And So Begins A New Day....

When shifts and transitions in life shake you to the core,

 see that as a sign of the greatness that's about to occur... 

Life is always an adventure.  Takes you places sometimes you never expected.  Throws 

you surprises you never wanted, but it's life and you cannot change what's happening.  

One can only change oneself and either go with the flow or stay stuck in the same spot.  

Stuck is what I have been and am, but I a working very hard to pull myself out of it.

They say that a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. I am very

 ready to start taking those little steps.  My Brutus lives in my heart as does my 

Shadow.  Not a day goes by that I don't miss Brutus and don't think of them. 

Forever Brutus will be my baby.  I still have some not so good days, 

but I also have some very good ones as well.  Life!

 Sniff is here and and he wants love and I have lots of love to give.
Many times life is not what you wanted.  Not what you expected,
but always something to be thankful for.  No matter what.

To all a good day.  I can feel a new beginning coming towards me and I am

 willing to give it a chance.  Yes, I am running to it with open arms.  It's the best way

 to heal and to move on.  One has to push oneself to do the things that need to 

be done.  I'm willing and ready to give it a try.  Sniff is a good start.  He makes 

everything better, and I have grown accustomed to that cute little face.

To all a very good start of the weekend.  Stay warm and always be 

thankful and grateful for the privilege of waking up to a new day.

November is the month to remind us to be thankful for the many 

positive things happening in our life.  November, please be good to me...

~Nadiya~

Hello Wednesday...

November, the last month of autumn, but the beginning of a 

new adventure;  time to take risks and to do the unexpected...

One year and 16 days our Brutus has been dead now, but hey who is counting?  Today 

after all this time, at 4:40 am, I dreamt with Brutus.  After that there was no more sleep for me.

  He was in a men's room which I accidentally went into. I saw him and I picked him up. 

He had on a red collar. Means he had a new home.  That's the first thing that popped into 

my head.   My Brutus had a new home and another person who loved him. At first I was positive 

it was my Brutus. Then a little hesitant, but then I saw his paw and I knew it was him. 

My Brutus had a new home, but I was going to take him back with me because he was

 my Brutus. But he had a new home.  This is the first time in one year and 16 days that

 I have dreamt with my Brutus. Is this a sign? I have been awake since then.

When Arvid woke up I told him about my dream.  He said, "no, no, Brutus only

 had one home and that was with us."  We love you Brutus. Play with you little brother and 

know that mama and dada miss you and your brother, but we also have little Sniff.

Arvid and I have been on the road.  Of course somehow that trip "took" us to our 

favorite city.  Chicago.  I have to say we have been and are pleasantly surprised with the 

weather.  It's cold.  Very cold when compared too Florida, but on the other hand much 

better than what we expected.  The first 2 days were bright, sunny and "warm" 

Chicago style.  Enough of the cold though.  Soon time to find warmth again.

Some of what I captured of the super moon as we made our way into Chicago. Yes,

it's wintertime in Chicago, but the boats are still out and the scenery is still gorgeous.

Sniff Sniff is at home.  Waiting for me.  I have missed him, and am missing him, and 

look forward to soon seeing him again.  We have gotten accustomed to that little face.

Good morning world.  Wishing you all a great day.  Cold is coming to everyone

 and it sure is cold right now for us as well.  Bundle up.  Stay warm and like us enjoy

 hot chocolate and if possible stay under the covers for just those few extra minutes. 

 Makes a difference.  Leaving you with a Chicago sunrise.  Just amazing all the time.

November, please be good to me.

But baby, it's cold outside...

~Nadiya~

Kindness.. It Goes A Long Way

Man can alter his life by altering his thinking...

Woke up this morning with a great sadness in my heart.  Nothing is wrong 

here at home.  Just watching the news sometimes is enough to make 

anyone feel depressed and a bit fed up with the world.

So much suffering going on sometimes I wish I had some magic to make

 the world a better place.  Take away the killings, the suffering 

and just wishing everyone can get along better.

It bothers me to see animals being tortured and killed by cruel and heartless

 people.  Why?  What's your pleasure in hurting a tiny little creature that

 cannot defend itself?  Something that never hurt you in any possible way?  I 

just think of Brutus, Shadow and Sniff and can never imagine someone

 wanting to hurt such a defenseless and precious thing.

I think about families torn together by jealousies and just plain misunderstandings. 

What can cause brothers/sisters/friends etc to just ignore each other and treat

 each other as strangers.  It must be heart wrenching to live this way. 

 I feel for all those families torn apart for no reason at all. 

To all of you I say...clear up that misunderstanding.  Call your mom, your brother,

 your sister.  Tell them you love them.  Life is too short to not enjoy them to the fullest.

I come from a very close knit family.  We grew up respecting each other and appreciating

 each other.  I hope this never changes because there is already way too much bad 

stuff going on in this world.  Love one another that's the best example you can give

 to your children and it's the best way to make this world a better place.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. 

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.. Remember

 that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something. 

 A mistake made by many people with great convictions is that they will 

let nothing stand in the way of their views, not even kindness.

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. ....

~Nadiya~

Beautiful Time Of The Year...

Good times come and go, but memories last forever.  Blessed is

 the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love...

The picture below is courtesy of Starbucks.  Sets the tone for the Holidays.

Thanksgiving is the next Holiday and then Christmas.  Used to be my favorite

 time of the year.  Now it has lost some of its magic for me, but the "child" in me

is still amazed at the wonder of it all. The magic of the holidays has begun.

Christmas scenes from our favorite city.  Chicago.

Home in Florida it is always a beautiful time as well.  Last year Shadow
spent his first and last Christmas with us.  He was a happy little boy.

This year will be Sniff's first Thanksgiving and Christmas with us.  We look forward
 to many many more with him.  Wishing everyone a good day and may you all
 enjoy this beautiful season that is here.  Nothing like home for the Holidays.

Whatever you decide to do make sure it makes you happy.
One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day...

~Nadiya~

Happy Weekend All..

Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless....

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear 

when you get up close to them..have a good weekend all.  It sure goes by too fast.  

Some say why wait for the weekend to have fun?  I have to say it is always

 a good time to have fun and enjoy life the day does not matter.

I don't know about you, but I am sure ready to kick back and have some relax time.

The weekend is upon us, and I think we should all take time to do the things 
we love and be around our most cherished family and friends! Happy Friday!.....

~Nadiya~

Friendship...

A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversation or being together.

As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part...

It only takes a little something to put a smile on your face no matter what else is going on in

 your life at that moment.  A kind word, a little token of friendship, it just makes your day 

even better.  My friend Anna made my day.  My weakness is T-cups.  She sent me a little t-cup 

all the way from California.  What's special about it?  One of her kitties is named Taino.  

On the t-cup, as she said there are Taino kisses sent to us.  Now, how can one not be happy 

after that.  As I have my cafe I'm still smiling, and all I can say is thank you for your friendship. 

 20+ years and going strong.  That day we met in California, was one of the best days for me.

  Even though it was also one of the worst times in both our lives.  Strange.  The worst

 of times and the best of times happened during that time in our lives.

You know how they say that we may not have everything we want, but we have everything 

we need?  It's true.  I have good friends, I have a good and loving family, and that includes 

my Norway family of course, I have Arvid and Sniff, and I have my best friend Anna.

Yes, I have what I need and for that I am always grateful.  As they say there is always 

something to be grateful for.  My question to you is: what are you grateful for?

To all  a very good day.  Never forget that true friendship multiplies the good in life 

and divides its evils. Strive to have friends; for life without friends is like life on a desert 

island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him/her is a blessing.

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it

 back to you when you have forgotten the words....ANNA

~Nadiya~

A New Era...

Regardless of who wins, an election should be a 
time for optimism and fresh approaches...

America has spoken!!  Between my parents, sisters, nieces and nephews we had a very 

tense night.  We were/are not in aggreance as to the same candidate, but even so we

 spent hours and hours chatting online.  Making our predictions as to the winner.

  Some of us are very happy about the outcome, and of course some aren't.

The world is in shock.  Russia is happy Trump has won.  China is shaking and many
Americans are seeking citizenship in Canada.  The country is is an uproar.

Stock markets around the world have plummeted, but things will stabilize soon.
  Always change brings fear and change brings uncertainty.  A new family is
 about to leave a Manhattan penthouse and head to the White House.

Everything predicted a Hillary win.  But I guess the people decided to seek change in
the last minute. America has spoken and Donald John Trump is our new President.
Now everyone deal with it and move on.  He may not have been the best candidate, but
 now he's President.  Sorry Anna,  Reshma, Danielle, Max, and all the others who voted Blue.

Donald Trump's Accepting Speech

To all a good day and like everyone says, let's all hope for the best now and hopefully
 we can all work together as a team and make America a great country.

You win some, you lose some.  This is not the end of the world.

~Nadiya~

Life's Simple Pleasures...

Finding joy in simple pleasures paves the way for a peaceful,
contented and easy life.  Simple pleasures are life's treasures...

I wake up every morning and I see Sniff.  Then I know it is going to be all right.  It's Tuesday 

morning and Sniff and I have already done a few of our "routines"  He's fed, brushed and 

sitting comfortably in one of his favorite spots by the window.  Now he can see everything.

Election day today.  The United States of America will be making history one 

way or the other..Again.  Waiting game now, but soon we together with the rest 

of the world will know the outcome.  No questions as to who my dad is voting for.

My dad was very active during the elections in his hometown in North Carolina.  

I love him so much.  Everything he does he does it with happiness and enthusiasm.  I 

know I took after him.  He is the most generous, kindest and honest person I know. He is 

after all my dad and all the values we his children have came from him and my mom.

The weekend was packed with boats going back and forth.  It was great to just sit out
on the balcony and watch as the boats paraded one after the other.  Relaxing.

Wishing you all a good day and may you always take time to enjoy life's
 simple pleasures.  Remember life brings simple pleasures to us everyday.  It
is up to us to make them wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures...

~Nadiya~

Monday November 7th..

Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have...

Sniff has now been a part of our lives for 8 months.  Shadow died 8 months ago, 

and Brutus a year ago.  It has been a heck of a year, but this little kitty has been

 a blessing in so many ways and for that we are grateful.  He keeps us guessing and

 he's always pulling a new stunt.  Sometimes not always "good" stunts.

Sniff has saved me from losing it completely.  He keeps me laughing and though I miss

 my Brutus all the time, Sniff fills our life with new joy and a hope that the future is looking

 up in midst of sadness.  For that I can never stop saying thank you.  Our Sniff in 

so many ways reminds us of Brutus.  He also has a few of Shadow's hyperness. 

 It's a combination of all the ones we love put together in Sniff.

You know they say that there is always, always something to be thankful for. 

 Sniff is our thankfulness.  He's the little kitty that just keeps giving and I love him.

It is not happy people who are thankful.  It is thankful people who are happy.

Life is full of give and take.  Give thanks and take nothing for granted...

~Nadiya~

Hello Sunday...

The sun is starting to rise OH-OH these are beautiful times.  Everything 

starts with a sunrise, but it's what we do before it sets that matters...

It has been so far a very good start of my day.  Saw the sunrise with Sniff, and 

we both enjoyed some quiet time watching the sky change colors and the boats 

pass by.  He was fed, brushed and held as well.  Good for both of us.

Today most likely we will have dinner with friends.  Think most likely Kaluz.

As of this minute I really an not feeling like going out with anyone.  I like 

these friends very much.  So it has nothing to do with them.  It's more me. 

 Don't feel social and chatty.  Have to see how the rest of the day pans out. 

Good morning everyone.  Always remember that each day that the sun rises,

 hope soars.  Yes, I keep reminding myself of that as well.  Have a great Sunday all!

Life is getting up an hour early to live an hour more.

May every sunrise bring you hope.  May every sunset bring you peace...

~Nadiya~

A Year Without You..

Our pets lead us from patience to love and then to loss, but it is always a journey
 worth taking.  I would do it all over again just so I can have Brutus and Shadow back...

It's one year today that our Brutus died.  One year ago and I miss him as much today as I 

did then. I will be the first to say that on November 5th 2015 my life changed.  I did become

 a different person.  I am  sure that the person I became is not the person I want to be.
You see the person I am is full of sadness and grief that just comes and goes.

I don't cry everyday anymore.  I don't scream everyday anymore.  I just carry a 

heartache in my heart that no one can take away.  One day I hope it will be better.

I have no children.  Brutus was my baby and my baby died.  For me it is a loss that 

as of now I cannot get over.  I think Arvid dealt with the loss of his dad better 

than I am dealing with the loss of Brutus.  But then Arvid is Arvid.

We all grieve differently.  Some move on faster than others and then you have 

some like me who are sorta stuck.  Add to that the loss of Shadow, it's a miracle I

 am still sane.  If you asked Arvid he will say I am NOT that sane anymore.

My Brutus left his paw prints in my heart that no one can ever replace. 

You left me and you forgot to tell my heart how to go on without you.

Brutus made me happy.  For me the saddest thing has been that the one who gave me
some of the best moments in my life is now a memory.  A beautiful memory that
I treasure, but I don't want a memory.  I want the real thing.  That not being possible,
 I treasure every single memory of my Brutus and the ones we had with Shadow.

A year has gone by fast. I don't exactly remember all of it.  I do remember the emptiness
 and the heartache.  You see I still feel the heartache, and the void Brutus left will
 always be there.  Shadow came like a whirlwind into our lives and just like
that he was gone.  We did not have time enough to really build that
strong of a bond, but my heart screams at the injustice.

Sniff is now in our lives.  We love him and we look forward to year and years with him.
I will move on.  I want a change in my life as well, but I know that in order to have
change I also have to give on my side.  No matter where we go, what we do or
who we are with, my heart was shattered the day our Brutus died.  When
Shadow died it was destroyed.  When we got Sniff, I knew that
 there was and is a bright future for us.  There is always hope.

People move on faster than I have.  I am sure of that.  One day it will be my turn.
For now, all I can say is that I miss them.  I miss my Brutus everyday.  He was
my baby, and my baby is now dead and I will never ever hold him again.

Life goes on.  Nothing we can do with that.  As I have always
said if you don't keep moving you will eventually be run over.

Life goes on. Whether you choose to move on and take a chance in the unknown.
Or stay behind locked in the past, thinking of what could have been.  Sometimes you just
 have to accept the fact that something will never go back to how they used to be.

~Nadiya~

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show..

It's not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous 
voyage.  Life provides the wind.  You control the direction of your sail...

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the "Yachting Capital of the World" will host the 57th 

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show starting November 3rd -Nov 7th, 2016. Show 
exhibits range from yacht builders and designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. 

Fort Lauderdale, known as The Venice of America, and here is why.
It was a masterstroke of marketing.  In the 1920s, progress across Broward County
was booming.  Courthouses, hotels, bridges and emporiums arose.  Homes were built
 in theregion's unique Mediterranean Revival style.  Development was taking its
 first wobbly stepsas mangrove swamps in eastern Fort Lauderdale were 
dredged to create finger island subdivisions for new landowners. 

 Seeing all this, New York investor J.C. Turner uttered the words that would become 
part of the city's seal: "Lauderdale should be called the Venice of America"  And so begins
 the "story"  Venice itself has more canals than Fort Lauderdale, 177 compared to
 Fort Lauderdales 165, but then Fort Lauderdale is way larger with 36 square
 miles compared to Venice whose city limits spans but 3 to 4 square miles.

At this year's boat show just like in previous years,  a wide variety of boats will be on
 display including runabouts, sportfishers, high performance boats, center consoles, 
cabin cruisers, flats boats, skiffs, express cruisers, sailing yachts, motor yachts,
 bowriders, catamarans, ski boats, jet boats, trawlers, inflatables, canoes,
 and extraordinary superyachts. This is exactly where you want to be.

If you wish to have a day filled with sunshine and to see mega luxury yachts,
 then you have to go.  There is usually live music in the afternoons, food and many
bars serving all sorts of drinks.  It makes for a very good outing.

 Arvid and I will not be going to the show this year.  Unfortunately, we have taken a few
 things for granted.  Such as having a great day seeing beautiful yachts and enjoying
 the warm weather surrounded by Mega Yachts.  Yes, we have seen it quite a lot.
As some would say, "been there done that"  Even so, it is a wonderful sight
 for everyone in the boat business and many who just love boats.

 Unfortunately the traffic is horrendous, but it's the price we pay for
living in the Sunshine State.  Definitely we can deal with it.

Happiness is when you feel good about yourself

without feeling the need for anyone else's approval.

Shells sink.  Dreams float.  Life's good on  our boat...

~Nadiya~

Stuff...

There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen,

 those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens...

I'm not crazy about baseball.  Never have been.  Never will be.  I find the game

 very long and extremely boring.  Just my view, but that being said it is as my friend 

Liz said "The Great American Pastime."  I'm not a baseball fan, but this being a

 win for Chicago, I'm now a part-time fan.  At least for now.  GO CUBS!!!

The curse is dead: Cubs win first World Series since 1908.  Finally. The most epic drought

 in sports history is over, and the Cubs are world champions.  After 108 years of waiting, 

the Cubs won the 2016 World Series with a wild 8-7, 10-inning Game 7 victory over

 the Indians on Wednesday night at Progressive Field. History was made in Chicago.

That being said, I am VERY happy the the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.

Chicago is definitely my favorite city and it would have been awesome to be there 

right now and to witness the celebration that will be going on.  I saw it when 

The Blackhawks won and that city was all lights in the evenings.

If we were in Chicago right now I would be able to see all the celebration and festivities

 from our balcony.  Pity cause they do how how to throw a celebration party.

I woke up very early this morning as did Sniff.  I fed him, brushed him and then had my cafe.

The day has started with a good vibe and it most definitely will continue on this way.

As always we have to do our parts to make it a good day.  I plan on doing mine.

Arvid is already awake and doing what he likes to do best.  Sniff is now sitting next to

 him quietly.  Together they work in silence.  Strange, Brutus and Shadow also like

 the same spot where Sniff is right now.  Maybe they smell each other. 

Good morning everyone.  Hope you are having as fabulous day as The Chicago Cubs 

and their fans are.  Time to start working and to become productive. 

 Fresh day.  Fresh start.  Let's make it a good one.

Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.

Don't run away from challenges.  Run over them.  Like the Cubs did...

~Nadiya~

A New Day...

Never forget yesterday, but live for today. You never 
know what tomorrow can bring, or what it can take away...

Rise and shine everyone for a new day is about to begin and from my 

end it is looking fabulous!  Hope your day is also a spectacular 

one and that your day is filled with all things good.

Early in the morning from our living room.  I'm sure this is a sign of better days ahead.

The last few days have been filled with ups and downs.  I have been thinking so much of

 Brutus and Shadow.  On the 5th it will be one year since Brutus died and 8 months for Shadow.

  It has not been the best year for me.  As I was looking at pictures of Brutus and 

Shadow, Arvid came over and suddenly we were both in tears.  Tears for the little Boysie 

we loved and who was no longer with us.  How I miss him.  How I ache over Shadow.

I am sure better days are coming.  Because nothing lasts forever.  Even this 

sadness in my heart one day has to be less painful.  I know because I lived through

 this before.  Many, many years ago.  As they say, it's not always easy but that's life.

You have to fight some of the bad days to earn some of the best days of your life...

~Nadiya~

Boundaries

You can't always be nice.  That's how people take advantage
 of you.  Sometimes you need to set boundaries...

I came back from visiting with family over a week now, yet it left quite an impression on me. 

 For starters  will tell you it was really good to be together with them, but it was even better

 to be in a hotel and have my own space.  Many of the families stayed in the same house.  

Something I DO NOT understand well nor do not think I will ever be able to do. 

 As Arrvid and I always say the best way to preserve a good relationship is to keep a 

little distance.  I'm still a little curious about how people can live so "together" all 

the time.  I like our quiet mornings.  Arvid for one is not a morning person.

I don't  like staying with anyone neither Arvid be it my family or his.  Not that we

 don't like each other, but our relationship is much better when we all have boundaries. 

I have a friend who texted me the other day she is staying with her son and 

daughter in law for a week maybe more depending on circumstances. 

 She said, "Nadiya I love them, but I really prefer my own space."

Well all I know is that for the peace of a good relationship it is always best to keep a

 little distance.  I see families go on vacations together, stay in the same house 

together, dine together do everything together, that is not for us. I like my space.

  I like my quiet mornings.  I like to be without makeup during the day. 

 I like to wear my comfy clothes which sometimes are quite "ugly"

Hope you all had a great and safe Halloween.  Lots of pictures were posted,
 but my favorites so far were the ones with family.  I saw happiness and good times.

To all a very good day.  Remember that in order to have good times a little
 distance is always good.  Makes for happier times and better making of memories that
 last a life time.  Happy Tuesday all.  The sun finally showed up this morning.

To all hope better days are in sight.  Sending you a little piece of sunshine.

Boundaries are, in simple terms, the recognition of personal space.
Some people don't grasp the concept of personal space...

~Nadiya~