Hello Hump Day...

Closeness has nothing to do with distance...

No matter where we go, one of the first things I like to do is to have pictures of family . 

 I'm not the type to want to hang pictures everywhere, but one piece with everyone

 together is enough.  And yes, Brutus is always the one favored the most in all

 of them.  Always will be.  He is after all my baby and that will very change.

My "office" has a personal touch to it.  Arvid prefers to have maps and things

 related to real estate in his.  Booth happy with our choices.  Another cold, cold day 

here in Branson.  Sniff and I have been awake for a while now.  He is very

 active in the mornings so I have already played with him quite a lot.

Good morning everyone.  Remember to be happy not because everything

 is good, but because you can see the good in everything.  Last night 

I had my first pina colada in Branson.  Happy, happy.

There is sunshine in my soul today.  It's not how much we

 have but how much we enjoy that makes happiness...

~Nadiya~

So Far So Good...

Making a big life change is pretty scary.
But, know whats even scarier?  Regrets...

For many and mostly for all our families, it is not unusual to see deers crossing the street.

  For us on the other hand it is very unusual.  Living in Fort Lauderdale the only thing

 you see crossing the street are pedestrians.  At the same time one has to make sure to 

not hit them.  Just the same as with the deers, many do not look before they leap.

This is what Arvid and I saw the other night as we were coming home from dinner.

I find it a truly amazing sight, one that I don't think I will ever be tired of.  I am not

 a nature/outdoor person, but I love animals and I love seeing them running free.

Sniff Sniff has adjusted amazingly well to life here as has Arvid and myself. 

 I still stop and wonder how come.  How is it that the cold has not bothered us?  Only

 glad it has not.  Yes it's cold and some days too cold, but we are not so freaked out.

  Our home is kept so warm that I times I am actually too hot. Hmmm...

I do miss a lot of things from Florida.  Of course the weather.  Our restaurants.  

I don't find it the same here.  Guess it will take some more exploring to find the ones

 we really would like to go back to again and again.  I miss my car. I miss Publix and just 

running around on my own.  I really miss my Macy's outings at the Galleria Mall. We have 

been to the malls here, but they will never compare to the ones back home in Florida.

On the other hand, the change of scenery has done wonders for us.  We have

 something new everyday to deal with, to wake up to and to look forward to. 

 I wanted a change and that we have.  I am grateful for it always.

Good morning all.  Sometimes we have to remember that change
is what we need, and that the things we can't change are
the same things that end up changing us.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, 
you have within you the strength, the patience, and the
 passion to reach for the stars to change the world...

~Nadiya~

New Week...New Attitude..

Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going 
to determine how you're going to live your life...

Sundays in Branson..routines are always the same.  Arvid called his family.  Breakfast 

is later than our usual 9am and of course means our Sunday meal is moved an hour

 later.  Yes, we still have our routines.  Sundays now is also a hot chocolate day.
Different place, but one thing that is always consistent is our routines.

Christmas is everywhere.  My sister Nirmala who lives in Vermont visited my nephew

 J and my sister Nirvana in Boston over the weekend.  Something I wish I would have been

 able to do. They walked around.  Checked out the Christmas lights and of course did 

shopping and had good food.  Boston after all is known for very good food.  

A few days ago I saw this and right away I knew it was referring to all my sisters.

  They face every challenge with a positive attitude.  My sister Rima had surgery two

 weeks ago.  Of course my parents went to stay with her and to help with the kids.  

My parents are the best there is.  Anytime we need them they are always 

there for us.  If I were to need them they would be right here with me.

Take Rima for example.  She's the youngest. My mom says she is now the family's guru.

 She is always positive and always looking for the good in everyone.  Life has thrown

 her just like it has to so many of us, some tough moments.  All I can say is that

this girl bounces back.  They all do, no matter what is thrown at them.

She is my baby sister and I am protective of her.  As little girls we

shared the same bedroom at home.  We fought, we made up and fought more.

Typical of sisters.  Today as grownups we are more than sisters,

we are friends.  We don't always agree, but who does.

Everyday I learn something new from each one. many a times

I am amazed at all the things they can do, and that they juggle so much

at the same time yet manage to stay focused and balanced.

I watch them and I am always in awe.  Our parents are proud of the way
their daughters turned out.  I am proud to be related to these four amazing women.
 My sisters and my best friends for life.  We are always there for each other.

Good morning everyone.  I hope you also have amazing people in your lives.
Be it a sibling, a friend or that special person that makes you feel that everything is
possible, when we try hard and never give up.  Life has too many ups and downs, but
 the thing is to always go after what you want.  We don't always get what we want,
but we will have the satisfaction of knowing we did everything possible.

Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the 
attitude you bring to life; not so much by  what happens to you
 as by the way your mind looks at what happens....

~Nadiya~

Saturday In Branson...

Ever had one of those days when when you're holding

 a stick and everybody looks like a piñata?...

Yesterday for some reason was not one of my best days.  It was cold.  Really cold and 

combined with that I was missing my Brutus too much.  I know it will get better.  Today was 

not that day, but there is always tomorrow and more tomorrow.  Yes, time is my best friend.

My friend Anna, even with the turmoil going on in her life is always there to perk me 

up.  I am always grateful for her and I hope the day will come when something good

 happens in her life.  It sure is about time she was also given a second chance.

I woke up early to take a picture of the mailbox covered with frost.  For us it's a "first"
It's been very very long Arvid and I have experienced living in winter climates.  Never
have I seen such low digits in the temperatures.  Well not in over 20 years or so.

 The novelty will soon wear our that's for sure.  No snow right now, but we keep hearing that
 it's coming.  Hopefully like most newscasters, the ones here in Branson are also mistake.

Sniff is the only one in the family who seems to be affected by the cold.  He as had the
 sniffles for a few days now with sneezing fits throughout the day and night.  He sleeps
 snuggled close to either Arvid or I and loves being cushions with the blankets and our bodies.

 Arvid loves it because Sniff keeps him extra warm.  I have had symptoms of the cold but
 no cold as yet.  Happy about that. Arvid is doing great.  The cod just does not seem to affect
him.  I still think it's strange how we both have just adapted to these frigid temperatures.

Good morning everyone.  I love my mornings no matter where I am.  Always quiet,
and now the scenery is still new to me.  Always something to see especially
when Sniff is next to me.  Makes for a beautiful start of the day.

Don't miss the sun today worrying about the rain coming today.
Good morning beautiful souls.  Be kind to yourselves today.  Happy Saturday...

~Nadiya~

A Change Of Scenery..

A simple change of scenery can bring about powerful

shifts in the flow of time and emotions...

The leaves are falling all day long; the other day as we were out doing some chores I saw

 this guy using a blower just blowing leaves. As soon as he blew some the wind picked up

 and it was start from scratch all over again. Useless chore, unless of course one had a bag that 

picked up the leaves. Sure did not see many with a bag attached to their blower.

Living in a house is quite different from living in a condo.  Here you have 

to worry about making sure the ton of leaves are somehow cleaned up.  I am not 
an outdoor person and I do not like yard work.  That's why I love condo living.

  When we first saw our house, the first thing we noticed were the big trees. 
 Arvid said, "those will have to go."  Hope he changes his mind.

I don't actually want to have the trees cut, I like them, but I don't like all the leaves

 that are accumulating in the backyard right now.  I'm almost sure I will not be going

 out in the yard much.  I'm a city person.  Not an outdoors person, and this living

 in a house, having a yard and trees is being in the outdoors as far as I am concerned.

It has been very cold here.  So much so that just getting out and doing things I used to

 enjoy, like grocery shopping has now become a chore.  I try to not get out as much as

before.  Arvid on the other hand no matter what is busy.  He still likes to run around.  

Check stuff out.  Do a trade here and there and in the process he meets many people. 

 He's busy and somehow the cold is not bothering him as much as I would have 

thought it would.  Strange if you ask.  He has always told me he cannot travel to

 cold places in the winter because he gets sick.  Here he is definitely not sick. 

 The fresh air must have something to do with his very perky attitude.

Can't complain about that.  All is good just a bit colder.
Good morning everyone~ may you always live in interesting times.

It's never too late to keep moving forward 
and enjoy life's beautiful scenery...

~Nadiya~

A Cold Wednesday...

  The other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life.  

"Why," I answered without a thought, "now"...Learn from yesterday, live for today,

 hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning....

I woke up at 4am this morning just laying in bed  trying to go back to sleep but, the 

terrible nightmare that woke me up in the first place just kept playing over and over

 again in my head.  What a terrible way to wake up, all scared, sweaty and

 breathing hard.  Not a pleasant experience...but like someone said "I

 have had dreams, and I have had nightmares. I overcame the

 nightmares because of my dreams"  Let's hope so.

At that very moment I heard Sniff trying to "break" into a cabinet or something.  

I woke up smiling and all nightmares were forgotten. There are few things

 in life more heartwarming  than to be welcomed by a cat.  There was a time

 when Brutus would come to me when I had a nightmare and just lay by

 my side.  Today Sniff does that.  After he makes a racket of course.

On another note things are shaping up in our home.  We constantly have things to

 do and take care of.  We are used to condo living, so being in a house is quite 

different. For now we will enjoy it until we go back to our condo lifestyle. 

 Suddenly the place is starting to look and feel differently.  Soon I guess I will 

call it home for a while.  Strange but, I am sill having a little hard time living here. 

 I still miss the conveniences of having everything close by and just running 

out as I wish.  Now it's cold; it sure is a little different living here. 

They say it may snow either today or tomorrow, but from where  am sitting it is nice
 and warn.  I don't see snow.  Could be OK, but Arvid and I really aren't ready for it.
  Not right now.  We have no snow tires.  Good morning everyone.  Bundle up.
 Stay warm.  Hot chocolate kinda day and always some stuff to do.

Every man dies - Not every man really lives....Don't let the past steal 

your present...Don't let yesterday use up too much of today...

~Nadiya~

Missing You...

The heart remembers most what it has loved best.

Someone asked if I missed you.. I didn’t answer.  I just closed my 

eyes and walked away.  Then I whispered “so much”...

It's been one year and one month since our Brutus has died.  Our lives changed that day. 

It changed so much to the point where both Arvid and I wanted a change in scenery.  

This change brought us to Missouri.  Away from all that is familiar.  

Away from all the things that breaks my heart, but you know what?  I was just kidding

 myself thinking that distance from the familiar will ease the heartache.  Distance

 has in many ways made me think of other things a little more.  That's true.

  We are getting used to a new place.  Getting used to living in a house instead of a 

condo for now, but distance has not erased the fact that my Brutus is no longer with 

us.  If I could go back and change anything it would be to bring Brutus back.  

I miss him so very much.  My heart knows he is never coming back, but my heart does 

not know how to stop hurting.  They say the heart remembers most what it has 

loved best.  Not a day goes by that my heart does not remember my Brutus.

Our Shadow has also been dead for 9 months today.  He was only a baby.  For him I

 agonize every time I think of what happened.  For me a change was necessary.

  But this change is rather drastic and no matter the distance between 

what's familiar and what's not my heart never stops asking why.  

We fell in love with Brutus from the minute we saw him.

Brutus, it took me only a few moments to fall in love with you, but it's taking me
 forever to move on.  Mama misses her Brutus and her Shadow so very much
.

The heart remembers most what it has loved best.

You are  part of my life that will never come back but existed 

and will continue to exist and live on in my heart...

~Nadiya~

Sunday...

If yesterday was a good day, don't stop. 
 Maybe your winning streak has just begun...

Living for so long inn Florida we sure took a few things for granted.  At least I did.

  I knew that everyday it was going to be warm, and the fact that there were a

 few "cold" days was fun, different and a time to always bundle up.  That
was a novelty and because of that one was always excited to wear
some pretty sweaters, the scarf, boots in general the "winter" gear.

I used to dress Brutus up in sweaters.  Not that he was cold, but it made for a cute

 picture.  At least I thought so.  Brutus did not like it much, but he "allowed"

 me to do it.  Shadow was just so busy that to get him to wear anything

 was always a lot of work, but I also managed to dress him up

 in sweaters for the short time he was with us. Sniff hates it,

 and fights it, but I manage every so often to do so.

Sunday.. it's cold.  We have not really tried out many different restaurants as
of yet.  We seen to tend to go to the ones we know all the time, but today 

we hopefully will try something new.  Arvid is in a steak mood.

 That's what he told me, but I'm sure once we get there steak will not be

 what he orders.  This is from a Norwegian who used to love his steaks,

 now it's rare that he eats a steak.  How people change.  Hmmm..
Our Sunday routines are the same no matter where we are.

Sniff and I have been awake for a while.  Waking up colder temperatures has 

not yet sunk into me.   I have to remind myself to keep my warm clothes 

nearby.  I don't own many winter clothes.  Hopefully I will not have to 

buy much because this is not HOME!  Home is Florida and when we

 go back,  I sure don't want to have tons of winter clothes to store.

To all a very good day.  I hope the morning is as bright as your smile.

Every morning is destiny's way of telling you that your purpose in life is 
yet to be fulfilled.  I just woke up and you're already on my mind...

~Nadiya~

Saturday In Branson...

Dear Saturday, you are my favorite.
On Saturdays we wear pajamas without guilt...

It's not often I get to take a picture of Sniff Sniff and I.  Unlike Brutus, who used
to love being held and carried around, and having his pictures taken, Sniff
 is just not ready for it.  He's getting better.  I still pick him up everyday 

and every so often I get lucky and get a picture with him.

Recently he has been waking up very early and trying to get into everything.
Arvid has a plan as he says.  He has a flashlight and from 4 in the morning he starts
flashing it at Sniff.  If that does not work he has the spray bottle with water.

Usually he just sprays close to where Sniff is and it's enough to scare him away.
For a few minutes.  He then comes back and starts to try getting into the
cabinets, or trying to rip apart the door stoppers or something else.  He also
loves to race on our bed.  All of this by 5am. No rest for the weary.

As Arvid tries to get some more sleep, I am already awake by that time.
I get out of bed.  Give Sniff some food and by then he calms down and goes back to
 bed with Arvid.  I think Sniff gets hungry at 4 in the morning and starts "misbehaving."
  As soon as he gets his foodies he is calm and peaceful again.  He like a child.

Mornings, noon and nights are cold here.  Our bed now has lots of covering.
 Even though we keep the temperature at 71F in the house, you will find Arvid
bundled in a turtle neck, warm pajamas, socks and at times an extra
sweater around his shoulders.  Definitely a big change.

Like everywhere one goes, if your're in the right spot at the right moment
you can capture amazing sights.  The other evening as we were coming home from
 dinner I did just that with the sunset.  Just amazing anywhere and always.

Good morning everyone.  Wishing you all a good day and a good weekend.
All is good here.  Sniff is adorable, but right now I am missing my Brutus quire a
lot and I just saw a few pictures of Shadow.  As always I can't get over what happened
to that little kitty. This thing called grief comes i waves and this very moment I feel
 like I'm drowning.  My friend Anna says it best, "this too shall pass."  I can hope.

In life we loved you dearly.  In death we love you still.  In our hearts you
 hold a place, no one else will every fill.  I'm not sure which is worse 
missing you or the fact that there is nothing I can do about it...

~Nadiya~

Beautiful Start...

Man starts over again everyday, in spite of all he knows, against all he knows...

As a new day begins it reminds me of what I once was told.  Be open enough

 to see opportunities.  Be wise enough to be grateful, and courageous to be happy.
  Yes, I am doing all of that and looking forward to having better days. 

 Life is not always how we want it to be, 

but there is always something to be grateful for.

Beautiful sunrises are everywhere.  The scenery may be different.  Very

 different, but the day is as good as we make it and I plan to make today a very

 good one. Coffee tastes the same and the sun shines just as brightly.

Our home is starting to feel like a home.  Sniff's stuff is everywhere.  Laundry to fold,
 little things that I still have not found where to put.  Yes, not completely organized,
but getting there. The evenings as we sit, my thoughts wander to different
things, and though sometimes I feel the tears falling I remind myself
 that this is the time to make some new memories and move on.

 Moving on is not forgetting, it's just making way for something new.
  Something different and yes something good in the long run.

Tucked into my heart and my thoughts are my Brutus and Shadow.
Forgetting is not an option, moving on is something else.

I went to sleep last night thinking about you, I woke up this morning 

still thinking about you. When I'm down, I whisper your name 

to myself and smile. I still love you, don't doubt it...

~Nadiya~

Chilly Start...

Baby it's cold outside...

The day begins on a cold note for us.  For those in the Sunshine State it is always 

warm and for Arvid's family in Norway and mine in other states in the US, 

it is also a cold time.  Never thought that Arvid and I will have these 

temperatures any longer.  At some given time we both lived in

 cold places.  His home was Norway and I lived in NYC.

Was cold, but for over 20 years he has been in the USA and I have been living 

in the Sunshine State.  Neither of us are used to these low digits in the weather, 

but like everyone who does experience this we will also "adapt"

Take a look at the images below.  I'm sure you can tell which is which.  Question is 

where would you rather be right now?  I know for certain that many like the 

snow and the cold weather.  Many in my family do.  Otherwise why

 would they have left life in Florida for cold winters elsewhere?  

Also here in Branson I have met quite a few people, yes I talk to everyone.  

Many have lived in Florida and have told me that they do not miss 

the humidity nor the weather.  Find it difficult to believe especially after

 experiencing the cold first hand again after so long.  But we are 

all different and that's what makes us all unique.

Good morning everyone.  Have a great day and stay bundled up.

Wherever you go, no matter the weather always bring your own sunshine...

~Nadiya~

New Week Already...

Without new experiences something inside of us sleeps.

The sleeper must awaken.  Be open to whatever comes next...

Yesterday Arvid said to me, "I think we were both ready for this change." True,

 I wanted and needed a change, I thought it would lessen the pain in my heart. 

 The change in scenery has done us both good, but the one thing it cannot 

do is to stop my heart from hurting and my brain from thinking.

Yes we have been busy, we have been on the go.  By evening my body 

is exhausted but my thoughts are never at rest.  The brain keeps on working.

It has been cold here. Very cold. The other day as Arvid was chatting with my sister 

she told him how warm it was in Puerto Rico. When he was done talking to her

 he said to me "sounds good right now.  Did we do the right thing?"

All I can say is yes.  Arvid is happy with his trades.  He has traded for hotel stays

 for us when we first got here and once things settle down he says he will 

be busy running around.  Here there are quite a lot of people who just

 like Arvid are into trading. Even more so than back home.

The main reason why we are here after all.  Did I mention there were lots of

 cars for potential buyers here as well.  We do have a 3 car garage now 

and Arvid can't wait to "fill" it up.  Have to see how that goes.

As a new week begins we look forward to exciting new experiences.  Lots of 

new things to discover and explore.  We have already scouted out a few places 

this weekend and came out with quite some good deals.  Yes this place though cold 

looks promising. Arvid is in his element, and is as he says, "feeling better than ever."

Do we miss Florida?  Hard not to especially in this cold weather, but once

 you're indoors it's nice and warm.  We have made up our minds to give it a try.  If we

 see that the weather is too much to handle we can always go back home to Florida

 and just come to Branson in the summers.  Like many know there is no place like Florida 

during the winter.  Victoria puts it best when she said, "but you lived in Paradise."

To all a great week ahead.  May it be productive and rewarding.

Stay hungry.  Stay foolish.  Never let go of your appetite,

 to go after new ides, new experiences, new adventures...

~Nadiya~

New Scenery...

Today is not just another day.  It's a new opportunity,

another chance.  A new beginning.  Embrace it...

A new scenery is what we wake up to and what we will be having for a while.

I always wanted to experience the change of seasons.  This is my chance once again.

Do I miss the water and the sunrise from our balcony back in Florida?

What do you think?  But it's a good change for us.  For now.

Good morning everyone. Hope to see the Sunshine State in a few months.

Just the other day Arvid and I stocked up on winter clothes.  Sounds 

strange even to me. No more shorts and t-shirts for now.  Hmmm...

Starting today, I need to "forget" whats gone.  Appreciate what still remains,

and look forward to what's coming next.  I cant forget, but I can look forward...

~Nadiya~

A Very Cold Sunday...

Never be afraid to try something new, because life gets boring when
 you stay within the limits of what you already know...

The limo travelled from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Branson, Missouri.

Scenery is dramatically different, but still have some of our favorite foodies.

One thing for sure it is quite a lot colder than what we are used to.
Some days it is even colder than Norway.  For now it's all OK,  hopefully soon it
will be time to go back to the sunshine state for warmth and sunshine.  Yay!

Sniff Sniff is happy here although at times he is a bit confused as to where he is.
He loves to run from window to window and check out everything that moves.
Falling leaves is something new to him.  Squirrels, deers and even the site of another
kitty cat keeps him busy to the point that he is totally exhausted from lack of sleep.

What I love best is that Sniff is always close to me.  His favorite spot is on the window
sill next to my desk in my office.  Yes, for the first time I have a space all of my own to
 call my office.  It is actually a "guest" bedroom, but the truth is, its my own space and
 I will find it very hard to give up.  Good thing is that there are many hotels here.

As with any move there is always so much to do.  We are still in that process
 of getting it all together.  Lucky for us, we are happy with our house
and that in itself is a good start. One thing for sure, it's not city life.

Yesterday was cloudy with fog most of the day.  Extremely cold.  35F/0C
This is definitely NOT the sunshine state.  Back in Florida life as always is
warm, sunny and the beach is calling me.  For now I can't go but soon...

Sunday.  Hopefully a relaxing day, but who knows?  Can change just like that.
Hello everyone.  Hope your Sunday is a good one and stay warm.  It is sure cold here.

And suddenly you know, it's time to start something new and trust
 the magic of beginnings. This is the start of something beautiful...

~Nadiya~

Black Friday...

Go to the mall on Black Friday, they said.

You will never come out alive, they said...

And the shopping frenzy has begun.

Some of these shoppers have been waiting for over 24 hours to shop. Not something 
I can say I would ever do, but honestly if you want a good deal, for some the wait is
 nothing.  Many set out little "camps" on the outside of stores waiting for that deal.

Some store open their doors while Arvid, Sniff and I are still sound asleep.  

Black Friday, to me just another gimmick to get Americans to shop and spend 

money they really don't have.  Someone put it "nicely" by saying, "let's get our mind 
off America's debt crisis by maxing out our credit cards on a reckless shopping binge.

Yesterday Arvid and I needed a few essentials for home.  I "desperately" needed a 
blender to make my coquito.  A recipe from my sister and for some reason I had to have 
it last night.  We got to the store before 6pm.  I just could not understand why there 
were people just standing in long lines all over the store and not buying a thing.

Finally I asked, "why are you all standing here."  One lady said, 
"because we are waiting for the Black Friday deals to begin."

Thankfully we found a blender that was not on the Black Friday list and we
 got out of there as fast as we could.  Needless to say we did not get
 everything we wanted.  No way we were going to stand in line for hours.
  I came home did some online shopping, and I'm happy.

Shopping is a woman thing.  It's a contact sport like football.  Women 
enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being
 trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase....
If men liked shopping, they'd call it research.

~Nadiya~