery stores, 

but yesterday I finally was able to eat at my hearts content.  Thank you Red Lobster.  

They were delicious, and I had as much as I could handle.  For me that is usually a lot.

Yesterday we woke up to really cold temperatures.  I think I am getting the sniffles

 all over again.  Either that or allergies because can't seem to stop sneezing.  

Wish it would warm up already.  Today a lady told me that she has 

seen snow in March and April here in Branson.  Hope she is wrong.

I see the trees and flowers booming.  I hear the birds singing.  I know spring

 is close by, the only thing is i don't always feel the warmth in the air.  

Today should be warm.  Looking forward to it.  Not sure what to do

 if that's the case, but I'm sure I will think of something.

I am feeling good and can't wait to see what the day holds.  Yesterday I pampered

 myself with a manicure-pedicure.  Felt good and I even let the man massage my feet.  

I actually had the time and did not for once have to rush like I used to do in Florida.

We are getting used to Branson.  We like our home and we are discovering 

more and more about the place. It is not Fort Lauderdale, but for now it is home.

To all a very good day.  Sniff is getting to be a Branson kitty.  He loves it here and we

 love watching him chase from one window sill to another.  Yeah life is good and we are 

grateful for what we have and for all the good fortune we have discovered here in Branson.

Today in Florida my cousin Emily Jane will soon be getting married to Kalem.
I should have been there.  I planned on being there, but things changed.
Congratulations to both of you and may your love story continue on.
A true love story never ends.  I see it in your smiles.

Live simply.  Dream big.  Be grateful.  Give love.  Laugh lots.

On Saturday we wear pajamas.  Put on a smile. Enjoy your day and get cute...

~Nadiya~

Baby It's COLD Outside...

If you want to see the sunshine you have to weather the storm...

If you look at the temperatures during the week it appears that it will definitely 

be "warm."  Those numbers are deceiving because yesterday was cold as

 hell, and with the wind blowing the way it was it's lucky people were not

 flying all over the place.  Yes, it was and still will be extremely windy.  

That makes for COLD days, and if you're out walking around, makes for

 freezing temperatures.  For us a lot more because we after all are not

 used to this so called winter so much, but getting there.

Sniff was bundled up under the covers with me as we watched TV last night.

Both Arvid and I had to warm up with a late night cup of tea.  Waking up to 28 degrees 

Fahrenheit or for Arvid's mom benefit it is now -2 degrees Celsius.  I am cold!!

All is good here in Branson, except for the cold right now.  Staying busy helps to keep 

mind mind from wandering too often to Brutus and Shadow, but no matter how 

busy I am there is always something that reminds me of them.  I miss our Brutus 

very much.  The other day Arvid saw a kitty that looked exactly like Shadow.  

He came home and when he told me we both hugged each other.  March 5th

 will be one year since our Shadow died.  One year and 4 months 

since our Brutus, my baby died.  Today my heart has sadness in it.

Good morning all.  Hope you have some warmer days ahead.

Wherever you go, whatever the weather, always bring your own sunshine...

~Nadiya~

Busy Times...

You may delay, but time will not.  All we have to decide

is what we have to do with the time that is given to us..

Time is flying. Not sure how time has gone by so fast.  My guess is that when one is 

busy time sure flies.  Yes we have been busy. Our days are packed and we are loving it.

 Some days I am so tired that as soon as my head touches the pillow I fall right 

asleep.  It's been a long time since that has happened.  It's been a long 

time since I have been able to sleep most of the night.  I like it.  

Just last night Arvid was telling me how he has never felt better nor stronger . 

 The man is something else.  For him being busy is just the way our life should be.

 Arvid does not know when to take a rest.  Sometimes he wears me out more 

than any "work" can, can't let him know how much I like it.

We have been experiencing very mild weather. The other day we had a

 tornado watch which turned out not to be anything serious in our side of town.

  We did have some pretty serious hail rain, but nothing damaging by us.  

Everyday we learn something new.  We experience something different and 

though  Branson is a far cry from what our life in Florida was, we are finding it

 to be extremely rewarding.  Yes, there are days when we do get extremely 

exhausted, but the end result is always worth it.  You know the saying, when 

you do what you love it's not considered work.  For us it's just another exciting

 challenge.  One we are loving and enjoying every moment of.

Good morning everyone.  Always do what you love and love what you do. 

 We are and it makes for interesting times.  Either  you run the day, or the day runs you

Life teaches us to make good use of time,
while time teaches us to the value of life...

~Nadiya~