Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop ~

Where is here, when is now.  The whole key to life is 
discovering things for yourself.  What you do with that 
discovery is what lies on the other side of that door...

If you ever get to Fort Lauderdale and you love tropical fruit then this
 is the place to go. What a place. You can find absolutely EVERYTHING!!
!  It's a giant indoor and outdoor flea market with  a free circus, amusement
 rides, video arcade, and drive-in movies and much more.

Not my usual place to go but, if you need to frame a picture there are quite a few

 galleries also,  if you have some time to kill and just want to be amazed by the 

thousands of vendors with everything you can imagine it's the place to go...

Check out the link and you'll see what I mean:

Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop

Just take a look at these pictures and you will have an idea of what it's all about.

Yes, if you are in the search for a stun gun...search no more you will find it here.  

Want a sports car well you're in the right place.  Want to go to the movies?  

No problem because it has 15 screens...

If you are like me and love fresh vegetables and all kinds of tropical
 fruit then you've come to the right place.....Just take a look at the
 marketplace and some of the  fruit I was able to snag. will be 
having a feast tonight and for the next few days...a fruit feast!!

There is so much more you can find if you have the time and want to 

spend all that energy fighting the crowd and the heat......just have a look.
Looking at the pictures makes me want to go there right now.

 You are not mistaken you can even find a pet here....

So next time you are in Fort Lauderdale and have time on your hands...

the Swap Shop might be the place to spend it....cheap and different if you

 are into that.  You might even find the Blues Brothers there....ENJOY!!

Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything.

 Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. 

Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. 

Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem 

and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human...

~Nadiya~

One Of Those Days ~LIFE

All it takes is one song to bring back 1000 memories...

A flashback inn time.  Left me with nostalgia today.

I don't usually believe all this "nonsense", but today it has left me wondering.

Sometimes all it take to bring back memories
is a smell, a song or just plain tiredness.

Like everyone, I have memories to last a lifetime.  Many are
 now safely tucked away somewhere far away, but always
available and with each day new memories are made.

Remember you can't create new moments if you are busy
 with your past memories.  This I remind myself of quite often.
 So have a great day and make great memories...

Make each moment count and have a great weekend ahead!


Don't allow yourself to wake up with yesterday's issues
troubling your mind.  Refuse to live backwards, see
everyday as a new chapter. Make today 
ridiculously amazing....

~Nadiya~

Happy Birthday In Heaven Brutus And Shadow ~

The most painful tears are not the ones that fall from 
your eyes and cover your face, it's the ones that 
fall from your heart and cover your soul...

Perhaps the greatest gift an animal has to offer 

is a permanent reminder of who we really are.

I will never stop saying that the day Brutus came into our
lives was one of the best days ever.  Today our little baby would
 have turned 12.  Brutus died when he was only 9 years old.

Both Arvid and I were hoping for so many more with him,
but the 9 years we had will forever be one of the best times of our
 lives and the memories we have of Brutus will never be gone from
 our hearts.  He was my baby and I will forever miss him.

I will always say, Brutus made Arvid a better person. Being a cat
lover and having had cats before, I knew exactly what was going
 to happen, but seeing Arvid change and become a more patient, caring
 and nurturing person right before my eyes was something amazing.
 Arvid is a new person and he himself will tell you that it is due
 to Brutus.  May 17th will always be special to me.

Today little shadow would have also turned 3.  He never made it to
his first birthday, but for the short time we had him with us, he was
fierce and fearless.  I hope today Shadow and Brutus are together
over the so called Rainbow Bridge.  Playing and having fun,
knowing that their mama and dada loves them very much.

Happy birthday Brutus and Shadow.  Mama and dada love 
you forever. As the saying goes, until one has loved
 an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

Wishing you all a good day and remember.  
Grab life by the tail, and then pet it.

Your pet is not your friend.  It is your hostage.
When I am feeling low, all I have to do was watch Brutus, 
Shadow and  now Sniff and my courage returns....

~Nadiya~

It Is What It Is ~

More people would learn from their mistakes

if they weren't so busy denying them....

Who can claim to have not made mistakes in their lives?

I for one can't.  I have made many mistakes, and unfortunately I
know that there are so many more I will probably make.

What I do know for sure is that every time I make a mistake I would

like to believe that I have learnt from the experience.  Can't promise

not to EVER do the same thing again, because we all know that 

mistakes are a part of life, but at the same time we all hope to learn from them.

Some mistake we hope we never make again, some most likely we will.
As the saying goes, mistakes are proof that you are trying. The
worst mistake anyone can make is being afraid to make one.,

It's crazy how you can do nice things for people all 
the time an they never notice.  But once you make one 
mistake it's NEVER FORGOTTEN....

~Nadiya~

Sunday~ May 13th ~ Mother's Day

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. 

A dream you dream together is reality...

As usual Sundays are days to relax and just be lazy

 around the house.  Most of the day we spend in our pajamas 

until we have to get out of the house four our Sunday meal

 and outing.  Perfect day as far as we are concerned.

Happiness is a sunny day and right now we will be having 

lots of it. Wishing everyone a beautiful and relaxing day.  Remember

 to always make  your own sunshine and to never depend

 on anyone but yourself to make you happy.

Just look at Sniff.  No worries at all.  He is a happy boy all the time.

And as you can see, he's all prepared for some sunny days ahead.

Here in the United States we celebrate Mother's Day today.  Here is to 

my mom, my sisters and definitely, Anna and all the moms.  Enjoy your 

special day.  The sacrifices you make for us, only a mother knows.

My mom was and still is my greatest teacher, 

a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness.  Because of her

 and my dad I am the woman I am today, and I like the

 woman I am.  Thank you for shaping my life. 

Life began with me waking up and loving my mother's face.

No matter how old I get, I always want my mom when I don't feel good...

~Nadiya~

A Few Days In The Sun

We are ready.  Bring it on.

vacation next exit...

And suddenly it's almost time for some fun in The Sunshine State

When we were going to Mexico, Arvid's excitement was contagious.
He was totally relaxed, smiling and even happier than usual.

It had been over a year that we had a vacation.  Not sure I even

 knew what it is was to relax anymore.  Here in Branson I  have slept with
my cell phone under my pillow ever since we have had the hotels.  

When we go places now, I don't worry as much about Sniff as
 I did with Brutus, not because he's not loved.  It's because he's healthy and
 does not need medicines all the time.  Our little Brutus ..how he's missed.

I think of Brutus so very often.  Not a day goes by that I don't. 

 I miss him, but I will be honest, the grief is not as heart wrenching.  

Well not all the time.  There are days when I want him back so

 badly, that I sometimes feel as if I am neglecting Sniff.

Shadow is a memory that I try to keep locked away, otherwise I freak out.

Life is good.  No one has everything they want, but we must all be

 grateful for what we do have.  And yes, I am always grateful.

A little time in the Sunshine State.  Strange, but as of now I still don't
 think of it as home, but we get there there are memories that hit me
like a ton to bricks.  Brutus is in every corner of the apartment.

 It does get a little overwhelming for me because everytime we
open the door I expect to see his little face.  I know it will get better.

Happy day all.  What are you grateful for?

You can't get to the happy moments in

 life until you get through the bad...

~Nadiya~

Saturday ~

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts...

Any day that includes a good cup of coffee is a good day.

Allergies have been a little better so very happy about that as well.

May your Saturday be one filled with positive vibes, 

lots of laughter and always a reason to be grateful for.  

Sniff Sniff.  Full of love and affection.  That face, impossible

 to not love.  Yes we love our Sniff Sniff very much. 

 Everyday I remind myself that we can't reach for anything new

 if our hands are still full of yesterdays "junk"/"sorrows"  

My Brutus is always in my thoughts and in my heart.  I know I 

love Sniff, but sometimes I do feel guilty because I know 

that both Arvid and I are probably holding back.  

I keep reminding Arvid and yes me that Sniff deserves all the love

 we can give to him.  He's not Brutus.  He's our Sniff Sniff, and he is a
good, good kitty.  I hope one day I will be able to call him "my baby"
  So far I just can't bring myself to do it.  You see Brutus was/is my baby.

It's been 2 and a half years now since our Brutus died, and 2 years 

Shadow died.  Time makes that agonizing, gut wrenching pain more 

bearable, but time has not erased a single memory of what I am missing.

Sniff has made life so much better today, and for that I am grateful.

I miss you.  I don't know what else there is to say...

~Nadiya~

Allergy Season ~

Spring, when your nose does more running than you do...

It's not as if I wanted to be awake this early, but since

 moving to Branson, Missouri I have had the worst 

case of allergies.  From never before having 

allergies, I have it in the most extreme way. 

 I was awaken by the sneezing, itchy eyes and everything 

you can think of.  It's only 3:30 am and I do not wish

 to disturb Arvid,  so I get up, brush Sniff, feed 

Sniff, and have my cafe.  All I can say is that

 it's going to be a very long day.

Almost Home will be having on of it's inspections 

today for the pool.  Next week we will be having another

 set of inspections, so overall it will be some pretty

 busy and interesting times ahead. 

 Last year was more stressful because I had to do it all 

on my own.  The paperwork and running of the hotel. This

 year I have Arvid, so together with Chris he makes sure everything

 is up to par.  It's so good having just one hotel.  Now Arvid 

can take care of the paperwork and I just run the hotel.

Sniff ate his foodies, got his brushing but decided to 

go back to sleep.  Smart boy.  Just wish I could do the same.

Today we take the gang from Almost Home out to dinner after work.  

We all love the BBQ wings at Drafts, so that's where we will be 

heading. Hopefully I will not be sneezing throughout the meal.  

Looking forward to the weekend and to see what it holds. 

 For sure soccer and lots of sunshine.  Weather has been great.  

Actually has been downright HOT!  It's a nice change to not 

have to wear winter clothes.  Yes, summer weather is here.

To all  a very good Friday.  Hopefully you all

 have gotten more sleep than I did so far.

May your weekend be filled with positive thoughts,

kind people and happy thoughts...

~Nadiya~

Life ~

Just take one step at a time.  That's really all you can do...

Jesse turned one year old today.  Her mom and dad were 

not able to be there with her.  As I have mentioned

 before, her dad, Phil is in the hospital battling 

for his life.  Mom Liz is by his side.  

Yesterday I visited Phil in Springfield.  What I saw is 

heart breaking to describe.  From the man we all knew less

 than 2 weeks ago this "new" Phil was NOT him.  Heart 

wrenching is mild.  What Elisabeth is living right now

 is a nightmare no ever wishes to have to live.

Even in all of her grief Liz asked me if I could 

please get Jesse a treat for his birthday when I got back 

to Almost Home.  How could  not?  Jesse feasted on salmon 

in a gourmet sauce.  Not her usual according to her mama.

Look at Jesse eating.  The bowl she has once belonged to Brutus, 

then Shadow and then Sniff.  Sniff did not want t use it so Jesse

 now owns it together with a few other bowls belonging to Brutus.  

We all go on with our lives.  It is what it is.  Though we say 

someone else's tragedy touches us, we don't actually think 

of it once we "leave"  What I saw at the hospital yesterday

 is firmly an image that won't leave me in a long time.  

Phil was slipping in and out of consciousness, but 

when I spoke to him and touched him on the arm he 

turned his head toward me.  He tried to speak to me.  

You see at Almost Home we are a family.  Phil and Liz

 are dear to me.  Phil recognized my voice.  Phil wanted 

to talk to me.  That's the image I have right now.

Another day begins. No one knows what it hold.  None of us.

So whatever you do always live life to the fullest.  Enjoy 

each moment.  Make memories that will last a lifetime.  Be kind

 to each other and always make room in your hearts for compassion.

On a little lighter note.  Our nephew Max Dyal now to be

 known as Dr. Dyal, graduated from Duke University with 

a doctorate in Physical Therapy.  He passed the Boards already. 

 As soon as that was done he had 2 interviews last weekend in Florida.

Max was interviewed on Friday.  Before he even left the building

 he was offered the job.  Yes he was offered both jobs!  Dr. Dyal 

will soon be heading the Physical Therapy Department in his job.  

I am forever proud of all my nieces and nephews.  

Their accomplishments is nothing we are not used to,

 but every so often I find the urge to brag.  

Unlike many, Max and his family do not advertise their lives

 on Facebook.  You will NEVER know where they are or what they

 are doing if you base it on Facebook.  Unlike so many of us, whose

 moves can be tracked all day all night long just by a little click.

Another proud moment for our family.  CONGRATULATIONS 

Dr. MAXIMILIAN RAVI DYAL!!!!!  YOU DID IT!!!!

And suddenly you just know it's time to start something 

new and trust the magic of beginnings...

~Nadiya~

Wednesday ~

Why is it that whenever you try to hold something

 dear and beautiful, it always slips away...

When I took over Almost Home November 2016 many 

of the tenants there were already there for a few years.  

Today I still have most of the "original" ones left. 

 They have been there now for some years and

 many do no plan to leave.  Sad as I sometimes

 find this, they are content and very happy.

As you may imagine, most of the "originals" have become my

 friends and I have grown very attached to them.  I also have 

had a few new tenants that came to the hotel within weeks

 of me being there.  Many also are still there, and then 

we have the ones that come for the season. 

One of the couples that came within a few weeks of me

 being there is now going through some extremely difficult 

times.  Both her and her husband are are my friends.  

Unfortunately, the husband is now in critical condition

 and will most likely not make it.  It's heartbreaking to watch

 how Liz tries to be strong.  I talk to her and she's a mess.

Her life is of stress, pain, heartache and despair right now.  

Knowing that feeling, makes me even more sensitive 

to what she is going through.  It's hell on earth.

Her husband is in the hospital about an hour 

away from Almost Home.  He's in Springfield.  Liz 

has no transportation to go back and forth to see him.  

Of course I have volunteered to be that transportation. 

 That being said, sometime today I will be going to Springfield.

  I will visit Phil and hopefully I will manage to take Liz out 

to have a bite to eat.  She's a wreck and is just on automatic 

pilot right now.  It's heartbreaking to watch.  Life is unfair.

I have been awake very early.  Laying in bed trying to think 

of what I can do to make her life a little easier.  The pain and the 

despair is something she will have to face all by herself.  

Yes, friends and family will be there, but at the end of the day

 no one knows what it is unless they live it.  No one can take 

away that heartache from her.   For now I will help with

 Jesse her kitty.  I am also helping with her rent by lowering 

it and trying to help getting it paid by her boss.

Life changes from minute to minute.  Second to second.  

Just a few weeks ago Phil was laughing.  Talking to me. The three

 of us were joking and I was making fun of him (in a nice way).  Now this.

  Remember everyone, what you take for granted, someone else is praying for.

Today her forest is black.  The trees are sad 

and all the butterflies have broken wings...

~Nadiya~

Feeling Like Summer ~

Happiness is a day at the pool.

Practice happy thinking every day...

Busy day at work yesterday, and more of the

 same continues today. This is what the pool looks like now

 as we prepare to get it ready for Memorial Weekend.

This is what it will look like when it's done.  What a difference.

  At Almost Home everyone is getting excited about the pool

 being open, and now that we are having extremely warm 

and beautiful weather they are all asking me if I will be

 opening it any earlier.  Who knows?  Maybe we will.

Yes, we do have a beautiful pool at Almost Home, and everyone sure 

makes the most of it. Happy times ahead.  All the trees are turning 

green again.  Flowers, birds singing..yes it sure feels like summer.

Summer is here for good.  Hello summertime.

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing

 on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar

 conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer...

~Nadiya~

Let's Do It ~

What you do today can improve all your tomorrows...

As the new week begins all I can think of right now is how

 much I miss the Swap Shop in Fort Lauderdale and all 

the yummy tropical fruit I used to buy.  It will pass.

Guess when we went to Kentucky, and seeing that they had a market

 selling tropical fruit made me nostalgic.  Have to look up on my

 Swap Shop pictures and make a post of it.  Makes me happy. 

Stay tuned on more about 

the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop.

Here at Almost Home it is a busy week. 

 The pool is being opened soon so

 we are working on getting it all 

back to ship shape and to having 

all the inspections passed.  Yes this 

week will be a week of inspections.

  A must in this business.  Not a

 difficult task when you know 

what you're doing, but it takes time.  

With Chris and Tiffany

 everything seems so much easier 

than it was last year.

Time to get this week started

 because before you know it, 

it will soon be over, and we 

have quite a lot to do right now.

My dad has been in the hospital since Friday. Hopefully he will be home today.

May you all have a great and 

productive week ahead.  

The difference between being busy and productive is results...

~Nadiya~

Lazy Sunday At Home ~

Small changes eventually add up to huge results.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything, 

they just make the best of everything...

No matter where we go, heading back home is always

 the best. We have had a very good time in Kentucky.  Arvid 

was doing what he loves to do and I had a few days to do a 

few of the things I also enjoy.  We were both happy

In my case it was going to a few malls.  What made it even

 better was that I had a purpose in mind.  I am on the hunt for

 a dress for Michelle's wedding this summer in Norway,
and also had to hunt for clothes for the Kentucky Derby.
 We both had to spiff up our attire.

Who would have thought that when you actually need to buy 

something, you want to buy something, that it would be this difficult.  

Needless to say the hunt for that special occasion
dress for Michelle's wedding continues.

We have been gone for almost the entire work week from 

Almost Home.  Never would I have thought this possible, but with 

Chris and Tiffany, we are completely at ease and are able to relax when we

 take off.  Since they have been with us, 

we have taken off quite a bit.

Little by little we are back to doing what we did before 

owning the hotels. We have managed to get our lives back on

 track, a little at a time, but a very good start.  Could not have

 been possible had it not been for Chris and Tiffany.

That being said it's good to be home again. 
Sniff is always waiting,  and I am
 always wanting to see him and pick
 him up and cover him with kisses,
(he still is  not too crazy about it).

To all a very good day.  Nothing like a lazy relaxing Sunday at home.

If you love what you do it's the best way to relax...

~Nadiya~

Happy Saturday ~

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts...

Waking up in our own bed.  Nothing better.  Saturday is looking

pretty amazing.  Sun is shining.  It's warm and Sniff is napping close to me.

If you celebrate Cinco de Mayo, have a great time.  Long time ago

 Arvid and I went to one of the celebrations held n Miami.  Way too 

many people, but I did find a few food items that I like.

Going to be a pretty quiet day at home.  After being gone

 for a few days it's nice to just eat at home and not have to be

 socializing all day long.  Who would have thought that we

 would do this much socializing?  For sure I won't have.

  In Kentucky there were lots of "after" partys/gatherings. 

 Lately we have been doing a lot of what we never really did before.  

Not so bad after all. Being in Branson changed us quite a lot.

To all a good day.  Follow your heart, and listen when it speaks to you.

Let a series of happy thoughts run through

 your mind.  They will show on your face...

~Nadiya~

Derby Week

The best thing about the Kentucky Derby is that it is only two minutes long. It is the quickest event in sports, except for Sumo-wrestling & Mike Tyson fights. Maybe Drag-racing is quicker, but I have never been attracted to it...

Here in Kentucy everything is geared for the Derby.  People are flocking 
the stores buying clothes and hats.  Yes, the Kentucky Derby has a dress code. 
 Guess who has to go shopping for dress clothes?  You got it!   Arvid and I
 will be doing some shopping as well, after all we just have jeans and casual clothes 
with us.  We need business casual for the event.  Shopping it will be.

The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that is held annually in 
Louisville, Kentucky, United States (thank you Google).  The race 
is often called "The Run for the Roses" for the blanket of roses
draped over the winner. That is a pretty site for sure.

It is also known in the United States as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes
 In Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports" in reference to its
 approximate duration.  Yup! all that fuss about the clothes and the hat for 2 
minutes.  Gotta be worth it if you ask me.  Will find out soon enough.

 The attendance at the Kentucky Derby ranks first in North America
 and usually surpasses the attendance of all other stakes races including 
the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup.

The excitement in Louisville is palpable.  All everyone talks about is 
The Kentucky Derby.  that I am soon starting to be excited as well.  Clothes
 shopping, sure is fun, but sometimes when you have a purpose in
 mind it makes it even more difficult to find the right item,
 but that's all part of the fun.  Arvid shopping...well he's fast.

To all a good day.  Just when the caterpillar
 thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the most glamorous horse 
racing event of the year draws spectators from all over the world...

~Nadiya~

Derby Week ~

Enjoy your own life without comparing it to that of another. Be crazy. 

 Be stupid.  Be whatever because life is too short to be anything but happy...

This is Derby week here in Kentucky, and from what I have seen so far the main

 event is the HAT!  Yes, the hat is a must if you plan on going to the Kentucky Derby.

Yesterday I was at the mall and yes everyone was buying hats like crazy.

If you can imagine it, there is a hat for it.  Macy's was almost sold out on Derby hats.

There was every color imaginable , every shape and every style. 

 I just stood aside and watched the ladies do their thing.

The hats start all the way from $100 and I have seen some all the way

 in the thousands as in 20K +   Before Derby day, these hats will all be sold out.

  Yesterday most places I visited were just about sold out.  How crazy is that?

Our time here so far has been interested.  Last night we had a social

 gathering with cocktails and hors d'oeures.  As usual Arvid did 

not try anything.  He stuck to his cocktails.

Another interesting day awaits us.  I have a goal in mind so for

 me the quest to find the right dress continues on today.

To all a good day.  Remember life is

 like ice-cream.  Enjoy it before it melts.

Life is about moments.  Don't wait for them.  Create them...

~Nadiya~