Dec 31, 2016

Early Start...

If you want to make your dreams come through, 
the first thing to do is wake up...

I was awake in bed at 1:30 am.  Tried to sleep again, but try and I may sleep 
did not come back.  After lots of twisting and turning I finally got out of bed by 
4 am.  Sniff and I had our routines and then he went back to sleep some more.


  Too early even for little Sniff.  Not exactly sure why I could not sleep. 
  All I know is that my mind was just always on the alert and yes, Brutus was 
always in my thoughts as was Shadow.  It's going to be a long day.

Mornings here are so quiet.  Not even the sound of cars to disturb you, makes
 for pleasant dreams and sound sleepers...Arvid.  Very relaxing and peaceful.


Waking up this early I would have loved to see the sunrise from our balcony back home.
  I really miss those mornings of the boats passing by and the palm trees swaying
 with the wind.  I miss the surroundings where Brutus occupied every corner
 and where for a few months Shadow was a happy baby.  Sniff is my anchor 
and he is full of love.  He makes us smile and laugh and we love him.

Looking forward very much to going back home soon.  Arvid, Sniff and I really like 
our home here in Branson.  This will now become our summer place.  Weather
 in summer is pretty awesome and with all the trades Arvid can do, 
this is definitely the place for now.  Even so, I miss home.


Good morning everyone, rise and shine a new day begins.
Remember, you will never have this day again so make it count.



I used to love night best, but the older I get the more treasures and hope and
 joy I find in the mornings.  Happiness is the smell of early morning coffee...

~Nadiya~

Dec 29, 2016

It's Different Here...

That feeling you get when you know it's not the same anymore...

Life in Branson, Missouri... definitely a different pace than Fort Lauderdale.  
Yesterday as I went for my manicure and pedicure things got a little dicey. 
 Let's just say I was not happy with the way things were going so I left. 
 I mean, my cuticles were ripped from my fingers and were bleeding.

I miss my nail salon back home.  Having just one car makes it kinda
 difficult to do many of the things I would like to do, on the other 
hand, we do get to spend quite a lot of time together.  Yup!  Missing 
some alone time and my walks on the each very much.


The other day I did manage to go to the outlet mall.  Of course it was packed 
with Christmas shoppers.  Though good, it was also hectic.  Even so I managed to 
snag a couple of hoodies and a sweaters.  Now we are in hoodies all the time.  
Long gone are the days of flip flops and t-shirts.  That is, for now.

My niece and nephew are in Thailand with their dad.  I keep getting amazing pictures
 from them.  Definitely they are having the time of their lives.  Seems like they
 are living an adventure.  Another of my sisters visited Thailand with her 
husband and kids many years ago.  I also remember the amazing pictures
 they took as well.  Life is full of things and places to be discovered.


Here in Branson we have discovered many restaurants.  Mexican food is very 
abundant here and yes we have tried quite a few of the restaurants.  If I 
was not crazy about Mexican food before, now I am becoming a fan.
  We both like it very much.  I love the chips and salsa.


There is always things to do in a house and boy am I learning that.  I am so used to
 condo living that it never really occurred to me all the things one has to do.  Like 
cut trees.  The other day when it was warm, Arvid decided it was a good
 day to cut down some trees.  Meant another trip to Home Depot.  
Home Depot is our home away from home. Yikes!!!


Today I feel tired, like a cold coming.  The weather is weird right now.  We 
wake up to freezing temperatures.  During the day it warms up some, but
 come evenings it drops again.  Think I am getting the flu, but not sure.  
Have had symptoms for days but luckily have not really had anything 
really serious since we got here.  Neither has Arvid.  Lucky us.


To all a very good day.  Today is one of those days I just don't feel like 
running around. I just want to curl up in bed.  Snuggle under the covers and
 read a good book.  Hmmm.. sounds like a plan to me.  Happy day to all.

Everyone has gone through something that has changed them
in a way that they could never go back to the person they once were...

~Nadiya~

Dec 28, 2016

Sniff..Routines

Put passion in your routines and your routines can become passion...

Without fail, every morning with Sniff begins exactly the same.  First he sleeps all 
night with us.  Getting as close to Arvid as possible to the point where Arvid 
and I sometimes have no cover because Sniff is tucked between them.


By 5am Sniff is awake and starts roaming around the room, making as much noise 
as possible.  Arvid sleeps with a flashlight and automatically wakes up, turns the flashlight
 on and points it directly at Sniff.  Sniff somehow gets the message and for a little stops
 what he's doing, but not for long.  By 5;45 I just decide it was enough and I 
get up with Sniff and to the kitchen we head.  It's his foodies time.

He eats, I clean his litter, make my coffee and to my office we head.  He walks right 
in front of you so it is almost impossible to move.  All the while he's meowing 
away.  He knows it's brushing time and makes sure I don't forget. 
 If I do he starts the meowing all over again.  It really cute.


Once there I brush him for a good 10 minutes.  He loves it and just purrs away, walks away
 but comes running right back to me.  If I should so much as move he starts meowing
 even louder than before.  Once he has had enough brushing he scoots away back to the 
bedroom to catch some more snoozes with Arvid.  Everyday it's the same.

Once Arvid gets out of bed Sniff comes running back into my office, jumps 
on the window sill and begins an hour or so of bird watching, squirrel 
watching and if we are lucky maybe a deer will come along.


After that he is so exhausted that even if a squirrel passes he does not have 
the energy nor desire to watch anymore.  Sniff is then down for another 
of his morning naps.  Give him an hour or so and he's once again hungry
 and on the go.  Some mornings he loves to chase the laser light.

When Arvid and I have to go out and do errands, Sniff is not a happy camper. 
 Then he becomes totally energized and wants to be played with at all times.  When 
Arvid moves Sniff grabs on to his leg and tries to climb him and to nibble
 on his pants.  Like a child holding on to a parents' leg so that they 
won'y go, or when having a tantrum.  Sniff is just like that.


When we get back home, Sniff hears the garage door open and stands right in front 
of the door waiting for us.  The other day as Arvid ran off to the store I saw Sniff 
running to the door as he heard the car pulling up into the garage.  Smart boy.

Sniff has learnt that his daily routine is to get up, be amazing and then go 
back to bed.  Like most of our fur babies they have this down to a science.  I love
 my routines with Sniff, but on a regular basis I am not too caught up with routines.
  I like to switch things around.  Yeah, live dangerously.. hahhaha


The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.
Routines also becomes a way of coping.  The less routine the more life...

~Nadiya~

Dec 26, 2016

And So Another Christmas Has Come And Gone...

May the good times and treasures of the present. become the golden 
memories of tomorrow.  Wishing you lots of joy, love and happiness...

It was a quiet Christmas at our home.  The day was warmer than usual which according
 to Arvid was a good time to do some work in the garage.  He just can't sit still no matter 
where we are.  Sniff and I were indoors just cuddled up under some warm covers.
  I was reading and Sniff was snoozing between my legs.  It was good.


On Christmas Eve Arvid and I were invited to a Pizza "party."  We actually did go, and
 it was not bad at all.  Of course Arvid was super happy because it was Papa John's pizza.  
He usually never eats when we go to any ones place, but that night he had a few slices.

There was quite a bit to eat and both him and I had a very good time.  Of course
someone brought chicken wings so I was also super happy.  Any one
who knows me knows that chicken is my favorite food.


Making the evening even better was our host and his Karaoke set up.
 Even Arvid participated.  Usually we would not be doing this, but somehow
here in Branson it just seemed fitting.  Reminds me of how I am
told it is in Norway a little. Made for a pleasant evening.

I missed my family very much.  We spoke several times during the day.
It was good, but not the same.  It was my mom's birthday and we should have have
been there.  Hopefully we will be there next year to celebrate with all of them.

All my nieces and nephews texted all day long, but the one that texted the most
was my youngest niece Lilly Vade.  Hers was the first text I saw when I woke up
this morning.   Made me just want to be there and be hugged by her.


  Lilly loves to hug and squeeze you tight.  It would have been good.
Yesterday I missed my Brutus very much.  Even Arvid said, "2 years now without
Brutus at Christmas?"  Yes Brutus and Shadow... how time goes by.  Sniff makes up a
lot for being loving and cuddly.  Sniff is a good good boy and we love him.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas, spent with friends and family.
May the coming year be better for all of us.  Happy Monday all.

Today is Danielle's birthday.  U. Arvid and I miss you and would
have loved having you spend it with us.  His words!!!


Today is next years Christmas memory.  Make it one that you will
 always cherish, and be sure to enjoy every single minute...

~Nadiya~

Dec 25, 2016

Best Time Of The Year...

Christmas is a time when you get homesick – even when you’re home.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, 
everything is softer and more beautiful...

May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love. 
Christmas is the time of giving and sharing.  It is the time of 
loving and forgiving.  Merry Christmas to Everyone!


Christmas morning at home.  We woke up to warm temperatures for a change.
Arvid called his family as usual and them we both spoke for a while with mine.  Many
are in North Carolina so with one phone call we chatted with quite a few.  Was good.

It goes without saying that Christmas is my favorite time of the year.
 People seem to be merrier and there is so much love going around that the
 warmth engulfs you and for that brief time known as Christmas everyone seems
 to live in harmony.  It should always be that way.  Not only at Christmas.


All over the world there are happy faces waiting for that day just to open up their presents
for some it may be a ton of presents for others maybe just one or sometimes not a thing.

Growing up we were not wealthy.  Our presents were not many if any at all,
 but the love we shared and still share as a family was and is more than enough to make
each and every Christmas better and better. This year unfortunately we will not
 be visiting with my parents.  I miss them, my sisters, nieces and nephews.


Many may have forgotten the true spirit or meaning of Christmas.  Remember it is
not always "I want", I want" but sometimes the best of times are those spent
 sharing with family and friends and just enjoying each others company..

For us Christmas is extra special because it is also our mom's birthday. She is a 
special lady and the thing she and my dad have gone through to make our lives better 
is just one of the many reasons that I will forever be grateful.  My mom and dad have
 taught us that not all in life is about receiving.  Because of them we know that life is about 
family values, love, honesty, giving, sharing and best of all we know that they are always there 
for us.  In the good times and bad times.  I love them and and I am always grateful.


Always remember that one of the nicest things about Christmas is that you can make
 people forget the past with a present.  Many of us sometimes need to "forget"the past if only
 for one day, a few hours..whatever it may be.  It makes for happy times.  Granted the
past is not just forgotten, but in the spirit of Christmas and happy times one can also get
 caught up in the joy, happiness and hopefully see the beauty that is all around us.

    A merry Christmas to everyone! A happy New Year to all the world..
From our home to yours: HAPPY HOLIDAYS.  May the Christmas season 
fill your home with joy, your heart with love and your life with laughter...

~Nadiya~

Dec 24, 2016

Christmas Eve...

At Christmas, all roads lead home.  
Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone...

One more sleep and it will be Christmas Day.  For many it is already Christmas.
Just the thought of Christmas brings back memories that will forever remain with me.
Most of these are from my childhood of Christmases past.  What a wonderful time we had.
Maybe then we did not know it for certain, but today looking back I can definitely say it was
 one of the best times ever.  Sometimes I wish I could go back to being a kid.  Sometimes.


As a tradition on this night our parents used to take us in Old San Juan to see the Three Kings
and the Nativity scene.  In my mind those will always be cherished times spent with family.
 For us this was a special treat because we would have ice-cream and other goodies out. 
 It was fascinating even as a child to see all the lights and to see all the people
gathering around town just having a wonderful time.  I miss those days.


This year two of my sisters and their families will be in North Carolina celebrating 
Christmas with mom and dad.  Also celebrating mom's birthday.  Unfortunately, we could
not make it even though I tried.  The time frames were just colliding with stuff.

It's Christmas Eve, on this day when we were little my dad and mom took
us around and we sang carols, my mom baked and we had a good meal at home
surrounded by love and family.  It was always and still is my favorite time of the year.


Be good everyone for Santa Claus is coming tonight.  Remember it is not 
what we receive that matters, but it's the love we share with each other that will 
forever live with us.  My Christmas wish is to have Brutus back. 

 We don't always get what we want, even so it is one of the best times of the year,
 and yes, I am missing my Brutus so much and little Shadow as well.  I miss 
Liliana and the way life was.  Life goes on and no matter what, there is 
always something to be grateful for.  For that I say thank you.


To all a very good jolly time.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of 
kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having,
 in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time...

~Nadiya~

Dec 23, 2016

Thank You...

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart...

Christmastime, everyone loves spending it with family.  Many a times I have been able
 to do so with mine.  Arvid not so often.  Arvid you see comes as you all know,
 all the way from Norway.  His family lives there and though we are not there, 
it is always due to Victoria and Michael's kindness and thoughtfulness that I
 feel even more connected to them.  For that I will always be grateful.


In Norway they celebrate their Christmas on the 24th.  Every year 1-2 days before
 Christmas Victoria and Michael go into Horten.  Arvid's hometown.  There they
visit with friends and family and one stop that is always on their schedule is a visit to
the cemetery.  They visit Arvid's dad and other family members that have died.

 The nicest part about this whole "tradition" is that Victoria and Michael light a candle,
 and they make a special message to Arvid's dad where they say how much he is loved 
and missed.  My name is always included in that special message.  I must have
 done something right.  It makes me always happy when I see the picture Victoria 
never fails to send.  Every Christmas I wait for that.  It's just a good feeling.


My day is already looking better.  I feel happy and as if I can face whatever
 the day hold.  You see it does not take much to make me happy.  Just
the lighting of the candle and that special message made my day.

To all a very good day.  Remember that it is not always the material things in
 life that makes one happy and gives one the feeling of being loved.  It's that kindness
 from others.  The thoughtfulness and the little gestures that speak volumes.
I am happy and I am grateful for all of it.  Today and everyday.


Sometimes the simplest gestures, smallest compliments or just knowing that someone
 is thinking about you can be enough to make you smile for the rest of the day...

~Nadiya~

Dec 22, 2016

It's That Time Of The Year...

Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill 
my heart with sweet charity.  When snow falls nature listens..

Even in the frigid cold temperatures there is beauty all around us.  At least I see it and 
am always in awe of it.  Just the small things make me smile.  Just the other day as 
Arvid and I were doing a few chores I spotted a gutter dripping.  It was iced. 


 I thought it was really cool.  Of course I had to get a picture of it.  By the time I was done,
 my hands were frozen.  I do not own a good pair of gloves as yet.  My very good 
ones are at home in Florida.  Why??  Even I can't answer that question.

Scraping snow off the windshield of the car is not cool.  It was as you can 
imagine freezing.  We sure are not used to this.  In Florida we complained at times
 of how hot and humid it was, maybe I see the error of my ways.  Maybe.  


Even in this cold weather, we are still doing amazingly well.  Neither of us have gotten 
the cold as yet.  That is a first, especially for Arvid.  It used to be that every time 
we go to Norway, and I'm talking summer, he would end up catching a cold
 because of how cold summers can sometimes be there.  The last time
 he was in Norway for Christmas, he came back home and had the 
cold for weeks.  Now he has taken the flu shot.  So far no cold.


There's icicles everywhere.  I am enjoying the sight of it.  Arvid not so crazy
 about stopping and letting me take a picture, but every so often I manage
 to get my way.  It is after all the most wonderful time of the year.


Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season.  Remember that the magic
 of Christmas is not in the presents, but it is the coming together 
with family and friends and having a jolly happy time.


I'll never outgrow the excitement of looking out my window and seeing snow.  I don't 
need an angel on top of my tree.  I already have some in heaven looking down on me...

~Nadiya~

Dec 20, 2016

Cold Start...

Kindness is like snow.  It beautifies everything it covers. Hot cocoa, 
cold snow, warm sweaters, bright lights.  Soon it will be Christmas day..

We managed to go down the steep driveway, coming back up was another story.
  We skidded a few times until we had to give up and leave the car on the roadside.  
I did not like the feeling of sliding.  Not sure I can ever get used to the 
steepness of the driveway.  I like the flat terrain I am used to.


The nice thing about the snow is that it makes everything look so bright.  
So even when it was pitch back at nights, when I look out I can still see.   Yes, it's
 clear to see I am not that used to snow anymore.  Goodness I am not used to
 temperatures less than 70F.  These last few days the digits have been very low.


The excitement of the first snow is now wearing off.  We did not get that much, but we 
got enough.  Our car has no snow tires.  It is not equipped for this climate.  I guess 
if we will be here for some more we may have to consider doing some changes. 

 What I miss is my car.  Going places on my own and not having to always go 
everywhere with Arvid.  He loves to do stuff I don't necessarily like, but in order
 to do my errands we have to do everything in "one run" as he likes to say.


Right now I would really like to take a walk on my happy place. To all a very 
good day.  Not many more days until Christmas.  Since coming to Branson, 
I have not really done much shopping of any kind.  Different times.  Different life. 
 Different scenery.  I asked for a change.  I got a change.  Well we both
 asked for it.  They say be careful what you wish for at times.


This will be Shadows first Christmas in heaven and Brutus' second.
I am missing my kitties very much.  Especially my baby...Brutus.

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just 
want to do is pick them from your dreams and hug them for real...

~Nadiya~

Dec 19, 2016

It's Christmastime In The City...

Christmas is the time to say "I love you."  Share the joys of laughter and good cheer.
Christmas is a time to say, "I love you" and a feeling that will last all through the year..

We may not have many Christmas decorations at home, but our neighbors front 
yard is always lit up. Makes up a little for us not having much this year. 
My favorite Christmas decoration are Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus
 given to us by Arvid's mom and dad many years ago.


  If there was one decoration I would put up every year that was it.  Brutus also loved it.
  I wanted to bring it here, but at the same time did not because it belongs 
at home in Fort Lauderdale.  It makes for warm memories always.


This very moment I am homesick and I miss my surroundings and some.  Can't wait
 to go home and be close to all the things I know again.  I miss my car and being
 able to go places on my own.  I need a little alone time right now for sure.

Branson is a very small place, but from what I have heard there is a fabulous display of 
Christmas lights in a place called Silver Dollar City.  We have not gone there as yet.
  Currently it is so cold that they have had to close down the light display. 
 Hope to see it before the holidays are over.  That is of course if it 
reopens.  Everyone is allergic to the cold.  Even the lights.


Just a few more days before Christmas.  Not so long ago Arvid surprised his family
 in Norway. Arvid loves to surprise people.  I am not crazy about surprises.  I visited my 
family, but it was not a surprise.  They knew in advance, but on the other hand I'm sure his
family was more than happy to have a surprise like that and did not/would not  mind it all all.


Yesterday was the first "snowfall" for this winter.  It looked pretty, but at the
same time the car skidded going up the driveway so did I.  Landed on my butt.
That's flat on my butt.  Learning experiences.  "New" all over again.


 I still found my way out in the snow to get a few pictures.  I have not experienced
cold like this in a very very long time  Not since I lived in New York City.
 One of my sisters and her family is currently enjoying the warm weather in the
Sunshine State.  Wish I was there to celebrate the holidays with them.


To all a very good day. May this week be even better than the last.
My mission today is to stay warm.  Hot chocolate kinda day today.  Again.

When I was 5 years old my mother always told me that happiness was the 
key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when
 I grew up.  I wrote down "happy".  They told me I didn't understand
 the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life...

~Nadiya~

Dec 17, 2016

Hello Frigid Saturday...

It is so cold outside, I just saw a teenage boy with his pants pulled up.
Dear old man winter, we have had enough already... Brrr

The days of shorts and t-shirts seem so far away.  This is how Arvid 
dresses these days.  Definitely we are NOT in the Sunshine State.


Like I have been mentioning before, Arvid and I are fore some reason
thriving in this cold weather.  Not exactly sure what it is, but so far neither of us
 has really had one of those days where we have said, "I want to go back home."
 At least it has not happened as yet.  As I has said many times..so strange.

The other day I asked him, "do you miss Florida as yet'?  His answer, "not as yet."
As long as Arvid is trading, running around and staying busy  don't think much will
 bother him.  Of course it's cold, but combined with the excitement of a new
place and new things to do...well let's just say there is no complaining
 of how we want to go back home.  Not as yet anyway.  So far so good.


I miss a few things.  Quite a few things, but I know we will go back home and
because of that it is all right.  I am also getting to learn about the surroundings.
Enjoy the change of the scenery.  So different form what I am used to.

  Different is not always bad.  Arvid wears what I call his "uniform"  Hoodies as soon
 as we step out to door.  For those who know him, you know he has bought many of
 the same.  According to Arvid ,"if it fits, then I may as well get a few."


To all a good day.  Just remember that being different isn't a bad thing,
it means you're brave enough to be yourself.  That's my Arvid in a nutshell.

I hear Florida calling me right now.  I am definitely ready again for flip flops,
 warmer weather, sunshine, booming flowers, birds singing and green grass.
It's Saturday, big shirts, messy hair music and coffee kinda day here...

~Nadiya~

Dec 16, 2016

Happy Friday..

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems
 don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.  
 Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and 
making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next....

Friday. Not exactly the typical Fridays we are used to.  No music lately and I definitely
 miss the Fridays at Flip Flops where we would just sit, watch the boats go by and 
enjoy a fruity drink with one of those pretty umbrellas.  That being said it is
 still a good day.  I still have my fruity drinks when I want to and though
 the scenery is dramatically different, life is still good.


I miss my walks on the beach.  My time alone where I can just listen to the sound 
of the waves, feel the sand between my toes and for those moments just have my thoughts 
to myself and let them take me wherever they may.  I still have those moments, 
just a different setting.  It's still good and for that I am grateful.

I enjoy the mornings with my magazines, cafe and Sniff and no matter where I turn I
 always see a picture of my Brutus and Shadow.  Yes, every room  go they are there with me. 
 Last night was not so good for me.  Brutus was on my mind so very much.  More
 than usual.  As always in these moments Sniff Sniff was right there with me.


  Close. Warm and so loving.  We love our Sniff Sniff, but Brutus is and will always
 be my baby.  Shadow.  Too painful to think of...he was just 4 months old.

Today is probably a fixing up stuff kind of day.  Maybe another run to Home Depot.
Hopefully will also get to visit the outlets a little.  Arvid seems keen on it as well, so who
 knows.  Our morning is cold.  Some tell me it may snow this weekend, but I don't think so.


Good morning all.  Happy Friday and wherever you are, whatever it is you do, 
always make it the best possible time of your life.  The holiday spirit is everywhere,
 and no matter where you are, there are beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

When you finally get something good, enjoy it.  Don't always go looking for something
 better. Everyday may not be good, but there is always something good in everyday.

~Nadiya~