Greetings From Chicago ~

I'd rather live a life filled with challenges, 
rather than a life filled with routine...

Even in winter Chicago has its charm. 

 Definitely our favorite city of all times. The snow on
the lake is melting.  Though very windy, surprisingly the first
few days were not that cold.  Come today that changes.  

Landing in Chicago.  Picture not taken by me.

The Bean.  A must see be it summer or winter. 

It's a very cold day here, but we're in Chicago so that's all that matters. 

 Of course Arvid will soon start to groan about the cold, but Arvid is Arvid.

Greetings to all.  We are here and I can't wait to experience

 our first winter in Chicago.  Even if only for a week.  They say it's 

harsh, guess we will be finding out more  in the next few days.

What good is the warmth of summer,
 without the cold of winter to give it its sweetness..

~Nadiya~

Back To Chicago ~

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now.
 Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you 
happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you
 have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. 
Every minute should be enjoyed and savored...

I have always wanted to be in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day. 

 When I mentioned it to Arvid a few months ago he was

 all for it.  We knew it was going to be cold, but that was 

not going to stop us. Hopefully Arvid will be able to

 handle the frigid cold Chicago is experiencing.

With Arvid you never know.  The man is cold here in Florida, 

so you can imagine how he is going to be in Chicago.  His saving
 grace is he and I both love the city.  We have been looking 

forward to this for months now and finally the day is here.

I am most interested in seeing the River flowing in green. 

Definitely will be amazing to see it live rather than just

 from pictures on the Internet.  Either way its gorgeous.

Looking forward very much to this week in Chicago. Time to
 do some cleaning up to the apartment and make it ready
for Sniff.  In just a few months Chicago will be home again
 for the summer. This time around Arvid is happiest.

Wishing everyone a happy day, and may we always
 remember, it's all about quality of life and finding a
 happy balance between work and friends and family.

Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive...

~Nadiya~

Hello Tuesday ~

Life is really simple, but we 

insist on making it complicated...

Our week began on a real positive vibe.  Between running 

around, we also took some time to have lunch with some friends. 

 A little business, and a lot of pleasure.  Always nice to hang

 out with friends whenever possible.  The fact that we are also 

listing their house made it  sort of a “business” lunch.

We were heading to our favorite place for chicken wings, 

but just our luck they are closed on Mondays.

No problem there.  Bokampers is right next door and that’s 

where we headed.  Food was good and between bites, we took

 care of business and got caught up with some other stuff.

Another busy day awaits us.  Why is it anytime we 

have to go on a trip the unexpected has to happen? 

 Is this the case with anyone else?  I's sure it is.

Tomorrow we leave for Chicago.  Finally the day

 we have been waiting for so long is here.  Seems like the

 perfect time for a getaway.  Unfortunately, when we got

 the tickets we did not anticipate it being as cold

 as it is right now.  Just have to dress for it!

Sniff will be cared for by Gladys.  She’s so good with him,

 and he loves her.  Sniff loves everyone.  He’s super friendly.

  Gladys comes in 2 times a day. Could not be any better. 

 As long as Sniff is well cared for, that's what matters.

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Hope for

 you it’s as good as it looks for us!

I may not have gone where I intended to go, 

but I think I have ended up where I needed to be...

~Nadiya~

New Week Here ~

It's Monday, set the tone for this week with a good workout,

 and a healthy meal.  Your goals are met with small daily choices... 

Monday again.  March is zooming by us, and still so much

 to do. As the new week begins, I hope everyone is doing well 

and you are all set and ready to face the new day/week.

As always we had a very good Sunday. It was peaceful, relaxing,

 good food, and great ambiance.  Makes up for our our hectic days.

Sniff is a happy little dude.  Last night he made so much 

commotion in the bedroom, he woke Arvid up several times.  

Add to that he, was just running like crazy all over the place

 and across the bedroom.  Arvid was very worried Sniff would

 injure him.  I just slept even though Sniff was racing around us.

Good morning everyone.  Remember, anything's 

 possible if you've got enough nerve.

Finding your passion isn't about careers and 

money. It's about your authentic self .  The one 

you've buried beneath others needs...

~Nadiya~

Relaxing Day ~

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax... 

Even though the week has gone by pretty fast it was pretty hectic.

  Arvid has been running from place to place just about everyday. 

 We have both had lots to do so we had to eat out quite often.  Something

 neither of us is that fond of, but you do what you have to do.

I love Sundays.  Relaxing and not much running around.

  We also spend the day quietly, just the two of us going someplace 

with a pretty view and good ambiance.  It's the most relaxing time

 of our entire week.  Makes up for all the craziness.

Today I plan to take Arvid out to one of our favorite place.

I have been looking forward to it for quite some time.  Finally here.

In just days we will be leaving for Chicago.  A nice little break, but 

we sure did not anticipate it being this cold when we bought the tickets.  

Arvid has been looking forward to this trip for months.  I'm pretty

 excited as well.  Will be interesting to enjoy St. Patrick's day

 in Chicago.  Looking forward to seeing the river all green.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Spring break is in full swing here.

The roads are congested, especially on the beach.  Luckily for

 us when we were there the other day we missed all

 the traffic.  Sometimes the pieces all fall into place.

There was no traffic and there was hardly anyone in the water.

Was good to just walk and enjoy the sea breeze and people watch.

Happy Sunday all.  May you live in interesting times.

It is nice finding that place where you can just go and relax.

If you do what you love, it is the best way to relax.

~Nadiya~

Classy Or Trashy? ~

A guy wants a classy girl who is smart and has goals - 

someone that he wouldn't be afraid to bring home to his parents.  

A girl should be two things.  Classy and fabulous...

I want to say I was shocked, but the truth is maybe I 

was not.  Even so, I could not stop staring at the sight standing 

right in front of me.  Yep.  This "lady" was at the restaurant 

dressed like this.  I have seen many people dress "weird",

 but the other day this  "lady" in red was the winner. 

Here in Florida it's pretty casual the dress code. 

Shirts and flip flops most of the times.  That is

 of course you are going to some fancy place

 or celebrating a special occasion.  

Most who live here know that, but then there are those few 

who maybe they live here or maybe they are just tourists. 

 I do not know, but their way of dressing is very "special"

 Nothing practical at all.  Not sure if it is to catch one's 

attention or what.  The way I see it, some of these would 

fare much better walking the streets.  Call me old 

fashion, but I call it the way I see it.

Wonderful.  All these trashy women wandering around 

done up to the nines.  I love it.  What a show.

Let's not forget that a woman should always dress
 to be remembered not simply to be noticed.

Good morning and a beautiful day to all.

Classy is when a woman has everything

 to flaunt but chooses not to show it...

~Nadiya~

The 5th Of The Month ~

When we adopt a cat or any pet, we know it is going 

to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do it.

And we do it for a very good reason: They bring so much 

joy and optimism and happiness. They attack every

 moment of every day with that attitude...

The 5th of the month.  Not the easiest of days for me. 

 A piece of my heart is torn apart and a wound opens up.  

All over again the grief and the loss hits me really bad.

Brutus died on the 5th of November 2015.  Today is 3 years

 and 4 months without him.  It has not been easy and there are days

 when the grief just hits you like a ton of bricks, but you have a good cry.

  Sometimes I scream and it subsides.  Until the next time.

I don't grieve everyday.  That's not how it works.  It just 

comes and nothing you can do about it.  On the 5th of March

 2016 little Shadow died.  Today is 3 years without him.  We did 

not get to bond much with Shadow, but the little time with

 him was enough to know that he was fearless.

Life is not always the way we want it to be.  If it were,

 our Brutus would still be with us.  We had 9 wonderful years with

 him, and yes I wanted so much more.  For those 9 years we will 

forever be grateful.  Brutus changed our lives like no one.

Sniff came into our lives 3 years ago as well.  March 7th.

Something precious was taken from us, and something precious

was given to us.  All I can say is thank you.  Thank you for the

 memories and thank you for bringing Sniff to us.  Sniff is love.

To all a good day.  May we not forget, heartbreak is life educating us.

Until one has loved an animal a part

 of one's soul remains unawakened...

~Nadiya~

Happy Times ~

Life's a climb.  But the view is great...

I don't think I will ever get tired of this view.  This is from our bedroom.

best of all, when I am at my "office" this is what I see.  Everyday.  It's really
 relaxing and makes "working" seem so much like being on a holiday.

When we step onto the balcony or from the living room, we have

 another amazing view.  We are fortunate and I never take it for granted.

Being on the canal is never boring.  Always something to see. 

Be it boats, people, iguanas, animals .. we are kept entertained all day long.

Life is good and we are enjoying being back home.
As the new week begins, I wish everyone all things good.
May you achieve your goals, and always give it your best.

Everyday I am grateful for all of life's blessings and all
the lessons I have learned and look forward to learn more everyday.
  Life is a beautiful journey and we are enjoying it.

Don't waste a minute not being happy.

 If one window closes, run to the next

 window- or break down a door...

~Nadiya~

Make Everyday Is A Good Day ~

Start each day with a grateful heart...

It's that time of the year again.  Spring Break!  

A week with no alarms, and no schedules for college kids.

Traffic will be heavier than usual for one.  Restaurants

 more crowded, and lots of petty, and at times bad behaviour

 will be taking place.  Even so, in the mist of all of this,

 it is always interesting to watch how people behave.

First Sunday in March.  Time is sure going by fast.  A little

 work today and then Arvid and I get to have a little quality time.

Last night we had a little outing along the River.  We then 

took the water taxi home.  Pretty cool if I myself may say so.

Living downtown has its perks.  We usually walk to our favorite

 places, and then we take the water taxi back home.

Wishing everyone a great day and may the week ahead

 be good to all of us.  Happy Sunday everyone.

Life is like a camera, focus on what's important

capture the good times, develop from the negative,

 if things don't work out take another shot...

~Nadiya~

Saturday Evening ~

Evening's are life's way of saying you are closer to your dreams...

Evening is here.  All is calm and quiet at home.  

A little outing for a Pina Colada for me, and for

 Arvid a cold one; makes this day just perfect.

Happy Saturday all.

At the end of the day I am happy that my

 blessings are bigger than my problems...

~Nadiya~

Friday ~

Whatever you decide to do, 

make sure it makes you happy...

Where Arvid goes, Sniff goes.  Arvid works, 

Sniff wants to work.  They are attached at all times.  Of course

 there are times when Arvid would say to Sniff, "I need a minute 

for myself."  He said the same thing at times to Brutus, but at

 the end of the day, he loves when Sniff is all over him.

Last night as I was going to sleep, I looked at some pictures 

of Brutus.  I saw one of Brutus taken on November 5th,

 just hours before he died.  I was holding him and I am 

convinced there were tears in his eyes.  Yes, last 

night I cried and cried again for my Brutus.

This morning when I told Arvid about Brutus having 

tears in his eyes that day, Arvid said to me, "we all had tears

 that day."  I know Arvid misses Brutus, but unless I talk about

 him Arvid never brings it up.  For Arvid it's best to ignore

 something rather than talk about it.  It's OK, but not always.

It's a good day here at home. We had lunch at our favorite

 Cuban-Mexican restaurant.  Food was very good and we are 

full and content.  Hope your day is going great as well.

Happy Friday to all.  Happy 21st birthday to our Gabby.

Arvid said to me, "I can't believe Gabby is 21 years old today. 

 When I met him he was only 2 years old.  Our Gabby is now legal.

You can close your eyes to reality, but not to memories...

~Nadiya~

Just Another Day ~

Beauty isn't only in moments of triumph, glamour

 or scenery so divine it takes your breath away.  It is also

 in those short stretches of silence, at that moment when 

there is no distance between you and the person you love...

Another beautiful day here at home.  A little rain at times, 

but always warm and sunny.  I am really enjoying being

 back home.  At the same time I look forward very much

 to going back to Branson and visiting everyone.  

The days here are going by fast.  Especially when 

one is staying busy.  After coming back from a

 trade meeting there is always a lot Arvid has 

to take care of.  Lots of following up to do. 

 Keeps him busy and somehow he manages

 to find something for me to do.  Happy!  

He likes to call it "teamwork"

Sniff is happy we are back home.  He just keeps 

falling all over our feet.  Happy also be be home. 

I just have to gripe a little today about something I

 find completely annoying.  What is it with people who

 constantly brag about any and everything.  Why is it

 that they always have to mention how much so and 

so cost and how much they spent doing this or that.

Yes, a little of that I encountered when at the meeting. 

 I really don't care.  I am not impressed with what you have

nor what you do, where you go and how much you paid for

 so and so.  I am impressed on the other hand on how

 you treat people.  Kindness has no boundaries.

Let's not forget that he who is humble is confident and wise.

He who brags is insecure and lacking.  Which one are you?

Don't tell me what you have before you tell me who you are.

I'm not easily impressed.  As a matter of fact, I'm easily turned off...

~Nadiya~

Back Home ~

The magic thing about home is that it feels good
 to leave, and it feels even better to come back...

I love going on short road trips, but there is nothing

 I love better than coming back home.  Home where 

Sniff is, and where he was patiently waiting for us.  

I loved spending time with my mom and dad.  

Always wish it was longer, but the time we
 spend with them is always quality time.  

We have never had a bad time with them.
I love that Arvid and my parents get along so well.
 Makes my heart full seeing them together.

Always leaving mom and dad breaks my heart.
I wish we lived closer.  My parents are my roll models
in life, and the person I am today is because of them.

I am always grateful to them, and I love
them more than words can ever express.

Already halfway into the week.  As always anytime
 we come back from a trip there is quite a few things that
 need to be taken care of.  No exception this time.
Weather is nice and warm.  A typical "winter"
 day awaits us back home in Fort Lauderdale.

In this home… We do second chances. We do real.
 We do mistakes. We do I’m sorrys. We do loud really well.
 We do hugs. We do together best of all...

~Nadiya~

Jekyll Island ~

Some winter wonderlands are covered in sand...

Jekyll Island is located off the coast of the U.S. state

 of Georgia. It is one of the Sea Islands and one of the Golden Isles

 of Georgia barrier islands. The last time Arvid and I were here

 was in 2016.  Arvid has a trade meeting, and this is one 

of my favorite destinations. Happy to be going back.

I will have the days to wander around, and the evenings to be 

with Arvid and the trade gang.  Could not be any better than this.

  One of my favorite places to go is Driftwood Beach.

It's quiet.  It's peaceful.  I listen to the wave and the birds.

I love taking pictures, so any and everything makes for the perfect shot.

I have time with me and with my thoughts.  My thoughts 

always seek out my Brutus.  I miss him so very much,

 at the same time I love Sniff with all my heart, and I know

 we are very, very  fortunate to have him.  As everyone 

keeps telling us, "Sniff is Special."  That he sure is.

Looking forward to our time here.  Never know what
 can happen.  That is always the best part.  I love 
these little road trips.  We have a blast and there 
is always something new to see and discover.

Making memories one road trip at a time.  Some 
beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost...

~Nadiya~

Sunday In North Carolina ~

Taking time out each day to relax 

and renew is essential to living well..

It's has been a very relaxing time with my parents 

in North Carolina.  My mom knows all the things Arvid likes, 

and she always has them for him. Breakfast time is relaxed 

with lots of laughs and many stories told by my dad and Arvid.

  How I love this time with them.  With the 4 of us.  

I wonder why it is that to relax we have to leave home?

Back home it's run, run all day long.  Away from home 

one has no other options but to slow down and enjoy life

 on a little "slower" pace.  Sometimes the most productive 

thing we can do is relax.  Today is a lazy day.  Just relax.

My parents are watching cricket and Arvid soccer.
Life is good. Everyone is doing what they love.

Hello all.  Time is precious.  Waste it wisely.

One of the best feelings in the world is when you hug 

someone you love, and they hug you back even tighter...

~Nadiya~

Saturday ~

Nothing makes a person happier than having a happy heart...

Both Arvid and I thought this was funny.  We were out

 with my parents and when we spotted this on the wall of one 

of the stores.  Made us all laugh and yes, stop and think

 for a second or two.  Absolutely true if you ask me.

Spending time with my parents is always very relaxing.

Today we plan on taking them out to the Pub.  We have

 been there with them before.  Good thing is that all 4 

of us like it.  Simple food and good drinks.

Even though our time with them is brief,  I enjoy

 the quality of our time.Staying with them is always a treat. 

 Arvid and my dad went out a little to do some "boy" stuff, and

 my mom and I had some time to do girl stuff.  I am happy

 and always thankful for being able to spend time with them.

Looking forward to another day with mom, dad and Arvid.

I am extremely happy right now.  I know I am blessed.

Good morning all.  Cold day here again.
I love it.  Arvid very cold.

Happiness depends not on things

 around me, but on my attitude...

~Nadiya~