About Brutus Again....

 The more people I meet the more I like my cat...Cats know how to obtain food without labor, shelter without confinement, and love without penalties....

One of our favorite pleasures in life is Brutus. With him there is never a dull moment. He has all these cute things he does that no matter what kind of day we are having we always stop and smile. As far as both Arvid and I are concerned he is the best stress reliever there is.
 
This morning we woke up and as soon as we step out of the bedroom Brutus is ready for us....same every day and we love it! Today as he was walking Arvid towards his food, a routine they have quite a few times per day, Arvid looks at Brutus and says " you were quite voiceful last night you know".  An ordinary kitten will ask more questions than any five year old and this is Brutus everyday.

Hearing this I just stood there and laughed at them. Arvid says that Brutus is like a child since he is always following him around and always wanting to be in close proximity of us. Brutus is even jealous of the neighborhood kitty we talk to. Instead of getting excited Brutus just walks away from the window when Cyrus (kitty) shows up.

Have said it before and will say it again and again....Brutus was the best thing to happen to us in recent years. Neither of us can see life without him. He is part of everything we do and all the plans we make.  When buying a place, planning a vacation or just going out for the evening Brutus is always in our decisions.  These days whenever we go anywhere Arvid says to Brutus "we're not going to be gone for long so don't worry, we will see you in a little",  when we bought our home Arvid said to Brutus, "boysie soon you will have a new home" and the best and most precious thing he says to him is "I love you".  Every time I hear this I am more in love with this man.

Unlike many people animals are so placid and self-contained, they only know how to show love and affection.  They never stab you in the back and they are never angry nor hostile no matter what you mood is.  As someone said "The problem with loving is that pets don't last long enough and people last too long"  Will take it...for Brutus is the joy in our life. 

We enjoy good company of friends and family, but the best times are those we have together with Brutus.  I hope this never changes because our life is complete and stress free..Happiness is like a cat sleeping on your lap. You can't force it to come to you and you can't force it to stay with you, it just happens and suddenly nothing else matters than that warm fuzzy little body sleeping next to you.

If you are worthy of its affection, a cat will be your friend but never your slave...

until next time...

Norwegian Mass Murderer Breivik Declared Insane....

No man is justified in doing evil on the ground of expediency...

Earlier this summer I wrote a blog about Breivik who killed 77 people in July by bombing central Oslo and then gunning down dozens of mostly teenagers at a summer camp for the ruling Labour Party's youth wing.  Norway's Tragedy

Anders Behring Breivik has admitted bombing Norway's capital and opening fire on a political youth group retreat, but he entered a plea of not guilty, saying he wanted to save Europe from Muslim immigration.


File picture shows Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik (L), the man accused of a killing spree and bomb attack in Norway, as he sits in the rear of a vehicle while transported in a police convoy as he is leaving the courthouse in Oslo July 25, 2011

After months of speculation a decision seems to have been reached in regards to his "state of mind"  According to the Norwegian news, court-appointed psychiatrists have concluded that Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is criminally insane, meaning he may be committed to a psychiatric institution indefinitely rather than sent to jail.        Article

To me this just goes to show how wacked out the criminal system is...just about everywhere.  I read the article to Arvid.  Being Norwegian his only comment was "but if you don't pay your taxes in Norway you go to jail."  It seems to me that money is more important that human life these day.  How very sad...

I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day...

until next time...

 

Loving the Husband More Than the Kids is Key to Good Life...

Woke up in bed with a gorgeous woman, who I'm going to have lunch and the rest of my life with...A man's wife has more power over him than the state has.....

I just read this article in which the author Sasha Brown-Worsham believes that loving the husband more than the kids is key to good life and vice versa.  In it she says:

"I remember asking my mom when I was little who she loved best between me and my dad.”It's a different kind of love," she told me then. But the kisses she and my dad shared in the toy aisle, their constant holding hands, and their long vacations sans kids while we stayed with the grandparents told me otherwise. She loved my dad more. And I am so happy she did.

When a family is strong, mom does prioritize the marriage over the kids. But we live in a culture where kids come first. Or, as my friend recently said, "Since when did kids move from the card table at Thanksgiving to the head of the table?" Since when, indeed".

According to the writer of this article, "in a family, if mom and dad aren't happy, ain't nobody else happy either. The marriage should be prioritized higher than anything else".


Not having children of my own, makes it a little trickier for me to say much, but from the little experience I have had by being around families I will have to agree with the author. I have seen what conflict between the parents or couples can do to the stability of a relationship. When things go bad between couples it is bad for everyone involved. Children included. On the other hand when all is good between the couple then everything else falls into place.

Using Arvid and I as an example, I will agree that when all is good with us then that what’s most important because it also means that everything else is doable. We have each other as our support system and that’s all that matters. When we are in harmony with each other we are ready to deal with just about anything. After all, the marriage is the foundation of the family.


I have seen my parents sacrificing everything for us and when there was friction between them then the entire household was tense, but when they were happy so were we. When we were growing up we were always their first priority and mom and dad took a back stage. Thankfully we turned out OK and when we did leave home mom and dad finally had the chance to live their life. This was many years ago. They never complained and we took it for granted that this was how it should be.

Not having children of my own this may be difficult for me to understand since Arvid and I live just for ourselves and only have to worry about each other and Brutus. Looking at my sisters, I see both sides. I see in some that desire to always put their children’s needs above their own. I personally do not agree with this because I think there should be a balance. You can't only live for your children and neglect yourself. Not doing any good in the long run to anyone. One day your child will leave home and then what becomes of you?

Another of my sisters has managed to obtain a certain balance in her life. She like the others will do any and everything for her children, but she also remembers that she and her husband are important and she makes time for them. Not always easy, but she has managed to do so and for that I admire her.

As the author of the article goes on to say, “Children are born from the love two people share with one another. They grow under the umbrella of that love and then they find their own loves with which they will do the same. Romantic love is so different (thanks mom!) than the love I feel for my children. I would die for my kids, jump in front of a train for them, and move mountains to keep them happy. But my love for my husband is different.


It's burning and passionate and sexual (one would hope!). It gets me through the hard days and sustains me when things feel low. Without him, the rest would fall apart. I know this, he knows this, and we both work very hard to maintain it. It's not easy. My love for my children is much easier and comes more naturally and takes less work.


So in that sense, yes, my marriage is priority number one. It's what made my family and it's what will stay after my kids fly the nest.”

I will say again that I feel the same. Our love for each other is stronger than anything and anyone. Does not mean you don’t love your kids…like the author says it is just two kinds of love. Both strong, both different.

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without....

until next time...

Quote~

The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him...

I saw this quote today on Facebook and since it is one of my favorites, I wanted to share it again.  Not because someone brought you into this world that makes them a good  mother or father.  A good parent is the one who listens to you, who is there when you need them without really having to ask, it's that someone you can count on no matter what and when and where.  A good parent is someone who at the sound of his/her child's distress will do everything possible to be there for them.  I am lucky to have such parents.

Simply having children does not make mothers nor fathers....you have to be a presence in your child's life.  Also saw this in Facebook  "A DADDY isn't defined as the man who makes the child, but rather the man who extends his hands and time to help with the child's raising and his heart to love the child through anything!!!! BLOOD doesn't always make you a DADDY. Being a DADDY comes from the heart... any fool can make a baby, it takes a man to raise a child!.."

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children...

until next time... 

Black Friday...

 

...and here we go



Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping...



Thanksgiving is not yet even over and all the talk is about Black Friday and the DEALS!  Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas Shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 a.m., or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the shopping season, similar to Boxing Day sales in many British Commonwealth countries. Black Friday is not actually a holiday, but most non-retail employers give their employees the day off, increasing the number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005, although news reports, which at that time were inaccurate, have described it as the busiest shopping day of the year for a much longer period of time.
The Ultimate Guide To Black Friday 2011



Last seen on the news shoppers were camping out at places like Best Buys, BrandsMart etc just waiting for those good deals.  For instance it seems you are able to pick up a huge plasma TV for only $200, this according to the bystanders waiting in line since Tuesday night.  Yep, many will not be spending Thanksgiving with loved ones at home this year, but instead are sleeping out in tents in front of the various stores...

For many years, it was common for retailers to open at 6:00, but in the late 2000s, many had crept to 5:00 or even 4:00. This was taken to a new extreme in 2011, when several retailers (including Target, Kohls, Macy's, Best Buy, and Bealls) will open at midnight for the first time, forcing employees to either go without enough sleep or miss all or part of Thanksgiving with family.



will just relax and take it easy



Some deals going on:

Best Buy Deals                 Black Friday Deals

Like everyone, I love a good deal, but  also know that no matter what I am not the type to camp out for days before at a store in order to get the good deal.  Neither am I the type to go at 4am or earlier and wait in line together with thousands of shoppers that descend on stores like a biblical plague and spend lots of money. I am not too keen on being trampled on all for a good deal.  I can watch the news later on and have some fun in the peace and quiet of our home...the aggravation for me is not worth the DEAL!  Sorry...

Shopping is a woman thing.  It's a contact sport like football.  Women enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy crowds, the danger of being trampled to death, and the ecstasy of the purchase.

 

until next time...

Happy Thanksgiving...

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice...Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God..

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Because of the longstanding traditions of the holiday, the celebration often extends to the weekend that falls closest to the day it is celebrated.

As a child Thanksgiving was a day where friends and family gathered, mostly at our home. My parents always loved to entertain so we had another good reason to celebrate.  Although I was not born in the USA, I have lived here from the time I was nine years old so we grew up celebrating all the American Holidays and Traditions.

Thanksgiving is such a big celebration here in the USA.  It's one of the holidays where hundreds of thousands of travellers make their way back to home.  Everyone looks forward to being home with family and loved ones, and enjoying a very traditional Thanksgiving meal during this time of giving thanks.  Traditional Thanksgiving Meal.  Interesting tid bit, Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.

Though we were raised in this tradition we never really did have the traditional meal.  My mom made it for company, you see we do not really like turkey, so for us she always made many other yummy things that we liked.  To this day we continue to celebrate our Thanksgiving, but without the Turkey.

As someone said, "as we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them"  Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Be safe, enjoy and yes put on those few extra pounds...

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds...

until next time..

Thought Of The day....

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty...

Life has a way of throwing things at us when we least expect it.  Not all to our liking, but that is life you have to take the good with the bad and it is how we handle these adversities that eventually show what kind of a person we are...and what we are made of.

You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination...

until next time..

A Good Attitude Helps...

The reason why I speak my mind, and the reason why I get aggressive is because I believe that when negative energy is directed towards you, you need to get rid of it as soon as possible. And most importantly, you need to redirect back from whence it came. In my opinion choosing the higher road and ignoring it is bullshit. Why? Because what ends up happening is that you bottle that negativity inside of you. You carry it. It burdens you. It doesn't just disappear.....

Negativity breeds negativity, zap its flow as quickly as possible by switching focus or making amends.  Negativity exists all around us and it is up to us to either let it influence our lives and drag us down or to do something about it and rise above it.  Many years ago, when I was going through a very difficult period in my life I met a person, who today is one of my very best friends, but many years ago this friend was completely down on life and on people.  Seems like no matter what I tried her mind was already made up and nothing was going to change that.  I was faced with the decision to stay friends or to call it quits.  I choose to remain friends with this person, a decision I am happy I made.  At the same time, I choose to not be part of that negativity she is so caught up in.  Today though we live hundreds of miles apart I know I can count on her and she knows she can do the same.  Yes, occasionally I do have to listen to that other side of her, but I have learnt that not everything in life is perfect and sometimes to see the good we also have to experience the not so good.   I can deal with negative people when necessary just like most...just a part of life and as we know life has no set rules....remember  every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day.

 Happiness is an attitude.  We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong.  The amount of work is the same....

until next time..

Happy Weekend...

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! ...

Someone said that the only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend..haha.  Maybe true especially when one's weekend is full of fun and lots of excitement.  One does not necessarily have to go any place special to have such a weekend.  For us just knowing it's the weekend brings on a whole different attitude.  It's like you know it's OK to slow down and just do whatever you like.  We have been very busy and like most we look forward to the weekends with anticipation...one never knows where it will lead us.  So friends whatever you do enjoy and always have fun!  We plan to....it is after all the beginning of the weekend.

Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them....

until next time... 

Missing The View...

 If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things that are missing. If you don't have love in your life, no matter what else there is, it's not enough...

Not so long ago we were out with some customers, doing what we do best...showing them around town.  As Realtors, our job is to show and take customers around, something we both enjoy very much..of course during these showings we also get to see many beautiful homes.  One of the places we showed had a very gorgeous view and it made me realize again how much I have missed living in a condo..... 



missing this view

All being said and done, life is good and we are definitely enjoying ourselves...although it would not hurt if we also had the view again.

Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you...

until next time...



Quote For Today...

When you realize you've made a mistake, make amends immediately.  It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm...

Saying "I'm sorry" are two of the most difficult words to actually say and to actually mean.

Someone once said "Keep your words soft and tender because tomorrow you may have to eat them"  Wise person.

I'm sorry, if you were right, I'd agree with you...

until next time...

Exotic Superfoods You Should Be Eating...

If you often feel that healthy eating is too much of a chore, think about how you're giving your body what it needs, and how you're improving your long-term health.

These unsual fruits and vegetables are packed with more hard-to-get nutrients than your standard choices.  Come on give them a try...what do you have to lose or better yet what is there to gain?  Healthy eating all...

Lychee has the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols of 24 fruits tested. They were beat only by strawberries.  Lychee's powerful antioxidants may also help to prevent the formation of breast cancer cells, according to a recent test-tube and animal study from Sichuan University in China.  My mom introduced me to this fruit and I have to say it is amazingly sweet with a very smooth texture.  It is now on my list of favorite fruits...pity it is only found in the summer months here in Florida.

In a study of overweight people, participants were asked to eat these purple potatoes.  Participants who ate these potatoes saw a significant drop in their high blood pressure—diastolic pressure fell an average 4.3 percent while systolic blood pressure dropped an average 3.5 percent.


Being from South America Guava has always been a favorite of mine and still is.  Eat just one cup of this South American fruit, and you're getting 5 times as much vitamin C as a medium orange.  Like other red fruits, including tomatoes and watermelon, guava contains lycopene, which may help prevent heart disease. And according to research by microbiologists in Bangladesh, guava can even protect against foodborne pathogens such as Listeria and staph.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest released a report in June 2011 comparing the nutritional info of 50 popular fruits. They ranked them based on the percentages of certain nutrients—fiber, vitamin C, potassium, folate, iron, calcium, and antioxidant-packed pigments called carotenoids–in each serving. Guava beat out apples, bananas, and grapes to be the number one fruit.



cheers to good health..



Not a favorite of mine, but this leafy green cabbage known as Bok Choy is the number one veggie in China and boasts 10 times the recommended amount of vitamin A in just one cup. Packed with antioxidants, it's no surprise that several studies show that high intake of Brassica vegetables (a family of vegetables including kale, broccoli, and bok choy) may reduce the risk of certain cancers, including prostate cancer.

Snack on one large Asian Pear, and you'll get 10 g of fiber, nearly half of your daily recommended amount. So what's so great about fiber? Not only does it lower cholesterol, but it also keeps you full longer and helps to control blood sugar levels.

Just remember...The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system and the greatest wealth is health....

The longer I live the less confidence I have in drugs and the greater is my confidence in the regulation and administration of diet and regimen....

until next time...

Picture Of The Day....

There is no feeling more comforting and consoling than knowing you are right next to the one you love...

Our wedding was many years ago.  The celebration continues to this day. 10 years may not seem like a long time to many, but for us it is.  It marks the beginning of many many more to come.  Our day was perfect and we celebrated with some good friends going to see John Fogerty in concert...a favorite of ours.  Thank you all for the nice wishes and a special thanks to my family and to Arvid's mom who despite being in her 80's has never once forgotten this day....

From the day we met to this day one of the things I love about Arvid is that he has never let go of my hand...as he says together we will face any and everything.

If two stand shoulder to shoulder against the gods, happy together, the gods themselves are helpless

against them while they stand so...

Going Overboard?

An extravagance is something that your spirit thinks is a necessity...

Have some change to spare?  Well how about "investing" in Victoria's Secret $2.5 million bra?  Maybe a little extravagant, but there is someone out there who probably thinks this is a great buy.... 

Model Miranda Kerr walks the runway in a $2.5 million bra during the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Lexington Avenue Armory on November 9, 2011 in New York City. The lingerie features approximately 3,400 hand-placed gems, including 142 carats of diamonds in addition to pearls, citrines, and aqua marines.....well we can all pretend for a day that we are wearing this $2.5 million bra.

Common sense is not so common ....It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities...

until next time...

10 Years.....

To be happy with a man you must understand him a lot and love him a little. To be happy with a woman you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all...

Today Arvid and I celebrate 10 years of married life...to me it seems incredible.  We have been together for 11 and time is just flying by...and yes we are having the time of our life.  10 years ago today we were married at the Mai Kai, in a Polynesian garden right here in Fort Lauderdale Florida...

I am in many ways surprised at how similar we are even though we are from completely different backgrounds.  Like many couples it is not always easy, but we work at it.  We don't let minor pettiness ruin what we have achieved throughout the years. 

Everyone thinks their special bond is unique and we are no different.  That's what sets us all apart our uniqueness.  We care and respect each other and we bring into our marriage that something special that when combined makes for one heck of a good time.  Add Brutus into the picture and you can say we have the perfect ingredients for happiness...just remember "A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person"

 

Aside from a few skeptics who thought we may not make it, we have survived some not so good times and with each new day our relationship is stronger and better than ever.  Both Arvid and I have been give a second chance in life for happiness.  We took it and we are loving every moment we have together...

Happy Anniversary to the one I love...thank you for the wonderful years we have had so far and I am looking forward to the ones yet to come...Like you have always told me.."we are a team together we can do anything and no one will ever come in the way of our happiness..." 

I love being married.  It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life...Spouse:  someone who'll stand by you through all the trouble you wouldn't have had if you'd stayed single...

until next time...

Friends...

True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable....

Having a special friend is one of the nicest things in the world and if one is lucky to have many good friends then I can say one is truly blessed.  It has been said that you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family....Unlike family, a friend is the person who knows all about you, and still likes you.

Like many, I consider myself very fortunate to have a few good friends.  Someone I know I can count on in good and bad times. Someone I can tell things I would rather not tell to anyone else.  Someone who would listen and not judge me and at the end of the day still be my friend and still think I am a good person... A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down. 



Thursday Arvid and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary and what better way to share it than with good friends....the world is a better place because of friends.

Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends....

Picture Of The Day

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try...

I have four sisters.  Each and everyone is talented and determined to make a success of whatever life throws in their path.  Goes without saying that my sisters are my best friends and for them I will do anything.

My youngest sister has started her own business and not a very easy one if I may say.  She has started up Narima's Cuisine (Caribbean Cuisine) and is determined to make a success out of it.   Her motto is "Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe"  Trust me she is a believer and a go getter. 

No challenge is too big nor too small for her.  You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.  This she is doing and doing darn well I  may add.  As you can see by the pictures below, these are just a sample of what she has to offer in her Sweet Temptations Selection.  Her menu is with a Caribbean Flavor, one she has developed and with each passing day is perfecting.  For more on Narima's Cuisine visit her on Facebook @ Narima's Cuisine

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race...

until next time..

Humor...

Women always worry about the things that men forget; men always worry about the things women remember...

Facebook makes for very good blog sharing.  My sister posted this the other day and I think it is so funny... just had to share it with all of you.  It just goes to show how a man's mind operates.  Men and women speak a completely different language.   He actually answered the question asked of him and nothing more.  I know Arvid is just like this.  He never asks nor tells more than he has to.  Be it because he just does not want to know the answer or he is plain not interested.  In general, men are more interested in objects and things rather than people and feelings...

I on the other hand will ask and tell more than I should...

A wise woman puts a grain of sugar into everything she says to a man, and takes a grain of salt with everything he says to her....The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think....

until next time...

What To Do?....

The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.... 



very short



Occasionally I get bored and then this causes me to want to do something very drastic.  For me drastic means I have to do something that would change my look in a flash.  The last time I got bored I cut my hair really short...the time before I cut it even shorter. 



I have learnt to not be so very impulsive, well I hope I have learnt.  Right now what I want is also to do something with my hair.  This time I want very long hair even if only for a day.  This way I will get it out of my system and then go back to being more relaxed about this whole boredom thing.

So for the past week I have been going to different placed trying on different wigs and getting as many opinions about different types of hair involved in a wig.  Trust me the process has been a long one.  Finally have decided that the best is human hair of course.  Needless to say, it does not come very cheap.

I inquired about hair extensions as well.  I go all the way when I get the boredom attack.  The lady at the hair salon told me that for a bargain price of $1500 she can actually do the extensions and this will include the hair.  Human Hair of course she said.  Boy that day I really thought I was in for a treat and had Arvid not called me I think I would have let her do it.  I mean she saiit was a bargain.  I love bargains, who doesn't?

Now I am so confused as to what to do.  When I get like this I just know I have to do something....I just hope I don't chop my hair off again.

Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is...When I get real bored, I like to drive downtown and get a great parking spot, then sit in my car and count how many people ask me if I'm leaving...

until next time...

Yesterday's Rain

Nothing wrong with a little rain, but when it gets to the point of rain EVERYDAY then it is sure not fun anymore.  We have been in Florida since October 4th.  It has rained most of those days.  Together with the Tornado Watch we have had, flooding now seems to be an everyday occurrence.  Like everyone I do enjoy the occasional rain.  Feels so good then to be indoors and snuggle up with the one you love and just do absolutely nothing....but there comes a time when it can just be a little too much.  As someone said "The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain"

I know rain is desired and that some other places can use it as well. My mom and dad in North Carolina for instance would love some of this rain their way. Right now I just wish we did not have to get ALL of it.  The boat show unfortunately was rained out as was Halloween.  SAD!

As usual we are always hoping for better weather which eventually does come...after all this is South Florida and people come here for the weather.

 The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain....

until next time...

Picture Of The Day...

The best things in life are unexpected - because there were no expectations...

Arvid and I were out for dinner the other day, food was not that great, but the view was and so was the entertainment.  Imagine our surprise when all of a sudden this person just shoots out from the water out of nowhere and ....yes he's flying.  Have to say we were definitely delighted as were the many others having dinner there.  As if that were not enough entertainment, there was a platform where you could go and feed the fishes and let me tell you these fishes were huge.  If I did not know they were Tarpon, I would say they were sharks.

Overall, we had a very unexpected and rare treat during a regular outing...nothing planned just simply enexpected and lots of fun.  Sometimes the best...

Nobody says you must laugh, but a sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the day...

until next time...

6 Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story...

Everyone is a moon and has a dark side, which he never shows to anybody...

Halloween is part of American Tradition.  It's a time of the year not only kids, but adults also look forward to as well. For kids it's that day when they are allowed to "collect" as much candy as they can and also eat as many as possible.  In recent years adults have derived as much fun out of Halloween as have kids.  Now with all the extravagant parties and costumes Halloween has become one of the "Holidays" I also like just so that we can go and gawk at people and their over the top costumes.  Living here in South Florida (and I bet many other places), all we have to do is pick a place and we will be in for a treat.....it's a night where the weird is even weirder. My kind of party...

Having Brutus in our lives means that there are some extra precautions we take as should all pet owners.  That's why when I read this article about pet saftey tips for halloween I thought it was good to share.

Halloween is a fantastic time of the year – but the costumes, candy, and parties we love can turn into horror movies for our furry friends, but fear not. Here is a list of safety tips will keep you and your pet safe until All Saints Day.

Dress up for success (or not at all). A pet costume can seem like a fantastic (and cute!) idea…to humans. Your pet might feel differently! Give costumes a test run before Halloween to see how your dog or cat reacts; if he's unhappy or afraid, consider a lower-key ghost-themed bandanna or collar instead, or skip it altogether.

Your pet may love dressing up, but make sure his outfit is safe and comfortable, and made from a non-flammable material. Costumes should allow him to see, hear, and breathe normally; avoid attire that covers his eyes and ears, and if his bark (or meow) sounds muffled, loosen or rethink the costume. Remove parts that he could chew or choke on (drawstrings, loose sequins, et cetera), and ensure that there's nothing hanging off the costume that could snag on stuff.

Go with the natural look. Make-up or face paint is a bad idea – it can irritate a pet's skin, and worse, it can get licked off and cause digestive distress. (Plus, it's more likely to get all over you and your furniture than to stay on your pet!) Even non-toxic make-up isn't worth the risk.

Stick to safe snacks. Most pet owners know that chocolate in any form – and particularly baker's or dark chocolate – is a big no-no for dogs. It's harmful to cats as well, and if your pet wolfs down a whole wrapped candy, it could cause a blockage. Keep all candy in a safe place, and let your pets celebrate with doggy snacks or cat treats instead.

Decorate with care. Keep edible décor like pumpkins and candy corn out of reach of curious paws and jaws. Inedible décor is still prime pouncing material for cats, though; hang the fake cobwebs and black-and-orange tinsel as high as you can manage.

Candles add spooky ambiance – but they can also get knocked over by enthusiastic tails (or set those tails ablaze). Switch to battery-operated versions instead; your local hardware store should have a selection of kitten-safe non-flame options.

Skip trick-or-treating. Your dog could get spooked by a costume (his or others'), new and unfamiliar people in the neighborhood, or going to strange houses. If you simply must show off her ladybug outfit, keep the outing short, and stick to the sidewalk. Better yet, take photos instead and let your pet stay home.

And bring outdoor pets inside for Halloween night. Extra traffic, candy dropped on the ground, trick-or-treaters teasing or chasing them – all these things can harm or freak out your pet (and a barking dog could scare people away from your front door). Invite them in for the evening.

Prepare for parties. Whether you're planning a Halloween party or just expecting lots of trick-or-treaters, a little pet-proofing prep can make the experience less stressful for the whole family.

Check the cages of smaller friends like gerbils and birds to make sure latches are secure; remove their habitats from common areas (i.e., your front hall).

Indoor-only pets like cats and small dogs should spend the evening behind closed doors – a back bedroom or storage area you make comfy with an old sweatshirt to nap on, and/or a new toy to play with. Identify and close off escape routes; post a sign on the door, and lock it if you can.

Larger, more social animals should be leashed. Some children have no experience with dogs, and can get scared even by a friendly canine overture. If your dog tends to jump or bark when she gets excited, consider crating her for the party, or installing a dog gate.

Let guests know they shouldn't feed your pets; a small sign on the snack table should do it.

With all of these tips your at your disposal, there is no way everyone can't have a safe and happy halloween....so let's go trick or treating, have a great time and always remember saftey first...It's Halloween, everyone's entitled to one good scare...

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night....

until next time..

October Snow...

my niece and her snowman...



Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather...

I just could not resist this.  It's October 29th two more days until Halloween and an early storm pelts East Coast with wet, heavy snow.  Happy Halloween all...

An unusually early and powerful nor'easter along the East Coast began dumping several inches of wet, heavy snow Saturday that weighed down or toppled leafy trees and power lines and combined with high winds to knock out power to hundreds of thousands.


The storm came on a busy weekend for many, with trick-or-treaters going door-to-door in search of Halloween booty, hunting season opening in some states and a full slate of college and pro football scheduled...

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella....

until next time...

Picture Of The Day...

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible...

Somethings are better left unexplained. Here is an amazing picture and it makes you wonder....this is when faith comes into play.  They say "Faith isn't faith until it's all you're holding on to"

...and yes the man made it to safety.  This picture is awesome.  Makes me believe that all things are possible and that we are more capable than we know.  Sometimes when we are put in difficult situations our survival instincts kick in and for those of us fortunate enough to have that special Guardian Angel...let's say we are twice blessed.

It is not important what you believe, only that you believe...If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can't, you're right.

until next time...