Throwback Thursday ~ Life In The Bahamas

 Collect adventures and experiences to reminisce

 about…go to far places, meet new people, eat 

exotic foods, enjoy all varieties of women, look

 on unfamiliar landscapes, see new things...

Looking back.. years ago when Arvid, 
Brutus and I had a home in the Bahamas.

Life was simple and the beach was our backyard.

I had the best of times walking along the beach collecting shells.

Arvid and I making our own beach, with some help of course.

Life has taken us many places.  Each holds something special. 

Sometimes it's OK to reminisce, but not to stick

 around in the past for too long.  We had a very good 

life then.  Brutus was still alive and I could not 

have been happier.  We miss him very much.

On the other hand, we also have a very good life 

today.  We have Sniff and he makes me so very happy. 

 We love our Sniff so very much.  Things change.  

Life goes on.  Change is not always bad.

Good morning to all.  Branson is in full bloom 🎕

It's Thursday.  Look back and be grateful...

~Nadiya~

New Day Wednesday

 Don't miss out on something that could be

 great just because it could also be difficult...

Sniff finds comfort in the closet under my clothes.

  Whenever I don't see him, I know where he took off to. 

 And yes, he gets clean linens to lay on there as well. 

Sniff is never not well cared for and loved.

Allery season is here, and once again I have it in a bad way. 

 Started yesterday for me.  Nonstop sneezing and watery eyes.

  Yep, happy times ahead.  Will most likely have to confine

 myself in the office for some days, and that it not me.

One of my original tenants from 2017 checked out 
Monday evening.  Room already rented by Thursday.

  Robert, Arvid and I have a huge job on our hands. 

 First turnaround in this room in five years.

 First thing we did, mainly Arvid, was to remove trash.  

That includes furniture.  The tenants enjoy watching 

Arvid smash things apart.  No one like Arid when it comes 

to doing these things.  He is strong. He's a one man show.

When it comes to cleaning, then I get involved.  Together

 with our maintenance guy, we clean, and not to brag

 but I clean probably better than anyone I know.

My hands are all split open from bleach.  Yeah, gloves

 rip open, but cleaning does not stop.  My clothes are 

discolored from being on my knees scrubbing, and 

yes, bleach is all over them.  That's how it is.

I'm bone tired and today more of the same 😂

Because this is our life and that's 

the only explanation you need...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday March 29th ~

 When I look into the eyes of an 

animal I do not see an animal.  I see a

 living being.  I see a friend.  I see a soul...

Maybe in the next few day Sniff might not be so happy.  

It's not as if he hates the vet, what he really dislikes is being

 in his carrier.  We believe that the person who gave him 

up to the shelter always kept him confined in a carrier.

My Sniff Sniff the apple of my eye.  He makes everything 
better and I love him more than words can express.

A good day to all.  Cats welcome.  People tolerated.

Pets are humanizing. They remind us

 we have an obligation and responsibility to

 preserve and nurture and care for all life...

~Nadiya~

Monday March 28th ~

 Focus on the outcome, not the obstacle...

The weekend came and before we knew it, it was over. 

 I did not have any time to relax much we were on the go all 

the time.  It's already Monday again.  The new week 

begins and ready or not, time waits for no one.

Though we didn't have  a lot of relax time, we did 

get a few important things accomplished.  Makes it all 

worthwhile.  Yes, we are ready to face a new week.

No matter how busy, how hectic our day is, I always 

make time for Sniff.  He gets brushed twice a day.  First 

thing in the morning and as soon as I get back home

 from work.  Sniff after all is my happy place.

Focus on the possibilities for success, 

not the potential for failure...

~Nadiya~

Sunday ~

 Open your arms to change

 but don't let go of your values...

The whole day off.  Sure sounds wonderful. 

What shall I do? It seems unreal.  Feels like

 I should be at Almost Home working.

I will just spend it cleaning, doing housework 

and just getting things in order for the upcoming

 work week.  Very exciting if you ask me.

You have not lived today 

until you have done something or

 someone who can never repay you.

  Old ways won't open new doors... 

~Nadiya~

It's A Good Day ~ Saturday March 26th

 Change is good.  Never get too comfortable...

Even though we go in to work on Saturdays, the day is
 a short one.  There is always something good about each day,

 and I always try to see the positive side of things.  My positive 

is it's a short day, and hopefully my reward will be Indian 

foodies.  Branson has the BEST Indian restaurant.

Sniff will be happy to see us home at a decent time instead of at

 the end of the day.  I get extra time to brush him 💙, check out the

 birdies and fill their feeders.  Overall, not a bad day at all.  Happy 

day to all and don't forget to always look for the good in each day.

Change is good.  Sometimes it brings opportunity..

~Nadiya~

Friday In Branson ~

 Just because something good ends,

 doesn't mean something better won't begin...

One of our tenants received a dozen white roses from 

a girl he met. Next thing you know he's coming to the 

office and asking me if I would like them.  Who in their 

right mind would refuse?  I sure didn't.  They now

have a place at Almost Home.  Until they dry up.

Yesterday was another super cold day.  By the end of

 the day it did warm up a tiny bit.  Not much. My hands 

were cold, but my feet were warmer than the day before.

Mornings at work is always busy. The phone never 

stops ringing, but that is good as well.  Many people 

need a place to live so our list keeps growing. 

I finally got an open room coming up and I already

 have a deposit on it.  I call up the ones on my list and try 

to always select people without dogs.  I love animals, 

but they also cause disturbances I don't want.

Most people on my list have dogs.  Sometimes 

more than one.  For me that does not work.  So even

 though I have a long list waiting for a room, I am very 

selective on who I will call and allow to live here.  

Looking forward to a warmer weekend, and warmer 

days, but somehow winter just keeps hanging around.

  How much more of this do we have to go through?

The only thing that will make you happy 

is being happy with who you are...

~Nadiya~

Thursday March 24th ~

 I’ve learned over and over that life
 happens on its own terms, not mine...

Yesterday was just winter all over again.  It was just 

 super COLD.  Today and tomorrow won't be any different.  

Even with my winter furry booties, my feet never got warm 

throughout the day at work.  The sun did not come out at all.

On a good note, the food box is almost full of all sorts

 of goodies.  Many are complements of yours truly.

I'm really happy to be able to help everyone.

No matter what time it was yesterday, I never got 

warm. It felt exactly like one of those terrible, terrible 

winter days.  As I went out to get the mail, there was actually 

flurries and slight hail hitting me directly on the face. 

To be someplace warm right now sounds heavenly.  

Puerto Rico, I really miss you so, so much!

 

Yesterday I had videos of "my" kitties in Puerto Rico. 

 I felt so happy to see them.  The ones I saw were looking 

healthy, happy and fed.  I miss them so very much.

Even though life is busy, hectic and not the norm we 

were used to these last few years, I think of them often

 and wonder about the ones I know nothing about. Also,

 not a day goes by that I don't think of our Brutus.

Our life is busy.  There is no time for much more these 

days than work and more work.  On the good side, we are

 getting things straightened out here at Almost Home.

Sniff is doing good but has more alone time

 than he would like.  More than I like also.

Real life happens. Sometimes it’s messy. 

Sometimes it doesn’t work...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday March 23~

 One small positive thought in the 

morning can change your whole day...

Would you believe that just a few days ago we were 

sitting out in summerlike weather watching people 

enjoying water activities and outdoor dining?

It was the perfect day for families. Go carting was in full

 blast as were so many other activities.  Don't get me wrong, the fact 

that it feels like winter again will not stop people from coming

 to Branson right now, but boy it sure is better in the warmth.

Warmer days are coming, but they have not really made 

it here as yet.  We get a glimpse of it every so often, 

and then winter reminds us that she's still around.

Time for us to bundle up again.  Sniff will be

 basking inn his heating bed for the next few days

 while we still bear the brunt of winter.

Good morning and a good day to all.  Woke up way too early.

Don't think too much.

  Just do what makes you happy...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday March 22nd ~

Today is one of those days that

 even my coffee needs coffee...

It's only Tuesday, and boy did the week begin with a BANG! 

 From the minute I walk into the office the phone does not did ringing.  

Not unusual, but goodness.  We are full, and the list keeps growing

 of people needing a place to stay.  In this business, that's all good.

We've been having summer like weather for some days now. 

 Sunday was so beautiful we were able to sit outdoors 

and have lunch.  Perfect start of spring.

Unfortunately, yesterday the temperature just dropped.  

Branson for you. Suddenly the rain came accompanied by hail.

  Today, it will rain all day long it seems.  Again, Branson.

There is absolutely no time for us to do much.  I have 

been busy to the point I have not been able to call my mom as

frequently as I did.  Make me sad.  I love talking to her regularly.

  It will happen again, just need to get everything prioritized.

New day begins.  Based on my agenda, it should be less hectic, 

on the other hand yesterday was also supposed to be a less "hectic"

 day.  It was not.  Oh well.  Life happens, and we just roll with it.

By the way, the next time someone says to you, 

"a slot just opened up.  A wedding guest cancelled.  You 

are now welcome to take their place as the guest."  Just say 

thank you, but no thank you brother.  I made other plans.

I'm having one of those days.

  How about you?...

~Nadiya~

Life ~ New Week

 The man who has confidence in

 himself gains the confidence of others...

The squirrel is driving me crazy 😂.  He eats all

 the food and no matter what I do, he finds a way to

 sneak up the feeders and gobble up the food.

Yesterday I caught him doing it again.  I ran down

 the slope as fast as I could.  I only slipped one time😅.

 I cleared some limbs from this really prickly tree and in

 the process I must have pulled a muscle in my shoulder.

Now of course I hurt, but I feel ok because the

 squirrel has not been able to get to the feeder as yet. 

 My fingers are covered with thorns and splinters, but I will 

live 😊  I like the little squirrel, I even buy squirrel food, 

but he is intent on eating the birdies foodies as well.

Sniff is doing good. The weather is beautiful and though 

busy, life is full of wonder and all things beautiful.

Wishing everyone a good day. Enjoy your life. Live it. 

No matter what your circumnavigate, don’t wait for “better”

 times.  These are your better times. After all you are alive 🥰

Three things you shouldn’t lose this week; your faith, 

your courage, and your smile. Happy new week....

~Nadiya~

Sunday To Relax ~

 Your mind will answer most questions if 
you learn to relax and wait for the answer...

Sunday, we have a day off.  Finally.  Suddenly 

you appreciate the little things even more. Planning

 on just relaxing, of course always a little paperwork 

that we need to catch up on. Overall, an easy day.

Yesterday we were only in the office for a few hours. 

It was absolutely QUIET!  Love it. We took our 

maintenance man and his wife out to lunch.

Of course we took them to our favorite place.  Drafts. 

 We had the chicken wings, and they had the much

 awaited chicken sandwich.  Everyone was happy.

To make this day "perfect" all I want is peace, quiet and 

no phone calls.  At work I am answering call all day long among

 other things.  Good to just take a break from the phones.

To all a good day, and may we all rest up for the week

 that awaits us.  Definitely looking good already.

Spring is here, and with that we hope warmer 

temperatures as well.  Hello first day of spring.  Let's

 not forget, where flowers bloom, so does hope

Sometimes, the most productive thing

 that you can do is to step outside and do

 nothing... relax and enjoy nature...

~Nadiya~

Another Day at Work ~

 Sometimes the best way to appreciate

 something is to be without it for a while...

Almost Home is full, it’s very quiet and we are

 getting caught up on what needs to be done.  Feels 

good and relaxing.  Makes for a peaceful day.

The other we made contact again with the guy who

 does the pest control every month.  He was surprised, and

 glad to see us.  And he also vacations in Florida. Preventive

 maintenance is what we are doing right now since everything

 is quiet.  Better now than when things do go wrong.

I have already learnt the names of all the tenants

 and their room numbers.  Arvid not as yet.  Names are

 not his strong point, but keeping the accounts in order,

 no one like him.  Together we work really well.

It feels good to be back and at the same time 

it’s strange.  Was definitely not what we expected

 when we came to Branson.  Life happens.

After almost nine days we are done cleaning the 

previous owners' room.  The condition it was in 

was terrible.  Today you could eat off the floors. 

It’s spotless. I know I could live in it.

I have been laying down the rules on a few 

people 🤫, Arvid said I am “meaner than a junkyard 

dog”. I am just firm. When Arvid is mad, the tenant

 is OUT!  We complement each other well.

I’ve been trying to bring my lunch to work rather

 than eating out everyday.  So far it’s a 50/50 thing.

Our days are busy. We get home and there is

 still more to do, but in the big picture all is going 

well, and Almost Home is running smoothly. 

 Can't and won't complain.  Could be worse.

Find peace, mindfulness and 

conscious purpose by being grateful 

for what you have in your life...

~Nadiya~