Thankful Always...

Never let the things you want make 

you forget the things you have...

Talking to my parents and to my sisters yesterday, they all tell me that fall is

already in the air.  They already feel the chill of winter approaching..

This is when I am happy to be living in the warmer Florida climate. There was a
 time I lived in New York and though I love the city, I never got used to the 
freezing winters.  I hated to be bundled up in so many layers of clothing.
  I love the fact that here in Florida we can always wear summer clothes.

Or go to the beach all year long (this though, we never do).  Another good thing

is that one can do is drive their cars with the top down all winter long.  If we

 so wish. Yes, I feel fortunate to be able to have warm climate all year long.

 Many, like my sisters and parents love the change of seasons and they

enjoy the winters.   Arvid, Sniff and I not at all!  We like warm.  Coming back

 from Chicago we have had the AC on at all times.  Sniff is sneezing non stop,

 and Arvid swears that it's too cold inside the apartment.  It's only 78F

 My parents and two sisters at one time called Florida home.  Today they
 unfortunately no longer live here and seem to be happier in their new States.  

I an currently experiencing difficulties with uploading pictures to my blog 

and a few other things with the blog.  Hopefully will get it fixed soon. 

Wishing you all a good day and never forget to ask yourself,

:what are you grateful for today?  You'd be surprised.

Gratitude is a habit of the heart...

~Nadiya~

Sunday..A Good Day To All

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile 
can work wonders and accomplish miracles...

Hello everyone.  Hope your day is a good one.  Sunday in Fort Lauderdale is looking 

beautiful.  The waterways are calm, the fishes are hopping, and watching the boats pass by 

is definitely very relaxing.  Sniff has "found" a butterfly, and is keen on catching it. 

 Only thing is that the butterfly is on the outside and sniff is on the inside.

Neither of us wanted to make an early start this morning.  So we spent time

 with the sleepyhead (Sniff).  He loves his sleep as much as Arvid and he 

loves sleeping close to us.  Since coming to Florida he sleeps every night

 with us on the bed and very close.  Keeps Arvid nice and warm.

Whatever it is you choose to do today, don't forget to add a smile.  Makes you

 feel good and it makes everyone around you feel good also.  Remember, a

smile is happiness you'll find right under your nose. Have a good

 Sunday and whatever it is that you plan to do enjoy.

Be kind to each other and enjoy another beautiful day given to us.

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness....

~Nadiya~

Riley Vinay Turns 14...

Nephews like you are more precious than gold,

because they keep their aunts and uncles from getting old...

In the midst of Hurricane Matthew, my nephew Riley Vinay is celebrating another
birthday. By the way hurricane Matthew came and left without even so much as rain,
for us here at home in Fort Lauderdale. We have been lucky, but I was hoping
 at least for a little excitement.  Nothing.  Calm and clear today.

Riley Vinay turns 14 years today.  All he wants for his birthday is to go exploring the

 caves in Virginia.  Riley NEVER asks for much, so it is a shame that Hurricane 

Matthew will also be causing problems their way and as my sister said, 

"no way will we go to a cave that is flooded."

To know Riley is to automatically love him.  Not only because he is my nephew.  He is the
whole package of love, tenderness, kindness and smiles put together.  Riley was born 14
years ago in Florida to my youngest sister, Rima and my brother-in-law George.


The boy has a heart of gold and he loves all god's tiniest of creatures. Understandably

 he would like to discover what lays in those caves.  The tinier the creature the
happier Riley.  Just thinking of him it's hard not to smile. Riley is always
saving all the little animals and creatures that crosses his path.



Fearless when it comes to protecting the less fortunate.  We all think he will make
the best veterinarian of all times.  There is something about him that touches you deeply.
  Could be his quiet demeanor and his shyness, but what ever it is, it leaves an
impression on everyone that comes in contact with this amazing little boy.

 Maybe it's the eyes that speak volumes or maybe it's just the way

he hugs you and tells you he loves you.  Whatever it is, Riley is loved dearly

by Arvid and I.  Arvid calls him The Professor.  Maybe because of his

reading glasses that are way too big for him.  Did I forget to mention that
Riley's hero has been and still is his older brother Gabsy.  

Whenever we visit, Arvid always makes time to go to Riley's room and to talk to him.
 He does the same for all of them.  It's always heart warming to see them together.
Then Riley gets out of his shell and blooms into the "professor" as Arvid calls him.

Within the last year Riley has experienced a tremendous transformation.  Not
only is he mature beyond his years, but he has developed an even more protective
attitude towards his siblings and parents especially towards his mom.
Riley is happiest when hes with his doggies, Lilly and his brother.

If Rima,  my sister has a sad moment, (we all do), Riley is always there to comfort her,
 to tell her that everything is going to be OK, and to always remind her how much she
 is loved and how much she means to them.  That's Riley in a nutshell.  One
of the most caring, compassionate and loving persons we know.

Happy birthday Riley.  Auntie Nad, Uncle Arvid, Brutus, Shadow and Sniff love you
and wish you always the very best in life and all you do.  You area one in a million.

We love you and that will never change...

~Nadiya~

Hurricane Matthew...

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst...

This is all that is happening right now in Florida, at least all the news reports here

 in South Florida is all about Hurricane Matthew.  Florida has been hit hard 

many a times, so even though I may make light of it, it is serious for 

everyone especially for those who have lived through a major one. 

 Example Andrew.  People here take it very seriously.

So far here at home it is fairly quiet.  Yesterday morning all the boats were heading 

North.  Just in case something should happen.  We expect lots of rain, but otherwise

  hopefully nothing more than that.  The skies are clear and blue as of now.

Yesterday Arvid and I were busy from the morning to until 3pm.  After that I said to

 him,"come on let me take you to lunch."  We were tired and I did not feel like 

cooking.  Flip Flops it was for our favorite chicken wings.  More like his 

favorite wings.  I like the drinks best, but the wings were also good.

This will be Sniff Sniff's first hurricane.  Hopefully he will be calm and not get too

 scared should there be thunder and lightning.  He's OK with rain, and of course we 

will be with him all the time.So far he has been a good boy.  Just like always.

In preparation for Matthew, we have brought in all our outdoor furniture.  We have enough 

water and dry food supplies.  What I fear the most is the power going off.  It will be 

hot as hell and staying in the condo can become extremely uncomfortable.

I did another run to the grocery store and Publix was just empty.  The shelves had 

nothing.  All water supply was sold out.  Most paper stuff were gone, canned 

foods gone.  Ice gone.  Bread gone.  Yes almost everything was GONE!

Wishing everyone a safe day especially all my Florida friends and family and 

those who are also in the path of Hurricane Matthew.  Remember

 they say that to be prepared is half the Victory.

There is always a part of my mind that is preparing for the worst, 

and another part of my mind that believes if I prepare

 enough for it, the worst won’t happen...

~Nadiya~

11 Months Ago Brutus Died... 7 Months Ago Shadow Died

It has been said, "time heals all wounds."  I do not agree.  

The wounds remain.  In time, the mind protecting its sanity, covers them 

with scar tissue, and the pain lessens.  But it is never gone..

The last time I held Brutus.  At 8:15 on  we dropped him off at the vet. He was 

scheduled to have an amputation. That was going to take care of the recurring infection

 on his paw.  I held him for a long time. I can still feel his warm body in my arms.

The amputation was just a routine surgery. That's what they told us.  As we were
 leaving the technician said to us, "will you please sign this release form?  Saying 
we can resuscitate should anything go wrong."  I signed the papers, and
 half jokingly I asked, "he's not going to die is he?"  She said, "so far it has 
never happened."  You know the rest.   Our Brutus, my baby died.  11 months
 ago today.  He took a chunk of my heart with him.  How I miss him.

November 10th.  In comes Shadow into our lives. Just a little energizer kitty. 

 He had no fear and he was just a baby. Arvid and I were so busy grieving for Brutus, 

but Shadow was such an active little dude that it was difficult to not notice him.

 He demanded attention.  Arvid played with him so much. I did too but I will be 
the first to admit that my heart was not always into it.  Shadow was a baby, and I 

lovingly did everything for him, except I never got the chance to say. "I love you." 

 Something I will forever have to live with.  I'm so sorry little Shadow. I never got
 to tell it to you, but you know I love you.  I made you chicken everyday.

 Mama loved you and it breaks my heart that you never had a chance to grow 
up.  I hope you and Brutus are together.  Keeping each other company and I
 hope you both know how much I love you and how I miss you everyday.

They say time is a good healer.  I know it is because I have been through grief 

before. It took years and years, but I moved on.  I do get the flashbacks, but the
 pain is not as intense and as painful anymore.  One day I hope it will be the 
same again.  Today no one can take away the grief I have in my heart.

Time they say is your best friend.  I know they say that time heals nothing unless
 you move along with it.  I'm trying and I am moving along.  Slowly, but it is
 what it is right now.  Yesterday Arvid and I had our first walk since coming
 back home.  It is still hot and humid, but we enjoyed it.  Was good to see 
palm trees everywhere again.  Since we have not had time to take 
our  cars to the cars wash Arvid decided to do it himself.  

He likes it.  He says it's a good exercise.  Of course I was there, but this time as an 
observer.  I spent some time by the pool sipping on wine.  Yes I who hardly
 drink wine discovered it can be pretty good sometimes.  When in 
Norway this summer, Victoria had some very good wine at their home. 
 I tried it and liked it very much so every now and again I indulge.
  I had a little quiet time by the pool so it was good. 

Good morning everyone.  Here so far it is a beautiful morning.
There are more glorious days ahead, this should be our joy for today, 
and luckily it will be a very busy day for us.  Staying busy is the key here.

Healing is an art.  It takes time.  It takes practice.  It takes 
love. The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very 

one that heals it. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, 
love leaves a memory no one can steal...

~Nadiya~

Home Again...

Memories warm you up from the inside. But they also tear you

 apart.   My memories beat inside me like a second heart...

As we left Chicago memories of last year came flooding back to me. Last year 

we left with Brutus. Who was to know that in exactly one month after that he

 would die!!! If you would have said that to me I would think you were crazy.

This year we left Chicago with Sniff.  He was not medicated.  We did it when we 

left from Florida to Chicago but that did not go so well.  Within a few days of 

arriving in Chicago we had to take him to the vet. Like Brutus Sniff was extremely

 good in the plane.  He did give a few hollers in the taxi and a few meows in the 

plane, but overall he was very good. He sat the entire time with Arvid. 

I wanted him on my lap, but Arvid said that he was sleeping 

so we did not want to disturb him too much.

I did not think I was going to be sad when we left, but truthfully we both were. 

 Even so,  looking forward to going home.  As the plane took off from Chicago I thought

 of Ana and Queta and it made me sad. I thought of Brutus and made me even sadder. 

Queta texted me as soon as we landed asking how Sniff handled the flight.

 I wrote this as we were up in the air.  I was thinking of opening the door when we get

 home, and it is with a heavy sadness knowing that no Brutus will be running up to us! 

 No wonder Arvid said it felt different.  For me in that moment it was an empty 

feeling in my heart when we walked in the door.  Don't get me wrong, Sniff is

 a joy and we love him.  It's just home has always been, Brutus, Arvid and I.
Tomorrow is 11 months without our Brutus and 7 months without Shadow.

I hope Sniff likes his Florida home.  Chicago's condo is much smaller than our 

Florida home so I know Sniff will enjoy the space and the running around.  His first

 night was spent wandering around, a few cries now and again.  It is still a little

 unfamiliar to him.  He's checking out every little nook and cranny around.

I am not the type of person to be sad all the time. I am usually happy, easygoing 

and I laughed often.  I miss that person.  I want me back. Of course to get me back

 I have to work on it. I am. Yeah I am, but some days are just hard.  Leaving 

Chicago was harder than I thought but for whole bunch of different reasons.

Soon it will be a year that Brutus died. I have not held him in a year.  An entire year 

soon that I am missing my Brutus. Also it will be 7 months since that little Shadow died.

 I'm just a little overwhelmed right now, but being home and close to them and

 seeing both Shadow's and Brutus' favorite spots at home makes me feel in

 some way closer to them.  At least I tell myself that it will be so.

I have never dreamt with my Brutus nor with my little Shadow.  Is that normal?  

Shouldn't I at least be able to dream with them and "see"them?  Why won't they come 

to me in dreams?  Don't they know I NEED to see them?  I need to see you Brutus!!!!!!

Here at home the only thing you hear is Hurricane Matthew.  The stores are almost all
 sold out of water, canned foods, Home Depot is almost sold out of all things needed in
 an emergency such as a hurricane.  Here in Fort Lauderdale, we expect rain by
 late Thursday night early Friday morning.  Unless of course things change, but
 for now we are pretty much safe at home.  Just in case I have made a bag with
 supplies ready in case we need to go to a hotel with Sniff.  He's coming.  

When Brutus was alive we always had a bag packed for him.  In Florida the word 
hurricane is not unfamiliar.  People just go crazy and buy everything out.  Most people 
would have supplies for months if what I saw going on in the grocery stores today.  
I did not buy much because if we lose power it all goes to waste.  Have water
 for us and Sniff.  Food and litter for Sniff.  We are set and ready.

The big question on the international news these last few days has been:  Is Florida safe?
What can I say?  We live here.  We have seen a few.  We have seen destruction, but
 fortunately we have been "lucky"  Yes we have had direct hits to places we have lived, 
but we weathered the storm without damage.  Sadly many have not been so fortunate.

Today has been a beautiful day so far.  Sniff is getting more familiar with his home. 
Arvid and I have been very busy.  Already yesterday we have made a few trips to 
the warehouse among other things.  The apartment is messy.  Papers, mail, 
"junk" and stuff everywhere.  Slowly it will get back to "normal"

Hope you have all been having a good day so far.  Still lots to do.  Staying busy
 has it's merits.The mind and body gets worn out by night.  Last night we
 were both bone tired.  For once we both slept without interruptions 
all night long.  It's been a while that this has happened.

There are memories that time does not erase... Forever does not 
make loss forgettable, only bearable. Memories are bullets. Some whiz by 
and only spook you. Others tear you open and leave you in pieces... 

~Nadiya~

Florida..We Are Home..

Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people
 are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more..

We are back in Florida.  Home where Brutus lived a happy life with us.

The truth is Brutus lived a happy life anywhere we were as long as he was with us.

As we walked into the door I was almost expecting to see that little face around 

the corner running up next to us.  I almost did.  We are now home with Sniff.
The strangest thing was Arvid saying to me, "it just feels different"

I asked him what he meant and grudgingly he admitted that it did not feel like home
 right away.  Said something was missing.  I know what that "something" is

For the few months we had Shadow, he sure know how to to enjoy himself.  He played 

constantly and just as suddenly he would be so tired and suddenly he would fall asleep.

Shadow was just a baby.  As you can see he did not care if his body was all on the sunbed. 

 He was tired and all he wanted to do was sleep.  He also loved his fresh boiled chicken

 I made for him every day.  When I opened the freezer last night I found a little package of 3

 chicken breast strips I had for him.  I still did not throw it away. Maybe in a little. 

Now it's Sniff's turn to call Florida home.  So far he has enjoyed his home in Chicago.

Now we look forward to making him a happy home with us here in Florida.  It's a"new" 

start for all of us.  My heart misses my Brutus all the time.  I know he's dead and never

 coming back.  I look at pictures of Shadow and all I see are those big eyes full of trust.

It's good to back home again.  Can't wait to get out.  Use my car and just roam 

around on my own for a little.  I am sure Arvid is looking forward to seeing some of the 

Wednesday gang also.  Life is already very busy when we are in Florida, but I like it.

It's morning and it is a beautiful day here at home. There is NO place like home.

The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and 
it feels even better to come back.  Home is where I am with you...

~Nadiya~

End Of Another Summer In Chicago...

Summertime in Chicago is over.

Bye Bye summer time...

This summer like the ones before, we have had very beautiful days sitting out in the

 sun and looking at the boats pass by as we enjoyed something to drink and something

to nibble on.  One of of favorite things to do in the city is to just walk around

 and see everything around us.   Of course, I never miss taking pictures.  One 

day I will look back and reminisce.  So far it is still my favorite city.

The one thing about Chicago that you can count on is that the weather is completely 

unpredictable.  One minute we are out in the sun with shorts and feeling all nice and 

warm and then all of a sudden it is windy and cold.  As soon as you are in the

 shade you need your sweater and in my case a few more warm clothes.

This summer has been excellent as far as the weather goes, but these last few 

days have been colder.  Like I have mentioned before, I am enjoying it, but Arvid not 

so much.  And to think that he is a "Viking"  At least he likes to say that.

As usual when it is this chilly it is always good to jump in the hot tub and warm

 ourselves up a little.  We have done that quite a few times, but not as much as we did last 

summer.  We probably have the nicest pool/hot-tub area in all of downtown Chicago.

Yesterday was very emotinal.  Ana, Queta and Jose came to say thier goodbyes to Sniff.
As soon as Sniff heard their footsteps he woke up from his nap and ran to the door.

In they came and Sniff was all over then.  He loves them and they love him.  Seeing them
touch him, talk to him and hold him was also emotional for me.  They cried as they left.
 I will forever be grateful to them for everything they did for him.  Sniff and us were
 lucky the day we met them.  Until next summer, but as Ana and Queta said, "please send
us little Sniff videos and pictures whey you are in Florida."  Of course we will.

Suddenly this little girl and her mom have made it hard to say goodbye.  They say that
 if you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.



Once back home in Florida our week is looking very busy.  It's back to busy days.
Yes, I am looking forward to being very busy again.  It keeps the mind from wandering
to places I don't want it to go.  Most times it works.  We are going home.

Happy Sunday to all.  There is always something new to learn and feel each day.
Remember wherever you go, no matter the weather, always bring your own sunshine.

How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to
May I never miss a sunset or a rainbow because I am looking down...

~Nadiya~

Last Saturday In Chicago...

Always end the day with a positive thought.  No matter how hard

 things were, tomorrow's a fresh opportunity to make it better...

Yesterday.  Wet,  windy and pretty chilly. I loved the coolness in the air. The rain did 

not bother me. In fact I was out for a while going to a few of my favorite places

 before we have to leave. Arvid was not having any of this wet weather. 

He was home painting.  For this summer we have done all the fixing up 

we will do. Always good to leave something for next time.

Sniff as usual has been sleeping quite a lot. Not sure if he likes the cold weather,

 on the other hand anytime I open the door for fresh air he's right there poking his

 face out.  He's cute sniffing all the time and trying to catch anything that flies.

Arvid and I went to House Of Blues. Little music. Drinks and some food. The
music was not that good but everything else was. I even got me a few Blues 

items from the store.  Also got Arvid a little something.  Happy time.

Of course no outing would be complete without stopping into Macys. The store was 

alive with music,  a fashion show and they were giving out makeup samples from

 just about all the makeup counters. Yes I got me quite a bunch of free samples.

 I was very happy. I also had "free" money to spend so for me it was an awesome time.

 I went alone so I had all the time to look around and check things out at my own

 pace.  It was a lot of fun finding something I "had" to buy.  You see the "free" 

money has an expiration day.  The "free" money" was fun to spend.

All things considered, I have had some very good times here this summer.  The best 

thing to happen was we met a kind, humble and loving family. They became Sniffs petsitter,

 and my friends. Yesterday Queta and I were talking and it was with tears in her eyes that

 she said how much they will miss Sniff. She and Ana her daughter have been just 

pure kindness to him.  They bought him a toy house as a going away present.

 They made leaving him when we went on the road so much easier.  He was cared for 

and loved just like I do for him.  Sniff hears them in the hallway and he runs to

 the door.  That is what will make me the saddest.  Knowing that they will

 miss Sniff and he will miss them.  They love him very much.

I have also made friends with Amanda who also became Sniffs sitter when Queta

 and family were in Spain and us in Norway. Amanda is funny and so very fun to be with. 

We had some good times with her and her husband.  Hopefully next year will be better.

I have spent quite a lot of the day cleaning and packing as well.  Arvid paints and I clean. 

Works good. Sniff is always around watching. After a while he gets bored and falls 

asleep.  It's our last night here in Chicago.  Today we will go to what has become one 

of our favorite places this summer. Navy Pier and dinner at Margaritaville.  After that I 

know we will be ready to go home.  Sniff, Arvid and I are soon going home.

Our time in Chicago has come to an end.  It has been good, but this year I am not 

sad to be leaving.This has not been the best year for me.  Our Brutus died.  There 

is not a day that I don't think of him and miss him.  I miss him all the time.

Shadow then came into our lives.  Full of life and a baby.  He was non-stop energy.

Thinking of him I just smile.  He was fast and active.  He died and I have not

 gotten over them.  Too much grief.  Too much sadness going on.

Sniff now brings new hope to me.  He is a very good boy.  He is loved and he

will have a great life with Arvid and I.  He is not my Brutus, but he is his own self. 

He is Sniff and I love him very much.  I am grateful he's in our lives.

Chicago still remains our favorite city of all times.  Next year will be better.

To all a very good day.  Something I keep telling myself, "you can't have 

a better tomorrow if you're still thinking about yesterday all the time"

Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The
 best  is yet to come.  Your life does not get better by chance it gets better by change...

~Nadiya~