Tuesday In Mexico ~

I haven't been everywhere, but it's on  my list...

The days here are all the same.  Warm, beautiful, sunny and clear blue skies.

We wake up to the boats being loaded with tourist.  Heading out to explore

 some vacation destination.  I look at them and all is see is people getting 

burnt to a crisp.  Not for us.  We have done a few of these, but on our own.  

Right now I much rather sit in the shade with a fruity drink and do 

some people watching.  As is, I am already pretty burnt.  I can 

feel heat emanating from my body.  Enough sun for me.  

Our trip to Playa del Carmen was a HOT one.  Both Arvid and I are
very burnt.  I have to say it again, I do not like the hot weather.
 This has been too hot for me.  I am ready to go back
to the cooler temperatures in Branson.

So far we have had some very good days.  Days of doing absolutely nothing
work related, as you can imagine I am ready to go bananas.  I need to get home.
I need to go to work and I want to see Sniff.  I have had enough vacation.

Just a few more day left.  Definitely will enjoy them,
and get even more tanned.  I just don't know how anyone can "vacation"
 this long.  Don't get me wrong, I love travelling, I love vacations,
 but both Arvid and I have agreed that we like 5 to 7 days max.
Gives us time to enjoy ourselves and not get restless.

Hello everyone.  I will remind you of what I tell myself
 everyday, "stop over analyzing.  Life is simple."

Life is really simple,
 but we insist on making it complicated...

~Nadiya~

Monday In Mexico ~

A simple life is a beautiful life.

Life here is simple.  Relaxing and runs at a slower pace.

For instance, the parking spaces are designated with a drawing of

 what should be there.  The pharmacy sells anything you want.

Both Arvid and I smile whenever we walk.  Life is stress free, at 

least if you are a tourist.  So much so that I am really ready to go

 back home.  Yes, home to Branson where we actually had 

snow on Saturday and temperatures are cold.

Today we head to Playa Del Carmen.  Being that there are even
more people than "normal" in Mexico right now, our guess is that Playa
 will be crammed.  Not something we like, but it is OK to go for the day.
Do a little shopping, have lunch and just check things out.

I am a simple person with a complicated mind...

~Nadiya~

Sunday In Puerto Aventuras ~

My mind seems to be overflowing with 
thought of all the memories you have given me...

Some days all you need is a little time alone with your thoughts.
Wherever it is that they take you..well enjoy them for a while, but
remember to not get stuck there.  Something I remind myself of often.
For now, my thoughts and my memories are awoken and are
 taking me to places I have tucked deeply in my heart.

Memories and thoughts age, just as people do.  But certain

 thoughts can never age, and certain memories can never fade.

Here in Mexico I have so much time to just think, reflect
 and some call it relax.  All good.  We have a laptop we keep here in Mexico,
and as you may have guessed the screen saver is Brutus, and many of
the pictures saved in it are of him.  When Arvid opened it all
 he said was "boysie."  That alone expressed so much.

Brutus holds a place in both of our hearts that no other can,
at the same time my heart also has room for Sniff, and I am
 missing him very much.  I look forward to getting home,
opening the door and seeing and hearing him.

I saw on Facebook one of these nametests.  Not that i believe
in them, but of course curiosity got the best of me.  This particular test
was to find out what is the meaning of your name.  Above are the
results.  Strange that Arvid's and Brutus' came out exactly the same.

Now my thoughts are about getting home to Sniff.
 I just feel the need to pick that little dude and shower him with
 hugs and kisses.  And yes, he's still not too keen on it, but I do it anyway.

To all a good day, I remind myself everyday that though I
may not have everything I want, what I do have is very
 precious and should never be taken for granted. 

The days are beautiful here.  The weather can't be beat.
Arvid of course does not want to go back home yet, that is if it were
warmer he said then yes, but not when it's still "freezing"  Me I am
ready for some cold weather already.  Enough of this heat.

Hello Sunday.  Please be nice to us all.

No matter what happens, some memories can never be replaced.
I may look like I'm doing nothing, but in my head I'm quite busy...

~Nadiya~

Days Of Leisure ~

When you ask me what I'm doing today and I say "nothing" it does not mean that I am free.  It means I am doing nothing...

And so begins another day.  The great thing about it is that no matter

 what the weather is gorgeous.  Skies are blue.  Birds are singing and it is

 always warm and bright.  Yes, everyday is a day to enjoy and to make 

the most of.  days like today you want to just spend forever here.

For Arvid this is heaven on earth, and as he said to me 

the other day, "I can stay here for a long time."

I am really enjoy our time here, loving everything we do, 

our walks, our outings.  Everything, but even so I know I 

won't like to stay here longer than we have to.  

For me it does not matter where we go.  After a few days I 

am ready to go home.  Some find that strange.  I sure don't.

My poor mom, every time I go away she knows I an just counting down the days until back home.  I don't like the idea of stressing her out, but she knows me well.

I am enjoying tropical fruit in abundance.  Papayas, mangoes, coconuts and more.

Arvid and I have
been visiting a few of our usual spots.  Few things have changed.  For one
 there is a lot more "security" to get from point A to point B.  There is a
lot more traffic and people to contend with.  Good always for the country's
economy, but if you're looking for some quiet time, then not so great.

All this relaxation is killing me.  Today is soccer, and to
The Pub we will be going.  It is probably our favorite restaurant here in
Puerto Aventuras.  The view is the best, and there is nothing
that escapes Arvid's "eagle" eye.  Happy times ahead.

Happy Saturday everyone, and may you always live in interesting times.

My goal is no longer to get more done, but rather to have less to do.
What we do during our working hours determines what we have; 
what we do in our leisure hours determines what we are...

~Nadiya~

Life in Mexico ~ Weekend Everyday

A banana is 105 calories.  A shot of whiskey

 is 80 calories.  Choose wisely...

Afternoon/evening walk on the beach while Arvid 

enjoyed soccer and a few cold ones at The Pub.

I also had a sampling of some adult drinks during the day.  Relaxing 

indeed and definitely loved the color of them.  May have been why

 I ordered them.  Saw someone with it and thought it was pretty.

I wonder if there is a Margarita somewhere out there thinking of me too.

We have many days and I am sure we will find "her" and a few others.

I have tried a few different Margaritas this time.  I still prefer the
original one with lots of salt.  Life here runs at a slower pace.  I am still
not that adapted as yet, but why fight something I can't control?

Here it's weekend everyday.  Everyone is burnt to a crisp.  I am not
crazy about the sun nor the heat, but it does not seem to bother anyone.
  Arvid included.  The truth is Branson and the weather there has grown
 on me, and yes I am missing the cold weather.  How crazy is that???

The temperature is consistent throughout the year.  Never really gets that
 cold.  So far everyday we have had temperatures in the mid 80's.  Beautiful to
sit out watch the boats pass by and take long walks in the mornings and evenings.
  In the middle of the day it's best to be indoors.  Away from the heat.

I love watching the dolphins, seals, manatees and all the that goes on
 around here.  Here in Puerto Aventuras, every turn you make there
 are Dolphins, and I never get tired of them.  Somehow the know
they are the center of everyone's attention.  And they love it.

When we are not out running around I relax with some of my magazines.
For Arvid it is enough to see the boats and observe people carrying on.

To all a very good day.  I am missing my little Sniff and am counting
the days until we are back home.  It's so crazy, but I don't think
 I know how to "vacation" anymore.  No matter where we go
 I am ready to go back home in a few days!

Taking shots of Tequila is just another way of saying.
"I like where I wake up to always be a surprise"  Hello Friday!

You can always make money.  You can't always make memories.
Take vacations go as many places as you can.  Live life everyday...

~Nadiya~

One Of Those Days~

I loved you so terribly hard, that I was shattered when you left.

After all this time, I am still finding pieces of me everywhere...

Brutus you left a hole in our hearts that no one can fill.

There is not a single moment in the whole day when I don't miss you.

When i close my eyes I see you, when I open my eyes I miss you...

~Nadiya~

Puerto Aventuras ~ Quintana Roo, Mexico

When you try to control everything, you enjoy nothing.

Relax, breathe, let go, and just live...

Life here is relaxing.  Arvid is so good at just letting go and relaxing.

  I wish I could say the same for me.  I am "relaxed" but at the same 

time I just can't seen to be still.  It's not always a good thing.

After breakfast we take walks around the neighborhood.  

Watch the boats take off on their daily tours.  Always interesting

 to see who is on and what carries on. A lot goes on.

No matter where we go, Arvid is most interested in Real Estate. 

 He can spend quite some time just looking at the different buildings, 

their signs and always inquiring as to the price of them.  It's in his blood.

We walk for a while in the mornings before the sun gets too hot.  

We then come back and relax a little on the balcony before heading out 

to lunch and some more walking around the town.  We always have 

a car here so in the afternoons we either visit some place, go to the 

groceries or just take a drive.  Relaxing.  Not sure how much 

relaxation I can handle.  I have to make myself relax, and for me

 that is raking pictures.  Definitely when I am most relaxed.

Our Canadian neighbor lives here 5 months out of the year. 

 He just told us that his time was up this coming Saturday.  

Though sad to leave, he said that it was OK because it's 

starting to warm up in Canada.  Not sure that's true.

I love being out and about.  watching the dolphins and everything around us. 

 That's when I am happiest.  Not just "relaxing"  Looking forward to what 

the day holds and to what new adventure we embark on today.

Greetings to all from Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo Mexico.

The answers you seek never come when the mind is busy, 

they come when the mind is busy.  Relax, life is beautiful...

~Nadiya~

Relaxed Mode ~

A simple life is good with me. I don't need a whole lot. For me,

 a T-shirt, a pair of shorts, barefoot on a beach and I'm happy..

The next few days will be relaxed time.  No waking up 

and rushing off to work;  although I admit that no matter what 

I still will be waking up early.  Too early if you ask me. 

 I am a morning person, so this suits me.  I will watch the 

sunrise from our balcony, enjoy my cafe and plan my day.  

Included most definitely are long daily walks on the beach.

  Just me, the sand between my toes and the waves.

You know what they say, "time wasted at the beach is time well spent."

I am definitely in the mood to "waste" some time.  Happy day to everyone.

Yesterday was my birthday.  I woke up to Arvid wishing me
happy birthday, and from then on it just got better.  I did have
 a few stressful moments, but Arvid being Arvid knew exactly
how to make me stop thinking of work and only work.

We had a beautiful day doing only relaxing things.  Very different from
 what our life is currently in Branson.  Yes, I still have a hard time
letting go of work.  Don't think that will ever change, but for now
we will be doing our darnest to simply relax have a good time.

To all a great day.  They say "your mind will answer most
questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer."

Sometimes you just have to take a moment to relax. 

Breathe, find a beautiful spot and not think...

~Nadiya~

Hellos From Mexico ~

Those that say you can't take it with you 

never saw a car packed for a vacation trip.... 

It has been quite a while since we went on a vacation. 

 Here in Mexico we definitely relax.

The last time we were here was in 2016.  We had an absolutely

 relaxing and good time.  For Arvid this is his best vacation.

Here he does not have to bother with phones.  

Says he does not have to call anyone, nor does not have

 to take any calls for anyone.  You see he does not even 

carry his phone.  This is vacation is how he puts it.

Our condo overlooks a Marina.  Perfect for Arvid because 

he loves to sit and watch the boats go by.  He also enjoys listening

 to his blues station on Sirius FM.  For him this is relaxation.

It's time to just get away from it all and have a little relaxation time.

Good for the soul, good for the body and good for the mind.

Wishing you all the same.

Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's 

world it has become a necessity...

~Nadiya~

On Our Way ~

Relaxation is releasing all concern and tension

and letting the natural order of life flow through one's being...

And suddenly it's time to go back to Mexico.  I have never seen anyone 

as excited in a long time as Arvid is right now.  He has been talking

 about Mexico for months now, and ever since we got the time 

to do so again he has been as happy as can be.  

His months/years of waiting are finally done.  We are on our 

way to his favorite of all places.  Of all people I am very 

surprised that Arvid is so "in love" with Mexico.

As soon as we get to our condo the first thing I look forward to seeing

 are the Dolphins.  We are surrounded by them and I can't wait to see them. 

I do believe they are smiling at us and are happy to make us happy.   

We learnt that there is one dolphin here that is 40 years old.  

Hopefully she is still around and smiling at us.

Arvid can't wait to get to the balcony and just do nothing. 

People watching becomes one of his favorite things in Mexico. 

The next time you "hear" from us we will be in Mexico. 

 Relaxing, having some adult drinks with those little umbrellas for

 me and for him his Modelo Especial.  Yes, we have waited a long time

 for this, and now it's here.  To all a good day and may you all live in interesting times.

It's not how much we have, but how much

we enjoy that makes happiness...

~Nadiya~

And So The Week Is Almost Over ~

All work and no play is not good for the soul...

Another week that is soon over. I guess when you’re busy one 

hardly notices how fast time goes by. Good and a little sad 

also because I feel that we just work, work and work and

 we have sort of forgotten to do much more than that.

Maybe with that in mind, last night we decided to actually say "yes" 

to an invitation.  We were invited to a cheese and wine gathering.  

Just a few select people, so made it easier to say yes.  

We got to the gentleman's house.  While everyone flocked to the

 wine, and hors d'oeuvres table, Arvid and I were just mesmerized 

by the view.  It was breathtaking and for a very young couple 

the house was an astonishing and spectacular mansion

 As Jake the owner said, "it's just one of 3 he owns."  

Let's just say for a second there both Arvid and I were 

rethinking our living accommodations here in Branson.

Arvid keeps telling me that soon we will be doing more living again.  

Says soon it will all change.  We will soon be heading to Mexico.  

Now I’m getting a little excited about going away for a 

couple of weeks. Work has been great, but it’s nice to take

 some time off and enjoy life and each other.

Sniff is also much better has not had the sniffles yesterday and 

so far his sneezing is gone.  I will feel better when we’re gone

knowing Sniff is OK.  At the same time I know I will be missing 

him and wondering if he’s OK.  It will always be like this.

This has been one very wet week.  Starting to get tired

 of it. It has also been extremely cold even though the

 temperature has been in the mid 60’s.  Still cold.

Arvid is always busy.  He has this knack of just knowing 

how to stay busy.  He has perfected this.  Being busy makes 

him happy.  Don’t get me wrong, I also love being busy, 

but somehow both Arvid and I can do the same thing but

 he makes it seem like he's always being busy.

This past week you can say I have been working part-time only.

  Having Tiffany and Chris, and the hotel being full and all 

is running smoothly, it does not seem necessary

 to be there all day long.  I am really loving it.

As mentioned before, Arvid has his own office within the office.

 He’s happy meeting people and doing “other” stuff.  He 

lives for trades and everything that is not conventional. That’s when 

he’s happiest.  He loves the fact that in Branson there are so 

many opportunities to do all the rings he loves.

The hotel running is left to me, but when he’s needed he’s there.  

Since selling 76 Inn I’m happy to have him help me out at Almost Home. 

 Now he can take care of all the paperwork.  This leaves me more

 time to help the tenants and to make sure they are all good.  

Yesterday was grooming day for one of the kitties. Part of my job, 

and of course and I love it.  I go to the tenants room, play with the kitty

 and before they know what’s happening I clip their claws.  Everyone happy.

Yesterday it was Sissy's turn to be groomed.  With some treats,

 she was an easy one.  Always is.  I really love them all.

This morning we woke up to deers in our backyard.  Sniff was going

 crazy running from window to window as they moved.  Both 

Arvid and I love the sight of them.  They are beautiful, and when 

they look straight at you with those big brown eyes all we can do

 is stand still, hope they won't run away and enjoy the sight.

Happy Friday all.  Remember,
life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Life is not the way it is supposed to be.  It is the way it is.
The way you cope with it is what makes the difference...

~Nadiya~

Tourist Season Is On ~

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
The World is a book and those who do not travel read only a page...

March has been an extremely busy month this year for Branson.  

I don't recall last year being this packed with tourist.  Maybe

 it was, but somehow I think this year it's even more so.  

Sometimes I wonder what it is that attracts so many to Branson.  

Whatever it is, it's good for businesses all around.  The town is busy.
This year a new attraction is the Time traveller Roller Coaster.
Time Traveller Rollercoaster

It has people flocking into Branson from all over the world to
ride this monster of a roller coaster.  Would I do it?  Not in this
 lifetime, but I  do enjoy watching others and hearing them
scream for dear life.  As much fun as riding it.  Almost.

Almost Home still has a waiting list of over 15 plus people and it

 grows everyday.  Just the other day I was chatting to one of our vendors.

 He was asking me what are my criteria for taking in someone to 

live at Almost Home.  After I started telling him my criteria, he looked 

at me and said, "with that many criteria it's a miracle you are always full."

  I looked at him and said, "you're right, but that's also what makes 

us so unique."  We are very selective.  And I like the 

fact that Tiffany and Chris are the the same.  

This year I know a little more and have a little more time that we did 

last year.  Looking forward to doing a few things now that we have the time. 

 One of them is the Farmers Market, which will soon be opening up. Reminds me 

a little of being in Chicago.  They have a great farmers Market as well.

Never thought I would say this, but Branson has grown on me.
Sniff loves it here. He gets to see just about everything that keeps him
entertained from the different window sills in the house.  Such a happy boy.
 Sill has the sniffles, but not lethargic as before.

Take it to the limit one more time. The sky is the limit.  
You never have the same experience twice...

~Nadiya~