Greetings From Kentucky ...

It’s better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times...

Louisville, Kentucky.  This is where we will be spending the next

 few days.   Now that we have more free time, we can once 

again do the things we did before we had the hotels.  

This trip brings us to a trade meeting. I love it because I get to

attend the fun parts of the meeting, then spend the rest of the day doing 

things I enjoy, and checking out a place we have never been to before.

The first night we had what’s called the Cowboy Auction.  

We’ve been to many before, but this is the first time we

 are attending one in Louisville.  Was interesting.

It was a little different that the ones we are used to,

 but on the other hand it was also a lot of fun.  The items being 

traded were just hilarious.  Later I found out many were just for

 charity.  The “real” trading takes place in the next few days.

Arvid is in his element.  Loving every moment. 

 If anyone knows how to make a deal it is him.  I just 

enjoy watching him and the process.  I just smile

 because I know no matter what he will do trades.

Another week begins. Ours is mostly all fun and little work. 

Right now I can sure live with that.  All is good at the hotel. 

 Sniff is well cared for and the weather is gorgeous. 

Soon time to check out a little of my surrounds.

Wishing you all a good week and remember 

to always live in interesting times.

The world is big and I want to have

 a good look at it before it gets dark...

~Nadiya~

Road Trip ~

Sometimes the most scenic roads in life 

are the detours you didn't mean to take...

Music to our ears.  On the road again.  Just like "old times."

 Both Arvid and I love road trips.  As usual so much to see, so much to do.
  While Arvid drives I take pictures, when I drive he listens
to the Blues on Sirius radio.  Both happy.

Arvid and his famous peace sign.  Says his dad always
did the same.  It is now his trademark and when he forgets to
 do it, I remind him.  Makes him and I happy.

To all a happy weekend.  Remember in life it is not 
always about where you are going, but about having the 
best time doing whatever it is you're doing.

It's a road trip! It's about adventure! 
It's not like we have somewhere to go...

~Nadiya~

Hello Beautiful Day ~

In between goals there is a thing called life,

 that has to be lived and enjoyed...

Arvid as I have mentioned time after time is 

NOT a morning person, but today he was wide awake to watch the soccer game in bed.  Happy man.

Not many things or persons will get this man up this early, 

but you say soccer and especially Liverpool he's awake.

Pretty relaxing the rest of the day.  Temperature keeps warming up.

Loving it.  Sniff is already bird watching.  Arvid's team is in 

the lead as of now.  Perfect start of our morning, and yes

 having my cafe watching sniff watch the birds.

Good morning everyone.  The sun is shining the birds are singing. 

 Definitely a beautiful day awaits us all.  Live it to the fullest.

Because when you stop and look
 around this life is pretty amazing...

~Nadiya~

Never Tell Her She Can't ~

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; 

it takes sweat, determination and hard work...

My sisters passion in life is baking. Well her first passion is making 

people happy and she does it through her baking.  She started

 with her famous Tres Leches cake way back when they lived in 

San Antonio, Texas, where I have to say she did quite well.  

Times changed and they made a move to Virginia.  Once again,

 she built up her “career”/hobby/passion.  Little by little 

she was known in the entire town where they lived. 

She catered to some bakery stores and by pure word 

of mouth she acquired more business than one person alone 

can handle.  Handled it she did.  Was and still is hard 

work, but she makes it fun every step of the way. 

 Her creative mind never stops.  She's always devising new ways

 to tempt her customers and boy has she succeeded.  Soon it

 came time to leave Virginia and her flourishing business.  

California bound the family headed.  She never thought she was 

not going to continue pursuing her passion, she just did not think it 

would happen so fast.  You see her passion shined through her, and

 everyone around her noticed it and became caught up in her enthusiasm,

 Word of mouth is powerful and from one little Tres Leches

  Narima already has a booming business in California. In the short 

time they have been there she is already catering for weddings.

 Graduations.  Bridal showers.  Baby showers you name it, it’s 

on her list, and she is super excited and grateful for 

the opportunity to “work” doing what she loves.

She’s my sister and lord knows when it comes to any of them 

I am biased, but also one has to give credit when and where credit 

is due.  She has exceeded all expectations in a short time, and of

 course she has new goals set upon by herself.  She will ace it. 

 She makes it look effortless!  I love that girl!

Everyday is a new challenge she gives to herself.  She is AMAZING 

in everything she does.  She is after all my sister.  And we are 

5 sisters, and each are amazing in their own way.

Failure will never overtake me if my 

determination to succeed is strong enough... 

~Nadiya~

Early In The Morning ~

I woke up early, there was no worm.
Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious...

They say the early bird catches the worm.  Sniff and I are

very early today.  Was having a difficult times sleeping, so why not get up?

  Brush Sniff and enjoy my cafe.  Very quiet and peaceful.  Who knows

 maybe I may eventually go back to bed and sleep as soundly as Arvid.

I also enjoyed cafe with my Brutus and Shadow.  They are
always with me.  Sniff's morning routine has been interrupted and
 now he's starting to get antsy.  Think I should soon head back
 to bed and try to get a few hours sleep before I actually
have to wake up again and go to work.

I really enjoy "going to work"  The last few days I have been
coming home and making lunch.  Then I do not go back to the hotel
  Strange thing is that  I feel restless.  I am kinda "lost" even though
 there are quite a few things I do while at home "relaxing"

Leave yo all with an interesting fact I picked up while we were
watching a Netflix show in Mexico.  Even I was a non believer,
so of course I went to Google for my facts and here it is:

At roughly 1,150 miles, the total shoreline of the 
Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri is longer than  the coastline of California. Lake of the Ozarks covers 
overs 61,000 acres and contains 617 billion 
gallons of fresh water, what the city 
of St. Louis typically uses over a decade.

This world is but a canvas to our imagination...

~Nadiya~

Life ~

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, 

charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that

 we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open...

Yesterday was one of those days you did not want to end.  It was 

perfect, showing you exactly what it is everyone talks about when they 

say how great the weather is in Missouri.  If we can have repeats

 of today everyday, this would be close to heaven.

I come home and all I want to do is sit outside and enjoy

 the weather.  I never really do this in Florida, not because we do not 

have some great weather and beautiful days, but here it's just 

so peaceful and quiet.  I do enjoy these moments.

While Sniff sleeps soundly, Arvid is busy doing what Arvid does, 

I enjoy a few alone moments with myself.  Lately I have been thinking 

very much of Brutus.  It always breaks my heart and makes me want 

even more alone time.  Sniff is never ignored.  He is a joy and all love,

 but my heart and my soul were ripped apart the day Brutus died.

When Shadow comes into the picture I block it. 

 As much as I can.  I still can't deal with it, and every time I think 

of the dryer back in our apartment in Florida I have a minor panic attack.

  I want to throw it away and never see it again, but we didn't.

Yesterday my friend's kitty of 13 years died.  Her Pete is no 

longer with her.  Heartbroken is mild to express what one goes 

through. You see our fur babies are more than pets. They are our perfect companions and they never have fewer than four feet.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Sometimes life dishes out more 

than you think you can handle, but then you prove to life and to 

everyone that there is no such thing as "more than you can handle."  

Sometimes I just wish life was a bit more fair to all of us.

Sometimes losing a pet is more painful than losing a human because

 in the case of the pet, you were not pretending to love it...

~Nadiya~

A New Week Begins~

One positive thought in the morning can change your whole day...

Today is my dada's birthday.  My dada loved me and always
made sure I was safe and happy.  I miss my dada and mama and I
know they miss me, but now they have Sniff and he is good for them.
I love you dada and wish you and Sniff a happy birthday from Shadow and I.

The weekend went by too fast.  It was a combination of work and fun. 

 Yesterday we had a very good outing with our office/maintenance couple 

and their kids.  By the time we got to the restaurant we were all super hungry.  

The meal was delicious, and as usual we were all “bad”. We had dessert.

Unfortunately I don’t know what happened, but something bit me.  

Not being an outdoor person, I did go out in the yard on Saturday.  Yes, I 

bagged some leaves.  Arvid was not getting it done so I just did it.

Same as I did last year.  Neither of us like outdoor/yard work, but

 somehow I always seem to be the one doing it.  It think it was a spider, 

but for the life of me can’t even remember seeing a spider on Saturday.

 Pretty swollen and it itches.  Of course I have made it worse by itching it.

Today I act as cab driver for one of the tenants.  I will be taking him 

to his doctor's  visit. Not all of them have cars and taxis are not in

 their budget.  I think this week he has 3-4 doctors appointments. 

 As long as I have the time, I promised to do it. No big deal.

As the new week begins I am excited to see what happens.  

We are full.  I had one open room on Saturday.  I made 3 calls and

 the room is rented.  Now I have 2 people not so happy because they 

got there too late. It is what it is and so when I tell then that 

the rooms go fast they now understand I am not joking.

All is good at Almost Home.  It time now to start working on getting

 everything ready for the pool.  City inspections and that sort will be

 taking place in the next few weeks making sure everything is up to par for

 when we are ready to open the pool.  Something to keep us busy.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead.

A new week rolls in.  A week full of promise, potential,

 and endless possibilities. May your coffee be strong and your

 Monday be short.  It’s time to sparkle and shine...

~Nadiya~

Relax Mode ~

Sunday, a day to refuel your soul and be grateful for your blessings.
Take a deep breath and relax.  Enjoy your family, friends and a cup of coffee...

Train like an athlete.  Eat like a nutritionist, sleep like a baby, 
win like a champion.  Happy relaxed day to all.

Saturdays are for adventure.  Sundays are for cuddling...

 ~Nadiya~

Feeling Good ~

The good life is a process, not a state of being.  It is a direction not 

a destination.  Be yourself because an original is worth more than a copy...

What a week.  Have no idea how it went by so fast.  

Kinda scary

 in a way.  Time just flies.  Yesterday I took one of my tenants out to lunch.  

She is always talking about Indian food so of course I took her to my favorite Indian restaurant.  Arvid thinks she's cool.

Tomorrow we take our maintenance couple and their

 2 kids out for dinner.  They all like a good steak as do we so that's the plan.

  Steak for everyone tomorrow.

Usually on Saturdays I do not go in, but today I will for a little.

  We have an open room at Almost Home, and just thought I would go 

and help out and make sure it's all ready.  I called 3 people on our waiting 

list and they all are coming to see the room later today, so I need to make

 sure it's up and ready to go.  Arvid will be at the auction again.

It's warming up.  Finally.  I see summer in our horizon, but

I have to say Spring sure missed us.  Hopefully we will see some spring.

It's nice having just one hotel.  Now we have time to do some fun stuff again.

We have been looking forward to next weekend for a very long time now.

We plan to do something we have not done before.  Exciting.

Wishing everyone a happy day.  

Remember to always focus on the good.

Life goes by too quickly.  So laugh, love and try new things.

Forgive, forget, and don't hold grudges.  Choose to be happy....

~Nadiya~

Interesting Times ~

I'm a big believer that life changes as much as you want it to.  We all

have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance...

When we lived in Florida, we stayed to ourselves mostly.  We

 were and still are not the types to do a lot of social outings.  

We prefer weekend getaways, an evening out listening to 

music, a good meal, but always mainly Arvid and I.

Here in Branson that has changed.  Honestly we socialize more 

here than we did in Florida.  We go out more in groups here also than 

we did in Florida and I said to Arvid, "I believe you need to invest in

 a blazer and some dress clothes."  The craziest thing is Arvid agreed. 

 Of course, owning the hotels have been a big part in this, 

plus Arvid has met people who are interested in trading as 

much as he is.  Makes for some very interesting times.

Last night we attended an auction for charity.  The main items

 were 2 cars.  Arvid of course had to bid on them, but like all good

 bidders he also had a limit.  Needless to say the cars were sold for more 

than our agreed limit.  No problem, today and tomorrow the real 

auction begins and I know he will do his best to acquire a few cars. 

Just last week we also attended a silent auction.  The items were not 

as grand as cars, and only one item interested us.  I saw it and I said

 to  Arvid, "please bid on this one and make sure we get it." It's home 

with us.  Life has taken a different path here in Branson for us.

Whatever our future holds, I know that Branson has played (and continues to)

 a very important part in our lives.  We may or may not have liked it all,

 but we sure experienced and still continue to do life changes that 

will always be a part of us.  It has definitely it filled a void.

We are definitely living in interesting times.

Going by my past journey, I am not certain where life will 

take me, what turns and twists will happen; nobody knows where

 they will end up. As life changes direction, I'll flow with it...

~Nadiya~

Hello Thursday ~

Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters...

Another week has flown by..way fast.  Already Thursday and the 

warm up we were having has suddenly disappeared.  Cold days are

 back and I think I am getting the flu again.  Not sure if it is, 

but I have the symptoms.  Not happy about that.

Yesterday we had to throw a young girl out of our hotel.  Nothing against
young people, but many have an attitude and just don't seem to know
right from wrong.  Truth is I liked her, she paid on time, but she
was more work than we needed at Almost Home.

  Within an hour of us telling her she has to pack and leave,
 I get a phone call from one of the tenants on the waiting list.  Needless
to say, I have already rented the room.  The tenant has paid upfront for

2 weeks even though the first week he will not even be here. 

As he said to me on the phone, "I'm coming all the
 way from Arizona to work in Branson like I do every year
and I was told to stay at Almost Home."  I love the
 fact that our hotel has a great reputation.

Most of the long term stay hotels advertise a $99 move in special. 
This special runs all year long.  I am happy to say that at Almost Home
we have never had to do this and we still stay full.  I did try the $99
move in special, but before the day was over I took it away because
 the clientele it brought was not the one we want at Almost Home.

Thursday is looking good.  Chilly start of the morning but already
warmed up with my cafe and chasing Sniff around.  Arvid still sound
 asleep.  Quiet, peaceful.  Mornings are my favorite time of the day.

Hello Thursday.  You sure got here fast.

There comes a time when the world gets quiet 
and the only thing left is your own heart...

~Nadiya~

Feels Like Summer ~

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their

 affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. 

Difficult standards for people to live up to...

Rio came home yesterday.  It's hard to say who was happier, 

Rio or his papa. That being said everyone in our family slept 

better last night, and Mala is once again breathing. 

 Rio being taken in for emergency surgery had them on the brink of 

a nervous breakdown.  Rio is their baby now, and after what happened to 

Jax this was heartbreak all over again.  Thankfully, Rio is home healing.

It's so good being home again.  Going back to work.  Talking to the tenants.

  I love it and missed it so very much.  I'm not one to buy presents/trinkets/souvenirs,

 but this time in Mexico I came back home with a little handmade purse for my tenants.

  I was so happy to do it and I was even happier when i saw their faces lite up.

The last few days have been extremely cold.  Thankfully a warm up

 started late yesterday and will continue on for the rest of the week.  On Sunday 

we had snow flurries and today the temperature will be in the 80's (F) .

Predicting the weather in Missouri is not easy.  One day you freeze

 and the next day you are running around in shorts sweating.  Arvid as you 

can imagine is happy as is everyone here.  This has been a long and cold winter 

here in Missouri, and in almost places.  It's time for a warm up now.

As Tuesday begins I can see the week already taking off.  Strange thing

 was that when we were in Mexico time did not seem to move at all.  

It was one of the longest 2 weeks I have experienced.  

Arvid says he thinks Branson has spoilt us, in that here we 

got so used to being on the go 24/7 that when it came time 

to relax we just did not know how to do it anymore. 

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer 

serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.  The real things haven't 

changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the 

most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures;

 and have courage when things go wrong...

~Nadiya~

Monday ~

Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food 

and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas 

owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food and

 water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods...

It has been a very stressful weekend.  Nothing to do with work.

Life here in Branson is great, aside from being very cold. We could not

 be happier to be home, although we sure miss the warm weather.

For starters, my sister Mala told us that Rio their doggie of barely 

2 months was not feeling well.  So they took him to the vet.  After

 24 hours still no relief, so they took him in again on Saturday.  Next 

thing you know it was an emergency surgery scheduled for Rio. 

Our entire family was heartbroken and none of us slept a wink 

Saturday night.  You see Rio's surgery was scheduled for midnight. 

 We heard no news until about 3:30am Sunday morning.

None of us have met Rio, but we all loved him from the day he was 

brought into the family.  After my sister and family lost their Jax, 

it took them a while to bring Rio into their lives.  And then this.

  Needless to say there was not a single dried eye in the family.

Rio came out of surgery good, but because he had something lodged 

into his stomach, surgery was a little delicate and little Rio also 

spent Sunday night in the hospital.  His family was with him as

 much as was possible and can't wait tho have him back home.  

Hopefully today.  Please, please be OK little Rio.

As if that was not enough heartbreak, my friend Anna just found 

out that her little Bowe Bowe (kitty) of barely 4 years has the 

same kidney issues her Buddy (another kitty) had.  Anna's Buddy

 died due to those kidney issues.  Why is life so unfair?

Also this weekend my aunts daughter, just 38 years old died.  Totally

 caught everyone by surprise.  Making it worse, my aunt lives in New York

 and her daughter lived in Guyana.  Why?  Why? Whis is life so unfair?

As the new week begins, I hope everyone is OK.  Please 

make sure you tell the ones you love how much they mean to 

you and always remember that what you take for granted someone

 else is praying for.  Today what are you grateful for?

 If you have nothing to be grateful for, check your pulse.

Look for something positive in everyday, even  if 

some days you have to look a little harder... 

~Nadiya~

Interesting...

Beauty is self confidence applied directly to the face...

Here is to natural beauty.  They say that beauty is how you feel

on the inside, which then reflects in your eyes.

Beauty can sometimes use a little help, hence makeup!

I find that another thing that expresses beauty is a persons ability to laugh.

Our niece Danielle is one to whom laughter comes easily and
 spontaneously.  When in her company both Arvid and I find that we are
 laughing even more than usual.  The girl has a heck of a personality and
 she leaves you feeling good always.  I really miss her.

Wishing you all a day full of laughter and happiness.

It's a beautiful day so make the most of it and never forget
that life is what you make of it and your attitude will decide if
it's good or not. Don't forget, the best is yet to come!

You can turn painful situations around through laughter.

 If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.

~Nadiya~

Just For Fun ~

Just play.  Have some fun.  Enjoy the game...

I just could not resist these signs.  Saw them and had
 to take pictures. Showed then to Arvid.  When he saw
 the one with family he laughed and said, "exactly" 
gave us a good laugh.  Exactly what we needed.

I take random pictures of any and everything.
 Most of them gets deleted, but some are so darn cute
or funny I know that one day they will find their
way into my blog.  Pictures are my thing.

Anyone who knows me knows that before the
day is over I could have taken hundreds of them. 
Most are unusable, but some are pretty OK.  As Arvid
would say it keeps me busy and gives me something
 to keep me busy.  You see I am constantly restless.

We will be spending the day at home.  Once again,
but together we always seem to have good times.

COVID cases are still decreasing in Florida.  YAY,
 but on a not so good note, more people have been hospitalized,
 and yesterday surpassed all the records for the number of
deaths related to COVID in Florida.  One day at a time.

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, 
show life that you have a thousands reasons to smile...

~Nadiya~

Adios Mexico ~ Hello Sniff

Souls tend to go back to who feels like home....

My favorite time is here.  Time to head home to Sniff and everything

 that is familiar.  Time to head back to the USA.  Puerto Aventuras 

is beautiful.  No questions about that, but my heart is elsewhere,

 and a little kitty named Sniff is waiting at home for us.  

I cannot wait to be home with him, pick him up and shower him with love.

Vacation is over and I could not be happier.  I want to go home.  Finally the day is here.

Will definitely miss the dolphins, but looking forward to being back to work.

I have missed Almost Home very much and my tenants.  Home is always best.

Even when we lived in Florida, Arvid never went on the balcony to
enjoy his mornings.  Here in Mexico he wakes up.  Sits out on the balcony for
an hour or so, and after breakfast he takes his tea and enjoys it on the balcony.
He will definitely be missing his views and quiet times in the mornings. The truth
4 is once we get back home, life gets busy.  Homewards bound we are!

There is no place like home.  
We're gong home to Sniff...

~Nadiya~

Life In Mexico ~

Vacation is over.  Back to reality.  Time to officially
 remember what day of the week it is.  A vacation is
 over when you begin to yearn for you work...

Daily walks.  As much tropical fruit as you like, good weather,

relaxation and days of leisure.  That's exactly what we have been up 

to for the last week and a half.  Soon it will come to an end, but that's
 OK as well.  It will now be good to go back to our "regular" life.

Gone will be the days of soccer, fruity drinks and watching dolphins.

Going back home to colder temperatures, (YES!!!) and work (YES!!!).

No matter where you are, where you go, the memories you
make will last forever.  Arvid and I have made some very good
memories here.  We have also had some very good times.

Owning a hotel had definitely changed us.  We both realize
 how difficult it is to just relax, mainly me.  We need to be doing something
constantly, and thought Mexico is a beautiful destination, I would
much rather be home working and staying busy.

Truth is i have been working.  I have gotten more phone calls,
texts and inquiries from tenants than ever.  Seems as if everyone
needs something from me.  If you can imagine, this makes me
very tense, and at the same time makes the desire to go home
 even stronger.  I am also missing our Sniff Sniff.

I can't wait to go home to him.  Sniff fills a void Brutus left, and
yesterday I missed Brutus so very much.  Arvid and I were talking about
him, and next thing you know the tear were rolling down, I was wanting to
 hold him so badly.  This November will be 3 years my baby died.

As always when it comes to time to leave there is a little sadness,
but trust me we have so much to do back home that it does not
 last for long. We will be getting back to nice weather as well.

Definitely a big plus.  But for now, gone are the days of sitting
on the balcony, watching people pass by, boats take off and all that
 stuff that screams VACATION!  Yes we are going home
soon and we are very happy about that. Happy day.

Happy day to all.  Arvid and I are excited to be heading home.

I'm going home and hugging my Sniff.  
I'm probably going to get a meltdown..

~Nadiya~