November 5th 2025~

Grief doesn't fade. It travels with 

you-in silence, but never far behind...

 Today is 10 years since our Brutus died.  I don't

 have that agonizing pain anymore.  Well almost never. 

 Occasionally something will bring back that memory and

 for those moments, it hurts all over again. We loved our

 Brutus more than anyone would ever realize.  I sure 

miss him, but my heart is happy with our Sniff.

My grief usually escalates on the days before

 Brutus died.  I remember every little detail and it 

rips my heart to pieces all over again.  My Brutus

 took a part of me I will never get back 🐾

Just writing about Brutus makes me miss him 

so so much.  Right now my heart is breaking all 

over again for our Brutus.  He died too soon.

My grief today is bearable, but missing 

Brutus is something we will never stop

 doing.  He changed us for the better.

 

The hardest battle is between 

what you know in your head and

 what you feel in your heart ...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday November 4th~

We are here to add what we can to

 life, not to get what we can from life...

 The month begins with both Arvid and I having 

doctors appointments.  Arvid's is just his routine once 

a year blood work and mine today is with my endocrinologist

 to check on how my body is doing without thyroids.  I also 

had two weeks ago a neck scan just to make sure the thyroid 

cancer is all gone.  Will know the outcome later today.

Yesterday was a day doing thing here at home.  

We both have quite a bit to catch up on.  Different 

things, but still it all needs taking care of.  We also 

went for a walk, and I captured amazing sunsets.

Lately Sniff has been sleeping in pretty late. 

I am awake usually before 5 am at times even before 

4 am and Sniff would follow, but yesterday just

 like many other days he just slept in.

On Sunday Arvid and I went to Fort Myers Beach.  

It was alive, and one can see that Hurricane Ian  

has not stopped the people from coming back. 

We walked around a bit, listened to music,

 which by the way was a very good band.  We also 

enjoyed a good meal at one of our favorite spots.

It was a very nice day and we wanted to 

prolong it as longs as possible.  The weather has

 been so beautiful lately, and we are loving it.

To all a very good day.  I am enjoying beautiful sunsets 

and sunrises everyday.  Life is good, and I am grateful.

   May your day be filled with kindness and happiness.

Whenever you want to see me, always

 look at the sunset; I will be there...

~Nadiya~

Lucky Us~ Monday November 3rd~

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.  The journey is the reward...

I consider myself fortunate to be able to live in The United States of America and am always amazed at how good we have it here when compared to other parts of the world.  Granted this is only my opinion, but one I  stand by.  I have been to many European cities with Arvid, South America, Canada and The Caribbean.  All very beautiful indeed, but as far as I am concerned, the life Arvid and I share here in the US, nothing compares to it.  For both of us being from different countries the USA is home.

Many people I know from other countries 

would do whatever it takes to be able to live in
the USA. They all visit, they all love it, and I am

 sure they would also love to make this their full 

time home.  That being said, I am very happy 

that we can call the USA home.

There are many things I would like to accomplish, let's call it my bucket list.  One of the things on this list is to visit all 50 states in the US.  Each State has something unique to offer and I want to discover one day that unique something.

I have been to quite a few, but still missing a few as you can see from the list.  As far as I am concerned there is no other country more beautiful that the United States.  That's my view.  Everyone has their own as it should be.

Every State is different in their own special way. 

 I remember in Hawaii, how the ocean, and the mountains 

meet, same as in Puerto Rico.  Spectacular sight. Arkansas, 

I saw the most beautiful family of deer just walking

 up to us.  Unafraid..that for me was just special.

We have many more places we look forward

 to going. Everyday is a new beginning for us...

St. Louis, Missouri

And so my friend begins another day.  New things

 to see, to discover and to experience.  Another 

day to make memories that will last a lifetime...

As the new week begins I am grateful for all 

the blessings in my life.  Life is not rosy, there are 

many obstacles we all face, but when I think of what

 it could be instead, I am grateful.  Happy new week all.

Success is a journey, not a destination. 
The doing is often more important than the outcome...

~Nadiya~

Sunday November 2nd~

Let this new month bring you more 

opportunities, success, joy, gladness, 

laughter & fun than ever before...

 When the new month is being kind, at least 
weather wise, life looks and sure feels better. 

Yesterday Arvid and I had a quiet day at home.

 He spent the day watching soccer. I went to a few 

grocery stores and I also took a  little trip to the mall. 

 Got home, made lunch. Arvid was still watching TV.  

Sniff has been crying a lot lately.  He’s crying 

for soft foodies. He wakes up at 3 am screaming. 

Really gets Arvid mad. Arvid loves his sleep. 

The other night Arvid just yelled, “be quiet.”  

Poor Sniff, he took off like a bat outta hell 

and never gave another meow that morning.

 In fact he went to his bed and slept as late

 as Arvid. They both woke up at 8am.

Sunday.  Our day to have a quiet outing.  More 

 soccer for Arvid. I will go over to mom and 

dads and help them with a little unpacking. 

 There is so much to unpack.  This house is 1/3rd

 the size of their home in North Carolina.  Will be 

interesting to see how it goes.  They already 

have a lot of boxes filled with clothes to give 

away to Goodwill, and that’s just the start.

A good day to all and may this new month be

 good to us all.  We can all use some goodwill.

I wish you a beautiful new month from 

the first day of this month to the last day....

~Nadiya~

Saturday November 1st ~ New Month

In Florida, a promise of a new tomorrow 

is painted across the sky with each sunset...

 November begins beautifully for us.  Mom and 

dad are officially Floridians once again.  My heart is 

happy, and at the same time I feel comfort knowing that

 should they need us, we are right around the corner for 

them. No more long drives for either of us to NC.

To celebrate them we went out yesterday for lunch 

at The Boat House. Casual dining and seeing the 

water and the boats go by is always a plus.

Dad and mom treated us to dinner and to good 

company.  We all enjoyed it and afterwards Arvid

 and I came home and went straight to downtown. 

 After all it was Halloween night and all the 

“crazies” come out. I wanted to go a little later 

in the evening but Arvid said it was too cold so

 we went in the early part of the evening.

 I saw a few costumes. Had something 

good to drink so after all it was okay, but still 

the nighttime is the best time to be out on

 Halloween.  There is always next year.

It was a very good day. Arvid and I will be

 helping my parents organize their pictures 

 on the wall.  Next week is when he begins to

 hang them. Arvid says he likes doing this

 Little at a time.  I am helping mom with boxes 

and bags. There is way too many.  At some point my

 dad told Arvid to just take a few boxes with him home. 

 Don’t matter what was in them 😱 of course we didn’t. 

 Just goes to show they have way way too many. 

Welcome to the Free State of Florida 

mom and dad.  Life is better in flip flops.

Wishing everyone a November to remember.

 As we express our gratitude, we must never

 forget that the highest appreciation is not

 to utter words but to live by them.

November is a month of 

transformation and preparation...

~Nadiya~

Friday October 31st~

This witch can be bribed with chocolate...

 Halloween was never anything particularly

 special for me.  I enjoy seeing the people dressed

 up and some of the crazies, but unlike so many, 

Arvid and I never did any decorating or handing

 out of candy. There was never a need to.

 Living in a condo we do not have anyone coming

 for candy.  As a child it was different.  My parents 

made it special.  They made every day/occasion 

special in our lives.  We had a great childhood.

Halloween today takes on a different meaning and has

 become a special day.  That is because our youngest

 granddaughter Amelia was born on this day.

Amelia is one happy little girl.  Her laughter is

 contagious. To be around her is to always be happy. 

 We sure miss her, and her sisters.  It's been too

 long since we last saw them, hugged them.

Happy birthday to this little girl who has 

made our lives brighter and our hearts fuller.

Sugar and spice and everything nice, 

that's what little girls are made of... 

~Nadiya~

Thursday October 30th~

Making memories with my favorite people...

 Yesterday we took a day off from working in

 the house. Arvid, my mom and I took a little 

outing to Fort Lauderdale, our old stomping

 grounds for over some thirty plus years.

Mom and I went to visit my aunt.  Mom’s

 eldest sister. She has not been feeling that well,

 and I really wanted to see her.  My aunt has always

 been kind to me, my sisters, nieces and nephews.  

She even likes Arvid. That for her is something.

Of course Arvid used this opportunity to go to

 the Wednesday meetings in Fort Lauderdale.

  When we lived there, he never once missed a 

Wednesday trade meeting. He loves trading. Mom 

and I had breakfast then we went to my aunts.

I don’t miss the meetings, but I miss a very 

good friend there. Jim.  He’s an older gentleman,

 and he's busier than Arvid and I combined.

When in Fort Lauderdale we like to go to one of 

the restaurants we really miss.  Usually it's Houston's,

 but this time we did not have the time so we choose 

Flanigan's instead,  Arvid loves their baby back ribs, 

surprisingly so does my mom.  Me I mostly eat

 chicken no matter where we go.  I'm boring. 

Arvid also took some time to catch up with our 

friend Roger in Branson.  Roger misses him and I 

know Arvid in his way enjoyed those Friday evenings 

with the boys back in Branson.  Such good times.

Sniff as always is stayin cool as a cucumber.  He does

 not like us leaving him alone.  Now he's happy again.

We're tired.  Very tired, but at the same 

time we are feeling accomplished.  Mom and

 dad have settled in beautifully and the house

 now looks like home.  They are home.

Adventures are best served together...

~Nadiya~

Something to Think About... October 29th~

I've learned that people will forget what you 
said, people will forget what you did, but people 
will never forget how you made them feel...

 Facebook is a pretty interesting place to visit.  
Every so often when people are not complaining or 
cussing another person out you come across something that
 makes an impression on you. Something worth sharing
 with the hopes it can make someone's life better.

In life we have no guarantees, but if we don't take risks 
then we are not really living. Don't be afraid to try  
and to experience new things. Life! you only 
get once chance at it.  Make it worthwhile!

Bob Marley said it really well: "Life is one big road 
with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts,
 do not complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief 
and jealousy. Do not bury your thoughts, put your 
vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!" 

Today we take a little break from

 moving and unpacking.  We all deserve it. 

 Even Sniff thinks it's too much going on.

The joy of life consists in the exercise of one's energies, 
continual growth, constant change, the enjoyment of every
 new experience. To stop means simply to die. The eternal
 mistake of mankind  is to set up an attainable ideal...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday October 28th~

If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit...

 It was another busy day yesterday, but a 

good one. Arvid and I began helping my mom 

and dad arrange their furniture in their home.  It’s 

starting to look and feel like a home already.

We only worked half of the day then 

returned the U-Haul truck.  As we all said, 

“Rome was not built in one day.”

Arvid and I are tired.  My parents are tired.

  Nina and david are tired, but we all are very

 happy at how much we accomplished.

When we crossed into Florida on Sunday, 

a most beautiful sunrise greeted us.  It was as if it 

was telling my mom and dad that they did the right 

thing, and that everything is gonna be alright. 

This being Florida we also had an encounter

 with the fog before arriving at our destination. 

 Florida living at its best. Tired but happy.

It's good to be home.  Once again, Arvid said 

this would be his last move.  He says it every time we

 move.  Who knows, maybe one day it will be true.

To all a very good day.  Hopefully today is not as hectic.

When we are tired, we are attacked 

by ideas we conquered long ago...

~Nadiya~