Wednesday June 11th~

The most beautiful things are not associated 

with money; they are memories and moments...

One very beautiful place for sunsets and drinks that we 

really like is Chateau on the Lake.  If ever in Branson and you 

have the opportunity to stay/go there, you won't regret it.

Chateau on the Lake Branson, Missouri

The other day I was deleting pictures, I have so many 

of Branson and the two hotels we ran.  76 Inn was Arvid's baby. 

 He worked like a dog to get that place cleaned up and fit to be

 lived in.  He did it  in under a month and had it at full capacity

 in under two months.  When we took it over it was a mess.

Today we are mainly silent owners in two hotels. 

 It's okay to not have to work 12 or more hour days.  We 

did it, we were good at it, but now we are older and that 

lifestyle is just not for us anymore.  Someday's we talk

 about it, Arvid gets excited about some hotel for sale,

 but so far I have managed to talk sense into him.

Almost Home Lodge was my baby.  Neither of us ran a 

hotel before, but I loved every minute of it.  It was hard work.  

I cleaned rooms, I scrubbed toilets, I picked up cigarette butts

 from the parking lot, cleaned windows, and ran the office. 

 Yes we had a maintenance person, but we always wanted it

 cleaner and better.  You name it Arvid and I did it.  Arvid did 

most of the maintenance.  He was always better and faster.  He

also did most of the heavy lifting as well.  It was a different time.

Branson has been good to us, maybe that's why we 

keep coming back.  Not many will understand this.  

A good day to all.  Sometimes it's the little things 

that make the biggest difference in our lives.

To all a beautiful day.  For us it's looking good.

Memories are like little time capsules, each 

one holds a story of our journey through life...

~Nadiya~

Thursday May 4th ~

There are memories that time does not erase... Forever 

does not make loss forgettable, only bearable...

 Sniff wakes up to bird watching and continues to do so 

throughout the day.  Sure keeps him busy and happy.  At times

 frustrated because he wants to get to the bird.  Glad he can't

 because I sure won't like to see an injured birdie.

Another chilly start of the day, but it's getting better.  

To all a good day.  Hopefully wherever you are, it is much

 warmer than Branson, Missouri.  One thing for sure though,

 the birdies are always a beautiful sight and a joy to watch.

Looking forward to the warmup we have been promised 😍

I have an uncanny ability to embrace life's experiences...

~Nadiya~

Throwback Thursday ~ Life In The Bahamas

 Collect adventures and experiences to reminisce

 about…go to far places, meet new people, eat 

exotic foods, enjoy all varieties of women, look

 on unfamiliar landscapes, see new things...

Looking back.. years ago when Arvid, 
Brutus and I had a home in the Bahamas.

Life was simple and the beach was our backyard.

I had the best of times walking along the beach collecting shells.

Arvid and I making our own beach, with some help of course.

Life has taken us many places.  Each holds something special. 

Sometimes it's OK to reminisce, but not to stick

 around in the past for too long.  We had a very good 

life then.  Brutus was still alive and I could not 

have been happier.  We miss him very much.

On the other hand, we also have a very good life 

today.  We have Sniff and he makes me so very happy. 

 We love our Sniff so very much.  Things change.  

Life goes on.  Change is not always bad.

Good morning to all.  Branson is in full bloom 🎕

It's Thursday.  Look back and be grateful...

~Nadiya~

Saturday February 5th ~

 May you always live in interesting times...

The sun is out, but the day remains cold and the snow 

has not started to melt as yet. And I am so ready to go out 

and do something, but if I were smart, I would stay in.

Here at home, we woke up to the chill, but didn't stop

 Sniff from wanting to be brushed.  One of our favorite

 things to do every morning.  We both love it.

Had a little memory check between Fort Lauderdale 

times and Branson living.  Quite different, but both have

 their good sides.  I love the birds in our backyard.

The snow is over one foot deep.  The footprints in the snow belong to the deers.

Good morning everyone.  It's going to be an interesting day.

Spend time thinking of what you want 

rather than what you don't want...

~Nadiya~

Monday In Puerto Rico ~ July 19

 Today is a new day.  Don't let the lows of yesterday
 prevent you from enjoying the highs of today...

Baby takes it easy.  She's is constantly talking and 

running in circles for food.  When she's not she just plops on

 the side of the road and relaxes.  Baby is still a baby 💚

Sniff is just slacking off every day.  He is so relaxed that his hair 

has stopped falling off.  Now I don't have to take him to the vet.

  Was worried about that because what if he "escaped" from

 there as well.  Like Baby did.  Was stressing me out a lot.

Puerto Rico is colorful.  A drive anywhere will leave 

you amazed at the colors.  I love the Flamboyan tress which 

are right now in full bloom.  Yellow and red.  Red still my favorite.

Every morning starts a new page in your story.

Make it a great one today and everyday...

~Nadiya~

Sunday May 2nd ~

 Make memories in people’s hearts because your 

memories will be all that’s left of you when you’re gone...

A long time ago in Florida I was a kindergarten teacher.

Many of the kids did not speak English, but boy did they 

have lots of love to give.  I saw this picture and suddenly all the 

memories came back.  Good memories.  Of each child I have 

a special memory.  They each had a story, just like all of us.

Even Arvid got to know them, and they loved him as well. 

 Today they are all grown up, and the best part is that some

 are my friends on Facebook.  Life sure goes around

 in a circle, and what a beautiful circle at times.

Sometimes all it takes is a familiar smell or a certain taste, 

a picture to evoke an old memory, making you feel like 

you are back in time in that moment where it was created.

It happens to all of us, and suddenly we are transported.

Sundays I do not go out walking, therefore the little 

do not get food from me.  I allow myself to sleep in a

 little longer.  Arvid and Sniff happy about that.  Arvid 

says I make too much noise when I get up that early.

Happy Sunday to all.  Our day is just beginning for many

 the day is almost if not already done.  Wherever you 

have have a great day and make lasting memories.

Memories may fade as the years go by but they won’t age a day...

~Nadiya~

Leap Year ~

May you never steal, lie or cheat, but if you

 must steal, then steal away my sorrows,

 and if you must lie, lie with me all the 

nights of my life, and if you must cheat, 

then please cheat death because I 

couldn't live a day without you...

Use this day to do something daring, extraordinary

 and unlike yourself. Take a chance and shape a different  

pattern in your personal cloud of probability.

There is never a better way to start my day than

with Sniff and Arvid.  While Sniff and I enjoy some alone

 time Arvid sound asleep.  Just like we should be.

Happy Leap Year.  Today only comes every four years,

 so make it special.  Reject negativity, focus on

 the good and always follow your dreams.

I met him in one of those leap years.

But, the fragrance of his presence still

 lingers my soul year after year.

~Nadiya~

Hello Friday ~

Life is beautiful. You have to be thankful that 

we are living.  Wherever you look is beauty.  I know

abut the bad things, but I look for the good things...

Friday.  Even better because today Nirvana is once

 again coming to Florida and my sister Mala as well. 

 Vermont had a snow storm yesterday, and hopefully 

Boston-Logan International airport is on schedule.  

We will be picking her up later on this evening.

Hope the weather holds up and Mala can leave.
 Can't wait to see her.  I miss her a lot.

Yesterday we were busy.  We were on the road close to
 7 hours.  We are still in the shipping business, and at times
 we still have to go and check out a car for a customer.

Yesterday we were in two different locations looking
at two cars.  The buyer bought them both.  We love
 road trips, so for us this was another road trip.
  Unfortunately, traffic was pretty hectic.

After all those hours on the road, Arvid had just one
thing on his mind.  One of his favorite places to eat. The
 nachos are pretty good, but too big for just me.  I told
Arvid that when our Norwegian gang gets here we
 have to go, then we can all enjoy the nachos.

We got home tired and spent a few hours
sitting out on the balcony.  Very relaxing.
 Something Arvid enjoys very much.

The day is going to be amazing.  I look forward

to some  very amazing days with my family.

I wish everyone a great weekend and whatever you,
 do do it with great zest and flair.  I love my life
 and the ones in it.  I am grateful always.

~Nadiya~