This week started with good intentions—plans to be healthier, more productive, and maybe even get my life together a little bit. Spoiler alert: none of that happened. Instead, I learned a valuable lesson about how drinking more water can ruin your day and that sometimes, the best-laid plans are no match for real life.

This Week in the wilderness

I decided to be “healthy” this week and bought one of those fancy water bottles that reminds you to drink more water. By noon on Monday, I was doing great—until I realized that drinking a gallon of water while on lasix also means spending half the day in the bathroom. By Wednesday, I was rationing my sips just to avoid another bathroom trip. By Friday, the bottle had become an expensive paperweight on my desk. Maybe hydration is overrated.

Life at Shady Pines free range seniors

Uncle R and Ma got into a standoff over the good recliner. Ma had claimed it for the evening, but Uncle R, determined to reclaim his throne, strategically placed a plate of cookies on the coffee table. The second Ma got up for one, he slid into the recliner like a ninja. When she realized what happened, she just shook her head and said, “Enjoy it while you can, old man.” The battle continues.

Hot Flashes & More the joys of midlife

Somewhere between raising kids, building careers, and keeping everyone else alive, hobbies got lost. But midlife is all about reclaiming them—whether it’s gardening, knitting, or learning to play the ukulele (badly). There’s pure joy in doing something just because it makes you happy, not because it has to be productive.

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.

1. Monday: White Bean and Sausage Stew with Cornbread
2. Tuesday: Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli
3. Wednesday: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Garlic Knots
4. Thursday: Roast Beef Sandwiches with a Side Salad
5. Friday: Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter, Wild Rice, and Roasted Carrots
6. Saturday: Grilled Turkey Burgers with a Side of Chips
7. Sunday: Southern Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Collard Greens, and Peach Cobbler

A Moment of peace and quiet

This week, I gave myself permission to say no to something I didn’t have the energy for—without feeling like I needed an excuse. No guilt, no over-explaining, just a simple “No, I can’t this time.” And let me tell you, it was glorious. Who knew setting boundaries could be so peaceful?

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.

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