Happy Halloween ~

Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, 

but it's about finding the imagination and 

costume within ourselves.  It's Halloween, 

everyone is entitled to a good scare...

Last year we celebrated Halloween in Branson. 

 Almost Home was decorated with all things Halloween. 

 Every holiday I made sure to put out the right stuff and to get 

the matching candy.  I miss doing that, and I miss making 

sure that everyone was happy and well cared for.  Now that 

"job" belongs to Tiffany and Chris, but I still miss it.

Here at home in Florida it will be a quiet time.  Arvid and I

 are not the type to dress up in costumes and parade along

 the streets.  Sounds like fun for many, but not for us.

As you can see from the above picture, he won't 

even let me get a proper picture of him.  All is good here.

Wishing everyone a safe Halloween and thinking of all my 

friends in Branson.  I miss you all and think of you often.  

Starting tomorrow October 31- November 4, 2018. 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the "Yachting Capital of the World"
 will host the 59th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. 
The show exhibits range from yacht builders and 
designers to exotic cars and brokerage yachts. 

I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that 

any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly...

~Nadiya~

Happy Days ~

Live life for the moment because 
everything else is uncertain!

Arvid came back from Miami and said to me, 

"Nirvana and I talked all the way back to the apartment.  

45 minutes sure went by fast."  This was yesterday.  Arvid 

picked her up in Miami and brought her to our place. 

Yesterday everyone had lunch at our place.  It was

 relaxing and very enjoyable.  When they were about

 to leave Arvid said, "well this went by very fast." 

Time with family is always relaxing.  I love to cook,

so for me it is fun.  The cleaning up is another story,

 but as Arvid loves to say, "we work good together."  

Nivana is going to be a regular "visitor" in Florida now.

After all her son J lives here, whom we also plan to see a little

 more often.  If our lifestyle is busy, then J and Alexandra's

 is even busier.  With regular jobs these two still manage 

to take off almost every weekend to some mini vacation.

Last month was Punta Cana.  This coming weekend they go

 to Puerto Rico.  In November they go to Cancun.  All of this 

for weddings for their friends.  Come Christmas and New Year

 they will be spending it in Peru with Kimsy and their dad. 

 Boy, we actually have to make an appointment to see J.

Life is good.  I am really liking having visits from my 

family for a change.  Soon we will also see my sister in

 Tampa and I can't wait for that as well.  For now, 

I will enjoy my parents' visit and my sisters.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Remember, don't 

make things too complicated. Try to relax, enjoy

 every moment, get used to everything.

Life is short, and if we enjoy every moment of every day, 

then we will be happy no matter what happens

 or what changes along the way

~Nadiya~

New Week ~ Great Expectations

Time to turn off the iPad.  Put away the smartphone,

and just enjoy being where you are when you are with your family...

Looking forward to the new week very much.  For starters 

my parents and my sister is still in town.  I also have my sister in

 Tampa so life is really good.  Nothing like spending quality time

 with family.   This was one of the things I really missed when

 we lived in Branson.  I did not see family for almost 2 years.

Yesterday Arvid and I spent a few hours over lunch 

with my family.  It was really very nice.  We waited quite a

 while for the food to come but in between drinks and appetizers

 and a lot of talking going on we sure had a great time.  

I love seeing Arvid and my family interact. 

J is all very proud of his car.  He had to take his uncle 

Arvid and his grandma for a drive.  Grandma had a 

"little shakeup"  The car has 350HP it goes FAST!

It's been a good few days so far.  Nirvana has been here

 since Thursday and we are enjoying time with her,

 J and Alexandra.  Now my mom and dad are here 

and having good times with them as well.  

They have been on the move for weeks now.  Just about

 2 weeks ago they flew to New York for a wedding.  They also

 came to Florida for a wedding.  Soon they will be going

 to California for a month.  Boy they are busier than

 all of us.  Travelling is fun, but so exhausting.

To all a good week.  For me it is a great one. 

 I get to spend it with family.

My family is my life, and everything else comes 

second as far as what's important to me.

Let today be the start of something new....

~Nadiya~

Because Life Is Good ~

Life’s true gift lies in your freedom to design it beautifully.

 With each rise of the sun, you get to chase the opportunity to

fill your days with meaning—to live your life the way you choose...

I really miss Branson ought now.  I miss my friends

 and tenants.  I miss Almost Home and I miss being 

busy running a hotel.  I stay in touch with 

many of the tenants and talking to them

 makes me miss everyone even more. 

 No matter what I am doing or where we go,

 a big part of my heart is in Branson.  A few days ago

 Tiffany sent me the above picture.  Made me miss

 Almost Home and everyone even more.  Makes

 me happy to see that it's well cared for.

Life is good in Florida.  We are busy, but in Branson I 

felt I had a purpose.  So far don’t feel the same here.

Sniff is getting used to his home.  He has found many

 spots he loves.  I find my day is taken up with just

 cleaning and cooking not satisfying enough.  

Not like it was when we lived in Branson.  Our life in

 Florida is really good, but I miss having a purpose. 

 We are back to doing real estate so hopefully I will 

feel good about it once again.  We have a listing 

already so that I know will keep me busy.

Being here in Florida gives us access to family 

and friends.  Friday we had an evening out 

with my sister, my nephew and his girlfriend. 

We met up with them at Bayside in Miami.

We had a very good time.  Miami is beautiful and 

like everywhere, at nights it is spectacular.  Being back

 in Florida Arvid and I have decided to do a little more

 than we did before.  We lived here and we just took

 it all for granted.  We've been gone for 2 years and

 coming back has "opened" our eyes a little more. 

We have decided to visit the downtown area a little

 more than we did before.  After all we lived in the

 downtown Fort Lauderdale area for a a few years. 

 We've been back a couple of times already and aside

 from all the new construction going on there is 

always something going on.  We have decided

 to make an effort to explore it some more. 

Today we take my parents, my sister J and Alexandra

 out to lunch.  Looking forward very much to it.  My

 sister after all treated us to drinks at Bayside.  Just seems 

right to reciprocate and treat them all to lunch.

Today is going to be an extra special day.  I get to spend
 it with family.  I am happy and always grateful.

The truth is you don't know what is going to happen
 tomorrow.  Life is a crazy ride, and nothing is guaranteed.  
Life is good because I decided to make it that way...

~Nadiya~

It's A Great Day Here ~

All life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better...

Being in Florida means that 

we get to enjoy frequent visit 

with friends and family.  

No one visited us in Branson, but here 

everyone comes.  Another reason why it's 

great to be back home where we belong.

Branson holds memories that will forever 

be a part of me.  Memories that will be with 

me always.  Some of the best people we 

have met live there and because 

of that it will always be special. 

 I look forward to going

 back every year and seeing everyone. 

But being here in Florida I get to 

see family more often. I now have 

my sister and husband living here,

 and I also have 2 nephews. 

 We sure have it good.

That means that everytime someone visits, 

we get to have extra special times with them.  Does not 

matter if they spend a few days or a few weeks the time 

we share together are always special.  That being 

said cheers to friends and family.

Another beautiful day begins. Life’s true gift lies in 

your freedom to design it beautifully. With each rise of the sun, 

you get to chase the opportunity to fill your days with

 meaning—to live your life the way you choose.

My mission in life is to not merely survive, but to thrive;

and to do so with some passion, some compassion, 

some humor, and some style...

~Nadiya~

Decisions ~

Good decisions come from experience,

 and experience comes from bad decisions..

It's not like it will change my world or anything,

 but it's always nice to daydream of going somewhere.  

Then reality sinks in and I realize that I am happiest

 at home for now.  I have no desire to go anywhere.  Not to

the Caribbean, not to Europe..nowhere.  If anything or anywhere,

 I would only choose to travel within the United States.

Many may think.."How boring" but for me that's all I

 would want to do.  I want to travel these United States 

of America and hopefully one day visit all the States.

They say that it is in your moments of decision that your 

destiny is shaped.  Who knows maybe there is a lot of truth in this.  

Our life sure has been shaped by the decisions we have made.

  Arvid and I are way fast in making decisions.  

Many times very good, and at times we have been in

 hot water because of our haste.  Would we do the

 same again?  Answer: Most likely we would.

Grateful for another beautiful day and for the opportunity to 

be able to spend it with the ones I love.  Happy day to all.  

In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do

 is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, 

and the worst thing you can do is nothing....

~Nadiya~

Start Of Another Beautiful Day ~

Even in a world with much sadness,
 at its essence, life is beautiful...

Traffic here is hectic, but on the other hand I do like to

zig-zag through the lanes.  Back in Branson I followed the

 rules to the book when it came to the speed limits.  

Back in Branson,  cops were out all the time, and I sure 

did not want to get a ticket.  Of course I don't want to get a 

ticket here in Florida, but everything here seems more lenient.

   

Not sure that's so good, but in this case works great for me.

 Both Arvid and I are super aggressive drivers.  Maybe

 not so good either?  But it sure feels great.

The other night at the Casino we saw some very 

"colorful"people.  Meaning the way they were dressed.

  One just had to stop and look, and if you were lucky snag

a picture.  I'm always on the lookout for the "unusual"

A little rain yesterday made for an even more beautiful day.
Since getting back to Florida Arvid has made an effort
 to use the balcony more.  He is happy as can be.  Just the other
morning he said to me, "I think I will finish my tea on the balcony.
  Just like I did in Mexico."  He's a very happy man right now.

To all a happy Tuesday.  I'm loving our life.
Lead a meaningful life. We are here for a purpose. 
To make this world a beautiful place.

I suppose there are a lot of reasons to
 be jaded or sarcastic or bitter in life, but I hang 
on to the reasons why life is beautiful....

~Nadiya~

New Week ~

The more you are positive and say,
 'I want to have a good life,' the more you build that reality
 for yourself by creating the life that you want...

Lots happening this coming week.  Work and some 

fun times combined makes for great expectations.  

The weather everyday is sunny and beautiful.

 A little rain every so often, but always warm. Humidity 

right now is not that bad either.  In all honesty, I do miss 

the cooler temperatures of Branson, but I have decided to

 go with the flow.  We live in Florida, this is home after all.  

You love the good and the not always good about things.

 I do like it very much here. What's not to like?

We are working on spiffing up the house we will soon be listing.

  It does not need lots of work because it is beautiful.  

Directly on the Intracoastal.  That says it all.

Exciting getting back into Real Estate, Shipping and

 the things we did when living in Florida.  I did not 

think I missed it much, but now that we are back 

I realize that I may have missed a few things.

Live life to the fullest.  Just because we do not
 have everything exactly the way we want, does not mean
we do not have exactly what we need to be happy.

I have a very, very good life. I'm grateful for all of my friends,
 my family and the life that I have, and the possibilities in my future.  
Forget about the traffic, stressful work and business meetings
 today, be happy that the sun is shining and stay positive...

~Nadiya~

Hello Sunday ~

Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made

 up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too

 infrequently. And if you don't collect all these tiny

 successes, the big ones don't really mean anything...

What's not to like?  I woke up.  Had my cafe.  Watched

 the boats pass by and managed to see some of the sunrise.

  If this is not Paradise then I am not sure where is.

Sundays are special in that it's our 

so called relax day of the week. 

 Our week no matter where we are

 is always a hustle and bustle.

  Sundays it's time to just chill.  

At least one hopes for that.  But with

Arvid it's never a guarantee. Never.

Sniff enjoys people watching.  He sees them at the pool.

  Most times he ignores them, but every so often a bird will 

fly by and then he's really involved.  He's not crazy about the boats.

  Brutus was.  Brutus was born with a home with a view of boats. 

 Sniff is a country boy, but soon enough he will be 

a city boy as well.  He's getting there.

To all I say, simply enjoy life and the

 great pleasures that come with it.

Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and

 meaningful than all the banquets in the world ...

~Nadiya~

We Are Home ~

It's starting to sink in now.  It's good to be home...

We really do live in Paradise, or at least it feels like it. 

 Surrounded by palm trees everywhere, water, boats passing 

by and the sun always shining.  Sure is beautiful.  Even when 

we are "at work" it feels like a vacation.  Below, me "at work."

Arvid can't stop smiling and even though I miss Branson

 and Almost Home, I have to admit that this is where 

we belong.  We are back home doing what we love.

So far we have done some work, but it sure felt more like fun. 
Enjoyed some cruising around.  Still lots to see since we were last here.
  Hopefully tomorrow we will be heading downtown to check out
 the Art fair and have dinner.  Very warm to be walking outdoors,
at the same time beautiful.  Happy and grateful always.

Arvid and the "boys" yesterday at Table 14.  Yes, we are home again.
To all a wonderful day.  What are you grateful for today?

The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave,
and it feels even better to come back.  We're where we belong...

~Nadiya~

It's Friday ~

If you have a positive attitude and constantly strive to give 

your best effort, eventually you will overcome your immediate

 problems and find you are ready for greater challenges..

A little blurry, but then sometimes not everything in life is

 crystal clear.  There are days when everything seems sorta cloudy 

and unclear to me, but again, it is what it is.  It's called life. I do

 enjoy doing the things I used to do and going places we did.

Some of my best moments are spent walking along the beach. 

 Listening to the waves and the sound of the birds.  It relaxes me

 and prepares me for Arvid.  Well nothing really prepares 

one for Arvid.  He is a force all by himself.

Everyday Sniff is getting more and more comfortable with 

his surroundings.  Just the other day we took him out for a walk.  

That is we put his leash on and took him to the balcony.

We almost had to drag him there.  He hated every moment.  

Sniff cried and screamed to get back in.  Guess we 

will not be trying that anytime soon again.

In many ways Sniff is so like Brutus.  He loves to help

 his dada in chores and he is constantly following 

Arvid around.  Just like Brutus did.  I miss Brutus 

so very much, and I love Sniff so very much.

The game has its ups and downs, but you can never 

lose focus of your individual goals and you can't 

let yourself be beat because of lack of effort...

~Nadiya~

Thursday ~

I have so much chaos in my life, it's become normal. 

You become used to it. You have to just relax, calm down,

take a deep breath and try to see how you can make things

 work rather than complain about how they're wrong...

Back to our routines one can say.  I miss Rima and family.

 Looking back at pictures, I was so happy to have had some alone 

time with her.  For those short few days we sure did many things.

A must see when visiting California.  Santa Monica. 

 Brought back memories of the places I went

 to when I first lived in California.  

My first time in Beverly Hills was pretty interesting. 

 As I walked into one of the shops the saleswoman looked at

 me and immediately made up her mind that I  could not 

afford to buy anything in their so very exclusive store.

Guess she was very surprised when my husband at the time, 

Paul Michael Riley decided that I could have anything I wanted 

from the store.  I'm simple.  I really did not want much,

 but the look on the sales woman's face made my day. 

 Of course I did end up with a "little" something.

Soon Friday already.  Lots of do here in Fort Lauderdale. 

 This weekend I told Arvid I would like to go to the Cheesecake Factory

 for dinner.  I just love their Thai Lettuce Wraps and have 

been craving it for the longest of times.

Wishing everyone happy days and to always remember 

that there is always something to be grateful for.  It's very

 warm here.  I did get use to cooler temperatures in

  Branson, and yes, I miss Branson and everyone.

Happy Thursday.

I enjoy jokes, smiling, and making people smile. I may be a 

little different, but that's OK, who wants to be normal anyway?...

~Nadiya~

Rise And Shine All ~

Work hard, stay positive, and get up early. 

It's the best part of the day. Early to bed and early to

 rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise...

A little too early for me to be awake, 

but like it. Have already been awake for 

almost 3 hours, but was still laying in bed

 hoping to fall asleep again.  No such luck.

Of course Sniff somehow knew I was awake, 

and he made his presence felt.  He started 

meowing for foodies.  Of course I got up.  

Fed him.  Brushed him, and made had

 my cafe. Still very dark outside.

 Now the day is looking pretty long. 

 Sniff being the smart one here already 

is back in bed snuggled up close to Arvid.  

Those two never miss out on sleep. 

Won't mind some more sleep either.

Another day with more learning of the

MLS system for me.  Staying busy is what 

keeps me sane, and of course I love it.

  Arvid as everyone knows is ALWAYS busy.  What he does 

all the time continues to be a partial mystery, but busy he is.

Good morning all.  A reminder that limitations live 

only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations,

 our possibilities become limitless.

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is 

that little extra. Always be a first-rate version of yourself, 

instead of a second-rate version of somebody else...

~Nadiya~