Then And Now ~

And we will look back at one

 another with a smile on our face...

A long time ago in Florida.  Michelle, Danielle, 

Reshma, Kimsy, Max, Gabby and I.  Visiting my parents in Weston.

Today the same girls but all grown up.  Add Lilly Vade to the mix.

Life takes us places, but it always leads us back to family.

The only time you should ever look back 

is to see how far you have come...

~Nadiya~

New Week Begins ~

I am woman.  I am invincible.  I am tired.

I already want to take a nap tomorrow...

Though the day are going by fast, we seen to be getting a

 little too tired lately.  Yes, we have been putting in many hours

 at the hotel.  At all times of the day and night.

Father's Day, Arvid and Sniff took a little time to doze off in between the

 soccer game.  Sniff is not one to miss an opportunity to snooze off.

  Arvid likes late nights "patrol" at the hotels.  Then he says, "it is so quiet."

  The we go back home to bed.  Makes us both feel good about that. 

 Even so, there is always some excitement going on.

Hope your Sunday was good and that Father's day was a day where

 more beautiful memories were made.  New week already.  

We are both rested and ready for what may come.

Hello Monday.  Let's bring it on.

If your eyes hurt after you drink coffee, 

you have to take the spoon out of it...

~Nadiya~

Busy Days ~

I've just had a super busy day already. 

Converting Oxygen into Carbon Dioxide...

Monday started with a bang.  The phones never stopped ringing.  People 

wanting to rent rooms desperately for the season that has begun here in Branson.

  My hotel is full and Arvid's  about 97% full as well.  People come and 

go quite often, sometimes we "help" them to go also.  Arvid has his 

shopping cart ready.  Just in case, Arvid does not hesitate to

 "help" when it is needed.  He even offered to give me a 

shopping cart for my hotel should we ever need one.

The pool here at Almost Home is being filled up for opening on Memorial Day

 weekend.  Many are already looking forward to sitting in the sun and

 just cooling off in the pool.  Summers in Branson are pretty HOT 

from what I am told and we did experience some of

 it last summer during the few times we visited.

The tomato trees are already giving tomatoes.  Soon they will

 be ripe and ready to pick.  Guessing the tenants will

 be happy for fresh homegrown tomatoes. 

 Here at Almost Home it's nice and quiet.  Very peaceful.  Arvid's hotel

 is also quiet, but being on the main Strip he sees a little more

 "action" than I do.  From Arvid's hotel everything you need 

is within walking distance.  No need really for a car.

Already Tuesday.  The week is just flying by.  Hope everyone is having 

a good week so far and that it just keeps getting better and better.  

Happy Tuesday all.  Time to get busy again.  Don't forget 

to always focus on what makes you happy.

My life is very crazy and busy, but I love it that way...

~Nadiya~

Friday...

Weekend is here.  Let's roll baby...

To all a happy start of the weekend.  Busy days here so this is it for today.

A typical part of my Fridays include going to the Swap Shop and stocking up on my
 favorite fruit, and always having a coconut.  Being from the islands/tropics it's a must.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day and beautiful start of the weekend.
Happiness is a sunny day!  Cheers to all.  Sunny days to all.

I'm so ready for the weekend...

~Nadiya~

Scenes From Chicago...

I live in a big city.  There is so much stimulation when you walk outside 
that a television is not required in the home.  I love Chicago...

Life in a big city is a one of a kind thing.  I am a city girl, and for me it's the best there is.  When
we  decided to buy an apartment on Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale I had to convince Arvid of
how wonderful it is to live in the city.  He said he had never before lived right in a city.

 From that point on he loved it as much.  Here in Chicago it is a HUGE city
 compared to what it is in Fort Lauderdale.  It's perfect for the summer.

On our walks from home we encounter beautiful sights.  Between tall buildings there is
the lake, flowers, boats, and life buzzing all around us.  Always something to do and see.

Our grocery store is a mere 5 minutes walk form our apartment.  It's unlike the ones we
have in Florida because here as I have mentioned before, they cook burgers, hot dogs,
 your meat, there are concerts on the outside and now we also have a Mimosa Bar.

Also as Arvid and I were coming home yesterday we noticed a group of friends
sitting outside with beers they had bought from the store and were drinking it on the
outside.  Arvid looked at the and all he said was, "how I wished we had
something like this in Horten when I was growing up."

Yesterday we had company from Norway.  Svein, and his friend Rune.  Svein usually does
Route 66 together with a group of other Norwegians.  They drive from Chicago to LA.

They are on the road for almost a month.  Sounds great, but I am not sure I can do
 a month on the road.  Arvid already said he could not.  Guess that means not Route 66
 in a group for us.  Arvid said if we ever did it, it would only be he and I.  Sounds better already.

The guys took off to listen to the Blues.  Gave me some alone time to do what I wanted, and of
course one of the places was to walk around the city in the evening and to visit some of my
favorite hangouts Arvid does not really like that much.  Both Arvid and I had a good time.

Wishing you all a very good day.  Beautiful day here in Chicago.
Remember don't judge my story by the chapter you walked in.

It's not the future you are afraid.  It's repeating the past that makes 
you anxious.  Life is short.  Smile now while you still have teeth...

~Nadiya~