Hello Friday ~

Optimism s a happiness magnet.  If you stay positive
good things and good people will be drawn to you...

Yesterday was brighter and  a little warmer.  Made everything look and

 feel better, at least as far as I was concerned.  Work was quiet for a change.

  Not too many unexpected events happening yesterday so I had time 

to catch up on some other stuff that needed to be done.

  Arvid and I did some errands, and grabbed a fast lunch before heading

 back to work.   Usually work errands we do on Sundays, but since

it was a mostly quiet time we made the most of the day. 

Here at Almost Home the trees are starting to get leaves and are green already.

  Tony our maintenance/property manager has already mowed the grass twice.  He has 

also planted grass seeds, and makes sure our grounds look immaculate. Yep! 

getting ready for green grass, flowers and that sort.  Soon we hope to

 have the pool at Almost Home reopened.  Everyone sure is looking 

forward to that day, so am I have not seen the pool as yet.

At Arvids place all "projects" as he calls it have been completed, and since 

the rooms are all occupied there in no "projects" as of now, but Arvid being

 Arvid always finds something to do.  Never a dull moment here.  

I love my "job" but it sure feels good when Friday is here and I leave a little early

 to do something just for me.  Today I hope to go shoe shopping.  Most likely 

will end up with no shoes, but at least I would have had an outing.  

Also on Friday's I will be trying to do my Indian buffet. 

 Hopefully will make it there today.  Alone!

Sniff is doing good.  Getting fussy at times, but nowhere as fussy as Brutus.

  Brutus was spoilt!  I would do it all over again.  I miss my Brutus.  I get so very

 angry when I think of what happened to Shadow.  One day I know

 it will be better.  When I think of Brutus, my heart just breaks

 all over again.  I miss them and that's all there is to say.

Life is good.  Busy, hectic at times but we love it.  Yesterday ended not so quietly.

  As always with this business one never knows what will happen minute to 

minute.  I am very selective as is Arvid as to who we bring into our hotel.  It is 

after all home to many.  The place where they feel safe and protected.

  We always try to make sure we choose/screen right.  Every so often 

like with anything else, stuff happens, but we learn from it.

As mentioned many times, everyday is a learning experience.  Today is 

looking good. Fridays are usually busier both at Arvid's place and mine.  Makes 

for interesting times and definitely a fast day.  Can't believe it is already Friday.

To all a good day and a happy weekend ahead.

The only limits in life are the ones you make...

~Nadiya~

Thursday Blues ~

Don't confuse my bad days as a sign of weakness.

Those are actually the days I am fighting my hardest....

Thursday.  Cold.  Not exactly feeling cheery right now, but then

there is Arvid and Sniff Sniff to balance it all out.  Always good.

Yesterday was 1 year and 5 months since our Brutus died.  And yes, I miss him

very much.  It was also one year and one month little Shadow died.  And yes, life goes on.

Getting a cold.  Again.  Today I am not ready as yet to face the world,

but I know that as soon as I step out the door I will have on my happy face.

To al a good day.  Sometimes it's a struggle to just get going.  Today seems to be 

one of those days.  I know it will get better, but right now I does not feel that way.

And sometimes, life is just hard, and some days are just rough, and some days

 you just gotta cry before you move forward,  and all of that is OK...

~Nadiya~

Feeling Accomplished ~

We don't grow when things are easy.
We grow when we face challenges...

As mentioned before, when Arvid and I took over the 2 hotels we had no clue

 about running one.  Today I want to say that we are so much better at it, but even so

 there is always much more we can learn and we are.  Everyday it is something new.
Most of our tenants are now more than that.  We have bonded and we have a good
 thing going with everyone.  I want to believe that we are making a difference.

 Something unexpected happens everyday.  As I just finished telling my mom and

 sisters the latest, we just could not help but laugh at the craziness that our lives 

have become.  A craziness we absolutely LOVE!  Everyday my mom tells me 

to start writing a book because no one would believe what we go through.

Arvid's hotel, 76 INN was not up an running when we took it over.  It was

 what I would call a mess.  Did that scare us?  Well obviously not enough.  

My hotel as I call it, was well run and just about 80-90% occupied.

Arvid's was more like 39%  and at times it dipped lower.  Arvid has become an 

expert at kicking people out.  He shows up to their rooms and says, "pack your bags.  

You have 15 minutes to get out."  Let me tell you when Arvid says that the people

 jump.  At times takes them a little longer than 15 minutes, but with  Arvid standing

 waiting there they have no other option than to pack as fast as they can and to get out

.  Arvid has perfected this kicking out.  One has to be firm and stand their ground.
We only want what's best for the hotel and all living there.  One has to be selective.

From an occupancy rate of 39%, Arvid and his property manager/maintenance 

man have worked long, long hours to what is today a hotel at 100% occupancy rate. 

 Has not been easy but determined is what we are.  Having two hotels we are 

able to direct people from one to the other when one is full.  

Arvid has the ability to have double rooms in his. I don't so when I have such 

customer, I send them to him, and if I have no pet room I send to him and vice versa.  

As of yesterday both hotels are at 100% occupancy.  Yes we are proud of this

 accomplishment.  We do not have much time for many things, but when we

 started this business our goal was to get to this stage.  Now the fun begins.

It's not the easiest of businesses.  As I mentioned. you never know what to expect on 

a daily basis.  You never know when an emergency will show up.  You never know

 how people will be and you never know when you will need to kick someone out.  

What I do know is that Arvid is always ready to do it.  I think he enjoys it.  We

 love what we do.  It keeps us busier than we have ever been  My mind is always 

occupied.  My Brutus and Shadow live tucked in my heart and our Sniff is always 

home waiting for us.  Life is good.  We may not have everything we want, but we

 do have what we need, and yes not a day goes by that I don't think of our Brutus.

  He is my baby and he stole my heart.  Sniff sure has a big chunk of  it also.

To all a good day.  Not sure what the day holds.  Maybe more tornadoes.
Seems like tornadoes are a daily occurrence here in Missouri.
Arvid and I are ready. Always something new.  We love it!

I know what we did and how we accomplished it.
We are proud of it and know that it was done with integrity...

~Nadiya~

Missed You Quite A Lot Today ~

 Ma you are gone  from our lives but you will never be gone from our hearts.  

The day god called you home was the day he broke our hearts....

As I was going through some pictures, I came across a picture with me and my

 grandmother.  This was the last time I saw her alive.  Arvid and I were in Canada. 

 Arvid took this picture of us on March 12, 2010.  She died shortly afterwards.

She was fragile looking and had lost a lot of weight, yet that did not stop her from
 being the spunky woman I have always admired.  The few times Arvid has seen
 her were enough to leave him with a very good impression.  To this day he would
 say to me, "I liked your grandma.  She reminded me of my grandma."

Ma we all have busy lives, but there are moments when you come into my
thoughts and so many memories come to me.  Memories of when I was a child.
 Of the times we went fishing with you.  Of the times you fed us from
 your plate.  The times you told us stories until we would fall asleep.
Stories which to this day my sisters tell to their children.

Today I spent time thinking of you.  Today I wish I could have picked up
the phone and call you.  Hear your voice as you said, "hello."  Ma, today I miss you!
 Even in all the hectictness of our lives, you are always close.  My sisters, mom
and dad talk about you often and remember so much that makes us smile.

Mommy misses her daily calls with you so very much. Nirvan some nights goes
through some rough nights.  She feels you close to her and misses you very much as well.

When you went away you left an empty space in ours hearts but we

 filled that spacer with love and memories. We miss your love, your tears, 

your laughter and your touch but most of all we miss your smile...  

~Nadiya~

Monday Again ~

New Monday.  New week.  New goals...

One of my favorite sights in Branson is this Ferris wheel.   Coming all the way from

 Chicago.  Be it night or day, I just can't seem to stop taking pictures of it.  At night

 the colors change as the wheel goes around and around.  Have not gone on it and

 don't think I will.  Not that brave anymore, but I still enjoy seeing it.

As usual Mondays are busy, but as soon as the day begins it seems like the 

week just takes off and before you know it, it's Friday again.  Love this part of 

staying busy and always not knowing what to expect.  Of course if 

it is something not "good" then I am not happy about that.

Monday is the start of the week and it has always been the unspoken enemy of 

people who totally enjoyed their weekends. Well, that’s quite a lot of people. It is a 

known fact that we really can’t get rid of Monday off the days of the week, people

 need to get up and pretty much drag their ass off the bed and start working the day. 

Monday mornings are the most dreaded moment of the week for many. 

It is the sign that a new work week has to start and that we must say goodbye

 to the bliss and comfort of the Saturday and Sunday. Do not let this

 dreadful moment become something so related with Monday.

Remember that Mondays should be welcomed with great enthusiasm,

 enormous hope and a tank full of energy.  It is after all an new opportunity to 

make things better. Happy Monday all.  Let's get rolling and kick some butt today!

 You can't change what happened last week. but you can 

learn from it and choose happiness  this week...

~Nadiya~

Some Days Are Like This ~

It's so curious: one can resist tears and 'behave' very well in the hardest

 hours of grief. But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window,

 or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly 

blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer... and everything collapses..

Some days are harder than others.  Can't pinpoint anything specific.  Just suddenly

something happens.  It hits me all over again.  The tears come and go, but

 the missing you is always there.  Tucked deeply in my heart.  

Arvid and I just hold each other and "ride" that wave.

Life is busy.  Very busy.  Hardly have time to do much anymore other than work. 

 Not bad, but I do sometimes feel guilty because Sniff is left so much alone.  Now he is 

"used" to it, but every time we leave he looks at us with those big eyes and yes, I'm guilty.

Last night Arvid and I were talking and as always it got around to Brutus.  I asked 

Arvid if he misses Brutus, and he said "more than you know."  I miss my Brutus

 very much and last night was pretty rough for us. We heard Brutus' song 

and it threw us back to square one.  How I miss my Brutus.

 Not everyday is bad, but suddenly it will hit me and then I have a rough patch.

  Arvid holds it in more, but when I ask I hear from him that he also

thinks often of Brutus and misses him so much as well.  Life!

Grief! It comes in waves and today I'm drowning in it!

Shadow crosses our minds very often as well.  I "see" them all the time at work

 and at home.  Then I let my mind wander to when they were alive.  I smile

 at the memory, but at the same time that memory crushes me.  Yes, 

today is also one of those days that my mind is full with Brutus

 and Shadow.  Today I miss home.  Home being Florida.

Looking forward to a relaxing Sunday and hopefully not too much running
 around.  Yesterday was nice and relaxing and Arvid even had some time to
 go out with Danny, the property manager/maintenance man at his hotel.
While they had a boys evening out, I had some time on my own.  I did
 a little shopping and some stuff for me.  Both of us had a good time.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Hopefully the sun shines for all of us today.

Some days I can conquer the world, other days it takes me three 
hours to convince myself to bathe.  No journey out of grief was
 straightforward.  There would be good days and bad days...

~Nadiya~

Life...Pure Goodness

Second chances are not given to make things right.  But are
 given to prove that we could make things better even after we fall..

Someone said, "I may not have everything I want, but I sure have everything I need."
Yes, that is my motto to live by, and I practice it everyday.  Some days not always that
 successful at it, but by the end of the day I am grateful and I know that life always gives
 us second chances.  It is up to us to see it.  To grab it and to make the most of it.

Life has changed a lot for Arvid and I in the last few months.  Living in Branson,
Missouri is a totally different experience that what it was like to be in Fort Lauderdale.
 Gone are the days of "boredom"  Now our days are filled with things to do.

Places to go and people to meet.  Interesting and always something we had not
planned for is happening.  We are staying busy and that was the main reason for trying
out Branson.  For now I am happy and enjoying life here.  Yes, I miss Florida
 and our home, but everything I need and want is right her.  Arvid, Brutus,
 Shadow Sniff and I are home together.  All is good with us.

Change is hard at first.  Messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.
Making a big life change is pretty scary.  But, know what's even scarier?  Regrets...

~Nadiya~

Thursday~

Well it's official.  The weather has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder...

Yesterday was just a very strange kind of day.  Cold, wet, dark, gloomy

 and windy.  Strange because just the day before, it was warm and sunny.

  Once again I am either getting the cold or allergies.  Sniffles and

 everything else combining to make for pure misery.

  Yeah was not a great day as far as the weather goes.  Work wise, it's just 

about always good.  I really enjoy the people, and everyday it's something

 else that you learn.  The unexpected seems to always pop up.  I love it.

  Arvid has been in trade meetings since Tuesday and he also runs to his hotel 

in between and after the meetings.  His days are much longer than mine.  

Even though Arvid has someone always there at the office, and on call 

he Arvid just can't seem to get away.  He loves it as well.  I have my

 Tony and together we handle it just fine at my place.

Arvid being in meetings gave me time alone to go and have lunch at my 

Indian restaurant.  I love Indian food.  Hmm.. must be because I AM Indian and I 

grew up with it.  My favorite food of all times.  Spicy, flavorful and definitely 

never boring nor bland.  So unlike the food Arvid grew up with.  

No offense to my Norwegian friends, but Norwegian food is boring, bland 

and tasteless.  Always exceptions.  I had my usual.  Chicken Tikka Masala.  

Garlic Naan.  Vegetable Samosas.  Can't wait to go there again. 

Sniff is doing much better with the sniffles.  He's almost like new again.

  Did not like seeing him so under the weather.  Now he runs, hides,

 plays and gets into trouble.  That's more like the "old" Sniff.

Not a very warm day today.  No sunshine in the picture as of now.

Does not matter.  I make my own sunshine and another interesting day awaits

 me at work.  I help to take care of one of the tenants kitty and that is always a

 fun thing.  I go in 2 times a day to her room, clean Kitty's litter, sweep the floor

 and play with Kitty.  Yes the cat's name is Kitty and I love Kitty as well.

Today our youngest granddaughter celebrates her 2nd birthday.

Happy birthday Vanessa.  Grandma and Grandpa love you very much.  

You and you sister Aleah make us happy.  Wish we could have been there 

with you to hold you, hug you and give you lots of kisses.  Just know

 we are sending all our love to you and Aleah.  Today and everyday.

Granddaughters are like sugar. Too much of them will make the taste of life 

even better, but too little of them will make life tasteless. You make 

our life worth living. Happy Birthday, Vanessa.

To all a good day.  Remember stay humble, work hard, be kind.

We could all take a lesson from the weather.  

It pays no attention to criticism....

~Nadiya~

After All This Time..I Still Miss You...A LOT!

I am a strong person, but every now and then I need someone to take

 my hand and say everything is going to be all right...

Nothing can change the way I feel today.  Just one of those days where missing Brutus 

is taking up a lot of my day.  It comes and goes in waves.  Some days are harder.

I saw this grey and white kitty that looks just like Shadow.  Found out his name is also

 Shadow.  I think that spiraled me down.  It will be OK, but today I am feeling sad.

Grief as you know is a walk you do alone.  Others can be there and listen.

But you will walk alone down your own path, your own pace, with your sheared 

off pain, your raw wounds, your denial, anger and bitter loss.  You'll come to your

 own peace, hopefully... but it will be on your own, in your own time.

Some days are going to be harder than others, but you 

must remember to keep the hope in your heart always...

~Nadiya~

We Learn As We Go...

View life as a continuous learning experience...

Not to toot our own horn, but why not!?  When we became owners of

two hotels, we had no clue what we were getting in to.  Never did we do something

 similar, but we looked at it as another challenge.  A change and we went for it.

Today in less than 5 months Arvid and I have learnt a LOT!  There is still so

 much to do, but together we seem to be handling it pretty well.  When we took over 

the hotels, mine, Almost Home Lodge was pretty much up and running and doing good.

Arvid's 76 Inn was really a start up project.  My hotel has never seen below 90% 

occupancy even though January, February and the first 2 weeks of March

 were really hard on all the tenants.  Today my hotel is at a full 100%

 occupancy.  Arvid's is at a staggering 95% full occupancy.  

Running a hotel has taken up quite a lot of our time.  No more "social" life

right now.  Our days of vacations are over for now.  Norway that used to be a 3 week 

trip has now been reduced to one week and the way it goes only Arvid will be going.

No longer can both of us travel at the same time.  One has to stay back and run the hotels.

We choose to do this so there is no complaining.  Just stating facts and the way 

it will be.  Our goal is to make it back to Florida one day, but in the 

meantime we are liking this new venture very much.  We have met 

interesting people and are learning so much everyday.

As they say, learning is experience.  Everything else is just information.

Knowledge comes from learning.  Experience comes from living.

A life without problems is like a school without lessons.  Keep doing your thing...

~Nadiya~

Monday ~ Here We Go Again ~

Experience is the name we give to our mistakes.  Happy Monday everyone...

As Monday begins, there is a;ways so much to do.  Our weekends are usually busy 

with runs to Home Depot, Lowe's, Menard's and Walmart.  Stocking up for 

the hotels.  Between Arvid's manager. maintenance man and mine, we get a list of 

things they want.  When it's an emergency both property managers just dip 

into the petty cash fund and get what's needed.  We do the bigger stuff.

Our Sunday was pretty hectic.  We are learning to always expect the unexpected.

So far we have not been disappointed.  Arvid and I went in to his hotel for a

 few hours.  Always something to do.  Mine runs a little more smoothly.  

Truth is Arvid is restless so he uses any excuse to go to "work"  Loves to stay busy.

  Many a time I will go with him, but there are times when I like my Sundays 

to be just quiet and relaxed.  Not Arvid.  He loves movement.

Yesterday was not quiet.  We spent quite some hours at Arvid's hotel, and then
we had to make a fast run over to mine.  Had a customer wanting a room.  After that it
 was a little outing to the Tanger Outlets in search for shoes.  This time for Arvid.

Good morning everyone.  Have a great Monday and good start of the new week.
Remember your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn.

Train your mind to see the good in everything.
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday...

~Nadiya~

~ Sunday Vibes ~

I try to take it one day at a time
But sometimes several days attach me at once...

Sniff is still not feeling so good.  Yesterday I called the vet to see if I can take him

 in again and find out why he seems to have the non stop sneezing.  I was told the doctor 

was not in today.  No vets are open on Sunday, not even for emergencies, and there 

is no 24 hour animal hospital  No appointments were available until late Tuesday.  

There and then I just started crying.  I wanted to go back home.  The thought of 

something happening to Sniff and not being able to take him to a doctor 

was more than I wanted to handle then.  Part of it could have been the fact that 

I was awake from 1:30 am trying to calm  him down and to be with him

 while he was sneezing.  He sneezed on an off for over 3 hours.  

He was exhausted and every time he tried to lay and sleep he started to sneeze again.  

Right now i am very frustrated and ready to go home.  I went to the pharmacy to see

 if there was anything I could give him over the counter that would help a little.

  To my surprise the pharmacist said children's liquid Benadryl was 

pretty good and that many a cats, dogs have used it.  Gave him some. 

 He sneezed but eventually he fell sound asleep.

It rained more or less all day yesterday.  Work was pretty hectic.  Nothing unusual.

Arvid came home for lunch, but had to go back to his hotel.  He was there until 

close to 7 in the evening.  On Saturdays we usually try to come home earlier.  

Usually, I can.  Then I  make lunch at home, but many a times Arvid has to go back.

  Rarely do we have much time together anymore.  When we started this venture we

 knew that our time will be occupied 100% by the hotel business.  So far it as.

To all a good day.  Sunday.  Not what it used to be, but it is still good.  Today I am 

very tired.  All I want to do is stay in and just for once not have to run around and do 

shopping for the hotels.  Will see how it goes.  Spring is here but it sure does not feel that way.

Good morning everyone.  Never forget that attitude is a little 

thing that makes a big difference.  ~ Happy Sunday ~

Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers.  Plant your own garden 

and decorate your own soul.  Happy girls are the prettiest...

~Nadiya~

So So Saturday ~

You attract the energy that you give off.  Spread good vibes.

Think positively.  Enjoy life...

Finally!!! Arvid has told his family about us owning a hotel.  Arvid likes secrets 

and surprises.  Me not so much especially not when it comes to such a big change in 

our lives.  My family knew about it and I was happy because then I was able to 

share my experiences with them.  They laughed about many of the things 

and many they have been a little concerned about, but over all it is 

nice at the end of the day to be able to talk to them about it. 

 Makes for happier times.  Glad the "secret" is finally out!

My family like I said knew as did many of my friends and some relatives.  Branson 

has still been experiencing strange temperature changes.  Last night we had 

quite some rain. And still raining this morning.  Always good  I guess. 

Washes away all the dirt and gunk from everywhere.  Arvid's daughter and her boyfriend

 have visited us.  Our first official visitors since we have moved.  It was very nice

 and we had a good time the 4 of us.  Not exactly sure Branson is their favorite 

destination, but even so they made the trip and that's what counts.

For the next few years when they come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter it is not a 

sure thing that we will be able to visit them.  Sad, but the hotel business is 

now what takes up most of our time.  Unfortunately this year I will most

 likely not make it to Norway.  I will not see Aleah and Vanessa and

 that bothers me.  They will not know me and that makes me sad.

I am struggling here to find some time to get away to my niece's graduation,

 and to my cousins wedding in Canada.  Definitely want to go and

 definitely will be doing everything possible to go.

Saturday is looking wet.  Sniff is sneezing non-stop and of course I am worried. 

 All the things that happened to Brutus makes me extremely (maybe too much) protective.

  We now are away from him so much and that also is something that right now

 will add to my anxiety.  Not as easy to get an appointment to a vet 

here as it was in Florida.  Next available is next Wednesday.

To all a good day.  Have an awesome Saturday and a fabulous weekend.

Good vibes only.  Be simple, honest and more real...

~Nadiya~