Welcome back to Friday Conversations, y’all! Another week, another whirlwind of life’s little surprises, lessons, and the occasional chaos (because what’s life without a little drama, right?). Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s dive into what’s been happening in my world this week—from the mundane to the ridiculous, and everything in between. You know how we do it around here—nothing too serious, just a lighthearted chat about life’s ups and downs. Let’s get into it!

This week, I made my way back into the world of writing after what feels like an eternity of creative limbo. You know how it is—sometimes life gets in the way, and before you know it, weeks (or months) have passed, and the most writing you’ve done is jotting down a grocery list. I had every intention of keeping up with my projects, but somehow, binge-watching Netflix and trying new biscuit recipes seemed to win out.

But this week, I decided enough was enough. It was time to dust off the ol’ laptop, crack my knuckles, and get back to the grind. And let me tell you, that first blank page? It felt like staring down an old enemy. The words didn’t exactly come pouring out. In fact, they felt more like molasses creeping out of a jar—slow, sticky, and frustrating.

Getting back into the groove of writing after a break is like trying to run a marathon when you’ve been sitting on the couch for months. My brain was still on vacation mode, but the deadlines I set didn’t care. So, I sat there, staring at the blinking cursor, reminding myself that I used to be good at this. Eventually, I managed to squeeze out a few paragraphs, and while they might not win any awards, they got the ball rolling again. Baby steps, right?

What’s been funny about the whole thing is realizing how much I missed it—once I got past the initial struggle, that is. There’s something about putting words on a page that just feels right. It’s like catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. A little awkward at first, but before you know it, you’re back in the swing of things.

So, if you’re reading this and you’ve been procrastinating on a project or pushing something off, consider this your sign to just dive in. It won’t be pretty at first, but hey, progress is progress!

This week’s episode of Life at Shady Pines brings you another delightful (and slightly chaotic) adventure, courtesy of my mother and uncle, who seem to find new ways to keep life interesting. Picture this: they decide it’s high time they learn how to “order stuff off that Amazon thing.” Harmless enough, right?

Well, let’s just say I caught them in the kitchen, both huddled around the iPad like they were defusing a bomb. My mom had the glasses at the tip of her nose, reading out loud every single step Amazon was giving her. My uncle, on the other hand, kept yelling, “Just press the button!” like he was trying to launch a rocket.

Next thing I know, they’ve somehow added 24 jars of pickles, a yoga mat, and—wait for it—a book on cryptocurrency to the cart. When I asked them why they needed all that, they both gave me blank stares. Mom said, “Well, the pickles looked like a good deal.” And my uncle? He shrugged and said, “I don’t know, but it sounded fancy. Maybe we’ll need it someday.”

So now, I’m keeping a closer eye on their online adventures, because the last thing I need is to come home to a drone delivery of an inflatable pool or a lifetime supply of denture cream. Life at Shady Pines never fails to keep me on my toes!

I hit 48 and suddenly my skincare routine looks like a chemistry set. What used to be “soap and water” is now a five-step process with serums, oils, creams, and something called retinol that I’m still not sure I’m using correctly. The goal? Defy gravity. The result? A bathroom counter that looks like I’m brewing potions to turn back time.

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: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Cheddar Biscuits, Avocado and Tomato Salad
2. Tuesday: Beef Stroganoff, Buttered Egg Noodles, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
3. Wednesday: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (with quinoa, black beans, and corn), Sautéed Spinach, Cilantro Lime Rice
4. Thursday: Baked Ziti with Ground Turkey, Garlic Breadsticks, Caesar Salad
5. Friday: Teriyaki Glazed Salmon, Stir-Fried Bok Choy, Jasmine Rice
6. Saturday: Chicken and Dumplings, Roasted Butternut Squash, Cranberry-Orange Relish
7. Sunday (Family-Style Dinner): Herb-Crusted Pork Loin, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Braised Red Cabbage, Pecan Pie

I thought I take the time to share three things that you can do or read for a little self care, a moment of peace and quiet or more.

1. Take a relaxing bath with Epsom salts.
2. Spend 15 minutes in deep breathing exercises.
3. Pamper yourself with a face mask.

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.

These are just three of the book reviews I did recently over on Storied Conversation. There are more being added all the time, so be sure that you check them out regularly.

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