Back from Sweden @ Saver Queen

Back from Sweden

Posted on July 31st, 2009 Saver Queen 7 comments

I’m back from my wonderful, albeit incredibly exhausting, trip to Sweden. I arrived exactly one week prior to the wedding, and you can bet that we jumped right into full wedding-mode as we hurried to get ready for the big day. It was tremendous to be with my friends again, some of whom I had not seen in five years. It felt as though not a single moment of time had passed. Erika, the bride, and I stayed up late every night, sometimes working on wedding stuff and sometimes just talking, not wanting to miss a second of the brief time we had together.

The wedding itself was incredible. International, unique, unbelievably fun, and you’d be hard pressed to find a couple who are more in love, despite the fact that they’ve been together for 9 years. Oh yes, and I ended up as the Maid of Honour, since the bride’s sister was too sick to attend.

Now I am home, totally knackered, recovering from jet lag and the whirlwind that has been the last 6 weeks. I had completely over-committed myself in June and July, which means that on top of the break-up, dividing up all our possessions (exhausting and challenging beyond words) and two adventurous trips, I somehow also managed to pack in countless appointments and meetings of various kinds in multiple cities. In hindsight, I wished I’d exercised those three little words: “sorry, I can’t” a little more often, but I somehow made it through.

However, I’ve also spent substantial time alone in airports, and in the air (I spent 10 hours in the air en route to Sweden) which provided plenty of time to read and to reflect. I’ve come to realize that no matter how hard we try to plan and schedule our lives, or think we’ve got things under control or all figured out, life has a way of taking unexpected twists and turns, and putting us in circumstances we’d rather avoid. Everything we have in life is impermanent – people, possessions, our happiness, our sadness, the good feelings and the bad, they are only with us temporarily. Rather than look at confusing or upsetting periods of loss or disappointment as pathological, or as failures that we should have avoided, it’s helpful to realize that they are in fact an unescapable part of life.

That’s the nutshell version of where I am at the moment. I look forward to taking this weekend to getting back to the activities I enjoy. It’s been a while since I’ve had time to simply rest and enjoy myself. My agenda for the weekend will include old frugal favourites: cooking, garage sales, the market, and the library. I look forward to getting back to blogging and sharing frugal tips and recipes with you all. As always, thanks for participating in the journey and for sharing your unbelievably supportive comments with me. They mean the world to me!

7 responses to “Back from Sweden”

Erran August 1st, 2009 at 17:26

A bunch of beautiful ladies without doubt. Great picture. Welcome back SQ! Good to have you back. I hope the trip was just what you needed.
Saver Queen August 1st, 2009 at 22:00

Thanks Erran! You always leave such nice comments!
CanadianSaver August 2nd, 2009 at 09:43

I tried to comment yesterday but it wouldn’t let me…

I love this picture! You all look very beautiful… the dresses and flowers are great

The trip sounds amazing!
Annie August 2nd, 2009 at 16:05

Wonderful to have you back! It sounds like you had a lovely time despite the lengthy trip. A shot of “just what I needed!”

Welcome back!
Catherine August 2nd, 2009 at 21:21

Welcome back SQ! Tried to post yesterday but it wouldn’t work.
What a lovely picture of three beautiful girls! So glad you had a wonderful trip and are back here with us ;o)
Take care and enjoy one day at a time!
SS4BC August 3rd, 2009 at 13:34

Wow, sounds like an exhausting but fantastic trip!

I really enjoyed the day that I got to spend in Sweden in June, I thought it was just beautiful. =)

The dresses are just gorgeous!!!
PamelaMac August 4th, 2009 at 12:32

Having read the last set of posts backwards, as I’ve been sans technology all weekend (save a brief conversation with my mother on Saturday, and to look up a movie theater coupon last night) I will comment here on all of the above. Firstly, since I’m about to go on lunch I am absolutely craving a warm mushroom salad with crusty bread! Secondly, I can not wait for my own kitchen so I can start trying some of your amazing recipes and posting some of my own.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I am so happy that you had a blast in Sweden and kodoos for the Maid-of-Honour stand-in position! You and the other ladies are absolutely gorgeous!

Once i get all moved in a swap is definitely in order! And we’ll have a place for meetings once the weather turns, as we are settled! I love hosting! one of these weekends I’d also like to market with you – you do find some amazing deals! Also, once things get settled for us, I’m sure we’ll have many an item to pass on to others.

Glad you have returned and are back gracing us with your wisdom, kindness, and scrumptious culinary ideas!