It has been almost 3 years since I moved back from Sweden. 5 years since I separated from my husband. I have had many good and bad days. It is still difficult at times. When I reflect back on the past 5 years, I see things differently. I have regrets about things I did and didn’t do. I am also very grateful for the experiences. The people I have met, the life I have lived, have been amazing. I shouldn’t have been with anyone so quickly. I should have tried harder to stay in Sweden.  I am glad I travelled to the places I did. I should have listened to myself more and trusted myself. Despite that I am so glad I took a chance to do make the move there. It was too short, although at the time it felt like it was long.

The thing is, you can’t go back and change anything. All I can do is move forward. Make different choices. There will always be mistakes or regrets. I don’t think we get away from that. How we deal with the mistakes and regrets is how we can then say, we have no regrets because we tried and we did.

It has been very warm here the entire winter. A few things happened in between work now and then. One thing was one of my granddaughter ‘s flew down in February to see Dan and I got to have dinner with them on the day she left. It was nice to see her, although she was a bit tough to get to open up. It is difficult sometimes. I often feel left out as Dan sees her often, and I have not been so lucky.

I volunteered at a band event with my co-workers.  It was more fun than I thought. I sat and chatted with people as they came to see the students perform. It looked like a lot of work, and I got a free burger! Plus I got a cool volunteer shirt.

I went to a tea place which was just lovely after work on a friday night. We had a great time. It was inspiring for an event we had coming up. It was a lovely night, but I was very worn out after.

I did a few renovations. I got a new bed which is very nice with all my cats. It felt good to do something and get rid of the old. I moved some furniture around and got rid of a little as well. I also finally took out the backsplash I have hated for as long as we owned the house. It looks amazing. Still have painting to do. I think I will change it up but haven’t had the energy for it yet.

Dan flew some of our other grandkids down during their spring break. I got to spend a day with them. We went Go Karting and played video games and did duck pin bowling. That is bowling with smaller pins and ball. Quite challenging. Then we spent the night in a hotel. After swimming we played a fun game called Loonacy. They asked to play it again in the morning. We did have a little incident from them jumping on the bed, but it all worked out in the end.

It has been 2 years since I had a hair trim. I decided to leave it long and get a few highlights. I felt really pretty after. I have been so tired for so long. It felt nice to do something to make myself feel better. I have a little more energy these days, despite the heat. I am engaging a little more with other people outside of work as well, from time to time.

I was able to help out at a Nordic event where we sold a few of our things, which weren’t Christmasy. We didn’t make much, but for a first event it was a success and that money will go towards next year’s event. Our SWEA group sponsored a Swedish cellist, who found it fun there were so many Swedes in Arizona.

The SWEA group (Swedish Women’s Educational Association) put on a celebration tea for the 40th anniversary of the chapter starting. We had many charter members there. It was a beautiful event at the home of one of our members.

I adopted a third cat. I named him Marshmellow because he is sweet and pure white. He has been a great addition, and all three cats are getting along very well, although Buddy is still the baby and can be kind of rough.

I met my friend Deanna at Tempe Marketplace for lunch. We always have a lot of fun. Saw a movie with some friends as well and working on walking at least once a week. They are helping me by showing up at my place.  Probably not a lot of adventures during the summer in Arizona, but who knows. Talk to you all soon. Let me know how you are doing.