Thursday September 17th~

Music will always find its way to us,

 with or without business, politics, religion,

 or any other bullshit attached...

 Today Arvid and I head out to Kansas City, 

Missouri to see Eric Clapton in concert.  I love

 many of his songs, but Tears in Heaven has an

 extra special meaning to me.  I really hope he 

sings it.  It will make the entire concert so much

 more special for me.  Whenever I hear that 

song, I just can't stop the flow of tears.

We have seen Eric Clapton a few times before, and

 who knows maybe this will be the last time we see him.

  Arvid always says that as the artist get older they lose

 their voice.  He's not wrong, but he's very picky about the 

way the they sing their songs.  It has to be the original

 version, otherwise he says it's not that good anymore.

Arvid's favorite is probably: Before you

 accuse me, take a look at yourself.  Give me a 

guitar and I'll play; give me a stage and I'll perform; 

give me an auditorium and I'll fill it (Eric Clapton)

We have as always high expectations and we 

look forward to having a good time.  First time 

going to Kansas City as well. Looking forward 

to a beautiful evening filled with good music.

Sniff is a big boy and will be spending the night alone.

Meanwhile back home in Florida, a "cool down"

 is approaching.  Ahh.. The Sunshine State.

Music is the shorthand of emotion...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday September 16th~

Wild animals are less wild 

and more human than many 

humans of this world...

 Yesterday morning one of the squirrels 

finally showed up.  He just sat on the deck waiting 

for peanuts.  I  happy.  Sniff was sound asleep in 

the bedroom so he did not get to see Squirrel. 

On one of our drives we had to make a stop because 

I wanted  a picture of the views.  Not bad I must say.

Our day was relaxing. Did a few things,

 but mostly stayed in.  Not brave enough to 

venture out for long periods in this heat.

How about you?  How was your day?

A happy life must be to

 a great extent a quiet life...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday September 15th~

Thank goodness it's finally hot

 enough to justify my laziness...

 Nothing really exciting happened yesterday. It

 was another very hot day. I stayed in most of the day. 

 Arvid did some running around in the morning and

 after lunch we we went out together for a drive. On 

our drive we saw this beautiful Aston Martin.

 We have seen it around Branson quite often. 

Of course we stopped and checked it out. Absolutely

 beautiful car. Of course Arvid said that’s the car he

 should have. I looked at him and rolled my eyes. 

Later in the evening we actually went to the 

movies. The new Jason Statham film Mutiny 

was showing. You know we can’t miss a Jason’s

 movie.  We both love going to the movies.

Back from the movies Branson looked 

beautiful with all the lights. Everything looks 

better at night, when the lights are glowing and 

the city buzzing.  I like it very much. Cities, 

like cats, will reveal themselves at night.

Sniff sleeps a lot here. The birds have not shown

 up as yet; neither have the squirrels. I am leaving food,

 but it may be too hot for them. We have to wait 

and see.  We are always looking out for them.

To all a good day.  Another sweltering day awaits us.

Dear weather, stop showing

 off.  We know you're HOT!...

~Nadiya~

Monday September 14th~

Don’t be afraid to give up

 the good to go for the great...

 A new week begins and it sees us in Branson, 

Missouri.  As mentioned before, Arvid has been

 here a few days before Sniff and I, so it's good to be 

all three together again.  Sniff is definitely making

 the most of it.  Enjoying every moment.

Arvid and I have already checked out a few of 

our favorite places.  Yesterday we were once  again

at Branson Landing once again.  It is a favorite 

spot of ours and Saltgrass is also one of our

 favorite spots for a Sunday outing.  

Best of all, we enjoyed sitting outdoors.  

Though it was hot, the fact that you're so close

 to the lake makes a big difference.  There is always a 

refreshing little breeze.  It was as always a good outing. 

 Now walking around in this heat, that I can't do.

To all a very good day and week.  Our week is a 

little less hectic than usual.  Happy about that because it's 

no fun running around in this heat.  After all is said and done, 

we are glad to be back in Branson.  Woke up to another

 beautiful sunrise.  Perfect way to start the day.

When everything seems to be going 

against you, remember that the airplane 

takes off against the wind, not with it...

~Nadiya~

Sunday September 13th-

I just called a How's My Driving phone number.

 Why did someone in Branson, Missouri pick 

up and try to sell me a timeshare condo...

 Yesterday was busy. Lots of unpacking 

and of course the place looks bombed. Arvid

 had it looking immaculate. Come Sniff and 

I and that changed within a few seconds.

I have clothes scattered everywhere. 

 Every time we come I bring a few things 

with me. It’s gotten to the point I don’t know 

where to keep them. Arvid’s solution: “donate 

to goodwill.”  I did that in Norway as well.  He

 said I had too much "stuff" Maybe he's right?

I made lunch at home which was good. 

Arvid has been eating out for several days and 

was tired of doing so.  Lunch was simple, but 

good.  It's is so hot right now, I really don't 

like stepping out of the condo into the heat.

The heat did not seem to bother all the

 bikers out there.  They were out without any 

sort of protection from the sun having a great

 time.  There is a huge bike gathering here in 

Branson. Full Throttle Bike Week-Branson

We went for a little drive.  You can see fall

 is nearing.  Not temperature wise, but the 

leaves are changing colors and everywhere is

 covered with fallen leaves.  It's a pretty time.

After that there were soccer games to be 

watched and after that restlessness was hovering.

  Where better to go than to Branson Landing

 and to our favorite hangout spot for drinks 

than Landshark Bar and Grill Branson

A new day begins.  Sunday and we look forward 

to our outing.  Where else but Branson Landing?

This is not the heat Whitney Houston 

wanted to feel with somebody...

~Nadiya~

Saturday September 12th~

Home isn't a set house, or a single

 town on a map. It is wherever the people who

 love you are, whenever you are together...

 Sniff and I made it to Branson.  It's 

good to be here as well.  Home is where the 

three of us are, and we are home again.

Sniff has already adapted.  Already made himsef comfy.

He did not forget his favorite spots.  He knew exactly

 where to look for everything and when he was tired 

he just hopped right into his bed.  It's as if we never 

left.  Sniff was also a model traveller.  Did not

 make a sound in the plane.  My Sniff is such a

 good boy.  Now he's just looking for birds.

I am sure busy days are back.  With our 

lifestyle it's a given.  I enjoyed some relaxing

 days back home in Florida, but now that Arvid and

 I are together we will soon be on the move. 

To all a very good day.  It feels good to be

 home in Branson again.  I know my florida kitties 

are probably looking for me, but I left them a lot of 

food with Abe.  They are going to be well fed.

Alone we can do so little; 

together we can do so much...

~Nadiya~

Friday September 11th~

A cat will do what it wants

 when it wants, and there is not 

a thing you can do about it...

 Sniff and I travel to Branson today.  As

 always the journey is a little stressful because

 I never know if Sniff is going to howl the entire 

trip or be calm.  If all goes like the last three 

trips, then I am happy because he was calm.

Looking forward to seeing Arvid and

to being in Branson, but right now if I had a 

choice I would stay right here at home in Florida.

  For some reason I am really tired.  It does not

 help one bit when you're in constant pain.

A lot of last minute things to take care of.  

Kitties have been fed.  Sniff has been fed 

and brushed.  Now to finish packing.

On September 11th 2001 a total of 19 terrorists

 hijacked four airliners, flying one into each of the Twin 

Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City.

  May we never forget. We remember the 

lives lost and honor the heroes who ran toward

 danger.  Sunrises, always a good way to celebrate new

 beginnings, hope, and the quiet beauty of a fresh start.

One’s destination is never a place,

 but a new way of seeing things...

~Nadiya~

Thursday September 10th~

See the world. It’s more 

fantastic than any dream...

 Today I plan to do absolutely no running 

around.  Aside from going to feed the kitties

 and maybe a trip to Publix I plan on staying in. 

 Of course that means a lot of cleaning.

Sniff and I woke up as usual very early.  We got

 a lot of sleep last night.  It feels good.  Sniff has already

 eaten and is now napping on his heating bed.

To all a very good day. The heat and the humidity 

continues.  Welcome to The Sunshine State.

A day of rest lets you pause, 

recharge, and separate the past 

from the future without guilt...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday September 9th~

 In family relationships, love 
is really spelled t-i-m-e, time...

I am spending am making as many 

memories I can with Mala.  Don't know when

 I will see her next, so each moment together

 is extra special, and I love it.  A memory from

 a very long time ago with my four sisters.

We did a lot of running around today.  We hit 

many spots.  The Indian restaurant, the Cuban

 bakery again, and a little trip to the outlet

 mall.  Overall it was a very good time.

We did a lot of walking today.  Especially 

at Miromar Outlets, Estero, Florida

After all the running around in the day we took 

some time to go and have something to drink.  I 

took Mala to one of the places right by the water 

not too far from us.  If you look at the picture

 you can our condo in the background.

I have had a very good time with Mala.  She 

stayed both with me and with mom and dad for a

 few days.  As always saying goodbye is not my favorite

 thing, but hopefully I will see her soon again.

As always Sniff is very vigilant with anyone 

that comes to visit.  he's very possessive and

 only tolerates another person so much.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Time

 with any of my sisters is always special. A sister is

 a little bit of childhood that can never be lost

A sister is both your mirror—and your opposite...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday September 8th~

I could never love anyone as I love my sisters...

 Mala is spending the day and night with 

me today.  So happy for that.  Would love

 to do and show her so many things, but 

she also has a few things she wants to do. 

 Have to wait and see how that it goes.

Yesterday we had dinner at mom and

 dads.  Afterwards Mal and I went shopping

a little. Surprisingly we actually found a few 

things we liked.  After that we had to go to my

 favorite Cuban bakery for cafe con leche and 

quesitos.  If there is any Latin in you then you

 know about quesitos and cafe con leche. 

 I wanted to take her out for a Margarita, 

but her allergies started acting up so we just 

came home watched some TV and chatted. 

 Sniff was of course checking her out.

Today we do the outlet mall, our Indian 

restaurant and one more trip hopefully to the Cuban 

bakery in the evening for coffee and pastries. I love

 spending time with Mala. With all my sisters.

 Soon she will be going back home, but in 

the the meantime we have made good memories. 

 Of course kitties are still taken care of and Sniff

 is having a lot of attention. All is good in our

 world.  Wishing the same for everyone. 

The greatest joys of life are happy memories.

 Your job is to create as many of them as possible. 

 They will forever be a part of you, your life.

Create moments today that will 

wow your memories tomorrow...

 ~Nadiya~ 

Monday September 7th~

A new week is a fresh

 start with even new days to make

 progress and reach your goals....

 Our week begins in Florida and could not be 

any happier.  Today Arvid goes to Branson, but 

I still have most of the week here at home.  

Happy about that because Mala is visiting

 and I get to spend more time with her.  I would

love to take her to the beach before she goes back 

home.  Hopefully she will have some  time.

With Arvid in Branson my week will be 

relaxing, even though I have many things to do. 

 I will not be rushed. Just do it at my own pace.

May your week be filled 

with good thoughts, kind people, 

and happy moments...

~Nadiya~