A Regular Day...

Struggles are required in order to survive in life, because in 
order to stand up you gotta know what falling down is like...

A new day to make it all right.  Everyday no matter what we are given the opportunity to change

 our lives, to better it and to achieve our goals.  It does not matter that we may not achieve all 

that we want, but what matters is that we give it our all and we always do our best.

A typical day for us at home looks something like this.  Boats passing by.  Arvid and I
doing man all kinds of chores.  Here you see him cleaning the pool for a friend.  He does
 not have to do it, but he likes to.  Says it keeps him on the go.  I'm there to give support,
 take the pictures, and of course do whatever miscellaneous "chores" he devises for me.

No matter what our day holds, there is always plenty of time for Sniff.  No matter how much
 I am missing my Brutus, and grieving for Shadow, there is no doubt that Sniff is a good fit with us.
  I don't want to make comparisons, but Sniff reminds us of Brutus is more ways imaginable.

Everyday we carry on with our usual lives.  No one know what anyone else carries in them.
 No one knows your heartaches.  No one knows your struggle.  That's all OK.  We all
 have our own burdens we carry with us.  I have mine, you have yours.

Does not make either of us weaker or stronger than the other.  Just makes us human,
 and with vulnerabilities.  My life is good.  I am grateful for the people in it, and for
all the goodness that part of it.  Sadness is a part of life, but so is happiness.

Hope you day has been good so far.  Yesterday I had some alone time with me
and my thoughts.  What better place to enjoy it than at the mall? A good
 cup of coffee always helps and then to end it with the movies.  I was
transported to a land where good conquers bad.  Not a bad day.

In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful,
but gratefulness that makes us happy.  Today may not be you day, 
but you can definitely make tomorrow your day...

~Nadiya~

Loving You...Missing You.. May 17th Birthday Boy

Between now and then till I see you again I'll be loving you.  Love me too...

Life continues for all of us.  Loved ones die, and new ones are born.  It's the circle of life,
 and if you happen to be in the "happy" circle then please enjoy it for if things should
change and you happen to find yourself in the not so "good circle,"then friends you
 will know how I feel and what I am experiencing.  Not good.

Many of you may be getting a little fed up of hearing how much I miss Brutus, 
and how sad it is for me right now.  What can I say?  It is how it is, and until then I will be
grieving for my baby.  We had him for 9 years.  It does not go away just like that.
The relationship Arvid and I had with Brutus was very special, and because
of that it is so very difficult for me to understand why our Brutus died.

Sadness is what I am familiar with these days.  Add Shadow into the mix who can
 blame me. Where there was once laughter, now tears are a constant companion.  And yes,
Sniffer makes us happy.  There was never a time you would see me and not see me
 smile.  Smiling was my trademark.  That's what everyone tells me.

Today it is still there but not as often and sometimes forced.  On the other hand,
 I am sure one day it will be part of me again.  I want it back very much.  

As of today, I still cannot bring myself to say goodbye to Brutus.  Goodbyes are so
FINAL!  I don't think I will ever be able to do it.  More like until we meet again. For
Shadow all I can think is that he is not screaming anymore.  His agony is over.
As far as I go, I can't help but relive his last moments every so often.

  Letting go for me right now is not happening, and I'm not saying this is good.  I am
 still a work in progress, but then who isn't?  And that is always good I'm told.  Room to grow.

Today our Brutus would have turned 10 years old.  Our Shadow would be one year today.
Neither of them are here with us.  Sniffer is here and life goes on.  It waits for no one.

Brutus, Happy Birthday.  I still have your balloons.  The birthday hat and your candles.
Mama misses you everyday, and no matter how much I love Sniffer, you are my baby, and
 forever I will miss you and love you.  You took my heart with you and part of it will forever
 belong to you.  My Brutus.  I loved you from the moment I saw you and have not stopped.

Shadow.  Mama loved you.  You came to us at a very difficult time.  It was difficult
for both your dada and I, but you were special to us.  You taught us that we could open our
 hearts again to another kitty.  You were with us for less than 4 months.  Shadow how I grief
for you.  I wish I could have saved you and kept you from harms way.  I see your picture
 on my night table and I see trust in your eyes.  It breaks my heart every night to see those eyes.

  I love you Shadow and I hope you found Brutus, Anna's Buddy and mama's 5 other kitties.
 Hope you are all playing together, and that Brutus' paw does not hurt him anymore.
Please take care of each other, and know I miss you everyday.  Happy
 birthday Brutus and Shadow.  Mama loves you and always will.

I may be a work in progress, but everyday I get a little bit wiser,
 a little bit better and a little bit stronger...

~Nadiya~

Hello Monday...

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace.
In life it's not about finding yourself it's about creating yourself...

The week begins with gorgeous sunshine, boats passing by and the promise 

of better days ahead.  With an outlook like this how can one not make the most of life?

In Florida we are fortunate that almost everyday is a warm day.  I spend most of my

 day in flip flops. When you live in a place like Florida, you realize that flip flops

 are the right dress code for just about everywhere.  Freedom to the feet!

We have already been to the warehouse for today.  Of course I also had on flip
flops.  Today there was no heavy lifting just inventory of what we have left and
organizing what goes in the next container before we leave for Chicago.

We left Sniff Sniff sleeping on the bed.  He loves to lay on Arvid's side.  Sometimes
he lays on Arvid's pillow other times just next to the pillow, but always by Arvid's corner.
We came home and Sniff Sniff was still asleep.  Same spot.  He's what we call a bed kitty.

Our day is busy, but that is only good.  Keeps me from thinking of things I don't want
to right now.  I have had better days and moments, but I have also had worse.  To all a very
good start of the week.  May you days always be filled with love, laughter, sunshine and just
 always remember that no matter what, there is always something to be grateful for.

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood...

~Nadiya~

Sunday..Time To Relax

The best curve on your whole body is your smile...

Sunday.  Relax time for Arvid, Sniffer and I.  Hope it's the same for all of you.

There are HUNDREDS of LANGUAGES around the world, but a SMILE speaks 

them ALL.  Hope your smile is speaking for you today and everyday.

Greetings on this beautiful day from Fort Lauderdale.

If you're not using your smile, you're a man

 with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook....

~Nadiya~

Key Largo, Florida...

In Florida we salt Margaritas, not sidewalks.
Weekend is here, let's roll baby..

Let's just say that I don't always like the same kind of music as Arvid, but I sure enjoy 

being able to go to different places to listen to it and appreciate how fortunate

 we are to be able to do so. Today's outing finds us in Key Largo. 

 One of the 800 islands known as the Florida Keys.

 One of our favorite Blues musician was playing last night so we had to come and
 see him.  Does not hurt that we both love the place.  For me the scenery is enough, but add
 some music, good food and drinks to it and we have the makings of a perfect evening.

We love everything about Key largo.  It's only about an hour and a half drive from us.
It has a little bit of an island feeling, but with all the amenities and commodities of being
in the USA.  Best of all it's the perfect getaway.  Just hop in the car and you're there.

Key Largo Florida.  This island at the top of the Florida Keys island chain boasts 

natural wonders plus friendly locals who are ready to help you enjoy them and is a little
 over an hours drive from where we are.  Those of us who live in Florida are
 familiar with the saying, "we salt Margaritas not sidewalks."

I love the music, the feel on the sand on my toes as soon as we step out of the door.
I love the frozen drinks, but my favorite are the sunsets.  Breathtaking!  Stunning!

Just being able to capture pictures of the sunset makes it all worthwhile.  I love it! Last night's
 sunset was as usual spectacular.  I took hundreds of pictures of this amazing sunset.

Hope everyone as had a good start of the weekend.  Wishing yo all days filled
with sunshine.  Last year when we came to this festival, Brutus was alive.

My Brutus turns 10 on Tuesday May 17th. Shadow turns 1.  No one will ever understand how
much I miss my Brutus and how my heart aches for both of them.  My Shadow was so little.

A reminder that life becomes precious and more special to us when we look for the
little everyday miracles and get excited about the privileges of being simply human.

Many people miss their share of happiness, not because 
they never found it, but because they never stopped to enjoy it...

~Nadiya~

Hello Friends...

You can find inspiration from others,

but determination is solely your responsibility...

Quiet day.  No big traumas happening here today. Just making plans for the
 weekend, and it's looking good, sun, beach, music, drinks and good food. 

Good morning everyone.  We all know this to be true, but if you had

any doubts here is a little reminder to you and to me.

Just last night as Arvid was holding my hand he said to me, "don't worry
my dear.  All of this that we are going through will just make us stronger."  

Funny enough I looked at him and I said, "I believe you, but I am already a very strong
person and I don't need additional "tests" to prove it."  I guess I was not feeling magnanimous
at that moment.  I was hurting and all I wanted was  to go back to being "normal"

Good morning all. Remember, laughter is the brush
 that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart.

Happy Friday all.  Be careful out there.  It is Friday the 13th after all.

Happy Friday The 13th! Don't look what's under your bed tonight & don't turn 

off the light. You don't know what's coming. Have a good day.

Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you.  Don't sweat tomorrow.  you haven't 

even met.  Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift - today..

~Nadiya~

Just Smile...

A smile is the light in your window that tells others t

hat there is a caring, sharing person inside...

What better way to start the day than with a big smile on your face.  It has been said that: 

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest 

compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

That's me and Madeline a few years ago.  Then my smile came automatically and 

frequently.  It is still here, but sometimes it takes a little longer to show up.

You know what they say, a smile is a curve that sets everything straight. When Brutus 

died it was hard to smile.  It still is, but Shadow came along and one just had to 

smile at all the things he did.  He was just one HAPPY kitty.  Then he died also.

I know that I am the type that is almost always happy and I know I always have a smile to

 give.  Arvid seems to think that I smile and talk to just about everyone who comes my way, and 

you know what he is not wrong!  I know that there is nothing wrong with smiling at 

everyone and talking to them.  It makes me happy and I am certain it makes

 others happy as well.  Unless of course I am being difficult and abrasive.

  Has been known to happen.  Oh well we can't always be perfect.

Remember everyone,you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,  love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's heaven on earth

Wednesday...

  The other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life. 

 "Why," I answered without a thought, "now"...Learn from yesterday, live for today,

 hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning....

I woke up at 4 am this morning just laying in bed  trying to go back to sleep but, the terrible 

nightmare that woke me up in the first place just kept playing over and over again in 

my head.  What a terrible way to wake up.... all scared, sweaty and breathing hard.  

Not a pleasant experience...but like someone said "I have had dreams, and I have

 had nightmares. I overcame the nightmares because of my dreams" 

As I turned on the bed I felt the soft fur of Sniff tucked in the middle of Arvid and I.

Brought a smile to my lips.   I woke up smiling and all nightmares were forgotten. 

There are few things in life more heartwarming  than to be welcomed by a cat.

Before it was Brutus.  Brutus who I miss everyday, but at the same time I know

 I need to move forward.  Missing Brutus is something that never goes away,

 but at the same time I have Arvid and Sniffer right next to me.

I look at them and I know that life is good.  We had our Brutus for  9 years.

They were very good years.  I will never get over him, but I love our Sniff and life goes on.

  My little Shadow was with us for just a brief time.  He showed us another side.  He showed

 us the wild side.  What a kitty he was.  I miss his crazy, playful ways.  Shadow...

It's been a good day here at home.  Quiet, peaceful and relaxing.  Hope yours has

 also been a good one so far.  Life is short, we have to make the most of it everyday.

~Nadiya~

Every man dies - Not every man really lives....Don't let the past steal 

your present...Don't let yesterday use up too much of today...

Busy Day...

Life is more than just chess. Though king dies, life goes on.

If something does go wrong, here is my advice... KEEP CALM and CARRY ON.

The secret is keeping busy and loving what you do...

Today we stayed busy with getting the final "items" to be shipped out to Norway.

Our job is fun.  We do do just about everything, but we also have a fun time doing it.

Today we drove this really cool Raptor F-150.  Cool ride and fun to drive.

We loaded boxes.  Unloaded the boxes.  Bubble wrapped a Murphy Bed among other things 

and still had time to stop by for coffee and danish.  While I enjoyed one of my favorite

 Arvid enjoyed something called school bread.  This is just a Danish with a cheese 

filled center and sprinkles with coconut flakes.  Found here in the USA,

 but according to Arvid not the same.  I don't care much for it, but then we

 are all different.  I got something I liked so it was a win-win.

For today we are done with the warehouse and shipping stuff.  The fact that we are both hot,

 sweaty and filled with grime from doing "hard" work just makes it even more fun.

It's good to be able to say, "today we really worked hard"  Now time to do paperwork, 

play with Sniff, clean up and yes make lunch.  late today, but I did have a delicious

 Danish pastry so overall, it has been a good day.  Hope yours is also a good one.

 Beautiful day in the Sunshine State.

When you are working and staying busy you

 don't have time to be depressed and sad...

~Nadiya~

A New Week Begins...

Quitters never win, winners never quit...

Good morning everyone.  Hope this is the start of a wonderful and productive

 week for all. Mondays for many is not the best of days, but think of all the good

you can do and of all the smiles you can bring into someone else's life.

Just that should make this and everyday a good day.  As usual, I am awake early.
  Ready to see the sunrise and to give some extra attention to Sniff.  Used to
 be for and with Brutus, then for Shadow.  How I miss my Brutus.

Soon Arvid will be awake and the morning will no longer be quiet.  

Enjoying my coffee as I write and also watching the sunrise.

For me it's the start of a beautiful day and also week.

My heart may be broken, but I am still able to appreciate the beauty
surrounding me.  I am also always grateful for what I have and who I have
in my life.  There may be times that I am very angry at life, but I am always
 grateful to wake up to a new day and to see another sunrise.

Our weekend was a good one.  I sampled quite a variety of delicious frozen drinks, and
I am amazed at what I have been missing out on.  Maybe I will indulge myself more often.

Hope it will be the same for all of you.

Good morning friends.  Time to rise and shine.

Always try to tap into the positive universal energy that exists in life.

Enjoy the good times in life because the 

Roof can cave in at any time...

~Nadiya~

Sunday Wishes...

Play the moments, pause the memories.

Stop the pain.  Rewind the happiness...

Just want to dedicate today's blog post to all the wonderful mothers out there.  If your mom 

is anything like mine, then all I can say is that we are truly blessed.  We may sometimes 

forget to let them know how much they mean to us, but a mothers heart is always 

open and always willing to forgive....just remember though that all 

mothers love to hear those three little words "I love you."

Mother's Day today.  To all the mom's out there.  Have a wonderful day. What mom's 
do no one else is capable of.  I know from watching my mom, my sisters, Anna,
 and so many of my friends.  I also see young Michelle as a mom, 
and I have to say the "job" of being a mom never ends.



You know when someone says to you, "do you want the good news
first or the bad news" things don't look too well.



No matter what life throws at you never give up.
Tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities.

Whatever your day holds, make it a good one.

Stay positive and never be shy to share kindness with others.

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

~Nadiya~

And So Begins Saturday...

Starting today I need to forget what's gone, appreciate what still remains,

and look forward to what's coming next.  I really need to give it a try...

The Super Bowl of Air Shows returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach on May

 7-8, 2016.Yes the Air show begins today featuring to top line up in North America

 in 2016.  The jinxed Lauderdale Air Show is set to fly again. 

The show will once again coincide with Fleet Week, which began May 2nd and runs 

until May 9th.  In 2014, the air show had to be canceled because runway 

construction at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport put needed

 air space for airport traffic in conflict with the performances. 

Due to all the noise and commotion going on, Sniff is very nervous and scared.  He hides.

Arvid had trained Brutus to not be afraid of the fireworks when we lived in Chicago. 

It took a long time, but Arvid was extremely patient with Brutus.  More than with any of

 the other kitties.  Now he will have to do the same for Sniff when we get 

to Chicago.  Fireworks go on every Wednesday and Saturday nights.

Those weren't the show's only problems: the second day of the inaugural show 

in 2012 was rained out and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds had to bow out of the 2013

 show at the last minute because of across-the-board federal budget cuts.

 Promoters are hoping for better luck in 2016. The show replaced the highly popular

 annual air and sea shows that ran from 1995 to 2007.  The main viewing area for the 

2016 show will be from Sunrise Boulevard north to Northeast 14^th Court.

Not sure if we will go or not.  We can see the planes fly by from our balcony and in the last

 few days we have seen and heard the planes.  As I said, Sniff is not happy about the noise,

for that reason Arvid and I will  most likely stay with him while the planes fly by.

I have had my walks at the beach during the last week.  I have had a few Pina Coladas,

 and I have had time to be with my thoughts and with myself. Always good for the soul.  As 

Saturday begins, the weather is a little cooler.  Really perfect right now.  Arvid as usual has 

his day booked with Soccer.  Sniff is sound asleep from all the playing I have done 

with him.  Me, not sure what I will be doing.  Many possibilities.  Maybe try another of my 

favorite drinks somewhere on the beach.  Hmmm...already sounds good to me.

To all a good day.  Remember no matter how hard life
 is you can still grow to be strong and beautiful.

Life never seems to be the way we want it, but we live it in the best way we can. There is
 no perfect life, but we can fill it with perfect moments, at least we can give it our best shoot...

~Nadiya~