Monday June 23rd~

As we start a new week, remember: you

 have the power to make it a great one...

A new week is upon us already.  Sniff is busy watching

 birds and squirrels.  In between he likes to take a nap.  

Now he tends to naps close to the action so he doesn't 

miss a thing.  All of this "action" sure wears him out.

Arvid and I did go out for a little outing yesterday.

  It was too hot to sit out so we of course sat indoors. 

 Not sure what's going on, but it is extremely hot.  

Arvid's climate change is happening as we speak.

Wishing everyone a good week ahead.  Life is 

short and when you least expect it, everything you

 believed in changes. Be kind to each other and 

never forget to be thankful for all the blessings.

Life continues as usual here.  We have the birds and 

the squirrels that continue to keep Sniff exhausted.

A little dose of inspiration can go a long

 way, especially on a Monday morning...

~Nadiya~

Sunday June 22nd~

 While there’s no such thing as the perfect day, there
 is such a things as a great day. Let’s get after it....

Branson is extremely hot. So hot that I am worried about 

just stepping out in the heat. I can’t imagine what it must

 be like in Florida right now. As we know July in Florida 

is an inferno 🔥. It’s just like stepping into a fireball.

I look forward to going back home but I don’t

 look forward to the heat.  I just hope for all our sakes 

that it’s not as hot as I remember it to be.  On that same

 note, Branson has never been this hot in June.  At least

 not from what remember.  My sister and Sachin are

 in Miami right now.  Maybe they will see some

 of the celebrations in Miami as well 

That being said, I told Arvid that I don’t think I 

will be walking anymore in this heat.  So yesterday we 

went and checked out an indoor walking track and gym.  

Hopefully when we get back in August we can

 get a membership and use the facility. 

Yesterday we had our Sunday outing because the 

restaurant I wanted to go to is closed on Sundays. We 

went to Capones.  We've been there before, but not for 

dinner.  Just drinks with Roger and to listen to music.

The reviews did not lie.  Best steak I have ever 

had anywhere.  Their Cesar salad, the best I have ever

 had and trust me I have tried Cesar salads from many

 restaurants. It’s my favorite salad after all.  This 

one at Capones was hands down the best.

  Definitely going back there.  While in Branson, 

it’s the only place I would like to have a steak from. 

 Arvid's palate is less discriminating than mine.

Sunday.  We relax and stay out of the heat as much

 as possible.  Arvid has a lot of games to watch so he’s 

always “busy” one way or another.  Lucky man!

Sniff stays busy with his bird and squirrel watching.

  Me I just want someone to make me a meal.  I sometimes

 get tired of cooking and cleaning just just about everyday.  

I wish Arvid knew how to cook.  Unfortunately, when

 it comes to that he’s useless, but great in so much more.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Stay out of the

 heat and remember if you’re burning up so is your pet.

 Protect their little pawsies when taking them outdoors.  

Your positive attitude will set the tone for a 

successful week. Let’s lead with positivity...

~Nadiya~

Saturday June 21st-

Happiness depends upon ourselves...

 Soccer is back since the 14th of this month.  Even 

though Arvid has like 2-3 games per day he is still restless.  

Yesterday he had a few things to do in the condo so that 

together with the games kept him busy until it didn’t.

As always on Fridays we like to out out a little. 

We have a drink and maybe a little something to

 nibble on.  I’m the designated driver so for me

 it’s usually just one.  Works for both of us.

Earlier in the day I told a little trip to the outlet 

mall  I don’t really need anything but I sure wanted 

something. It was a beautiful day but very hot. 

 We had lunch at home and then decided to take a trip

 to The Landing. Our favorite place in Branson. We always

 find something interesting going on, plus there are so many

 places by the water to just sit relax and enjoy not only 

the view but a yummy drink and each others company.

Once again, the birds and squirrels did not disappoint.  

I’m working on Arvid to say yes to me getting a bird feeder.

  Little does he know that I already have ordered it.  Already

 bout the bird seeds and the peanuts from Chewy.  Now

 to just make him think what a great idea it is. Especially 

for Sniff. That will definitely get him to give in.

On one of our walks Arvid found a golf ball. Usually 

he won’t pick anything up, but he did. He said he would

 take it home, wash it and play soccer with Sniff.  

He did wash and scrub that gold ball and then played with 

Sniff for a while. For those who know about cats, you know 

that after a while their attention span is gone Sniff played 

for a while and has not kicked that golf ball ever since.

Friday is becoming a bit of a Roger and Arvid thing, I 

encourage Arvid to hang out with Roger.  He, Roger is 

very nice and invited Arvid to join him for cocktails 

yesterday evening  I told him he should go, so 

after our outing he did meet up with Roger.

As he was leaving to go meetup with Roger, Arvid 

hands me his phone  I said what if there is an emergency,  

how would I get hold of you?  He said, “just call Roger”. 

 And he went on his way.  Looking forward to a quiet 

day today. Saturdays are movie night at home.  A very 

beautiful but super HOT day awaits us.  Again🔥

A good day to all.  It's too hot to be out, 

but not so for our wildlife friends.

Until one has loved an animal, a part 

of one's soul remains unawakened...

~Nadiya~

Friday June 20th~

You can be down for a minute, but 

then you gotta get up and rule the day...

 It's Friday and the day is looking good.  Arvid said to me,

 "we have to go to the Landing."  Why would I not agree

 with such a great suggestion.  Hopefully will have another 

one of this delicious drinks again.  I'm sure we will be

 heading to Margaritaville's Landshark Bar and Grill.

The day was really beautiful, and once

 again Arvid had the urge for us to drive around 

and check out houses. I had nothing better to do

 sonic courses I went along for the ride. 

 I know Arvid so well. Whenever he’s bored,

 whenever he has spare time on his hands he will 

look at Real Estate.  This is anywhere we are. Be it 

Florida, Branson, Norway. You name it he is 

looking. For him it’s a way to stay busy.

I’m still “celebrating” the Florida Panthers win.  

We are also getting excited because soon we will see

 Michelle and family in Florida.  Yes, in about 2 weeks 

we will be back home in Fort Myers. I can’t wait to 

be home.  I miss Florida although I know that i

t’s extremely hot and humid right now.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the place to be right now if

 you are a Panthers fan. The celebration goes on and on.

Sniff doing his usual.  Stalking 🐦 and the

 squirrel.  He’s happy. We’re all happy. Life is

 good and we make the best of each day. A good day 

to all.  Today Fatboy made his first appearance.

It's Friday! Time to go make stories for Monday...

~Nadiya~

Thursday June 19th~

Life is full of challenges. Life is full of blessings...

 I finally saw a few deers.  So happy for that.  So far we 

have also seen a few turtles.  The other day when we were 

coming out of a restaurant, I saw a turtle roaming around

 in the parking lot.  It was hot as hell and cars were just

 taking off.  I would like to think I rescued the little dude

 by putting him on the grass and away from harm's way.

There is also a grey kitty roaming around.  He/she has 

a collar so I believe it has a home, even so when he's out 

and if I see him I would give him food.  There is also another

 kitty who lives next door to us.  His name is Pipsqueak, but 

his mom said she calls him PiP.  That's PiP under the chair.

Everyday we have a cardinal (daisy) and a squirrel

 that show up.  Daisy comes in the morning and the squirrel 

comes around lunch time.  To say Sniff is exhausted is putting 

it mildly.  Now all he does is watch, wait and try to get them. 

 Yes, I leave food for them against Arvid's wishes of course.

The other day Arvid and I had a good outing at Big Cedar 

Lodge.  We had good food and good drinks.  Becoming a 

favorite as well.  Boy we sure have lots of favorites.

 We are enjoying our time here in Branson,

 but I do look forward to going back home soon.

I try to enjoy everyday, even when there is

 so much going on.  I never take for granted life.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Sniff is happy because

 he's being kept busy all day long with the birds and so far one 

squirrel that shows up like clock work for his peanuts.

Bird watching and being on squirrel lookout is not easy.  

Sniff is completely exhausted after a few hours.

Everyday I try to remember all the ways I am 

blessed, beyond the chaos and bad things that happen...

~Nadiya~

Panthers Back to Back Champions~ June 18th

You do not play hockey for good seasons. You play

 to win the Stanley Cup. It has to be the objective....

 Life in Florida is always interesting.  

Though we are in Branson I keep a keen eye on

 what's going on.  Don't want to miss any Florida 

stuff, most importantly any Florida humor.

Last night was game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals. 

 The Panthers sure showed the Edmonton Oilers 

who rules Hockey!  The hunt is over for now, 

but the Panthers are always on the prowl.

Two years in a row the Florida Panthers win the 

Stanley Cup.  Two years in a row they beat the Oilers. 

 Go Panthers.  Right now Florida/Fort Lauderdale 

is celebrating their Florida Panthers, BIG time.

What a great game.  I told Arvid I wished we were there at

 the arena in Sunrise, but we still saw it and we went to sleep happy.

Paul Maurice, Florida Panthers coach: “They're really,

 really nice people, and then the puck drops. Sometimes

 you say a prayer, sometimes you shotgun a beer,” 

Maurice said. “That's kind of like our team."

Right now we have rain, thunder and lightning.  

When Sniff is not sleeping he's either watching the neighbors

 cat or hunting birds.  All of this from the inside😂 

Good morning and a good day to all.  You know what 

they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is? 

Lipstick.  Tiger Woods said: Hockey is a sport for white men.

 Basketball is a sport for black men. Golf is a sport

 for white men dressed like black pimps.

It's not about how good you

 are but how bad you want it...

~Nadiya~

Cheeky Monkey~ June 17th

The world is full of magical things,
 patiently waiting for our senses to awaken...

 The other day Arvid and I checked out a “new” 

place called Cheeky Monkey.  Truth is when we lived 

here before we had also been there, but because it was 

packed we just went in and then left.  The other night it

 was also packed but somehow Arvid was ok with that. 

The first thing that caught my attention was a 

drink called Spank the Monkey.  I had to try it minus 

the Red Bull.  That would have probably knocked me

 out for the night before the night had begun.

Though it was packed, Arvid didn't mind this time. 

Could be because we went there with Roger.  Once again, 

Roger was known by everyone, and he knew everyone.  Like 

I said before, it's like going out with the local celebrity.

 There was live music and everyone was having a 

merry time.  Some of the drinks were humongous.  Of 

course I tried one. The blue was is called Monkey Fuel. 

 We really liked the place and I hope we go there 

soon again. It was bursting with life. I love seeing

 people having a good time. The band mostly played 

music from the Rolling Stones, CCR and many others 

that I actually knew.  Made it an even better time.

 As we were leaving Arvid said to me, “I’m liking

 this place (Branson) even more every day.”   This time

 we have discovered interesting places and the fact that so 

many have live music makes it even more appealing. 

I’m happy also because in all of these places they

 make every drink imaginable.  I do not drink beer nor 

wine so this makes me happy, plus the food is good. No 

matter where we go, I always find something yummy.

To all a very good day. Looking forward to the new day.

The little things, the small moments,

 are the ones that make our lives beautiful..

~Nadiya~