Blackhawks WIN!!

If you plan to win as I do.

the game never ends.

Chicago ain't no sissy town...

Yes we are Florida Panthers fans, but when in Chicago I am all for the Blackhawks and
if you saw the game last night you will also say..
GO HAWKS!!

 Can't wait for the weekend and hopefully catch some of the festivities going on.

We have been very fortunate to be in Chicago for two of their winnings, 2010 and now 2013!

Being our last year in Chicago, could not ask for anything better than
enjoying with the city the Blackhawks win!

Once you win the Cup once, you feel like it's yours. You don't want to give it up

~Nadiya~ 

Tuesday...

The secret is keeping busy, and loving what you do.
 In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by...

Wishing everyone a good day and hope that is is better than yesterday.

Quiet day yesterday here in Chicago.  Still iffy weather,

but we made the most of it and we keep busy.  Giving Brutus his medicine

was a bit easier as I was able to do it alone and without much fighting

from him.  Of course we had to do a little hot tubbing to make the day better.

Now that we have soon sold our apartment here in Chicago, I am already

looking forward to going back home to Florida.  Don't get me wrong,

I love this city, but right now we need to be close to a vet and close to a doctor 

for Arvid. Does not help either that so far we have not had any decent weather.

Even so, Arvid and I sure are making the most of our days here.  The weekend 

was great, we revisited a few of our favorite spots and look forward to doing 

more of the same before our time here is up.   As a special treat Arvid
was filmed at the Blues Festival.  Here is the link
"Arvid The International Blues Fan"

 One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged.

Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself...

~Nadiya~                    

Medicine Time...

I only worry so much because I care for you.

Difficult does not mean impossible, it simply means you have to work hard...

For the next three months Brutus has to be give medication orally.
  For those of you who have a cat or a difficult pet,
you will know that this is close to being impossible.

We started his treatment on Saturday.  This is Brutus all wrapped tightly in a towel.

Arvid holding him down and then I am the one who dispenses two syringes

 with medicines into him.  Yeah, did I mention he has to take two different 

antibiotics?  Not a happy moment, not for him not for us.  Yesterday Arvid ended 

up getting one of his fingers scraped.  Looked a little worse than
it actually was.  Lots of blood.

A few hours after we gave Brutus his medicines Arvid says to me, 

"you know I don't want Brutus to be mad at me.  

We have a really good bond and I do not want him to view

me as the enemy".  Conclusion: I will give Brutus his 

medicines alone.  This is actually OK with me because I think
I can manage better.  Use my body weight to hold him down then
squirt the medication in.  Let's hope it works good!

Arvid will prepare the dosage so in this way

as Arvid puts it, at least Brutus will not hate both of us.

Makes sense.  I think this got Arvid very concerned that Brutus will
no longer like him and as Arvid says, "Brutus may no longer want me as his Guardian".

What can I say the man has a big heart and Brutus and I are
the recipient of it.  Yes, we LOVE you also!

Wishing you all a good start of the work week!

Everyone needs someone to make them feel that tomorrow is not just another day...

~Nadiiya~

YES!

Yes, I know I can't sing. Yes, I'm going to keep singing anyway.

You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great...

We all know people who will always try to tell us we can't do this or we can't do that.

We have the choice of either agreeing with them and take the easy way out or we can look the straight in the eyes and say, "watch me"

I would like to think of myself as one of those who does not listen to what the

crowd has to say.  I follow no one but myself.  Many times I have been wrong, but

in the process I have learnt that I am strong and that no matter what,

I will survive.  Maybe I could have listened along the way, but stubbornness is something 

I have in excess.  Not saying it's always good, but it has also 

showed me the way through many a difficult times.

Being with Arvid is the perfect fit because together we always prove that no 

matter what we can do it, and if we can't we will always give it our 

best shot.  So next time someone tells you you can't,

just prove them wrong...

Yes I can, and yes I will.  Watch me.

Never throw in the towel.  Use it to wipe off the sweat.

Then keep on going....

~Nadiya~

Fun Days...

Some of the best times is travelling around the world

with the one you love...

Here in Chicago the last thing one needs is a car in the city.  We of course do not own one here, but every so often it is nice to rent one and just go places.  Today is one of those days and exploring we will go, so much to see in this city.  Maybe the zoo would be nice :)
Last year as shown we checked cars.  This year maybe more of the other areas can be fun.

Both Arvid and I get so excited just by the thought of driving.  That is something after a few weeks we miss.  Just jumping in the car and going wherever we like.  So far the urge is not that great, but Arvid saw a few things that caught his attention so now we must go and look.  At the same time we also take the opportunity to stock up on some of the heavier items we may need. 

 Litter for Brutus being one of those.

The weather here has been very iffy.  One day it's sunny, next day it is thunder, dark skies, fog.  Strange.  Yesterday was a stormy day.  Just the right kind of day to relax and enjoy the hot tub.

Earlier in the day I was at Macy's, my favorite store in Chicago.  It is after all 12 floors, so  

I only managed to visit one level.  On my way home there were several Mobile Blackhawks Stores.

Yeah, a van selling Blackhawk gear.  I have been looking for 

the right tee-shirt and what do yo know, I found it right there!

  There was also the mobile van offering Spa's for pets.  Maybe it's time

for Brutus to have a pet spa day soon.  Not sure how he would handle that one.

Well time to start our day on the road.  Today Brutus also begins his treatment.  Hopefully in three to four months he will be better.  Another good reason to rent a car.  We can now go pick up his medication.

Wishing you all a good Saturday...

When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead...

~Nadiya~

Selling, Selling, Sold...

It's time to move on...

I am OK with it, but then I am not.  Selling our apartment in Chicago that is.

We talked about it, we decided on it and we did it.  It is the 

right decision, but does not mean I don't feel a little sad. 

Arvid and I have made moving part of our lives.

We have lived in so many places, I have lost count.

Moving from Las Olas was easy, though a beautiful apartment

I was not really attached to it.  I felt for Brutus mainly.  He loved his view there.

We had (still have) as second home in the Bahamas.  We were going there almost every month.

It was the perfect getaway until it became a little

too much for Brutus to handle.  As far as I am concerned

once Brutus is unhappy it's time to move.  We still love 

the island and still visit on a yearly basis.

Through the years we have learned that it sure is great to have a second home, at the same 

time we came to realize that it becomes expensive to maintain, difficult to use

it as much as we want and what was one day a pleasure was soon becoming a responsibility.

Chicago

Chicago is one of the most beautiful cites I have lived in.

Already planning when to leave and what to take.

The good thing is we have at least until August

to enjoy Chicago.  You will be seeing many posts

regarding this topic, for you see both Arvid and I

love this city, but we also know we made the right decision.

Arvid realizes that this is a little sad for me.
He asked me if I would like to take a trip
to Mexico, where we also have another place, but I said not
this time.  So instead we will take a trip to my parents'
where my sister and kids will also be...

Moving on, it's soon to be a chapter in the past,

but don't close the door

just turn the page....

~Nadiya~

Being Arvid...

Apparently we love our own cell phones but we hate everyone else's...

Earlier in the week I went to AT&T and the Apple Store to get a few accessories for my phone and other gadgets.  I love gadgets and for me it is always a fun time.  I love to check out the new products and to see what kind of upgrades I am entitled to.  Fun! 

This day was no exception.  I got what I needed and some stuff I did not.  As I was waiting around another salesperson came and asked me if I needed anything.  I looked at him and said, "what can you give me for free"?  I mean almost every time I go to the store there is some sort of promotion and I always end up with a free something.  Unfortunately, not this time.

Not wanting to leave I continue to browse around.  Now I am asking about upgrades for Arvid.  Anyone who knows him knows he has one of the oldest models of a phone.  Truth is, he is very happy with it and anytime the subject of changing his comes along he just says, "why?  I like my phone and unlike your phone, I can actually make a call on mine".  Arvid claims my IPhone is good not nothing.

I got some pretty good deals on phones for Arvid, unfortunately he specifically told me NOT TO BUY him any!!  said he did not want nor need a new phone that his worked just fine.  Left the store, but in the back of my head I was already wondering how to get Arvid to upgrade.  I knew it would not be a Smart Phone.  He refuses to even think about it.

Once home I showed him my purchases. Was not really that interested anyway.  I brought up the subject of a new phone.  Nope!  Not for him he said.  Yesterday, I brought it up again and told him that he could actually have his same phone, but a newer version.  His "old" phone is 6 years old.

He said that as long as he does not have text, email or any of that "nonsense" he would consider it. 

After a lot of convincing we went to the store.  One would think he was being forced into something very unpleasant by the way he was reacting to having a new phone.

Long story short, we got the "new" phone but as we left he continued grumbling saying he does not know why he did it because his phone worked just well.

See Arvid hardly turns on his cell phone.  Arvid hates when he receives a text.

He never reads it, deletes it and get annoyed at whomever sent it.

He says all he needs a phone for it to make calls and nothing else.
Arvid is Arvid.  Definitely does not embrace change.
As I said to him many a times rmember
life is trying things, new things
and seeing if they work..

Change is never easy

you fight to hold on

you fight to let go...

~Nadiya~

Always About The Weather...

You know what they say about Chicago. 

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

One thing about Chicago, you can never predict what the weather will be from minute to minute.

For instance, yesterday we had beautiful sunny 84 degrees.  was the perfect summer to be here.

When I woke up yesterday morning you could hardly see anything outside.

The fog was so thick that everything was just white, also it was 

pretty chilly at barely 56 degrees.  At 2:34 it has not really warmed up that

much but the skies are now blue as can be and it looks beautiful again.

Unfortunately, it is going to get cold again tonight.

According to the forecast for the rest of the week, 

the weather sure is going to be fluctuating quite a bit.  

As both Arvid and I commented, when we live in Florida we never 

pay attention to what the weather will be.  We know it will always be sunny 

and hot.  Here in Chicago, you never know what to expect.

Have a good day all and as Arvid just said,
"it's going to be a beautiful day"
The warm up is coming (hopefully)!!

I think that’s how Chicago got started. 

A bunch of people in New York said, 

‘Gee, I’m enjoying the crime and the poverty,

 but it just isn’t cold enough. Let’s go west...

~Nadiya~

Observation...

I am strong because I know my weaknesses. I am wise because I've been foolish.

 I give in because I've tasted loneliness I smile because I've known sadness... 

I come from a family of strong, determined and capable women. 

 Our role model is our mother.  My very first memory of her and, 

I see a woman who never complained, who no matter what life threw at her,

 she was always ready to receive the challenge, and challenge it was.

From a very young girl I always knew it was my moms strength that held us grounded.  

My mom did not have an easy life, but she never let it show. 

 She was always there for us and always there when we needed her.

I thought that life was a harsh at times for me.  I thought it was unusually difficult at times,

 but even so I managed to pull trough and to face another day.  

Today even with difficulties I know I have a good life 

and I know that I can face whatever it throws my way.

  Arvid, Brutus and I will and can do it.  

Yes, I thought of me as brave.

I have four sisters.  As with everyone they also face challenges daily. 

 More so because they have kids and I know that being a parent is not the easiest thing in the world.  Nothing is predictable and when you least expect it life throws you a curve ball.

Seeing the way my sisters handle life makes me admire them everyday more and more. Not having kids is like living on easy street.  My nieces and nephews age ranges from 5 to 20.  Not easy judging by what I hear.  The stories my sisters tell are enough to make me a nervous wreck, but like parents they handle every crisis in stride and most times never let it overwhelm them.

Yes, they are the brave and courageous ones.  The ones with the strength.
The ones who daily face the unexpected and are always there when their child needs comfort,
love or just someone to listen and not judge.   Being a parent is not always easy.
I watch and learn from them and from my friends with kids,
but I also know that the rewards are one of a kind.
I know they would not have it any other way,
 but boy does it always have to be so challenging?

To all the parents out there who make it seem so easy, you are every child's hero.

As a girl I am weak, as a woman I am strong, 
and determined to never bow my head to wrong... 

~Nadiya~

Style Mistakes That Age You...

Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself inside and out...

Just read this and thought it was pretty informing so I thought of sharing with all of you.

Changing up your look through fashion and beauty choices is fun, but there are some mistakes we all make that actually cause us to look OLDER we are. Uh-oh, no one wants that!  Here are some tips from The Thread, host Rachel Perry that will shave years off.

Dark lipstick - Deep shades make any surface look smaller, and that includes lips. Opt for a brighter color and/or a hint of gloss--it will make your pucker seem fuller and more youthful.

Too-sleek hairstyles - This can make your face look drawn and emphasize every pore, wrinkle, and imperfection. Try a more textured, looser option--a loosely pulled-back 'do takes five years off your face! Also, keep in mind that helmet-headed updos can be disastrously aging. Stay away from too-voluminous bouffants.

Over-concealing dark circles - We're all guilty of this one, guys. We want to hide those bags and under eye circles, and sometimes we get carried away. Take it down a notch with a light concealer, applied with a brush only to the dark spots--not the WHOLE under eye.

Cakey foundation - Heavy foundation sticks to and emphasizes wrinkles. Who wants that? Choose a tinted moisturizer instead. Once applied, take a damp sponge to noticeably wrinkled areas. It will remove any excess foundation!

Lower lash mascara - This packs a double aging whammy by bringing attention to crows feet and making eyes appear smaller and more tired. Instead, curl only your top lashes and apply the blackest mascara you can find--it will bring out the whites of your eyes while making them look bigger.

Short necklaces - Chokers are a bad move as they bring attention to your neck--an area that begins to show aging early on. Bring the focus down with a long necklace which will elongate both your neck and your figure for an all-around slimming effect!

All I can say is, do what feels comfortable.  Not because an "expert" tells you this is right or wrong means you have to listen.  Using a little commons sense and some good judgement is sometimes all we need.  Wishing you a good day and why not "play" around a bit as I did with some makeup and judge for yourself and see what works for you! 
Remember, people will stare, make it worth their while.

Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.
Beauty is a self confidence directly applied to the face...

~Nadiya~

Father's Day....

I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father's equal, 

and I never loved any other man as much...

Daddy thank you for all you do for us.

Thank you for always being there.

Because of you, I know am a good, kind, 

compassionate, determined, strong and capable person.

All I know is that I am a lucky girl.

My dad was always my hero.

Today he is my inspiration to be all I can be and to never give up.

My dad is no quitter and he made sure his five daughters aren't either.

Dad you taught me the love of a father. In your arms I was always safe. 

You taught me selflessness. To you I am forever grateful. I love you dad.

Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance...

~Nadiya~ 

Nirvana Kimberly... Kimsy

Some people are special cause of what they say or what they do,

 but you are special to me because of  who you are in my life, 

and the way you care and treat others. 

Just by being you,  you've made all the difference...

 Kimsy was born in Puerto Rico in 1997.  She is 16 years old today and just like Reshma, I look at her and I don't know where the years have gone by.  Time is going by too fast. We last saw Kimsy in December of last year and seeing the beautiful young lady she is today made me realize that I am a very lucky aunt.  I have beautiful nieces who are both wonderful inside and from outside and who love me.

Kimmy grew up Bilingual.  Now she is also fluent in French and I think she has picked up some additional languages due to all the international travelling she has been doing.  

Kimsy is growing up in a circle that one only reads about in magazines, yet she is grounded, kindhearted and always there to help out.  To know Kimsy is to love her.  She is soft spoken and a fierce defender of her brother J.  She is my little celebrity jet-setter niece.  Just thinking of her and I smile.

I remember one year when visiting them in Puerto Rico, she insisted we go to the Care Bear Shop and get ourselves a care Bear.  She already had a huge collection, but just seeing her so excited made me get caught up in the moment.  So we both walked out of there with new care Bears and a big smile.  Today Brutus enjoys playing with my Care Bear:)

Thinking about her makes me long to see her, J and my sister.  All my nieces and nephews are SMART!, but there is something about the girls that take them to another level.  Kimsy is no exception.  She excells in everything.  If there is something that needs to be done, guess who is volunteering?  

Sometimes her mom has to plead with her to not volunteer to do everything.  So far not sure it is working.  This summer Kimsy will be doing a camp/study at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.  Boy time does go by fast.  

still have my
lil' mysulf

Combined with her modelling, school, social and volunteer work it's a miracle she has time for much more. 

I love you Kimsy and I will always be here for anything you ever need.
I know there is nothing that if you decide to do you can't.
You are unique and special and the world is an open book.

Happy Birthday and we hope we can see you all soon.

There will always be people in your life  tell you U can't.  
Look them in the eyes and say WATCH me!

~Nadiya~

Early Riser..

Everyday is a gift, but the longer you wait to open it the smaller it gets.

Good Morning All...

Brutus has not had a very comfortable night. 

 He has been awake most of it and even though both Arvid and I did sleep,

 I have been awake with him since 4am.

It is very nice to wake up to a beautiful morning and a beautiful sunrise

 and to be able to take care of Brutus.

This morning it was easier giving him his medicine because I caught him by surprise. 

 I am happy to say that he drank some water and has been eating fairly well (though messy).

Friday is always a good day and it looks to be a beautiful one.  Yesterday was an extremely windy and fairly cold day as you can see by my wild hair, but perfect for all the walking we had to do before picking Brutus up.  Arvid and I visited the pawn shop where Hardcore Pawn Chicago is filmed.  

Hardcore Pawn Chicago

The owners asked if we would like to be in their show.  You never know...

In the meantime, we have our apartment listed.  Maybe will treat Arvid to lunch at 

PF Changs...one of our favorite places.

Have a great day everyone and never forget to be thankful for what you have.

Enjoy and practice kindness.

Every day’s a perfect gift of time for us to use.

Hours waiting to be filled in any way we choose.

Each morning brings a quiet hope that rises with the sun.

Each evening brings the sweet content that comes with work well done.

Don’t worry,

Be Happy!

~Nadiya~