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Hey there! Another Friday, another chance to look back and laugh. The January blues might be setting in for some, but here at Shady Pines, the antics and midlife moments keep us on our toes—and, occasionally, in stitches.
This Week in the wilderness
Work projects have been piling up, but I managed to squeeze in some self-care with a midweek face mask and a bubble bath. The highlight of my week, though, was discovering a treasure trove of old family photos while cleaning out a closet. Seeing baby-faced Uncle R and Ma with her 1960s beehive hairdo was a trip down memory lane I didn’t know I needed.
Life at Shady Pines free range seniors
Ma’s yoga experiment has evolved into a tai chi phase. She says it’s “more her speed,” but Uncle R insists it looks like she’s doing “fancy air swimming.” Meanwhile, Uncle R has taken up birdwatching, turning our backyard into his personal nature reserve. He even named a particularly feisty cardinal “Carl.” Watching him argue with Carl over a bird feeder has been the comedic highlight of my week.
Hot Flashes & More the joys of midlife
This week, I faced a new midlife dilemma: remembering why I walked into a room. It’s like my brain just hit pause, leaving me standing there like a confused extra in my own life. On the plus side, I’ve started carrying a notebook to jot things down. Who knows? Maybe I’ll become one of those super-organized people… eventually.
What’s Cooking for dinner tonight
I started meal planning to help me in the grocery store a little more. WE shop monthly and well lets be honest sometimes I don’t buy enough of something or I buy too much of something else. So, I thought I would share what our dinner plans are for next week and see what you think.
- Monday: Spaghetti with meat sauce and garlic knots.
- Tuesday: Beef tacos with all the fixings.
- Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup with crusty bread.
- Thursday: Meatloaf, roasted Brussels sprouts, and mashed sweet potatoes.
- Friday: Shrimp and grits (the seniors favorite).
- Saturday: Sloppy joes with chips (quick and easy!).
- Sunday: Herb-roasted chicken with stuffing, steamed broccoli, and chocolate cake for des
A Moment of peace and quiet
This week my moment of peace and quiet was spent in tears. I had a moment in the middle of the night this week that I was just overwhelmed and needs to get it all out. I know that sounds crazy but have you ever had a really good cry? The kind you wake up from feeling hung over the next day but everything feels lighter. Like you shed all the weight off your shoulders? That was my moment this week and I will tell you I needed it.
Storied Conversation a little book chat
Did you know I write more than one blog? Well I do and here are a few highlights from Storied Conversation. Please note that clicking any of the links below will take you away from Rita Reviews. I just wanted to let you know but please click away and give these blogs some love as well. You never know what you may find.
FYI… Don’t Forget to head over and enter The Monthly Chapter Giveaway!
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ENTER BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD. GIVEAWAY IS OPEN WORLDWIDE AND ENDS January 18, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
I’ve had a hard time adjusting to the cold this week. I never want to get out of bed in the morning. The blankets are just too irresistible.
I’ve been working overtime this week with no break; I am feeling VERY run down and tire.
It has been a busy week for me our pump went out and I had to haul in a ton of water that I got from the store then the next day we were able to get the pump fixed thank the Lord. P.S. water costs too much at the store.
It’s been a pretty slow week for me. The weather sucks where I live between the ice and the snow.
Lots of staying inside relaxing and hiding from the cold outside!
I had a few cries myself, but also went on some day trips…
This week was challenging. I had to get both kids back to school from an almost 3 week winter break. My 5yr old really struggled to get back into the routine. I actually took a nap today when she was a school. First one I’ve taken in a year, but I needed it. Was up also late last night, those peri hormones are no joke and cause so much anxiety
Made a huge decision this week that I had been postponing for a long while.
Had a petscan – now the waiting
Trying to visualize where I want to be
I was tickled by the snow we got. It is the most snow that has stayed in Central Kentucky in over 10 years! LOVE IT!
I spent the week going to doctors appointments with Mom. They had to run more tests. And we got to see two specialists. Hopefully, they’ll find what’s wrong soon. They sent her home with new meds and we go back on the 20th for more tests.
I managed to take all the decorations & Christmas tree down and put everything away in between all that. I babysit the nephews all day Saturday and will hopefully be resting and watching football on Sunday! 🙂
My pain from the RA is not too bad right now so I have been cleaning house and getting rid of the clutter.
It was really cold here. Stayed inside mostly except for a dr appt.
My best friend came for a visit and we had some fun in Phoenix and around the desert. Might have found a definitive place to live when I move so that was good news. A pretty decent week!
I am knee deep in boxes and cats. I drove almost 7 hours round trip to trap & rescue a feral cat that I couldn’t catch the day before I moved. I finally trapped her and she seems to be adjusting. I was up before the sun, cried the whole way there knowing she hadn’t had breakfast. I had her trapped in 5 minutes. Praise be!
Things are going good. Things have slowed day now that the holidays are over.
Back to reality for me, had to start looking for work again.
My week was pretty good, got to go out with a couple of friends for dinner so that was nice!
Decent week just a little boring because of the cold we couldn’t get out. My son had his first basketball game yesterday they lost by 2 points but they were up the whole time until the end. It’s his first time playing so I’m Proud of him. Hope you had a good week!