Saturday April 30th ~

Some days are like this. And the only way to 

get through them is to remember that they 
are only one day, and that everyday ends...

Record breaking rain for the month of April. 
 Wish it would soon stop. May is almost here, hopefully

 the saying is true "April showers bring May flowers."

It's a little messy with all the rain and wet 

shoe prints everywhere.  I like to keep the place

 clean, but sometimes nature is not in my favor.  

Oh well, just have to keep mopping the floor.

One of our tenants has been kind to give us a lot of goodies

 for the box in the office.  Filled with lots of snacks, which is 

what many seem to prefer instead of nutritious food 😂

I usually bring plastic bags and let them go "shopping"

It's comforting to know that we are able to help when 

needed.  I also stock up the box with canned groceries

 and microwavable foods.  Every little bit sure helps.

One thing for sure, the pets at Almost Home are well fed.  

Most of them are borderline overweight as far as I can see, 

but so cute.  Take Toast for instance, he's six months old 

and a fattie.  Reminds me a little of our Brutus

Here at home all is good.  Sniff continues to be a slacker.  

He's really the most beautiful slacker I know.

A good day to all.  It's been 6 months now since

 I last saw my PR kitties.  I do miss them very much.

One of these days is none of these days...

~Nadiya~

Friday April 29th ~

 Things go wrong so that you can 
appreciate them when they're right...

Too early for this, but let's do it.
  New day, and it waits for no one.

Sniff already had his first brushing for the day, and now

 he's going back to catch a little more shut eye time.  

Fridays used to be a day Arvid and I would go out, listen 

to music or have a little weekend getaway trip. Now Friday

 is just another workday.  Not a terrible thing, but from being 

retired to working 6-7 days a week, big change in our lives.

Can't really complain.  Almost Home runs smoothly. 

We are strong and healthy.  Could have been worse, but 

we are managing well.  To all a happy start of the weekend. 

 I look forward to one day having weekends again.

I trust that everything happens for a reason, 

even if we are not wise enough to see it...

~Nadiya~

Thursday April 28th ~

 Never stop believing in hope 
because miracles happen everyday...

Busy busy days at work.  Hardly enough time in the day.

A far cry from retirement 😂 but can't complain

 about being bored anymore.  No time for that

Sniff continues to be the slacker he is, and we love

 him for it.  He brings calm and tranquility to our lives.

This week has just flow by.  Way too fast.

Do what is right, not what is easy...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday April 27th ~

 Mindset is what separates the best from the rest...

Arvid enjoys getting rid of stuff no matter 

where he is.  He loves it.  Calls it spring cleaning, 

and has gotten everyone doing the same 😂.

When not dumping stuff away, he enjoys quiet time

 with  Sniff and I and of course with the TV.

Then it's back to work.  Always looking to see what 

we can get rid of.  He never tops.  Constantly on the

 move and on the prowl.  You see Arvid, and you 

know he will be doing some sort of cleaning up.

I worry when he starts to wander into my closet at home.  

He always says I have too much "stuff" and it's time to give some

 away 🙊  I really don't have anything to give away right now.

Wishing everyone a good day.  Keeping busy is what

 we do best.  Sometimes I wish we knew how to slow down.

What would it be like to only have activities in your

 life that ‘sparked joy?’ … it’s a goal to keep 

in mind as you evaluate your schedule...

~Nadiya~

Monday April 25th ~

 Stay focused.  Stay consistent. Stay positive,
 and always keep moving forward...

The weekend sure wore us all out, which is strange

 because we sure didn't do that much.  We are getting 

older, but for sure does not mean any slower 😂. 

 It didn't help that we worked most of Saturday,

 especially Arvid.  It was a long day for him.  When 

he works he forgets everything else.  Arvid is the most 

hard-working man I know.  He has more stamina 

and energy than a 20 year old.  He does not know 

what tired is.  Not so good all the time for him.

Recharged and ready to face the new week.  

Whatever challenges it may present, we will give

 it our best shot and keep on moving forward.

Monday again.  The new week begins.  Refreshed from

 having most of Sunday off.  Ready to face whatever awaits us.

  Happy new week all and may it be a good one for all of us.

Monday is just a reminder that the weekend 

has past and there are only a few more days

 before another weekend gets here 😂...

~Nadiya~

Sunday April 24th ~

 A little progress each day adds up to big results...

It is a wet day here, at least for now.  Quiet morning

 and for a change a leisurely breakfast awaits us.  For

 Arvid Sunday means bacon and eggs.  It's usually the 

simplest of things that makes us the happiest.  Always.

My Chicago teacup reminds me that it's been

 so long since we last were there.  We do have a condo

 in Chicago, but just when we thought we could

 enjoy it, life happened to show us otherwise.

For now we do what we have to.  Enjoy what we have

 to do, and make the most of it.  Every day is a learning

 lesson.  Not necessarily bad days, just long days.

Sniff relaxed for his birthday, while Arvid worked most 

of the day.  Happy Sunday all.  It's warm but a little wet.  

Happiness isn't about getting what you

 want all the time.  It's about loving what 

you have and being grateful for it...

~Nadiya~

Birthday Boys ~ April 23 💙

And in the middle of my chaos; there was you...

My favorite time of each day is when I get to spend 

it with these two.  Life is busy, hectic and at times

 a little out of our control, but when we are together

 there is no noise, just us and a feeling of calmness.

There is no one in this entire world I would rather

 have by my side than Arvid.  Together we can make it

 happen, without him it would be a whole different story.  

Arvid is unstoppable.  When something needs to be done,

 he does then thinks afterwards.  We are two peas in a pod.

Meeting someone with the same mindset as you is

 a rare thing.  How fortunate I am to have met Arvid, 

and to have the life we have.  How fortunate I am

 to be able to share it with Arvid and Sniff 💙.

It's their birthday.  Hopefully after work we 

will have a little time to do something.  Today just 

staying home doing absolutely nothing is a treat.

I love you because I know no matter what 

happens you'll always love me back...

~Nadiya~

Friday April 22nd ~

 It’s on. Time to make the magic happen.  After 

such a long week, Friday never felt so fine...

Last Friday I was in North Carolina, relaxing enjoying 
Indian food with my family at a favorite restaurant in 

town.  Seems so long ago.  The days just seem to 

fly by without pausing for anyone or anything.

It's been busy days since coming back from North Carolina.  

Already seems as if I need another getaway.  Unfortunately,

 a luxury neither Arvid nor I can take right now.  Staying 

busy at Almost Home is about all we can do right now.

The weekend is on us, and definitely will do our 

best to make time and have a relaxing one.  The only

 "problem" is that I do not know how to right now 😂

Sniff has already gotten a few birthday cards.
 He plans on taking it easy, just like he's know to do.  

Relaxing times are what he loves best; together

 with his dada and I.  Happy Friday everyone. 

Cats choose us.  We don't own them. Women and 

cats will do as they please, and men and dogs 

should relax and get used to the idea...

~Nadiya~ 

April 21st

 Thank you for sharing your life with me...

There is no one more hardworking nor driven
 than Arvid (maybe me😂) He has been working

 himself to exhaustion lately, just because he

 can and he likes everything done ASAP.

Don't let his skinny self-fool you.  There

 is no messing with him.  The best man there is, 

especially when having to be firm with

 tenants.  Arvid gets the job done.

The best way to predict 

the future is to create it...

~Nadiya~

April 20th ~

 Here's to getting back into the groove...

Feels like I never left, in a way it's also a

 good feeling.  Reassured all is good and everything

 is calm.  Arvid did good 😂 in my absence.  Not 

like there was a slight doubt.  Arvid is Arvid 💜

All set. Ready for the new day, whatever it brings.

Sniff on the other hand does not feel that way.

I am ready to face any challenges that 

might be foolish enough to face me...

~Nadiya~

April 19th~ done maybe add one more picture

 Happiness is like Jam.  You can't spread even
 a little without getting some on yourself...

Those few days spent in North Carolina sure did 

me a lot of good.  Now it's time to get back to the 

daily routines of running a hotel.  Always good

 to be home, no matter where you go.

Sniff and Arvid are happy I'm back, and of course,

 I am happy to be back home.  I love every opportunity 

I have to go and see my parents.  This trip was planned before

 we had to take back the hotel.  Arvid and I were supposed

 to go together, but things happened, and we adjust.

Arvid was missed by everyone, but hopefully 

next time we will be able to go together.  I still

 don't feel ok to leave Almost Home without 

one of us there.  At least not for right now.

I'm grateful for every opportunity I have to be able to

 spend time with my parents and family.  I know I 

am fortunate, for many are not able to do this.

May each new day find us learning from 

the past, working towards the future, facing 

the sun.  Start each day with a grateful heart...

~Nadiya~

April 18th ~ Homewards Bound

 In three words I can sum up everything
 I’ve learned about life: it goes on...

Being in NC with my family was a much needed break. 

 I had the time of my life.  Relaxing and just catching up 

with everyone.  I'm soon back to the hustle and bustle of work

 again, but this little brake has given me "new" life again.  I'm

 happy and I am grateful to have had this time with everyone.

My gears are already shifted back to Branson and to work. 

 Looking forward to being home with Sniff and Arvid. 

 After all they are my sanity in this crazy world we

 live in.  I have missed my little Sniff Sniff a lot.

I already am missing my mom and dad.  My sisters, 

nieces and nephews, but how lucky I am that I was able to 

see them.  many are not so fortunate.  For that I am grateful.

Yesterday is not ours to recover,

 but tomorrow is ours to win or lose...

~Nadiya~

Another Day.. April 17th DONE EASTER

I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always

 pushing myself to be aware of that and be original...

Was not sure I was going to post anything today, but then

 I get these emails from a friend, and it sure put a smile on my face.  

I don't normally read this stuff, but some of these "junk" emails

 are too darned funny and true. I just had to read and now share.

Well for those who ever doubted that the church has a 

sense of humor, then like me you must have been mistaken. 

 Here is proof of humor in these Church Signs. 

Nothing like being an original in my book. I have a special

 friend from my days in NYC. This reminded me so much of her.

  The girl is a one of a kind.  We all strive to be our own persons. 

Every so often someone wants to be like you.  Truth is, nothing 

wrong with that as long as one does not forget to be themselves. 

 I was raised with an original .  My dad.   No one like him in this

 entire world.  Now I have another original in my life 🙈.  Arvid. 

They are both a one of a kind.  How fortunate can one be?

Good morning everyone.  May your days be filled with 

originality and laughter.  On a side note.  For those posting

 about religion and politics on social media, that's your business,

 but please don't ask me why it is that I never comment on

 these posts.  You have the right to do what you like as do I.

Puerto Rico.  I miss you so much, and all the good 

times we had there.  Last night was a little rough night.  

Yes, I am spending time with family, but for some 

reason it also brought back memories.  I really

miss my PR kitties, Nirvana and Kimsy.

Always be original. Never duplicate what you've

 seen another actor do. Be true to the character that

 you've been given, and the rest will come easy...

~Nadiya~

April 16th From NC ~ DONE

I don't think quantity time is as special

 as quality time with your family...

It feels so good to be pampered for a few days.

  Mom is making all of our favorite foodies.  Definitely

 going to be even more overweight when going 

back home, but for now it just feels so good. 

Looking forward also to taking them out a couple 

of times for a good meal.  With limited time, 

we just have to wait and see how it goes.

Will get to see Mala, Rima and kids.  That makes 

this trip even more special.  Nina hopes to be

 able to make it also, but so far not sure.

Mon and dad's home is always a sanctuary for their children,

 no matter how old we get.  Knowing that we will spend a few 

days with them relieves all the stresses and anxieties we have. 

 While there.  Always a beautiful and welcoming sight 

awaits us.  It's the most beautiful home on the block.

Time spent with family is the best of times.

  I love every moment and I cherish every memory 

we make and will make.  Today and always.

Think how really precious is the time you have to 

spend, whether it's at work or with your family. 

 Every minute should be enjoyed and savored...

~Nadiya~

April 15th ~ Greetings from North Carolina

 Live for moments you can't put into words...

The next few days I plan to just relax and spend 

quality time with my parents, my sisters, Lilly and Riley.

  No calls hopefully from anyone at the hotel.  Arvid is there

 and he can manage to handle them all without me. 

 I am so looking forward to these days.

I haven't seen my parents since September of last year.  

Way too long if you ask me, but now I will definitely

make up for lost time.  Please do not call me.  I will

 not answer unless it is absolutely necessary 😂

A good day to all and see you soon.  Back home

 Arvid and Sniff are enjoying some quiet time.

The best things in life are the people

 we love, the places we've been, and the

 memories we've made along the way...

~Nadiya~

Thursday April 14th ~

 You can't control the past, but you
 can control where you go next...

I'm leaving on a jet plane. Don't know when I'll 

be back again.  I do know when, but this sounds better. 

In just a few hours I leave, Branson MO making

 my way to see my family.  It's bene a long 

time and I am super excited right now.

My final destination is North Carolina, and I can't 

wait to see my parents.  They are probably already on 

their way to the airport to pick me up.  Knowing my mom,

 she is bringing me food to eat in the car.  Says in case 

I did not eat breakfast.  I just love them so much.

The most beautiful thing is to see your

 parents smiling and knowing that you

are the reason behind that smile...

~Nadiya~