Aug 31, 2023

Thursday August 31st~

It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal...

 Yesterday I saw the black kitty again.  He first appeared in 
our backyard about two weeks ago.  I fed him then and did 
the same yesterday.  He's really cautious and only allows you 
to get withing a certain distance of him before he takes off.  
Yesterday he was in the front of our home just looking.


I have not been to Almost Home since last Wednesday.  
Arvid on the other hand is there quite often. Our office manager 
has everything it under control and that makes me happy.  

Thanks to our tenants Ralph and Andrew I have 
enjoyed many a delicious tomatoes this summer.  All from
 the garden at Almost Home.  Thank you Andrew.


I'm still a bit confused and shocked at the loss of a beautiful 
friendship.  I replay the events that led up to this, and  I just don't
 get it.  But as someone always says to me, "the circle of life."  


On Thursdays I do not cook.  Arvid and I go out for lunch.
  Makes for a nice change mid week.  Sniff is happy to have us all to 
himself again.  He does what he does best.  Be cute all the time.


 Let us all remember that being happy for others is not a bad 
thing even when your own life may be falling apart.  As long
 as you are envious of others, you will never know peace. 


Wishing everyone a day filled with peace and happiness. 

You cannot share your life with a dog… or a cat, 
and not know perfectly well that animals have 
personalities and minds and feelings...

~Nadiya~

Aug 30, 2023

A Branson Attraction ~ Wednesday August 30th

Sometimes the most scenic roads in life
 are the detours you didn't mean to take...

The Branson Scenic railway is a daytime Excursion Train, 
March through November.  We have not been on it as yet, but 
something to consider.  Now we just need to have the time to do it.


You can enjoy a three-course candlelight dinner where the guests 
are treated to traditional-style dining that was the ultimate experience 
long ago when riding the rails.  The Dinner Train departs Branson
 at 5 p.m. each Saturday and runs April through October.


Branson Scenic Railway is "The Polar Express" after dark,
 November and December. Branson Scenic Railway


If you make it to Branson one day, consider taking the Scenic Route.


On a not too happy note, Florida once again
 is getting ready to be hit by another hurricane.  As all
 Floridians know, ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE 
WORSE, BUT HOPE FOR THE BEST 🙏


And just like that a new day begins.  Sniff of course is on
 my chair.  As usual we will be sharing the same chair for breakfast. 
 Sniff takes up more than half, but it's Sniff so all's good.


Because the greatest part of a road trip
 isn’t arriving at your destination...

~Nadiya~

Aug 29, 2023

Tuesday August 29th~

Don't be afraid to change.  You may lose
 something good but you may gain something better...

  A typical morning for Sniff begins with a little bird watching.


 Of course in between of all this hard "work" there is nap times.


This morning I looked out the window and what do I see? 
 Two vultures, just enjoying the cool temperatures we are having. 


On a different note.  Yesterday I came to the realization 
that not all relationships are good for you.  It does not matter
 how long you may have known that person, there comes a
 time when you have to say, "enough" and just let it go.


I won't lie.  My heart is sad today, but it also knows that it's time 
to move on.   Life has its ups and downs, but you can only look forward

Closure happens right after you accept that
 letting go is more important than projecting a fantasy of how 
the relationship could have been.  I reserve the right to 
be choosy about what and who I allow in my life...

~Nadiya~

Aug 28, 2023

Monday August 28th ~

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead
 where there is no path and leave a trail...

 And just like that it's time to go home, and I am looking
 forward to it.  It's always good to get away for a few days,
 but the best of times is when we are going back home.
  Home where Sniff is patiently waiting for us.


We have recharged ourselves.  Now back to the "real" world.  Not 
bad at all.  Wishing everyone a good day and a productive week
 ahead.  Be kind; you never know the battles others are fighting.


Arvid and I have enjoyed our stay in Chicago.  As always we
 did lots of walking and checked out many of our favorite places.  
Quite a few changes. So many new restaurants, it was just a pleasure 
walking around and enjoying the sights and the people.


Just Saturday alone we saw three weddings by The Riverwalk ,
 a few bachelorette and bachelors party.  It was just a beautiful time.


There is no place like home.  I don't care where we go,
 home is where we want to come back to.  Always.


The future belongs to those who
 believe in the beauty of their dreams...

~Nadiya~

Aug 27, 2023

Sunday August 27th~

It does not matter how slowly 
you go as long as you do not stop...

Many of our favorite places all in one place.  
 Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, 
with a population of nearly three million people


The Bean is a work of public art in the heart of Chicago. The
 sculpture, which is officially titled Cloud Gate, is one of the world’s 
largest permanent outdoor art installations. The monumental work was
 unveiled in 2004 and quickly became of the Chicago’s most iconic sights. 


Chicago is a foodie destination.  More than 7,300 
restaurants.7 AAA Diamond-rated restaurants, 26 Michelin-
starred restaurants144 dog-friendly restaurants, and more.


Chicago is a city in a garden: 600 parks, 500 playgrounds,
 70 nature and bird sanctuaries 307 fields for soccer, football, 
lacrosse and more, 250 field houses  534 tennis courts and 6 indoor
 courts  80 swimming pools  29 beaches26 miles of open lakefront.


To all a good day.  It's soon time for us to discover more of the Chicago we like.


Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart...

~Nadiya~

Aug 26, 2023

Saturday August 26th ~

The most beautiful view is the one I share with you...

 Of all places we have lived, I believe this has been the best 
view we have had, and we have had some good ones.


With so few days in the Windy City, we have some catching
 up to do and we have begun 😍.  We realize we have really missed
 this city.  It was a second home to us for over ten years. 
 Our last apartment had a KILLER view.


With just a few days there is so much we would like to check out.  
Arvid and I are not the types to do the tourist things.  We would 
rather walk around checking things out on our own pace.


It sure feels good to be walking along some of our favorite 
places, enjoying a few of the simple things life has to offer. 
 They bring the most joy to us, as far as I am concerned.


The Windy City will always have a hold on us.
  To all a good day.  It's soon time to be on the move.


A good life is a collection of happy memories...

~Nadiya~

Aug 25, 2023

August 25th Chicago ~

Anywhere in the world you hear a Chicago 🎸
 bluesman play, it’s a Chicago sound born and bred...

I'll take Chicago over any other destination.  Best part is 
we do not have to fly.  It's just a drive away for us.


 From deep-dish pizza to The Bean, Chicago, known as the 
The Windy City, is a charismatic and friendly city that has attracted 
professionals, writers and travelers from around the world.


Arvid and I fell in love with the city from the first time we visited.  Our 
first time in Chicago was 2006 for the Blues Festival.  It has now become
 one of the things we look forward to each year.  And with that in mind, we
 are back for some music, the views, the food and a few favorite places. 


With just a few days, we need to cover a lotta ground and fast 😂


Wishing everyone a good day and a happy weekend.  Arvid and 
I are soon on the road, and just like that our weekend has begun.


Chicago is a town, a city that doesn't ever have to measure
 itself against any other city. Other places have to measure
 themselves against it. It’s big, it’s outgoing, it’s tough,
 it’s opinionated, and everybody’s got a story...

~Nadiya~

Aug 24, 2023

Thursday August 24th ~

Success is no accident. It is hard work,
 perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most
 of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do...

 Our work week at Almost Home is officially over today.  
We have, mainly Arvid has worked non-stop to get everything
 up to par for the fire inspection.  It has paid off.  A now well
 deserved few days off is called for. He has earned this.


After working all day at Almost Home, Arvid's (our)day is not 
over.  Back home we have to deal with our personal stuff as well. 
 Sometimes having a job 9-5 can be a true blessing in disguise.  
When the clock hits 5o'clock your day is over.  Not ours.


Today we take two of Arvid's former tenants (now friends) 
out to lunch.  We have been so busy with Almost Home that we
 have not had many opportunities to do so.  Looking forward 
to it, and to catching up.  Always a pleasant time to be had.

I have been awake for a while now.  Earlier that I would 
like, but nothing I can do about that.  I am enjoying the 
peace and quietness of the morning.  Sniff is roaming 
around, but went back to his bed.  Smart boy 😻


Our youngest niece Lilly Vade melted my heart.  Like all 
little and not so little girls, she has a special bond with her mom.  
They do lots of "just girl" stuff all the time.  Yesterday Lilly
 made a drawing depicting her mom.  No explanation 
needed for those of us who know Rima 💕


If you think that simple pleasures are boring, then think it over.
 Every little thing in your day-to-day life can be a pleasure when 
you enjoy it while being aware and mindful. Simple things become
 pleasures when we appreciate them and acknowledge their existence and 
contribution to our evolution and well-being. Sometimes we take many
 things for granted and do not notice what they introduce to our life.


Good morning and a good day to all.  Always be 
on the lookout for the presence of wonder.

Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and 
meaningful than all the banquets in the world...

~Nadiya~

Aug 23, 2023

Wednesday August 23rd~

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...

 No more makeshift covers for my beverages when we are out.  
I now have a "legitimate" cover.  No more flying bugs in my drinks.  
Yes, it's a happy day and can't wait to try out my new gadget 😂


On Monday I received my love box filled with goodies from my sister
 Narima, the baker in the family.  Last week she catered a wedding for 100 
people.  Huge success.  So much so that in October she will be catering an even
 bigger wedding party.  Just a little over 200 guests.  Yikes.  She's busy, busy.


Another early morning for me.  Sniff has taken up my spot on 
the sofa, which means I have to find another spot to sit up and wait
 for morning to come.  Hopefully doze off in between as well.


We left him sleeping there last night and the previous nights,
 now he does not want to move over and make room for me.


My allergies are really bad.  If they are just allergies.  At this stage
 not sure what to do.  I am doing good a few hours in the day.  Yes, I
 sneeze, but at nights it's an entire different story.  Because I am awake
 so early, I am exhausted during the day.  Not a good scenario 😏.


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...

~Nadiya~

Aug 22, 2023

Tuesday August 22nd~

Exploring new horizons, one mile at a time.
Life is not always perfect.  Like a road it has many 
bends, ups, and downs, but that's its beauty...

 The other day we were in the mood for chicken wings. 
 No place better than Drafts.  Best BBQ wings I have ever had.


We also took the Lexus out and did the scenic route.  Amazing
 country side.  If you look closely you will see Arvid sitting in the
 car.  Says it was too hot for him to get out, eventually he did


Missouri has amazing lakes.  People who leave 
come back because they miss the lakes and the fishing.


No outing is complete if I don't capture some of the beauty of it.


To all a good day.  We continue preparing Almost Home
 for inspections.  Always hoping for the best, but preparing
 for the worst.  As usual, Sniff and I are awake early, and
 we're just enjoying the quietness of the morning.


On a different not, I used a filter to take the following 
pictures.  When I showed it to Arvid he said, "you look like
 a puffer fish."  Always the man with the right words 😂


Sure my lips may be fake,
 but my laugh is completely genuine...

~Nadiya~