Not Happy...

Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to deal with them...

As of last night 8pm Brutus had no food because today he had to be at the vet's office for 8am to have some tests done.  Here in Chicago just like in Florida all he seems to be doing is going to the vet.  We hope with these new tests being done today, we will find out what is going on and how we can treat him.

Exactly at 8pm last night he wanted food.  He was just standing looking at Arvid waiting for him to follow and take him to his foodies.  Did not happen.  As usual it just made us sad to see him looking so "depressed"  Brutus knows how to manipulate us really well and it really works.  He has us doing exactly what he wants and manages to make us want to do his bidding.  Strange creatures our pets.  We love them to death and we hurt for them just as we hurt for any of our loved ones.

After we did not get out of bed at 5am, Brutus cried and cried.  Arvid not being a morning person just looks at him and says, "shh shh go back to sleep now like a good little boy"  Well, that sure didn't stop him.  From then on Brutus was running all over us and jumping on the headboard just willing us to get up and feed him.

I got up and immediately he dragged me to where his food should be.  Well I almost (almost) gave in, but because I know what could happen I just looked at him picked him up and tried to soothe him.

Soon it was time to get Arvid up.  Not easy because he is NOT a morning person.  After that we got Brutus put him in his carrier and to the vet we go.  Brutus sees the taxi and starts to cry.  Not sure how much more of this he can handle.  Seems that all he does is go to vet after vet.  This is now our fifth trip with Brutus in a taxi to the vet.

Now we wait.  To kill some time we plan on heading out until it's time to go and pick

Brutus up and bring him home.  Yes, when we left him we were both sad.

Coming home to an empty home is strange. 

On a cherry note.  The Chicago Blackhawks, (hockey team) won the first game 

against the Boston Bruins last night in the third overtime.  Boy was that a tense game. 

Hope they win because the last time they won, 2010 the city of Chicago partied for a week!

GO HAWKS!!!!!

It's not always trying to fix something broken,
it's always about starting all over and
creating something better.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination...

~Nadiya~

Settling In...

Don't be afraid to start over, it's a new chance to rebuild what you want.

Everything happens for a reason...

The Blues Festival is over.  It was a good time and though the days started out cold it always seemed to warm up during the day for the festival.  Made us happy and we were able to enjoy it much better.  We saw some new artists who were really very good and a few we already knew, and they did not disappoint.  Overall it was good and knowing it will be our last one as Chicagoans made it bittersweet.

Now it's back to taking care of business and two things on our mind.  Get treatment for Brutus and list our apartment for sale.  So far, Brutus has already been to the vet three times.  Yesterday he was there to have his blood taken so that when he goes back o Thursday they will have a better idea as to what is going on and how to treat him.  That is what we hope.  

Brutus is being so very good, but he really does not like being in a taxi.  Both Arvid and I are with him so that seems to take some of his stress away.  Today as he was having blood drawn, we heard this scream.  Both Arvid and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, "awww it's Brutus"  Yes, Brutus is a screamer, but just like a kid as soon as the needle prick is over so are his screams.

Next thing on our agenda is selling our apartment.  Traumatic because we have to keep it spotless and we have to just put most of Brutus' things away.  He does not like this so we are hoping it sells fast, but that we can stay until the end of summer.

It's listed and now have to be prepared to show it at any given moment.  Not ideal, but it is doable.  

What better way to end the afternoon by having a nice and relaxing time at the hot tub.  Brutus also had a moment with his dada.  He just jumped up on Arvid's lap and stayed there for quite a long time.  Both of them had a good time.
Wishing you a good day and remember, life is too short to wait..

And they lived happily ever after...

~Nadiya~

Different Views...

There will always be someone else with a different view than you.

 I appreciate them and would never say that they are wrong. 

I hope that they would give me that courtesy also...

We all have different views on things.  That's what makes this world such
an interesting place.  I can definitely say Arvid and I see things differently quite often.

When it comes to having a positive outlook in life two people stand out right away.
Arvid and our niece Danielle.

Arvid at times is so always positive that I sometimes suspect he just lives in this fantasy world,

but I know better.  He always sees possibilities rather than the negative.  Danielle is the 

same.  Nothing fazes her.  Just about to graduate from high school and she is already 

a force all on her own.  Just listening to her puts me in awe.

I am not a negative person, but unlike Arvid I am realistic.  I like to talk 

about things whereas he would rather "pretend" all is good.  I like

to confront issues, where he thinks that if you leave it alone then the 

"problem" goes away.  He claims this is because he is positive.  maybe he has a point.

Guess we are all different in how we view things.  I have learnt in life if you
talk things out, it does not necessarily make you a negative person.
Arvid feels that if you ignore it it will fix itself...

Wonder who is right here?

One who is too insistent on his own views, 
finds few to agree with him..

~Nadiya~

When A Pet Dies...

                                      No heaven will not ever Heaven be. Unless my cats/pets are there to welcome me..

love

Saw this now a few times on different friends postings and it touched me the first time as it has all the other times.  It goes like this:

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month. The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her
that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to swim and play with balls. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.  Love, Meredith

my sister, her family and their doggie Jaxen

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey and Meredith and this note:

My sister and family with their doggie Tex

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

another sister's doggie..Dexter

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find. I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

My sisters and I have been fortunate to have grown up with pets.  My parents always had a German Shepperd and from the time we were little we knew what it was to love and care of someone else.  When our pet died we always said never again, but then another doggie would attach to our affections and we were again smitten.  Having a pet is a wonderful experience I would highly recommend.

then we were four girls and our dog Rajah..

Now we are all grown up with families of our own and a pet.  We are the lucky ones.

Our pets are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

Death ends a life, not a relationship...

~Nadiya~

Happy Sunday..

Play the moments,

Pause the memories.

Stop the pain.

Rewind the happiness...

Wising everyone a great day and hope your weekend so far has been good.

We are back in Chicago so that by itself is great.  We have been to the Blues

Festival since Thursday.

Today is our last day for the Festival and probably our last for a while.

It started out COLD, but has since warmed up. Not hot but at least not freezing cold. 

The first day I even had to wear gloves. 

At nights even Brutus has to stay close to us to keep warm.  

We both love it because he is so warm.  The day was made

even more perfect because we got to see fireworks from our balcony.

Yes, this is the Chicago we so love.

A little more Blues today and then to catch up on other things we enjoy

in this city.  To all, have a great day and always have fun!
Don't forget to present in all things and thankful for all things.

Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.

~Nadiya~

Cool App

Just play and have fun

enjoy the game....

All of a sudden I see quite a lot of people using this app on Facebook.

Being me, I also had to download it and check it out.

It's free and for a while it is pretty cool

and keeps one entertained.

Check it out in the app store.  It is called

InstaWeather.  For a while when you are just sitting

and want to be crative you and play around with it.

InstaWeather and  InstaPlace

Yep, I'm having a good time playing with it.

You will too.

Be your own fun...

~Nadiya~

Musical Weekend Begins...

Music gives soul to the Universe,

wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination, 

and Life to everything else...

Arvid and I have been going to Chicago every year since 2006.

What made us buy an apartment in Chicago was the music.

Here we are at our fist Blues Festival in Chicago.  Once we experience the city

we knew we had to come back every year for the summer.

This will be the last year we will be living in Chicago.  It has been one of the best 

experiences in our lives.  I have lived in many cites, including New York, California and 

Fort Lauderdale.

I love Chicago best.  Were it not for the weather I would love to live there.
I have to say since we have been here it has been unusually COLD!

Chicago has similar weather as Norway.  You never can tell when it 

will suddenly get cold, even so I love the summers here.

Soon time to go and enjoy the music.  I can already hear Arvid

pacing around waiting for the weather to warm up.
  He's always ready for some Blues...

Actually last night we had a little taste of it.

One good thing about music, 

when it hits you, you feel no pain...

~Nadiya~

Decisions, Decisions...

In the end we only regret the chances we did not take,

the relationships we were afraid to have

and the decisions we waited too long to make...

I'm sitting here thinking about what we will do about Brutus and how sad

 it makes us to even have to consider the thought of going through with an amputation on him.  

My heart breaks and the tears just flow freely.

We look at him and we see this healthy little kitty in every other way and

all we can say is, "why him"?  After a few moments of feeling

sorry for everything happening to him, Arvid and I always come to the conclusion that

no matter what, we want Brutus with us for a very long time and will

do whatever it takes to make him healthy again.

If this means we have to amputate on of his limbs

then that is what we will do.  I have read quite a lot on this 

subject, and I know he will still be able to have fun and best of all he will

have a full and healthy life.

Yes, we will do what's best for him, even if it breaks our hearts.
Yesterday was our first day in Chicago.  Already Brutus has been
evaluated by two different doctors who have given us something
to think about, even if they have not seen anything like what
he has before.  Brutus was really good through all of this, but totally
exhausted and stressed by the end of the day as were we.  That being said,
what better way to relax than by going to the hot tub.  It is extremely cold here
in Chicago and gloomy looking since we arrived :(

As you can see, Arvid is already zoned out.
New day and lots to do.  I want to say that Brutus' paw looks a little better,
but still have to decide what we will be doing with him....

Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it...

~Nadiya~

We Made It...

Home is an invention which no one has yet improved.

Home is any four walls that enclose the right person...

Greetings from Chicago!
Yes, we are back!

The apartment looks really good even though it was closed up for 8 months. 

 Pretty soon Arvid and I will be enjoying the balcony and the views 

while Brutus sleeps like the baby he is. 

 Some of the best moments we have here are spent just sitting on the 

balcony and enjoying the view.  Yes, I am going to miss Chicago very much.

Arvid uses this balcony more than any other balcony we have had.  He loves to sit and just watch the boats and not be bothered with phones, laptop or any other distraction.  He enjoys having Brutus watch him from inside and falling asleep next to him.  

One of the things we really enjoy here is the pool and hot tub. 
 Even though we live in Florida, we have used the pool and hot tub more in Chicago.  
Looking forward to this very much. 

Yes, it's good to be back.

Walks in the park, Danielle, music, good food and always happy times.  

We are in Chicago.  We are home if only for a few months.

Let the good times roll..

~Nadiya~

Back To Chicago...

You know what they say about Chicago. 

If you don't like the weather, wait fifteen minutes...

It's soon that time of the year again.  Only a few more hours until we are in Chicago, and both Arvid and I are just so ready to get there.  This will be our last year in our condo.  Bittersweet, but we have to do what's best.  Seems like Arvid has had Chicago on his mind for quite some time now.  I love the city and will be sorry to see our condo sold, but it's for the best.

 Chicago has been described as "perhaps the most typically American place in America."
Chicago, where the people are casual, living is carefree and where we have time to just enjoy the city.  Packing my  backpacks and sneakers as we speak.  The only two items  I use just about everyday.  No walking in stiletto heels in the park like we see many girls here in Florida.  No need to pile up the makeup as is the norm here.  Just a relaxed lifestyle and where people are more practical in just about everything. 

We arrive in Chicago a few days before the Chicago Blues festival this year.  

We may not know many of the artists this year, but that will not stop us from having a good time;  all I want is for this year no rain and please don't be as cold as last year.  Two years ago Arvid's brother and girlfriend also visited and we had a ball with them.   It was so cold she had to actually buy some winter clothes and rain gear.  We still had a good time even though I caught a cold.

One thing for sure though, the weather is very unpredictable...

I love Chicago in the summer and Florida in the winters.  The summers in Chicago are humidity free so unlike Florida.  Guess we better enjoy this last summer because as of next year it will be humidity summertime in Florida!  Weather wise Chicago is very much like Norway's summer.  Warm in the days (hopefully) and in the evenings cool and refreshing.   

We hopefully have all four months to enjoy Chicago this summer.  That is unless
Brutus gets sick and we return back earlier than scheduled or maybe if the apartment sells.  
Hopefully Brutus will be good and we can have a great time in Chicago.
As usual we are excited to be going.  This year I am a bit more concerned, but 
still looking forward to being there.

In Chicago we are always out and about, walking all around the city. 
 We can already begin to feel the excitement of experiencing city life all over again.  
Next blog will be from Chicago!
Whoever said,
"I adore Chicago. It is the pulse of America" got it right.

But when I go to Chicago, I know I'm home..

I miss everything about Chicago, except January and February... 

~Nadiya~

Good Start....

Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start...

Good morning friends.  Hope this is the start of a great week ahead.  

Lots to do these next few days because in a little we will

be in Chicago.  Before starting the day,  I think I will 

just enjoy my cafe with Brutus as Arvid continues to sleep.

Brutus and I are always up early, ready to watch the sunrise

and to get the most of each day.  He enjoys a little brushing

and a little morning affection before the day gets busy.

He also enjoys watching me read and have my cafe.

Together we have a little time to bond and to relax before the day gets hectic.

Brutus has a calming effect on both Arvid and I and we are so grateful

to have him in our lives.  One of the best things to have 

happened to us was to bring Brutus into our lives.

It was the start of a wonderful life....

Remember everyone, keep your face always towards

the sunshine and the shadows will fall

behind you..

Have a good day.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart...

~Nadiya~

Moments In Time...

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment 

until it becomes a memory...

I guess you can say we are in for the rainy season already.  Yesterday Arvid and I had a little road trip.

 Just a few hours drive from home.  From the moment we started until we returned,

 the sky was dark and the rain did not seem to want to stop.  

Even so, we were having a good time together.  

As Arvid drove, I managed to get a few pictures.  This always seem to annoy him 

because he says it's very distracting to hear click click all the time. 

 Me I was enjoying myself and as usual was trying not to pay attention.  

Driving was hazardous so when it was my turn to drive, 

Arvid made sure all my gadgets were far from my reach.  

It's not as if I text and drive it's just that Arvid is just too much sometimes :) 

When we got to our destination the rain miraculously cleared.  

We viewed that as a good sign and decided that it was

 time to take some time and explore our surrounding, 

enjoy a good meal and have a little fun time. 

 Of course it was time to take a few pictures.

On our way back home, more rain.  

Seems like it has decided to stick around for a while.

All Arvid kept thinking of was Brutus.  

He said, "let's hurry home now because soon we might have

thunder and lightning.  This will really scare the boysie". 

 I was driving so of course I sped up even more that the speed limit. 

 As usual when we open the door, the first thing we see is that cute little face.

This is our last Sunday for a while in Florida (hopefully).  

As usual Sundays mean we go out for a nice lunch and outing.

Hopefully the weather hold and we can make it to our favorite spot...

Whatever your day holds, have a fun time. 

 Enjoy and Cheers!!!

We do not remember days

we remember moments...

~Nadiya~

New Day...

Sometimes when life gives you a hundred reasons to cry,

show life you have a thousand reasons to smile....

It's the start of a somewhat dark, gloomy and wet looking day, but even so Arvid and I have lots to do today so for us it's just a regular working day combined with some fun and some sightseeing.  Yep looking forward to experimenting some more with my photography skills.

Soon we will be heading out to Chicago, so lots of loose ends to tie up.  No matter what, I am excited to be going to Chicago as is Arvid.  As he says, we have no clue how long we will be gone this time.

I wake up early every morning with Brutus, and as of recently I have been wrapping his bad paw with a damp warm cloth.  Somehow he seems to know we are trying to make him better.  He lays and just lets me wrap him in the warmth of the cloth without protests.  We feel at a loss because we really have no idea WHY he is not healing.

Anything for Brutus

Arvid should not be on his knees but something about Brutus brings him to his knees daily.
 Makes me smile always and for a little we forget that Brutus is not well
we just see a happy kitty and a happy mama and dada.



Sometimes you just have to smile,
pretend everything is OK,
hold back the tears and just keep moving forward...

~Nadiya~