Friday August 26th ~

Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire...

Our outing to Lake of the Ozarks did not disappoint.  It was 

beautiful, one thing it did clear up for Arvid.  We cannot have

 a lake house there.  After the first day, there won't be much for 

us to do, that is unless we drank all day and sat in the sun.

From the minute we walked into our room we were smiling.  

It was beautiful and we had the exact view stated on the internet.  

What we didn't expect was for the place to be so ENORMOUS.

We saw three beautiful places.  All in the same day.  All of them 

on the lake and at each place Arvid was all excited about renting

 a cabin on the water and going back for another weekend. 

The first place we checked out was called paradise.  

Forever water/lake views.  The colors of the buildings reminded 

us of the Bahamas.  Beautiful pastel colors everywhere.  just beautiful.  

For a moment you forget you're in the mid west.  Feels as if

 you're transported to a Caribbean destination.

Water mesmerizes Arvid.  He's happiest when he can be close to it.

The second place we visited is called Coconuts.  Even 

more beautiful setting than Paradise.  During the pandemic

 thousands of people gathered here, and now I can see why.

Both pools belong to Coconuts.  This one below has a 

second floor with a DJ.  It is definitely a place one would 

go to party hard.  Lots of drinks, sunshine and water.

Coconuts is an absolute must next time.  Just the scenery is entertaining.

Arvid and I chose to stay at Margaritaville Lake Resort.  

For us this is the place of our choice.  Should we go back for a

 night or two most likely this is where we will end up again.

We've been to several Margaritaville's, this one definitely tops

them all.  It is HUMONGOUS.  Glad we didn't know beforehand

 because then Arvid may have not wanted to stay there.

Like most "hot spots," once the sun goes down the vibe/party picks up.

  Before you know it the place was packed.  The location is just excellent 🍹

  Surrounded by the lake and 2 beautiful pools. Everyone was having fun.

We had a very enjoyable day, and we were even happier 

as we were heading home.  Strange, but no matter how much

 we like a place, we look forward to coming home.

Home is where Sniff is and where we feel happiest always.

Good day to all and happy start of the weekend.  Enjoy.

Not all those who wander are lost...

~Nadiya~

Thursday August 4th ~

 I intend to live life, not just exist...

Today I go to Almost Home for a little.  Very excited to

 see everyone.  Also good to know that I can go, and just leave 

whenever I choose to.  Do I miss it?  No I don't miss

 the long days, and the cleaning and scrubbing. 

 What I do miss are the people and my daily chats 

with them.  I miss filling up the candy bowl.  I miss believe it 

or not buying little groceries for the box and seeing the tenants 

face as they found an item or two or three that would make

 a meal for them.  Those are the things I miss most.

We survived the visit to the vet.  Enough said on that. 🙏

Another week almost over.  Before we know it August is done, 

and there is so many things we would like to do 🎸To all a good day. 

 Remember, you can't live a positive life with a negative mind.

Our week was looking so good, but then suddenly things 

changed.   No one is sick.  All our families are good 😍,

but circumstances suddenly can change then your life

 becomes a tad bit more stressful, but I'm sure we will

 deal with it.  Already working on remedying the issue.

In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity...

~Nadiya~

Friday June 10th ~

 I'm an early bird, partly because I like to have

 some quiet time and partly because by 9am emails 

begin arriving, the phone starts ringing and I 

have dragons to kill of one sort or another...

Another week soon over.  Even thought this was

 a less hectic week, it still won’t by very fast.  It’s been

 really quiet at AHL 🙃 not complaining, but I have to say 

I am getting a little restless. Used to being busy, busy.

We have taken care of a lot that needed to be done. 

 Finished with the remodeling of 2 rooms, so now

 it’s back to how it usually is.  Very quiet 🙃.

I will never complain about quiet or boredom 🙏

 at least not for now.  Being Friday it will be a 

bit busier 🙃. Get to see many tenants today

 because quite a few pay on Fridays. 

Weather has been beautiful. Clear skies after

 a little morning fog.  Perfect days here as one of my 

previous tenants would say, “don’t get any better.”

Sniff staying busy with the birds.  Arvid finds

 stuff to do no matter what.  I’m trying to not go 

near grass.  My bites are not healing too well because 

every time I scratch them I make them worse off .

Plans for the weekend?  For us it all depends 

on how the day goes.  Work a little tomorrow and

 hopefully make dinner at home. Just perfect 😀.
To all a good weekend and a relaxing time.

Weekends are days to refuel your soul and to
 be grateful for the blessings that you have...

~Nadiya~

There Is A Sadness In My Heart ~

 A little step may be the beginning of a great journey...

 I am not sure how ready I was for this.  I thought I would 

handle moving again as easily as we normally do.  After all, we 

move more than anyone we know.  We move more than "normal"

   Arvid always says, "this is our final move" yet here we are moving

 again.  I say now, "THIS IS NOT OUR FINAL MOVE."

I feel as sad as that teddy bear looks.  Who knows by the 

time this blog is posted we may have already moved.  Thank

 you climate change for "scaring" the hell out of Arvid.

I thought when Arvid talked about climate change that 

it was just a joke.  I played along.  I agreed that it's coming, 

but I don't know if I really expected this.  I did not realize

 at the time that we would be saying goodbye to Florida.

I am tired of saying goodbye,  This goodbye is not easy.

This is more difficult for me than for Arvid.

I did not want to leave my home.  Did not 😢

Goodbye doesn't mean the end, it does not say forever.
It just means that we will soon meet again.  That's a promise...

~Nadiya~

Granite Falls, NC ~ Home To Mom and Dad ~ Thursday February 25th

On the road again, goin’ places that I’ve never

 been. Seein’ things that I may never see again, 

and I can’t wait to get on the road again... 

Making our way to North Carolina today. Looking

 forward to seeing my parents so very much.

Also keeping track of the "winter" storm conditions

 in North Carolina.  Hopefully we will not see much 

of it, but definitely we will feel the chill of it.  Oh

 well, I want to see my parents, so as far as I am

concerned the weather won't hold me back.  

Just hope it does not snow too much

 because then we do not have snow tires. 

 That can and will be a problem.

Arvid and I have a long drive ahead of us.  The only thing

 I do not like about this trip is the length of time it takes to

 get there.  We take turns driving so that makes it a little

 better, but even so, almost 12 hours in the car is not so 

great. But to see my parents, it's sure worth it 😍

Sniff is home alone, well he does have Gladys coming

 in twice a day, so he's going to be just fine.  Well stocked 

with food and two clean litter pans.  He will be fine.

Our weekend has begun and I am happy and grateful.

No one can ever take your memories from you - 

each day is a new beginning, make good memories every day...

~Nadiya~

Thursday September 24th ~

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking 

new landscapes, but in having new eyes...

 We keep busy, and seems like Sniff also enjoys being a

 part of this so called "busy"  Whatever we do, he's

 always around to "lend" a helping "hand".

My walk is already completed.  As my sister says, thank 

goodness you have not been kidnapped.   Yesterday my sister

 Nirvana updated us as to a string of kidnappings going on.  Have

 not seen or heard anything so for now I cannot say it's true.

It was a misty morning, but still a good walk.  I enjoy

 this quiet time alone.  I wonder why I didn't do it more

 often back home in Fort Lauderdale.  That's going to change

when we get back home.  I don't miss home as yet.  Neither

 does Arvid, but... Home is home and soon 😍who knows.

Today we hope the maintenance man from the building

 comes.  The sliding doors need a little fixing.   Hurricane Maria 

caused a little damage, but so far nothing has been taken care of. 

 Waiting for insurance to kick in, and when that did, COVID

 happened.  No one was allowed to come into the units.  

Slowly but surely, things are starting to get fixed.

We are after all on island time.  Yesterday Arvid was driving erratically.  

I told him to be a little more careful, he looked at me and said, 

"I am puerto rican now."  And so begins our Thursday.

Here everyday is Happy Hour time. 

 Cheers to all and a good day.

Always take the scenic route.  Life is short.

  Find what makes you happy.  Sunsets and palm trees...🌴

~Nadiya~

We're On Our Way ~August 30th

A new adventure is coming up 

and I'm sure it will be a good one...

Not so many years ago Brutus and I made our 

solo journey to Chicago where Arvid was waiting for us.

  At the time we had just moved into a new apartment

 in Chicago, and Arvid stayed back to set it up 

for our arrival.  It sure was a happy time.

Today Sniff and I will also make our solo journey 

to Puerto Rico.  Arvid is already there to make sure everything

 is ready for Sniff.  As I said to him, "the only way I'm coming

 is if I know Sniff has what he needs when we get there."

Sniff has been with us to Chicago and Branson.  He is

 a very good boy on the plane and everyone always tells

us how well behaved he is.  Yes, Sniff and I are on our

 way to Puerto Rico. And so begins a new adventure 🌎.

Everyday is the start of a new adventure, 

and I eagerly look forward to today...

~Nadiya~

Saturday August 29th ~

If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it's lethal...

With all the commotion going on so early here at

 home, Sniff is not too happy.  Like his dada he loves 

his morning sleep.  Today he did not get it all, but 

he's back in bed so all's good in his world 💤.

It's not like I want to be awake this early, I just have

 not been able to sleep that well lately.  I guess there is a 

lot going on in my head 😔, and I'm not sure of it all.

This time for some reason I think we are running into

 the eye of the storm.  Yes, another move for us.  

Not permanent, but for how long...I don't know.  

Today Arvid leaves for Puerto Rico.  Tomorrow

 Sniff and I will be doing the same.  I am excited

 of course, but at the same time not sure if this is 

the right move or not.  We will soon find out.

There is quite a lot to do today.  I am already feeling 

a little homesick.  Though Puerto Rico is not the end of the 

world it seems so far away right now.  Feels like it will be 

a while before I see my mom, Nina, Mala and Rima, on the

 other hand, we will be seeing Nirvana and Kimsy 😍😍.

It's our last day here at home for a while.  I am looking 

forward to this new adventure, but I admit to also looking

 forward to the day we come back home.  For this will always

 be home.  For now, it's time to have some new experiences

 and see the world a little.  It's soon island time for us.

Hello new day.  Let's make it always amazing 😍

And then I realized that adventure was the best way to learn.
Great things never came from comfort zones...

~Nadiya~

Hello's From North Carolina ~ July 22nd

Enough' is a feast...❤️

We are here and we are happy to be here.  What can I say. 

 Life is good, and every opportunity I get to see my parents

 makes it even better.  Good morning everyone. 🍵

Looking forward to having a good day with my parents.
Arvid and I will be treating them to take out today.  Since
this pandemic has started, mom and dad have not done
 much.  Like many they have been hunkering down
at home.  This should be a good treat for all of us.

My dad has already pulled out the Puerto Rican Rum.
It's never too early to start when in the right company.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things

 which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has...

~Nadiya~

July 13th Road Trip ~

Sometimes the most scenic roads in

 life are the detours you didn't mean to take...

Road trip to Chicago.  Finally the day is here when we 

go to the city we love the most.  Our journey begins today 

and tomorrow we will be Home Sweet Home in Chicago.

Arvid and I have been waiting for this day for

 a long time. Finally Arvid's countdown is over and our 

adventure to Chicago begins.  I wonder what the "new norm" 

will feel like in Chicago.   Soon we will find out ✌.

Because of COVID a lot has changed.  Sniff will 

not be going with us.  We won't be there for a long time. 

 Yes a lot has changed, but we are definitely planning 

on having a great time.  That's always a must.

Sniff won't be with us, but he's never 

far from my heart and my thoughts.

To all a very good day.  A long day of driving

 awaits us.  Happy to be on the road again.

Roads were made for journeys, not destinations...

~Nadiya~