Thursday June 30th~ Our Backyard and Surrounding Area ~

Don't expect anyone to understand your journey, 
especially if they've never walked your path...

Talk about wildlife.  Coming from a city this sure is different. 

 Not so long ago, Arvid and I spotted a black snake crawling

 out from our backyard onto the road.  We both ran out.  I with

 the machete and a rake.  Arvid just ran out without anything.  

Not sure what he was going to do without any "protection.

We also saw the racoon trying to eat the food from

 our bird feeders.  Chased him away and the feeders

 are now covered every night. No more of that

In the area other "creatures" have been spotted.

  Not all bad.  The little fox is a cutie and there he is 

sitting on the neighbors car.  Calm as can be.

This morning looking out from Arvid's office we 

spotted a vulture.  Huge bird and very impressive that is,

 unless it has something in it's site.  Today he was just relaxing.

It's mating season for the turtles and they are everywhere. 

 I see them in the mornings from our deck and a couple

 have also been spotted in Andrew's garden at AHL.

There is no shortage of birds.  Thank goodness for that.  

They keep Sniff busy throughout the day and wear 

him out to the point that when he does sleep he 

just collapses into a very deep slumber.

I love waking up to the birds and just looking out and

 seeing them at any given time of the day.  They make

 me happy.  They remind me at times of my PR kitties.

We also have a hedgehog that lives in the backyard.

 We see him quite often.  He's kinda fat and cute.  

Our little Chipmunk who I have named Chippy has been 

coming around for about a month now.  The first time I saw 

him he was sitting on the concrete fence in our backyard.

I started giving him peanuts.  From that day on Chippy 

waits for me everyday at around 5:30-6:00 pm.  The time

 I would usually come home from work.  He has been there 

everyday and when I call him he comes running for his nuts.  

Yesterday Arvid said to me, "aren't you going to feed Chippy?"

The deer are always coming to visit.  Recently mama

 deer had a little baby.  The cutest thing you will see.  They 

hunt together and baby follows mama very closely.

One morning I also saw a beautiful black cat.  Standing

 on the same ledge as Chippy does.  This kitty only showed 

up that one time.  I still look for him all the time.

Who know what else there is to "discover" in our backyard/area. 

 Right now I am afraid to go walking because of snakes. 

 I don't care if they are the so called "good" snake. 

 A snake is a snake as far as I am concerned.

Looking forward to see what appears next.  Of course 

there are tons of squirrels, we did see a possum 😟

 and I think what we once saw was a beaver.

No matter how many "cuties" appear in our backyard, 

my cutie is and always will be my Sniff-Sniff 💜

Of course in my eyes Sniff is the most beautiful kitty there is.

The most interesting things in life happen 

just on the other side of your comfort zone...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday June 29th ~

You learn more from failure than from success. 

Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character...

Our favorite spot in Branson.  One of the main reasons we came back.

 When we're here everything seems to be all right. 

 This spot has gotten us through many a stressful times. 

 It's where Arvid and I always come to relax.  Works.

Food is good.  Drinks are yummy and always something

 interesting to see.  It makes us happy just being by the water.

Whatever it is you do make sure you always give it your best shot. 

 You may not always like it, but as we all know, sometimes in 

life you have to put up with the good and not so good.

  Actually you just about always have to.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Some days I just sit and

 remember.  Life has/is  good to us, even if at times we may think

 differently.  There is always something good in each day.

Experience is a hard teacher because she 

gives the test first, the lesson afterwards....

~Nadiya~

Tuesday June 28th ~

People are like books: some deceive you with their 

cover and others surprise you with their content...

Our nephew J and his girlfriend went for a two week 

trip touring different countries in Europe.  J was giving her

 the tour of places he had already been to, but together they visited

 Belgium for the first time.  J being J knows that Arvid and

 I have a "thing" for chocolate.  So does my mom. 

 Being J he bought us Belgium chocolates.  When he got

 back to Miami he put these chocolates in a styrofoam 

container with dry ice.  Next thing you know UPS was

 knocking at our door.  Chocolate was very good.

From the day he was born, we all knew that J was special. 

 As he grew up he just became even more special.  There 

is a kindness, thoughtfulness, and humility in him 💙

 that is rarely seen in one from such a young age. 

Yes, I love all our nieces and nephews, but J goes beyond 

and above.  he is the most loving son, nephew, brother and

 grandson anyone could every wish to have.  I am just happy 

he is our nephew.  Both Arvid and I love him dearly.

A new day begins.  What does it hold in stock for us? 

 For you? Today is my dad's birthday.  J took after him. 

Probably the best human being in the entire world. 

 J watched and J learned, for you see J grew up  

close to them for the first years of his life. 

If you're someone special for a person, 

you will be in their heart for life...

~Nadiya~

Monday June 27th ~

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
 Nothing can be done without hope and confidence...

As the new week begins, my sister is heading to 

Miami to see her son J.  Sure wish we could be there and 

have some fun times with them.  J is one of those extremely 

special people and we just love him.  His kindness and 

thoughtfulness is not not seen in too many these days.

Mom and dad will be going to Texas for a wedding. 

They are very excited to be seeing everyone in the same

 place after such a long time.  My dad's family is very kind and

 my dad being the eldest brother, makes it even more special. 

 No "if there is an open spot invite" here.  Much classier.

Little rain yesterday morning, but nothing to really

 brag about.  Friday we did have torrential rain, but lasted

 for less than an hour.  Everyone's lawn needed it.

Having lunch at home is such a treat these days. 

 Going in to Almost Home a little today and tomorrow. 

 Yes, we are needed and I am so happy to be able to help.  

Almost Home has and I guess will always be my "baby" 

 I am emotionally attached to many.  Don't know if

 that is so good, but it's how I am. Can't change.

June has gone by very fast another week begins 

and before you know it will be done with.

Looking forward to doing a few things now that we 

have time on our hands.  Hard work sure pays off 😂

To all a good week ahead.  Make it count.

Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish

 them, use them, but don’t settle for them...

~Nadiya~

Hot Hot Days ~

Don't settle for average. Bring your best to

 the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, 

at least you know you gave all you had... 

Talk about hot.  We are living the extremes right now.

And just like that we will be having the so called "cold front"😁

I'm getting used to being semi-retired again. 

 That was fast. The last few days I have been getting

 out of bed closer to 7am rather than 5am.  

Loving the extra sleep time, and I have been sleeping

 pretty good as well.  Most nights, even when I wake

 up itching all over my right arm 😬  All is good.

Sniff does his own thing.  He's busy with the birds 

and when he gets a moment of "rest" from them he naps. 

 To be Sniff.  Nothing to worry about.  Must be good.

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday.

When you arise in the morning think of what a 
privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…

~Nadiya~

Saturday June 25th ~

As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, 
it is perhaps more important to have a plan for 

rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep...

The entire weekend to ourselves.  No work,  This feels good,

 but at the same time so weird.  Getting used to being home is a

 strange feeling, but have to say we are handling it like champs.

We have time to do a few things again.  Just taking 

time during the day to go for a drive, sit and enjoy the view 

sure is a big accomplishment from how it was just days ago.

Branson has a few amazing places and we sure are enjoying it.

Suddenly we have relax time again.  It sure feels good, 

yet weird at the same time.  From February 28th 0f this year 

until mid June Arvid and I were on the go at AHL just 

about 7 days a week.  The previous owners sure did a "job"

 on the hotel.  Today it's back to running smoothly

Wishing everyone a relaxing and peaceful day.  

The mind should be allowed some relaxation, 

that it may return to its work all the better for the rest...

~Nadiya~

Friday June 24th ~

 Rise up and attack the day with enthusiasm...

The easiest way to make the most of your Friday is

 putting your best foot forward the second you roll 

out of bed in the morning.  Sounds easy enough 😂

Another very relaxing day.  Almost Home was very

 quiet yesterday.  Pookie was happy as always to see me 

and Pookie's mama was happy we took her KFC for lunch.  

Overall a good day.  With so much extra time on our

 hands, I just don't know what to do anymore.

Every Friday, I like to high five myself for getting 

through another week on little more than caffeine, 

willpower, and inappropriate humor 😂😂

Friday is my second favorite F word. Food is my first...

~Nadiya~

Thursday June 23rd ~

Time is like the wind, it lifts the light and leaves the heavy... 

The week is soon over.  June just flew by.  Who would have

 thought so much would have happened in such a short time. 

 Just last week if you would have told us we would have

 time to just enjoy ourselves, in the middle of the week.

 I would not have believed you, but life is strange and 

once again we have leisure time.  making the most of it 

for you never know when this can suddenly change.

Another very quiet day for us.  Sniff is so very happy to
 be seeing a little more of us everyday.  We are as well.

The days are still very warm.  Yesterday we did not 

have any rain.  Right now a little rain would be OK.  My 

arm is not getting any better.  I still have bites every day.  

I now think it happens when I fill the bird feeders.

OH well, sooner or later I will have to learn to stay away 

from certain things.  Until then I will be covered with bites. 

 It could be worse.  To all a good day, and just remember

 there is always something good in each day 💚.

They always say time changes things, but 

you actually have to change them yourself.,,

~Nadiya~

Wednesday June 22nd ~

My goal is no longer to get more done, 
but rather to have less to do...

Nothing new happening.  More heat wave with a

 bit of rain today.  It's a good day to just be in

 and try to not have many outdoor chores.

Enjoying quiet and peaceful times.  Long overdue.

Happy Wednesday to all.  Stay dry and stay out of the heat.

  So far I see no rain, and the air is still a little on the 

cool side.  Enjoying this moment while it lasts.

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it

 seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow...

~Nadiya~

Tuesday June 21st ~

 I just want a quiet life.  I think that’s what 

everybody says when they get older…

Not much new happened yesterday. I cleaned 

the cat litter for one of the tenants.  I took her 

some food emptied the garbage in her room.

and after that mostly lots of quiet times.

I also made lunch for us at home. Pretty good 

if you ask me.  More or less the same going on today.

It is extremely hot and the heat wave continues.

  No relief in sight.  All that being said, it’s going to be

 a long week.  With not that much to do right now,

 both Arvid and I are starting to get bored 😂.   

This is crazy.  We wanted time to enjoy some

 more free time and now that it’s quiet we are 

BORED!  Beats the alternative I guess 

To all a very good day. Enjoy those quiet times 

while they last.  Just like Sniff does every day.

Please forgive if I don’t talk much at times.

  It’s loud enough in my head…

~Nadiya~