The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year ~

 It only takes a moment to say thank you, but your  
thoughtfulness will be remembered a long time... 

The Christmas feeling is always so much better when

 one is surrounded by happy people, music and all things 

Christmas.  We had a really good time walking around

 The Landings.  Enjoying the Christmas spirit. 

 It is definitely a very beautiful spot.

It was a very cold day, and by the time we were done walking

 my hands were frozen.  But I got to enjoy the sights and to

 take a few pictures.  Just that alone made up for the cold.

Unlike Arvid, I am very much more prepared for the cold. 

 He does not have the right clothes, and refuses to get them.  

Too bad because there will be many a cold days coming ⛄.  I am 

prepared.  My feet are nice and warm and I have warm jackets.

Last year we celebrated Christmas in Puerto Rico. 

 What a wonderful time that was.  Spent with my sister,

 Kimsy and J.  2019 we celebrated in Tampa, Florida, with my

 parents, sisters, nieces and nephews.  This year we

 celebrate on our own, here in Branson, MO.

It's always better with family, at the same time we always 

make the best of whatever life throws at us.  I have Arvid 

and Sniff.  All I need for Christmas and any given time.

Winding down.  One waits for Christmas all year 

long, and it suddenly comes and goes in a flash.

It's not how much we give but 
how much love we put into giving...

~Nadiya~

My Christmas Kitties: Brutus, Shadow, Sniff

 Memories are like bullets.  Some whiz by and spook you.
  Others tear you open and leave you in pieces... 😿

It's just four days until Christmas.  Once again COVID 

news is dominating the world.  Just when you think 

everything was 'OK" a new variant comes out and

 "ruins" everything.  I no longer watch the news.

When it comes to our Brutus I am biased.  Pretty sure 

I always will be.  After all he is my baby.  There will never

 be a day a memory of Brutus does not cross my mind.

 Shadow just had one Christmas with us. Lately I have

 been thinking a lot about him, and I get very angry.

  Moving on sometimes is easier said than done. 

 I want to scream an throw things, but I haven't.

Sniff is our little rascal.  He like all the other

kitties is very pampered.  He has us wrapped around

 his little paw.  Just like Brutus and Shadow did, 

 and we love it.  We love him.  My little Sniff. 

I love Sniff like crazy. He is the most gentle and the

 sweetest of kitties.  Life without him would definitely not be

 the same.  He makes every moment of every day better.

No one can ever take your memories from you, each day

 is a new beginning, make good memories every day.

You may not think you have a good memory,

but you remember what's important to you.

Memories may fade as the years go by but they won't 

age a day. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone 

forever, but I shall hold something which I have traded

 for it. It may be no more than a memory, but if 

it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price...

~Nadiya~

Monday December 20th~

 If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.
If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you...

Five more days before THE day.  Christmas Day 

is around the corner.  For many it's the most 

wonderful time of the year.  For others,

 it can be the worst time of the year. 

 Life.  Circumstances, determines what it will 

be for many 🎄.  Nothing wrong with always

 hoping for the best.  That's my motto and

 hopefully this  will never change.

It's a good day here.  We always make it a good day 

no matter what, but Arvid found his favorite rum.  The one

 he used to buy when we were in Puerto Rico.  Now I can

 make my coquito and everyone will be happy.  Salud.

To all a good week ahead.  Hoping for a very white Christmas.

We all have circumstances, choose not to live

 in your circumstance, but live in your vision...

~Nadiya~

Sunday December 19th ~ ⛄

 Instead of dwelling in the past or worrying 

about the future, bring your mind to the present 

moment and try feeling and experiencing it fully...

⛄ Our Sunday begins very cold ⛄, on the good 

side I got to see a deer, so for me it's already a good day. 

 Making it an even better day, Arvid finally was able to

 talk to his mom.  She's doing better as of today.

Yesterday I had happy news from Puerto Rico.  

The cleaning lady, who is also my friend texted me 

and she told me that she has seen Rocco and Baby😃.  

I'm happy because now Baby and Rocco seem to be

 together all the time.  Of  'my" nine remaining kitties, eight

 have been accounted for.  Unfortunately, no one has seen 

Senior, nor will, but knowing Senior's patterns, I know 

he's around, but he's not usually "seen"  Happy day.

Six more days until Christmas.  This very moment I 

am not feeling it, but hopefully this afternoon as we 

walk around the decorated streets it will all be coming back

 to me.  As a child, Christmas was magical.  We didn't have

 much, but we were always surrounded by love and family.

To all a happy day.  It has not warmed up too

 much as of yet, but Arvid's hot chocolate hit the spot.  

Now it's nice and cozy inside.  Feels so very good.

Hot chocolate on a cold day makes ☕

 everything warm.   I love days when my only 

problem is how many hot chocolates to have...

~Nadiya~

Saturday December 18th ~

Alcohol, because no great story has 

started with someone eating a salad...

The rain did not stop us from having a good Friday outing. 

What an ugly day we had yesterday, it was cold, and

 it was wet  Cold rain definitely not the same as warm 

rain 😂 even so it didn’t stop me from having breakfast

 with another of my former tenants of Almost Home.

  We had a good time together.  Chatted and 😘

☕ enjoyed a leisurely breakfast   Having one car

 means Arvid and I have to schedule our “chores”

"errands" at different times  makes for “fun” times.

In Branson one of the most difficult things for people

 is transportation.  Not everyone has a car, so if you want 

to meet up with anyone it has to be planned around what 

is close by to them so that they can walk to and from.

Our current car really does not have room for

 anyone in the back  you can look at it in two ways. 

 That’s either good or bad, depending on the situation

We have some busy days next week, but also looking

 forward to seeing some other former tenants.  

Being a wet day, it was spent "mostly" indoors 

doing some getting rid of unwanted stuff, but too 

much indoor is not a good thing either.  That's 

how I put it to Arvid, who of course agreed.

Sniff is not really enjoying the cold weather, he

 seeks the sunshine and warm laundry but yesterday

 there was no sunshine so I put his linens in the

 dryer to warm up his bed.  He was happy.

Seven more days until Christmas no plans but to stay in,

 and make dinner at home.  Watch a few movies and indulge

 in some snacks and some 🥂🥃🍹  it never hurts.

My thoughts go to my kitties in PR.  I wonder why no one 

has seen Rocco and Baby.  I understand not seeing Senior, but 

Rocco and Baby  😢 are always in the same location as Marbles,

 MacGyver, Shygirl and Milo.  I know something is not right 😢

The temperature is going to drop throughout the day.  

Arvid says we will just be staying in.  As everyone 

knows, the cold is not for him.  Yet, here we are 😂

Happy day to all.  Make an amazing one.

Don't judge someone just because they sin differently 😂...

~Nadiya~

Friday December 17th~

 No one watches a strong woman harder than

 those who dislike her.  Give them a good show...

Just eight days before Christmas is here.  Arvid got his 

Christmas present early and could not be happier.  Arvid 

does not like the holidays  😲nor does he like presents, says he

 has everything he needs.  Thankfully he did not have these warm

 slippers.  Now his toes and feet are toasty and he stays warmer.

The other day Arvid came home and first thing he 

said to me, and this was with a big smile on his face. 

 He said, "let me wash my hands first.  I just 

fist bumped with a lot of people."  

He was beaming and when he was done he said he

 met a lot of people in the short outing he had.  Arvid 

was happy and could not stop smiling.  Truth is

 we have many good friends here in Branson.  

The people are genuine and down to earth.

Of course that required a little celebration.  He had just met a

 few people and everyone was happy that we were back in Branson.

  On lady even said to me, "you are the person I miss the most." 

 Don't know how true it was but it made my heart all warm.

Also warming my heart is receiving pictures and

 videos of Marbles and Macgyver.  These two are 

constantly walking with Charley (white dog), but also 

I have gotten a picture of Rascal, Shygirl and Milo. 

I was told that Mama was seen.  Also that Rocco and 

Baby were seen, but unless I hear from Sharon that Rocco

 and Baby were seen I am not so sure.  Nothing about Senior. 

 He would be the most difficult to spot.  Baby and Rocco should 

be hanging out with Marbles and Macgyver, but why aren't they?

Friday.  Temperatures are starting to drop.  Good thing

 Arvid's feet at least will be nice and warm 😂

Some people make the world special just by being i it...

~Nadiya~

Thursday December 16th ~

 When you feel good you open the 

door for positive energy to reach you...

I have already started seeing some of the people from

 Almost Home.  Makes me happy.  Took Mary to lunch, and 

my calendar has a few more.  There's going to be many lunches 

and breakfasts during the next couple of days.  Very happy.

The temperature is cooling down very fast.  Someone is not too

 happy right now.  He hates the cold 😂  Yesterday we had a high

 of 75F (24C), but the rest of the week is a different story 😂.

Even though Sniff has all that fur, I think he is cold because 

he always finds his way under some kind of blanket.

Nine more days until Christmas.  I'm sure many are 

getting pretty excited by now.  Families soon all gathered,

 laughter and lots of good food and love going around.  

Will be missing family this year.  Arvid,

 Sniff and I will be spending it here in Branson.

  Would really love to have a white Christmas.

Wet, but still a fairly warm morning.

  Happy Thursday everyone.

There are times when silence is the best 

way to yell at the top of your voice...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday December 15th ~

No matter who tries to teach you lessons

 about life you won't understand it until

 you go through it on your own... 

The days are winding down.  Ten more days until
 Christmas.  As far as I know, we will not be doing much.

  Spending it at home with Sniff.  Christmas day is not 

our favorite day to eat out, but I sure would like to go

 walking around The Landings a little after dinner.

This of course could all change depending on how

 Arvid's mother in Norway is doing.  For now she

 is in good hands and being taken care of 🙏.  

For now we enjoy where we are.  It is cold, 

but I have learnt that there is beauty everywhere. 

 You just have to look for it, and be grateful.

Don't wait for things to get easier, simpler, or better.

  Life will always be complicated.  Learn to be happy

 right now.  Otherwise you'll run out of time...

~Nadiya~