So Begins The New Week ~

New week.  Bring it on.  No one dares stand in 
the way of a moving train. This week, you will 
be unstoppable. Have a great week ahead...

A visit to the mall with Arvid.  When Arvid needs to get something

he is fast.  Way too fast for me.  Everywhere you look there are 

smiling faces to be seen.  It's Christmastime in the city.

I still am trying to figure out why Arvid dislikes Christmas so much.

I know his reason, but sure is lame from where I stand.  

Christmas is beautiful.  It's time to be with family. 

 Time to be happy and spread joy and love.

The mall is fairly empty.  There are not many shoppers around anymore.

Seems like most people are now buying online.  I have started

 to do the same, but it's always so beautiful to actually

 go to the location and just see people.

The new week has already started.  Hopefully
 a good one for all of us.  Remember to appreciate small
moments of happiness, for they are so important.

Train your mind to see the good in everything...

~Nadiya~

Sunday ~

I've got a peaceful, easy feeling...

Our weekend began quite nicely.  Started with Arvid 

coming home and in his usual "has to be now" tone he says, 

"let's go to the Landings for a few cold ones and Kilwins ice-cream." 

 Yes, here in Branson he is very fond of his ice-cream. 

 He has a little contest thing going with Timothy, 

the son of our managers at Almost Home.  

We take them out every so often to dinner and both Timothy

 and Arvid always order the mint chocolate ice-cream.  

It's huge.  Timothy can never finish it, but Arvid as

 with everything never gives up until it's done.

We went to one of our favorite restaurants.  We sat
 as close to the water as you can get.  Of course
 without warning the rain came, and boy did it come
down hard.  We move to a more covered table.

 The rain stopped for maybe 5 minutes, and then
 it seems like the sky just opened up and it poured
 like never before.  In less than a minute we were wet.

That ended our outside sitting and took us straight into
the bar.  There we met our favorite waitress, and yes she lives
 at Almost Home with her husband.  She says to us, "should
I go ahead and reserve your usual place for this Sunday?"

She sure knows what we like and yes, Sunday we will
be back for their delicious steak.  The steak here in Branson
 is very good.  As I have said before, never have I eaten
more red meat than I have done in Branson.

Quiet day for us.  A week ago; already seems so far away.
Definitely different scenery. I do love the sight of Palm Trees
 when I wake up.  Looking forward to that soon again. Can't
wait to see one day how Sniff likes living in Florida.

To all a relaxing and peaceful day.  Here in the USA we celebrate 
Memorial Day tomorrow.  On this day take a moment to 
honor those that gave themselves for our country.  

Memorial Day isn't just about honoring veterans, its honoring 
those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. 
For us, that's a reminder of when we come home we still have a
 responsibility to serve. It's a continuation of service that
 honors our country and those who fell defending it.

America is hope. It is compassion. 
It is excellence. It is valor...

~Nadiya~

Hello Friday ~

No matter who tries to teach you lessons about life, 
you won't understand it until you go through it on your own...

To say that we have been busy these last few days would be an
 understatement.  We came back from Florida where we were
busier than ever thinking we would come home and relax again.
Not the case, but have to say we prefer busy to not busy.
The days go by way fast and already it’s Friday.

Sniff seems to have missed us a lot this time.  He still keeps
chasing after us and when he does not see either of us he “screams”
bloody murder.  Mornings he runs around me just begging for a
good brushing.  He’s loving his brushing almost as much
 as Brutus did. One day soon it might be the same.

Florida already seems such a long time ago, yet it was just a
 week ago we were there.  Do I miss it?  No not right now.
  It’s too busy here to even think about Florida.  Plus the
weather here is beautiful.  Almost 70's (F) every day
and cool in the nights. Perfect if you ask me.  

Most of the days I do wear a sweater, but end up being so hot
 that I have already started wearing some of my summer clothes.
 Truth is I never really switched from summer clothes. I just
adjusted them a little by adding a thin sweater under my
 regular summer tops.  Works good  for me.

Arvid still says he’s cold, but that does not stop him from
being constantly on the move.  Having just one hotel
now is so perfect. We have time to do a few little things
 we enjoy and to “slack”off work when we want.  

Looking forward to the weekend.  Chicken wings with the gang
from Almost Home on Saturday, and a good steak meal on Sunday
are on the agenda.  Suddenly the two things I was tired eating are
 the 2 things I crave.  Yup. A yummy weekend awaits us.

Good morning from Branson, MO.  Winter is still here.
The scenery is dry, brown and could definitely be spiffed up a bit,
 but it is what it is.  Just remember, today's special
 moments are tomorrow's memories.

May your weekend be filled with positive thoughts,
 kind people and happy moments....

~Nadiya~

New Week ~

May your troubles be less and your blessings be more,

and nothing but happiness comes through your door....

And so begins another week.  What it hold I'm not sure as yet.  

Are we ready?  Yes we are, and whatever it brings I'm sure between the

 two of us we will handle it.  Some days are not always as easy as 

one expects, but working together as a team we have 

not yet encountered much that we can't do.

I really enjoy going to "work"  One day this week  if everything goes 

according to plans, we will be having Spaghetti night. Myself and another

 tenant will be making dinner for everyone at Almost Home.  Looking 

forward very much to that.  Almost Home is very family oriented.

Yesterday was as close to perfect as a day can be.  We relaxed.
Stayed in and then went for a nice long drive before trying
a new restaurant.  The food was excellent and for a
change I did not have chicken.  Can't wait to go back.

Hello Monday!  I'm ready.

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

Dedication does not have an off season...

~Nadiya~

Sunday ~

Pajamas all day long.  Sunday.  A day to be relaxed,
 a day to be refreshed,  restored and renewed...

Yesterday in a span of 2 hours our temperature dropped from the 70's to the 40's

 and continued dipping to the low 30's.  I woke up yesterday and went

 outside and had my coffee.  Temperature was nice and "warm"  

As I left for work it was already starting to be windy and super cold.

 By afternoon looked like it was going to snow.  Fortunately it did not.

Today it is expected to be sunny and beautiful.  The thing we have learned since 

living in Missouri is that you never know what to expect with the weather. 

 It is not unusual for it to drop a good 30 degrees within hours. 

  Arvid does not like the cold.  I am not so adverse to it.

Today Arvid wants to go and check out a car show in Springfield.  Missouri is

 probably one of the states with the most car shows I have ever heard of.  Almost every

 weekend in summer there was a different one and form the looks of it, it still continues.

As usual we look forward to having some relaxing times on Sunday.  A little 

car show, maybe the mall and then a nice dinner.  After that time to come

home and cozy up with Sniff.  Sniff loves to get up close with us when we 

watch TV.  Especially with Arvid.  As soon as Arvid sits, Sniff jumps right up 

between his legs and falls right asleep.  It's very cute to watch them.

When it's this cold it sure is nice to be indoors enjoying a warm drink.
Life is good.  Hotels are doing really well and for everything we are grateful.
Wishing you all a relaxing and peaceful day with loved ones.

Last night I dreamt with Brutus.  All I remember was his paw.
We love Sniff, but my Brutus took my heart.

And on Sundays we do nothing.  Slow down 
take some time to clear your mind.  The rest can wait...

~Nadiya~

Saturday ~

Be grateful for all you have, but never settle for all you can be...

Friday.  Started off in the low 30's (1C), but here at home it was nice 

and toasty.  Can be because Arvid keeps it at75F or maybe

 because I was baking a turkey for hours. 

 I have never before made a turkey for Arvid and I, 

but I have already made 3 for my tenants at Almost Home. 

 The last one is just about finished.  Not Thanksgiving as yet, but I

 figured I will treat them to a home cooked meal today.  Turkeys are

 soon done and I am sure it will be enjoyed today.  I'm happy.

Sniff and I woke up pretty early.  He has already been brushed and fed.  Now he 

is running "wild"  Of course Arvid is still asleep.  He says I make too much noise 

and move around too much, so he was happy when I got out of the bed earlier than usual.

Saturdays are my "late" days.  Instead of going to work for 9am

 I get there a little later.  Those extra minutes definitely make a 

difference.  So much gets done in those "extra" minutes.  

Today we will be taking my maintenance people out for lunch. 

The are new and we are super happy with them.  Arvid also has a new

 maintenance couple, whom we have already taken to lunch

 a few times.  They are also super good for his place.

Everyday I am amazed at the beauty around us.  Like I said no matter where we are,

 beauty surrounds us.  For me the colors in the sky no matter what time of the day, 

is always stunning.  This was what I saw just the other day on my way home.

The two above pictures were taken on the same day just 10 minutes apart.

Yes, on my way home if the sunset or something interesting catches my

 attention I will pull over and definitely try to capture the  moment.

Life is a series of tiny miracles.  Notice them.
To all Veterans,  Happy Veterans Day.

Life is short.  Capture every moment...

~Nadiya~