Jun 23, 2025

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~

Jun 22, 2025

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~

Jun 21, 2025

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~

Jun 20, 2025

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~

Jun 19, 2025

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~

Jun 18, 2025

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~

Jun 17, 2025

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~