Monday August 4th~

Mindset is everything.  Carry your 

weekend vibe into Monday morning...

 Once again a new week is upon us.  The first 

Monday in August, and it is looking to be a beautiful

 one.  May your week be filled with good thoughts, kind 

people and happy moments.  Happy Monday all.

Sniff and I have been awake for a while now.  I keep

 waiting for Oliver to show up.  In the meantime, I'm

 enjoying my cafe, the weather, and a beautiful sunrise. 

Arvid and I enjoyed a very good time yesterday.  Just

 being able to sit out by the water , watch the boats go by 

and enjoy our meal made for a perfect Sunday outing.

To all a happy week.  Let's be thankful 

for a new week full of possibilities.

You don't have to see the whole 

staircase, just take the first step...

~Nadiya~

Sunday August 3rd~

 Relish the journey over the hump 

and enjoy the view on the other side...

Yesterday started out beautifully. So much

 cooler than last month. Today same thing so

 very happy with Branson right now.

In the morning I took some time for me.

 Yeah a huge part involved grocery shopping 

which right now is a nightmare because

 it seems like everyone is in Branson. 

I also went to Kohls for a bit.  I will admit 

it’s not my favorite store.  I never find much 

that I like in it, but the good thing about 

it is that there is a Sephora in there. 

 Sephora is our eldest granddaughter’s 

favorite store. At least for now.  It gave me the 

opportunity to chat with her, which made me

 immensely happy.  Just to have her respond back

 to me made my day even more beautiful. 

 I love those 3 girls with all my heart, and

 it makes me angry when some people refer to

 them as “Arvid’s grandkids”. I see red right away, 

and right away I correct them.  I always

 say, “ they are OUR grandkids.” 

 Nothing pisses me off faster than that.  They 

are my grandkids as much as Arvid’s.  I may not 

be able to always communicate with them due to 

the language barrier, but their English

 is much better than Norwegian. 

 In fact they do understand me, but they are 

still at times shy to speak in English to me.  I 

am patient and nothing will make me happier 

than one day being able to actually have

 a real conversation with them.  

Last night Arvid and I met with Roger for drinks. 

Arvid was with him Friday night as well. We thought

 it was going to me a quiet evening with just the three

 or maybe four; there is another guy also in the group.

  Turns out it was Karaoke night.  AGAIN!😭

 Roger says he finds me “interesting”. He says

 he enjoys talking to me because I am not like anyone 

he knows.  My guess is because I am blunt, to the point

 and do not sugarcoat my words.  Sometimes it may be

 okay to do so, but I do not know how to. Some may 

find it offensive, but I have always been this way.  I call 

a spade a spade. You either like me or you don’t, and 

to be honest it does not affect me one way or the other.

Sunday, and the day is looking really good. 

Another perfect day for being outdoors. Oliver

 has been taken care of.  Birdies fed, and of course 

Sniff as well.  Sniff first then all the others.

Expressing gratitude adds a vibrant 

hue to your everyday canvas...

~Nadiya~

Saturday August 2nd~

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the

 scenery you miss by going to fast, you also miss

 the sense of where you are going and why...

Sniff started the new month with a new morning 

routine.   A little workout.  Since coming to Branson

 he has lost a pound just by running up and down 

the stairs.  Lucky Sniff.  What he loses I gain 😭

The weather has been absolutely beautiful, so 

much so that yesterday we were finally able to go to 

The Landing and sit out.  We enjoyed of course the

 hourly Branson Landing water and fire show.

It is tax-free weekend so The Landing was packed 

with people even more than usual.  Arvid and I had to 

switch to a different table because the one next to us

 had at least 10 screaming kids under the age of 8.  

We also had a good time people watching.

Of course Arvid and I enjoyed something to nibble 

on and something to drink.  It was a most pleasant

 afternoon.  Afterwards Arvid met with Roger for their 

Friday evening drinks. Roger is a very cool character.

Wishing everyone a very good day.  Another beautifu

l day awaits us, and who know what it holds.

Life ain’t always beautiful, 

but it’s a beautiful ride...

~Nadiya~

August 1st~ New Month

 August is the slow, gentle month that stretches 
out the longest across the span of a year...

As the sun sets in July, we welcome August with open 

arms, knowing that even brighter days lie ahead.

 

I don't know what the month holds, but many people I care 

for have birthdays in August.  To all of you a happy birthday

 from now. No matter what life dishes out, always remember 

to do something nice for yourself.  Just a little something.

Yesterday I found myself doing exactly what I told 

myself I won’t do. I know the “schedule” of Oliver, the

 black and white kitty.  At least that’s what I told myself.

 So by 6:15am I don’t do my usual stuff, instead I wait for 

Oliver to show up so that I can go and feed him. By 7:30

 no Oliver.  I did breathe sigh of relief when closer to

 8am both Oliver and Charlie showed up for foodies.

For the next few days we will be having what 

Arvid refers to as perfect weather. Gone (for now) 

is that scorching heat. Instead we have beautiful 

weather and we plan to make the most of it.

To all a very good day/new month.  Yesterday Arvid and 

I went for a walk around the neighborhood, it's been a long

 time since we have done so. Was just a  too hot.  Even

 though my knee hurts, I know I need to do some exercise.  

It hurt, but it also felt good.  Nature was in full bloom.

August is the border between summer and autumn.

Breathe in gratitude, breathe out negativity

 that’s the essence of a happy life...

~Nadiya~

Thursday July 31st~

 A world where animals are no longer harmed nor 

mistreated.  What a beautiful world that would be...

Yesterday morning I saw our neighbor across from us. 

The man who has the dog and who we believe takes

 care of the grey kitty. I'm not one to miss such a prime 

opportunity.  I knew I had to ask him a few questions.

To be on the sure side, I went out when I saw him

 walking his dog, who by the way is named Jackson. 

 I said good morning and right away I asked him what’s

 the story with the grey and black and white kitty.

  He said he has taken in the grey one and that

 the black and white was abandoned by its owners 

when they got evicted 😢. The abandoned kitty 

(black and white) is named Oliver. 

Our neighbor, Dave also feeds Oliver, but as long

 as we are here I will also make sure I feed Oliver. 

Dave said he may also just end up taking Oliver in.  I 

hope so because he is very loving and friendly. 

 I have also left them a bowl with water that

 I refill/clean everyday.  This is why I love animals

 more than I do  some people.  To abandon your fur 

baby in the wild that is unforgivable.  Now I will 

be even more on the lookout for Oliver 🙏

My Sniff is my happy place and I know that he knows

 that I will always protect him. After Brutus I did not think

 I would care/love another kitty so much  I was so wrong.  

I have enough love for Brutus, Shadow, Sniff, my California

 kitties, my Puerto Rico kitties, and all the kitties that have come 

across in my life. They all hold a special place in my heart.

No pet ever abandoned its owner because

 it was old or sick. Your humanity died

 the moment you abandoned me...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday July 30th~

Make this day your best yet by focusing 

on the good in every moment...

 The birdies are so close, but yet it feels so far away.  

They are still not staying very long on the deck, 

but they do sit right out of reach where we can

 still see them.  Very frustrating for Sniff.

The other day Arvid and I just had to get out for a bit.  

What better place to go to than Andy's Frozen Custard.  

I don't know about you, but after having Andy's Frozen

 Custard I would choose it any day over ice-cream.  

What is the difference between ice cream and custard?

The primary difference between ice cream and frozen custard 

lies in the presence of egg yolks and the production process.

 Frozen custard must contain at least 1.4% egg yolk solids,

 while ice cream typically contains less. Custard also tends 

to be churned slower, resulting creamier texture. It was hot,

 so Arvid and I ate our frozen custard in the car with AC.

Lately since we have been indoors so much, we have 

been watching way to much TV in between of everything else. 

 Even Sniff watches with us.  The thing is whoever gets up

 from their seat, it gets "stolen" by Sniff.  Last night it was

 my spot that was taken.  Ne never moves after that.

To all a very good day.  While I wait for my wildlife friends,

  I will enjoy the sunrise and a piece of heaven from Norway.  

Once you've had this chocolate, you will never eat any other.

Halfway to the weekend! Keep pushing forward...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday July 29th~

You know your life has changed when... going 

to the grocery store by yourself is a vacation...

 We spent all day in yesterday.  I did have to go to 

the grocery story, but it was so hot that I just was not in 

the mood to venture out.  Unfortunately I will have to go

 today.  Usually I like going to the grocery store, but in this

 heat I don't.  I know I can have it delivered, but I just like to

 go and choose my own fruit, vegetables, meat and such.

Yesterday Daisy and a few little birdies came for foodies. 

 I am so happy to see Daisy.  It means that Fatboy is not far

 away.  They came but did not stay too long.  It's a start.

I am now feeding 2 cats.  The grey one and the black 

and white.  I do believe they both have homes or at least

 are cared for.  They both have collars, and like I have said

 before, the grey one is allowed into the neighbors home.

If you are in Branson and looking to do

 something fun check out the Pink Jeep Tours.

Pink Jeep Adventure Tours, Branson

Morning is here already.  I am still waiting patiently

 for my knee to heal, but I honestly have come to

 the conclusion that it will not get any better 😭

The morning is here, let your soul expand.  

I get up every morning, and it’s going to be a 

great day. You never know when it’s going to 

be over so I refuse to have a bad day...

~Nadiya~

Monday July 28th~

Every morning starts a new page in

 your story. Make it a great one today..

The last Monday in July.  Though it has been a hot

 month, it was not necessarily a bad month, but we are

 all looking forward to a little milder days ahead.

Sniff and I continue to wait for the birds to show up.  

The are getting closer and closer every day, but still

 not there as yet.  Every day we hope it's the day.  This

 morning once again the black and white kitty showed up.

 I had another opportunity to give him some foodies.

As the new week begins, both Arvid and I now 

have a cold.  So far I do not have it very bad as yet, 

and in all honesty neither did/does Arvid.   I know 

it won't stop me from doing what I have to do.

We had a good outing yesterday.  We dined indoors,

 but we still had a lake view.  The food was good,

 but best was getting out a little.  We have mostly 

been indoors because of the heat we are having.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead.  May 

it be a productive and good one.  If you're ever in

 Branson, there are quite a few things to check out.

Say hello to Monday and a brand new

 week filled with endless possibilities...

~Nadiya~

Sunday July 27th~

Have a seat, standing there watching 

everyone else work all day must be exhausting...

Usually when Arvid gets the flu it goes on for 

about 10-12 days.  Somehow this time I believe

 he’s already on the mend. Hope so because when a 

man is sick it seems as if everything is on hold.

July is coming to an end. Not soon enough. 

So far it’s been an extremely HOT 🥵 month. Not 

only in Branson, but also in Florida.  We “enjoyed” this 

heat it in both places.  It seems that no matter where you 

are, you cannot escape this summer's heat.  That being 

said, I am loving the sunrises here in Branson.

Yesterday a few little birdies/sparrows showed up. 

Sniff was all over them like a hawk.  I know they 

should soon be coming back. I miss my Fatboy 

and my Daisy.  Hope they come back soon.

Maybe the heat is also keeping them away?

Usually on Sundays we go out, but it all depends

 today on how Arvid feels.  I mean one still has to eat.

  Arvid likes it best when I cook at home. So do I, but

 I also enjoy a meal out. Especially because I don’t

 have to cook and clean 😊for hours on end.

It’s been a month already since my mom’s 

open heart surgery. She says she’s doing great. 

Healing fast and is already back doing things

 she shouldn’t be doing as yet.  As Arvid

 would say, “she just can’t sit still.”

To all a very good day.  Our forecast is

 predicting some "milder" days next week.

  Of course if that's the case we will not miss

 the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.

Today is one of those days that 

even my coffee needs coffee...

~Nadiya~