There’s a special kind of confidence that comes from watching one too many home improvement videos. This week, I decided I was handy enough to tackle a simple project. Let’s just say the results were…questionable at best. Turns out, there’s a fine line between “I can totally do this” and “Maybe I should have called a professional.”
This Week in the wilderness
In a burst of overconfidence, I attempted a DIY project this week. It was supposed to be a simple home improvement task—replacing a cabinet handle. Easy, right? Well, let’s just say that after stripping a screw, dropping a screwdriver on my foot, and watching a YouTube tutorial three times, I now have one cabinet with no handle and a deep sense of regret. At this point, I may just glue it shut and call it “decorative.”
Life at Shady Pines free range seniors
At exactly 3:00 a.m., a loud beeping noise woke up the whole house. Ma thought it was the smoke detector. Uncle R thought it was the microwave. Turns out, it was an alarm clock they didn’t even know they owned—buried in a drawer from who knows when. When we finally found it, Uncle R just said, “Well, at least we know it still works.” Meanwhile, Ma is convinced the house is haunted by a ghost who just wants us all to wake up earlier.
Hot Flashes & More the joys of midlife
Not just decluttering closets—though that’s oddly satisfying—but letting go of old grudges, impossible expectations, and the need to be everything to everyone. There’s real peace in accepting that some things (and people) aren’t meant to stay, and that’s perfectly okay.
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: Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with a Side of Cornbread
- Tuesday: Shrimp and Grits with Collard Greens
- Wednesday: Beef Stroganoff over Egg Noodles
- Thursday: Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
- Friday: Blackened Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Lime Crema
- Saturday: Caprese Salad with Toasted Baguette Slices
- Sunday: Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Meringue Pie
A Moment of peace and quiet
Instead of rushing into the day, I took things slow. A hot shower, my favorite robe, a real breakfast (not just coffee!), and a few deep breaths before diving into emails. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was enough to remind me that peace isn’t found in big gestures—it’s in the little moments we choose to savor.
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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I tried to be more mindful this week (getting away helped!), though it’s been crazy here and there.
This week was really busy at work, but the weather was glorious!
I had a nice week. I was my birthday yesterday but the older I get the more I call it my birthday week. lol It sure has been pretty here lots of flowers and green fields and blossoming trees.
I was enjoying my daily walks outside but we got a dump of snow! I really need spring. Though I think you’ve motivated me to making blackened fish tacos next week!
The weather has been nice so I have been doing a lot of walking. I’m also decluttering my house and garage.
Honestly, this hasn’t been a good week. My anxiety and depression has come to a head, and I saw a psychiatrist. My mom left to visit my brother for 10 days, giving my husband and I a break, one we desperately need. Dementia is so hard!
We had a couple really nice warm days but now it’s cold again.
Honestly it was a hard week. My daughter was sick and I’ve been stressing out over money issues. I owe money on my taxes, and there are vet bills plus an unexpected house related bill. I’ve been really on edge about everything.
I worked n now I am on my weekend. lol
My week was filled with worry, as usual. Worried about Social Security is a part of it.
It was awesome, the weather is getting warmer here.
The weather has been really nice in Central Oregon this week, so I got out and went for a nice hike in a state park today.
Trust me – you don’t want to know
My husband and I have been recovering from some sort of respiratory virus-so a very blah week!
My car broke down… twice Ugh
I’m retired so my week consists of doing nothing.
Im really struggling with what to do about a relationship in my life; it’s not going well but I am unsure if Ishould keep trying to make it work! It’s been on my mind all week
Not the best week my entire family is sick.
The menu looks so good. You gave me some supper ideas.
My week has been exhausting but productive.
Not too bad, busy but okay.
I had a pretty good week.
Getting some scrapbooking pages done, volunteering.
I’m in the process of moving. This week was spent packing and cleaning. Stressful but exciting.
This was the first week of having a empty nest as our daughter moved out of state
Long, hard, and very rainy!
My weeks has been busy with work.
It was a tough one. Dad had a heart attack on Thursday. Had surgery and is recovering but we have been living in the hospital for now. Been doing a lot of reading because I take my Kindle with my everywhere and the is a lot of waiting happening in hospitals, as you know.
Daffodils are up and trees are in bud. Two warm days, then back to cold.
Hope we get some companies to wake up and call business has been slow
Been a busy week at work, enjoying a day off finally, catching up on some cleaning and housework.