yellowroom - thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them.

fulwood - Hi Caroline in Arizona - I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Isn’t it strange that we think we can do without our medication when doing well and we fail to realize that it is because of the medication that we are doing well and functioning. Do you have any idea when you think you may be leaving Arizona?

Today is the 6-month anniversary of our return to Scotland. Here is an update.

1. A month ago we moved into a new build home in Edinburgh. I absolutely love it. IKEA has become our new best friend and we now have translucent/chrome chairs and red funky side tables with handles and I’m just really enjoying the look in our home.

2. When we were in Arizona my DH did most of the grocery shopping as I found the grocery stores too overwhelming (both size and too many choices). I now do most of the shopping and I’m loving it. I walk to Lidl on an almost daily basis with a backpack, get my shopping and then walk home again. I cannot believe how inexpensive food items are and the good quality that they are.

3. Absolutely loved being here for Christmas. I did my own personal taste-testing of mince pies and decided that Aldi was the winner. I have eaten so many that I’m actually having withdrawal symptoms.

4. I have been in regular contact with my five childhood friends and have seen three of them. There is a special bond with people you grew up with. As my friend said we kick-started with the same bunch of tools.

5. I think I’ve making a friend!! I’m a pretty chatty person and started talking to a woman on the bus. She lives close by, is recently retired and gave me her name and phone number and asked me to call her. I did and we got together and have arranged another time to get together.

6. So far the weather in Edinburgh has been quite mild. We frequently do not have the heating on and have windows open. I know this will not last!!

So happy we had the adventure that we did and so happy to have returned to Scotland.

vh3 - June will be here before you know it. Best wishes to you. I feel very different after six months than I did after three or even four months. I am feeling so settled now and just enjoying every day. I saw my first daffodil, snowdrop and heard my first Robin this past week and it was just a joy.
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Thanks for the update Caroline, so pleased to hear how well things are going.

durham_lad - thank you. So glad this forum exists so we can help each other by providing both practical and emotional support.

between_two_worlds - thanks - very happy with how things are going. I’m not too sure what is going on but I am enjoying this winter weather and I like it when it gets dark. I know it’s not going to stay as mild as it has been recently. I think after decades of virtually nonstop sunshine and pretty intense sunshine I am enjoying the cooler weather and my body prefers this weather. Yesterday I was in Princes Street and after buying my DH another jumper in the Marks and Spencer sale I had a hot chocolate with cream and scone in the café. When I came out into the street again it was dark, the castle was lit and I thought it was quite magical.