Friday Conversations – January 10, 2025

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.