Here we are at the beginning of September. September has always been one of my favorite months: my birthday, the start of school, (slightly) cooler temperatures, fall decor, and autumnal flavors. Yes please! Today I'm joining Amy for the monthly Currently questions and Joyce for the weekly Hodgepodge questions. I've linked to them at the end of the post - be sure to go check out all the other blog posts!
::Adjusting to retirement. It's hard to believe that Michael's retirement/severance journey started almost a year ago in November 2025. We haven't really gotten closer to decisions on where we eventually want to live, and we plan to start visiting some different areas soon. But we have settled into a good routine, with Michael volunteering a few days a week. He may pick up some contract work on a part-time basis, and he is staying social with lunches and happy hours. My routine hasn't changed much since he retired, but it has still been an adjustment. Goals for the coming months include going out to do fun things on weekdays, not saving them for the weekends. And booking some travel to check out possible retirement locations!
::Baking/Cooking not much of anything. Our oven stopped working - actually BOTH ovens! The previous owners did a kitchen remodel that included this very fancy stove/oven. So we will definitely look at getting it repaired when we come back from our vacation. Thank goodness for my trusty toaster oven and our new air fryer. Both make life a little easier, even without an oven!
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::Decorating for fall. I will pull out my fall decor after our trip - can't wait! I bought the candle above in the brown version for my fall decorating.
::Balancing on one leg. I've recently read that balancing on one leg while you are doing other tasks really helps improve your balance and prevent future falls.
::Learning that time flies when you're having fun. These sweet photos popped up from Grace's first day of 1st grade. I think it was 2008? It is so interesting to think about how parenting changes from infancy to preschool to school to college to adult. I have loved each stage, and every age has had its challenges and joyful rewards.
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1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing?
Patience, empathy, knowledge, and organization
The joy of Christmas! All of the holiday traditions!
I am so happy that my fall Bible studies are starting back up! The ladies of our Sunday School class are doing the When You Pray study one night each week. So far I am loving it, and it includes video lessons each week when you purchase the book.
There will be a church-wide study starting in a few weeks. It is on the same day as the evening study, so I will get a double dose of God's word on Wednesday's. I'm not sure of the topic or format for that study yet.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Linking to Currently with Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa
and the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond
OH that is a fabulous stove; I can see why you'd want to get it repaired instead of replacing it. Ben was flat out told this week that they hope he'll stay working now that his contract is up; that was a huge relief to hear! I told him he needs to stay, at minimum, until the boys are done college. Realistically I don't ever see him retiring, not fully anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat stove is a beauty! Your pool closed before Labor Day? Our neighborhood pool and most all public pool close here the day after Labor Day. We did not make it to the pool at all and it's just down the street from us :(. Cute pictures of Grace and of the kids' backsides when they were young- agree about Christmas and what you said about teachers. You look the same from when you were a teacher!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maria that you look the same from your teaching days! I am also surprised to hear about the pool. I guess for timing I would rather have the oven not work in the summer vs fall. If I ever need to replace my air fryer, I would get the Beautiful brand. I love that you guys are enjoying retirement. Also, I need to start that balancing trick! Happy September!
ReplyDeleteLove your teacher pics! I have so few from the early days or really any of my career! I didn't realize you were on your own from 18 - you go, girl! That is quite an accomplishment. That bowl of chili looks good. I think you can cook so much in an airfryer or toaster oven but you will be glad to bake again when you get your new oven.
ReplyDeleteShrimp and Grits is one of my favorite menu items too! Ok I am late to the party- just learned you were a teacher and an AP Bio teacher? So impressive! You must have been a great one :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a bummer they closed the pool already!
ReplyDeleteI pulled out my fall stuff, but haven't decorated yet! Love the throw back teacher photo of you. You know...I don't think I have a single pic of me in any of my classrooms.
We also only went to the pool once this summer!
ReplyDeleteTanya, I know how it's an adjustment with your husband retiring. My husband had mandatory retirement at his company last October. I'm still adjusting to it and my husband is very spontaneous and likes to do things sometimes unexpected. I like to plan things out and my week but it's still nice. I wish you both happiness together! I hope you get your oven repaired soon. My daughter loves using her air fryer for lunch and dinner meals. I hope you enjoy the month of September. My husband's birthday is also this month. I hope you have a happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteI imagine adjusting to retirement is such a big lifestyle change. It sounds like both you and Michael have a good routine!
ReplyDeleteUgh to the oven breaking! I wouldn't miss ours if it stopped working as I hardly use it, I prefer the air fryer! hehehe
That is a shame the pool has closed, especially with it still being so hot!
Retaking biology would be so interesting, I hadn't thought about all the new discoveries and changes.
When we go to Charleston we joke that my hubs orders shrimp and grits every meal in every place. No two are exactly the same I guess : ) I'm a September birthday...what day? You don't have to put that here lol. I can't believe your pool is closed, but I suppose staffing is an issue with everyone back in school, and I know here sports are in full swing so maybe not a lot of time for the pool for families. Ours stays open through September usually. Hope the oven repair isn't a huge deal.
ReplyDeleteMy husband retired in Dec 2019. Oh, we had so many plans...until Covid hit. "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry"
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stove/oven you have. No fall stuff out for me just yet but it's coming. Have a great week, Tanya.
Our women's group at church did the "When You Pray" study a few years ago and it was perfect to kick off a new year of learning and growing together! I hope you enjoy it, too! I've also been taking a few minutes each day to balance on each leg - I've heard, too, that it promotes bone strength and balance! I love the photos of Grace as a first grader and you as a biology teacher! Sweet memories!
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe your pool is closed! Ours won’t close until the end of September early October… I sure hope you choose to visit our area when looking for retirement choices :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, parenting changes in every stage, and every stage has been a delight for me. I have really, really enjoyed being a mother.
Have fun on your trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
What a pain that your oven stopped working :( It sounds like you are making the best of it though. I love that throwback picture of you as a teacher. I think Biology would be an interesting subject to teach.
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