Saturday March 18th ~ t done

With the right vibes and the right people, 

it’s easy to create something magical...

 Early in the morning with my Sniff.  Once again, 

we are both awake too early for our own good.  

It's going to be another very long day. 

 Yesterday I slept almost nothing.  Thank goodness we had 

a very good day, but even so I was so exhausted, and I did 

not even have any alcohol.  Go figure.  I am not

 that tolerant of alcohol on a regular basis.

Yesterday we had a little tour with family.  We drove by Sanibel-Captiva

 Island and through Fort Myers Beach.  The devastation always gets

 to me.  To "soften" the blow, we had a good stop for lunch.

Hopefully you are having a more restful morning 

and enjoying your sleep.  Wish I could say the same,

 but there is tomorrow and  it will be better.  We just look 

forward to a quiet day at home.  Always the best.

The greatest weapon against stress is our

 ability to choose one thought over another...

~Nadiya~

New Week ~

 The challenge of every Monday is to maintain the

 same vitality in each and every day of the week...

Happy Monday! Start your work week on a positive note.

 Look forward to Mondays with enthusiasm and motivation! 

The start of a week should be a good motivator to live 

each day to the fullest. Start Mondays with the thought

 that something great is going to happen today!

Wishing everyone a great productive week ahead.

Every day is different, and some days are better than others, 

but no matter how challenging the day, I get up and live it...

~Nadiya~

Busy Days ~

Stay busy.  If you keep your grind 
right, it will keep your mind right...

For some days until we get it all sorted out, 

we will be living in "chaos" again.  Our home looks

 like it has been bombed.  Unfortunately, I know the 

feeling too well.  Arvid and I are what you might 

call constant movers😬. Not sure where to put

 all the stuff we brought from Chicago.  

Yesterday morning I was awake way to early trying

 to figure out what to do and where to put stuff. 

I was very happy to see my mom and dad.  

Arvid and I surprised them with a 50" TV.  Was worth it.  

Made my mom super happy.  Arvid set it up and we all

 watched a few movies.  Was a very good time  

It was and always is very peaceful in North Carolina.

  When we got back to Fort Lauderdale we both looked at 

each other and said, "wow, this sure looks like a battlefield".

I can't help but miss them.  On the other hand very

 grateful for the time spent with them.  Short but good.  

At least I have seen my parents 3 times for this year 🙌.

  Arvid has not seen his mom since summer of last year 😢

It's already been a busy day.  Still so much to pack
away, and now Arvid is back with his Puerto Rico 👀
 fascination.  I am just waiting to see how this unfolds.



Hello Sunday.  Hope the day is as good for you and
I am sure will be for us.  We are home, so that is
 already a good thing.  No place like home.

Always gotta keep busy or the voices
 start telling me to do wild things...

~Nadiya~

Because Life Is Good ~

Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved...

Once again I am awake too early.  I have been awake

 since 1 AM, but just got out of bed because Sniff was all 

snuggled up to me.  Did not want to move until he did.  Once 

Sniff got up so did I.  Sniff has already been brushed,

 and is back in bed.  Wish I could do the same.

I know it's a little too early for cafe, but why not.  

Not going to go back to sleep anyway.  Have been thinking 

about my parents soon leaving and I am sad. 

Yesterday my mom wanted Pizza and a little more it was.

I am happiest when I am doing for others, and when 

it comes to my mom and dad nothing will ever be

 enough, but I try and I love the times we share.

What my parents have done for us, have sacrificed for us

is something I will never take for granted.  I will forever

 be in debt to them and no matter what anyone says, I

 can never do enough to ever repay all their kindness 

and hard work.  But I will never stop trying either.

Nina, David and Texie came over for a visit yesterday.

It was good seeing them, spending time with them,

 but best was to see that Texie was doing great. 

 He has been diagnosed with cancer, but just looking 

at him you would never know.  We are all hoping

 the vet made a mistake.  We all love Texie.

Wishing everyone a day made up of

 wonderful moments and memories

 that last forever.  

Looking forward to seeing my mom and

dad again and spending time with them.

Life can be simple and beautiful.

 Focus on the good things...

~Nadiya~

A Cold Sunday ~

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but 
I think I have ended up where I needed to be...

A happy Sniff.  No matter the time of the day. 

 Once we sit, he is right there cuddling up between 

our legs.  He does have specific times when 

he sits on Arvid and when it's my turn.

  Sniff like all cats is very particular.  In 

this picture I am the lucky recipient of his 

affections.  The timing was right for me.

Yesterday I decided to do the straight look.  Arvid
complained all the time about how he hates it that way
and threatened to spray me with the spray bottle.

He says it will make my hair curly again.  Not sure
what he has against straight hair.  For a change I was
OK with it, but I still prefer my "wild" look as he calls it.
 My mom says she also preferred the curly hair.

We had a really good time with my parents.
We always do and I can't wait to take my mom out
 for breakfast.  Just a girl thing.  Soon my sisters will be
here and then I am definitely taking us all out.

So happy to be seeing Mala.  Last time we saw her
was when she and Reshma visited us in Chicago.
Last August.  For me it seems so long ago.

Today we expect a pretty cold day.
 Temperatures have already dropped.  Of course Arvid keeps saying,
 "you see, we could be in Puerto Rico now where the average
 temperature year round is the high 70's F"

Today if not too cold we plan to check out the art
 festival on Las Olas Blvd.  Let's just hope Arvid is up for it.

Because when you stop and look around you this life
 is pretty amazing. I woke up I have clothes to wear.  I have 
running water.  I have food to eat, and I am thankful...

~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~

Busy Week Ahead ~

One of the nice things about being busy is it makes you focus
 on what's important to you and how you use your time...

Somehow our life in Florida seems even more hectic than when

 we lived in Branson and ran the hotels.  How is that possible?  Answer

 is simple.  Arvid.  Somehow Arvid makes life seem more hectic 

that it should. Says he likes staying busy, so do I, but

 somehow with him it is really a lot of work.

Yesterday we met with a customer.  Over drinks and a good meal 

we discussed his selling his house.  A house we sold them a 

few years ago.  Since we have been gone from Florida for

 a good 2 years, I have to relearn everything about the 

Multiple Listing System, or MLS as it's called.

As Arvid said to me, "tomorrow we take the listing, so make 

sure you figure out how the system works.  Thank goodness that

 I learn fast.  I have already mastered most of it, at least

 enough for us to take the listing tomorrow.

Now all Arvid has to do is print out the forms.  Go to the 

customer and take the listing.  In the meantime I will continue to 

see how best we can use the system to maximize the listing.  

It's been a long time since I did this so hopefully I will

 manage to do what's best for the customer.  I have to.

The week will be a busy one, but that's only good.  I think

 of other things.  Sniff is enjoying his new home.  At least he is

 much more comfortable in his surroundings.  He does not

 seem to care about the views the way Brutus did.  Sniff is 

not into Palm Trees and boats.  He loves bird watching.

In my experience, being busy and 
working hard is the key to sanity/happiness...

~Nadiya~

Friday Again ~

The most beautiful moments always seemed to accelerate 

and slip beyond one’s grasp just when you want

 to hold onto them for as long as possible....

This week went by extremely fast.  It helps to stay busy, 

and of course to have a little fun time in between.

Bonnie, one of my tenants/friends from Almost Home, and I went 

out for dinner and drinks a couple of days ago.  Bonnie is a riot.

 and she makes me laugh.  She's from Georgia, and says 

she hopes to go back one day.  I really hope she does.

What has surprised me in the last two weeks are all the cars 

we have seen with Florida license plates.  It seems like every other 

car is from Florida.  Makes me wonder what's going on.

My week has been busy.  I did go to Almost Home for 

a visit, but other than that I have had many things going on to 

keep me occupied.  Sniff has been really quiet and lately he seems

 pretty jumpy whenever he hears any sounds.  One thing that 

has not changed is that he loves sitting by the window sills.

It's happy Hour Friday again.  Wishing 

you all a great and fun weekend ahead.

Although I understand that all days are equal with 

24 hours each, most of us agree that Friday is the longest 

day of the week and Sunday the shortest!...

~Nadiya~

And So Begins Another Week ~

I keep myself busy.  Time goes faster that way...

Now that we don't have tyo go to "work" Arvid is doing a few 

chores at home.  Today we start with the grass.  We do have a 

sprinkler system, but we never thought of turning them on.  

We never even went much on the outside.  We are after all 

"city people" as Arvid says.  He's not liking the outdoor work.

I am definitely NOT an outdoor kind of girl either.  Everytime 

I step out onto the grass something bites me.  Not sure 

what, but right now I have several bites on my arm.  

Arvid has not had a single bite.  Wonder why.

Sniff gets a kick watching Arvid work, but everytime the 

water comes his way Sniff takes off. Even though Arvid does not 

like doing these chores, he does it with zest and always with a smile.  

Of course there are a few "choice words" in Norwegian in between.

Arvid and I are constantly asking each other, "so what shall
 we do today?" The days are already looking very long.  It's way
too hot to be outdoors, so now the question is how do we fill our days?

 He's always busy no matter what.  Me on the other hand...well
 Almost Home was what kept me going.  Now to find another
 something to fill my days, my thoughts, and my time.

A new week begins.  We do have quite a few things to do and
so many plans to make.  So yes, it's going to be a good one.
Wishing you all the same.  Happy Monday everyone.

I've discovered that sitting still leaves little
 spaces for grief to get in, soo I stay busy...

~Nadiya~

Leaving The USA ~

No matter how you feel.  Get up.

Dress up. Show up and never give up...

A new week is soon upon us.  In just a few hours 

we will be in Norway.  I have not been there since 2016.  

Have not seen our granddaughters in 2 whole years. 

 You know that I am so looking forward to seeing them all this year.

  Unfortunately, I still can't speak enough Norwegian to communicate with

 them.  That makes me mad, and yes I am practicing with my online 

lessons, but the pronunciation it difficult.  The little ones

 will speak English before I speak Norwegian.

My mom says she dreads when I go on "vacation" because all I 

want to do is come back home.  It always starts out being exciting, 

but then after the first few days the "magic" wears off.  

Going to Norway is not "vacation" as Arvid puts it.  It's visiting 

family mostly.  It will keep us busy so for that I am happy.  

We run from one family's house to another.  No time 

to get bored that's for sure.  And that's good.

In the many years I have been going to Norway, I still have
 not seen much of the county.  Seems once we get there
there is hardly time to do anything but catch up family.
After all it's only once a year we get to see them.

Every year Arvid says we will do something, every year 

something else makes it not possible.  I have seen many other

European countries, happy about that, but Norway is beautiful and I

 would love to see some of it.  Seems like it will be happening this year.
We get to see the West Coast of Norway!Who knows one day as we 

get older we may not go there as often.

As always the excitement to get going is upon us.  Can't wait 

to see everyone soon, but at the same time knowing me I know that 

I will be counting down the days until we are back home in the 

USA with Sniff.  For now it's time to go to Norway and have a great

 summer with everyone.  Yes, we always have good times.

Wishing everyone a relaxing Sunday spent with loved ones.  

Soon we will be doing the same.  Time to make some memories.
 Next stop Norway.  "See" you all soon.

The best thing about memories is making them...

~Nadiya~

Cold Wednesday ~

Interrupt anxiety with gratitude...

Thanksgiving eve.  I'm not a big fan of Thanksgiving, but I do enjoy

making others happy and in that spirit, I am BUSY!  Almost Home will be

hosting a Thanksgiving meal for the tenants.  Turkeys have been ordered, but I

"volunteered" to do some extra cooking.  Been cooking since yesterday

and will continue doing so all morning tomorrow, come to work

and have everything ready for the tenants. 

76 Inn is also having a meal for it's tenants.  Arvid will be splitting his time

between my hotel and his.  He does not mind and everyone is happy.  Good thing

about 76 Inn is that everything is already prepared.  Next year I will remember this.

Woke up to Sniff not feeling so good.  It started OK, but by the time I

was leaving for work he had puked on his bed and was laying on the bed

tucked in the far corner away form the puke.  Not happy when I left him

all alone at home.  Of course he had clean linens and lots of love before I left.

Hope everyone is having a good day so far.  May your Thanksgiving be one filled with love and shared with the ones you love.

A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles...

~Nadiya~

Soon Weekend ~

Life is good, and it gets better every day...

Arvid and I eat out 6 days a week. Boy I am so tired of eating out. My stomach

just can’t seem to handle this anymore. Just about everyday I have an upset stomach.

On the other hand cooking at home takes too much time. Time I do not  have right now.

  I miss the days of eating at home very much.  One day I look forward to this.

Now both Arvid and I are sick. Sore throat. Cough. The works. Not having good

days right now.  Comes sometimes with not feeling so good. Then there are the times

I feel guilty because I can’t spend enough time with Sniff.  With Brutus we had all the

time in the world to give to him. Sniff is getting scraps and I feel guilty😡

Started off very cold today, but as soon as I got to work I was already warm. 

Lots of running around makes for rising body temperatures among other things.

Today we will be trying a new restaurant out for lunch.  Hopefully

my stomach will not be so irritated with the food.  Though cold the days

are beautiful and it does warm up nicely.  I am still amazed at the beautiful

colors of the season.  I see why my sister in Florida misses PA.

Looking forward to the weekend ahead.  No big plans, but it is the weekend
after all.  Weather is beautiful right now.  I am really loving the cold.
  Actually very mild cold temperatures we are having.

There are tons of buses in Branson and they will be here for there

remainder of the year.  Taking tourists to see the amazing Christmas

shows, lights and such.  Right now the town is all about Christmas, and at

nights the sights are amazing.  Happy start of the weekend to all.

I woke up.  I have clothes to wear.  I have running water.

I have food to eat.  Life is good.  I am thankful...

~Nadiya~

Little Things~

It's the unexpected that changes our lives...

I am excited and surprised to have found out that some kind

of a berry is growing in our yard.  Now I can't wait to pick it and eat it.

Also our tomato trees have tomatoes.  Super excited about that.  Most of 

the tomatoes will be taken to work.  Unfortunately, I can't eat much of it.  Too 

much acidity, and now my stomach does not tolerate it.  Among other things.

When it's not raining, I try to enjoy the sunshine as much as possible.  It is

very warm right now.  That's good, but I have been warned by the tenants that 

the temperatures can soar to 100 F and last for days.  Not sure I am ready for that.

When we first got Sniff Sniff he did not like being picked up.

New he loves cuddle time and every chance we get we pick him up. 

 He is such a good little kitty and we love him very much.

A new day begins.  Hopefully a quiet one at the hotels.  Wishing 

everyone interesting days filled with happiness and a touch of magic.

The unexpected makes the story more interesting...

~Nadiya~

Chilly Wednesday Begins ~

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful

Start each day happy...

We woke up to very cold temperatures.  As you can imagine Arvid is freezing. 

 I am actually chilled, but liking it.  Sniff came to the bed of course

 and was huddled close to us.  Mornings he is mainly cuddled 

up next to me.  Nighttime he is daddy's boy.

The life of cat cat.  Nothing to worry about all day long everyday.

Already had my cafe and banana for breakfast.  Time to get ready

 and go to "work"  Outside is definitely looking like fall right now.  Saving grace 

is that the sun will come out and we will warm up a bit, but like

 I mentioned, I am pretty OK with this cold right now.

To all a good day.  Stay warm.  

Bundle up and have some hot chocolate.

One small positive thought in the morning 

can change your whole day...

~Nadiya~

Feeling Grateful ~

I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings,

 friends that turned into family, and dreams that turned into reality...

Branson Missouri.  A far cry from Fort Lauderdale Florida. That being,

 said I am grateful right now to be here.  There was a time I thought

 Arvid and I were making a difference in the lives of our 

tenants, but last night I realized that it's the other way

 around. They have made a difference in our lives.

Almost Home Lodge is where I spend most of my time these days.

  As I mentioned a while back, the tenants have become friends.

 and people whom I care for. I have taken an interest in their well being,

 and in their lives.   I'm look forward to seeing them everyday and to 

catching up on whatever new development goes on with them. 

 From them I have learnt that there is so much more to life.  

They have shown me day after day what kindness, generosity and caring

 is all about.  I may miss our life back in Florida at times,

 but I am grateful and forever will be to everyone that makes 

Almost Home Lodge feel like a family.

Arvid's hotel is a little different.  He does have his "family" there as well,

 but his place has more working people compared to mine.  My place

 has been home for many for years.  Arvid sees more movement.  

He has also developed a bond with his long term tenants.  

They love him and won't trade him for the world either.

In Florida we lived in a condo. Never did I form a bond to any to the

 people living in the building. I do not know much about any of them.

At Almost Home we are a big family.  I realize how precious this 

is and I am grateful for having all of them I'm my life.

Last night at the midnight car show, I saw everyone as a friend.  We all had a

 good time and enjoyed the show together.  Everyone looks out for each

 other.  Isn't that exactly what family does for one and other.

I love you all, and to all of you I am grateful. And no matter

 where life takes me, this will forever be one of the best times in my life.  

All because of you.  Than you always and I will see you all tomorrow.

Never forget that gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving,

turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

If we do not feel grateful for what we already have, 

what makes us think we will be happy with more...

~Nadiya~

Little This ~ Little That ~

Years go by, the time it does fly.  And every single second 

is a moment in time that passes oh so quick, and it seems like nothing,

 but when you're looking back it seems like everything...

My sister and husband are in California house hunting. Come mid 

August California will be home to them. They flew into San Diego.

 When I first moved to California the first week was spent  in San Diego.
Right now there is a lot of different emotions going through me.
Not sure what it is but a part of me is far away right now to a
time and place that was once a happy time, but now
 just memories.  I seem to have a lot of those.

Yesterday was a pretty good day until Arvid and I started talking about Brutus.
Then the day turned sad. We held each other and for a few minutes we
were just silent.  The moment passed. How I miss Brutus.

 Sniff comes to us in the evenings. He starts out sleeping between
 Arvid's legs then ends up between mine.  I love these moments with him.

Malas time in Puerto Rico has also come to an end. They had a
wonderful 2 weeks, but now it's back to reality again. As for us,
 the days are moving along fast.  Business is good.  Do I
 miss the life we had back in Florida?  Yes I do!

 Do I like the life we have now?  Amazingly enough, I do. I have grown
very attached to many of my tenants.  They talk to me all the time,
and share with me part of their lives. Yes. I have grow attached to them,
 and when the day comes to leave it will be very difficult for me.
  As one tenant said to me, "this is our last stop in life."

Not sure what we plan to do today.  It is supposed to rain.  Already
had some rain showers, but nothing drastic as of yet.   Looking forward
 to a relaxing day with Arvid and Sniff.  Wishing you all a good one as well.

Life was forever changed with these moments in time.
Some days I wish I could go back in life.  Not to change anything, but
 to feel a few things twice.  Do what makes your soul shine.  Happy Sunday...

~Nadiya~