Tourist Season Is On ~

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
The World is a book and those who do not travel read only a page...

March has been an extremely busy month this year for Branson.  

I don't recall last year being this packed with tourist.  Maybe

 it was, but somehow I think this year it's even more so.  

Sometimes I wonder what it is that attracts so many to Branson.  

Whatever it is, it's good for businesses all around.  The town is busy.
This year a new attraction is the Time traveller Roller Coaster.
Time Traveller Rollercoaster

It has people flocking into Branson from all over the world to
ride this monster of a roller coaster.  Would I do it?  Not in this
 lifetime, but I  do enjoy watching others and hearing them
scream for dear life.  As much fun as riding it.  Almost.

Almost Home still has a waiting list of over 15 plus people and it

 grows everyday.  Just the other day I was chatting to one of our vendors.

 He was asking me what are my criteria for taking in someone to 

live at Almost Home.  After I started telling him my criteria, he looked 

at me and said, "with that many criteria it's a miracle you are always full."

  I looked at him and said, "you're right, but that's also what makes 

us so unique."  We are very selective.  And I like the 

fact that Tiffany and Chris are the the same.  

This year I know a little more and have a little more time that we did 

last year.  Looking forward to doing a few things now that we have the time. 

 One of them is the Farmers Market, which will soon be opening up. Reminds me 

a little of being in Chicago.  They have a great farmers Market as well.

Never thought I would say this, but Branson has grown on me.
Sniff loves it here. He gets to see just about everything that keeps him
entertained from the different window sills in the house.  Such a happy boy.
 Sill has the sniffles, but not lethargic as before.

Take it to the limit one more time. The sky is the limit.  
You never have the same experience twice...

~Nadiya~

Kindness.. It Goes A Long Way

Man can alter his life by altering his thinking...

Woke up this morning with a great sadness in my heart.  Nothing is wrong 

here at home.  Just watching the news sometimes is enough to make 

anyone feel depressed and a bit fed up with the world.

So much suffering going on sometimes I wish I had some magic to make

 the world a better place.  Take away the killings, the suffering 

and just wishing everyone can get along better.

It bothers me to see animals being tortured and killed by cruel and heartless

 people.  Why?  What's your pleasure in hurting a tiny little creature that

 cannot defend itself?  Something that never hurt you in any possible way?  I 

just think of Brutus, Shadow and Sniff and can never imagine someone

 wanting to hurt such a defenseless and precious thing.

I think about families torn together by jealousies and just plain misunderstandings. 

What can cause brothers/sisters/friends etc to just ignore each other and treat

 each other as strangers.  It must be heart wrenching to live this way. 

 I feel for all those families torn apart for no reason at all. 

To all of you I say...clear up that misunderstanding.  Call your mom, your brother,

 your sister.  Tell them you love them.  Life is too short to not enjoy them to the fullest.

I come from a very close knit family.  We grew up respecting each other and appreciating

 each other.  I hope this never changes because there is already way too much bad 

stuff going on in this world.  Love one another that's the best example you can give

 to your children and it's the best way to make this world a better place.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. 

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.. Remember

 that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something. 

 A mistake made by many people with great convictions is that they will 

let nothing stand in the way of their views, not even kindness.

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. ....

~Nadiya~

Home Again...

Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters...

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  Never did I think there would be so much going on there, 

but when we arrived there was attraction after attraction.  Reminded us a little of Orlando,

 and all the theme parks there.  No we did not try any of the rides, but we did drive 

around town and checked many of them.  Was quite amazing how much there is. 

Arvid and I are not one to go on vacations with anyone, but strangely enough, we once 

went to Mexico with my sister and nephew.  We had a great time.  Now we had a few days with

 my parents in a log cabin in the Smoky Mountains.  Two bedrooms, one bath and I have to say

 and Arvid will agree, we had a great time.  Arvid said to me, "it's because they are grown ups."

It was a very steep walk to the cabin.  Parking the cars was also a little scary.  My dad 

was not liking that part so much, so Arvid just parked their car in a "safe" spot and 

we moved around in ours.  For those 4 days Arvid was the designated driver.  

We did some shopping, that is Arvid and my dad went a little overboard in the Ralph Lauren

 store.  My mom and I just looked as these two shopped.  Was interesting to see.  Of 

course later on my mom and I had a little fun in some other stores as well. 

It was a very good time and I am so happy that Arvid enjoyed it as much as I did. 

 He's the one who keeps saying how good it was.  Makes me very happy.

On our way back home we were caught in lots of rain .  Similar to those we have in 

Florida.  There was also a tornado in our path.  Luckily we missed it, but many were not 

so fortunate.  The tornado demolished a Starbucks building and numerous homes.

Arvid found some time to do some trades.  Made him a very happy boy.  We also found
 the time to visit a few of our lots in a place called Lake Tansi in Tennessee.  We all had a
good time there as well.  After a good meal and some more exploring everyone was happy.

After a few stops we finally made it home to Sniff.  I think he was happy to see us.
For sure we think he gained some weight.  I played with him.  Brushed him and after a
 while he was so exhausted he fell asleep.  As soon a Arvid sat down to watch TV, Sniff
 ran right between his legs.  We're home and it feels good, but I miss my mom and dad.

When I'm all alone with my thoughts, I sure miss my Brutus like crazy. How I miss him
no one will every understand.  Yes, I miss him and there is nothing I can do about that.

Good morning everyone.  Hope your day is an awesome one!  Happy Friday.

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start.
Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending...

~Nadiya~