Saturday, August 29, 2026

It’s a rare Saturday post so I can participate with Jenn in her monthly Share 4 Somethings.

August has changed drastically for me! I used to have to start thinking about school at the end of July with “retreats” for professional development, supply buying, setting up my classroom, and all the things. August was never my own. Now, it is still part of summer but at this point I am over summer! The heat, the humidity, the bugs, my legs sticking to the seats when I wear shorts…over it! I am a June girl, not an August girl!

Something I’ve loved – AC, reading, walking with my dog, my little daily routines…

I’ve mostly read inside this month! I prefer to read outside but I’ve learned to embrace reading inside, too. I still never turn on the tv during the day.

Walking with Eddie Otis and increasing my step count with my new pedometer!

I’ve been telling myself that EO is my trainer. Lol.

Something that has sustained me – Celebrating little things and connections with people…

Like I said, August is still a little weird for me in my second year of not going back to school! I guess I had conflicting emotions this year – a bit of FOMO – but lots of relief at not having to get on the roller coaster that was the school year anymore.

I had a nice day on the first day of school in my old district at the beginning of the month – scary early – August 6th. I took myself to breakfast with a book and had happy hour with a former student. Of course I had to make a sign:

Madeleine and I got to see each other 3 or 4 times this summer. I just really appreciate her 25-year-old wisdom. She is going to be a teacher! She is moving to Chicago to do a Masters, and she just wants to live in Chicago, so she found a program there and she is doing it! I taught Madeleine her junior and senior year of high school and it’s been so cool to see how she has grown up.

One of the most fun things of the month was supporting my friend’s band and dancing to songs from the 90s.

My friend’s daughter:

The ones I’ve danced with the most since 1990:

All of these things made me feel connected and sustained me.

Something I’m carrying forward – looking for opportunities to bring more fun and whimsy into my life…

I’m trying to carry a sense of fun and whimsy forward. I’m looking for little things to celebrate and little happies for Tom, especially.

He has not felt great this summer – he had a stomach issue that lasted way too long from bad food truck food, an ear infection, and he is still dealing with tinnitus from I think his last bout of you know what. He visited an ENT and didn’t get much hope from that visit a couple of weeks ago. He has also taken to wearing Breathe-Right strips as a fashion accessory and might be a good candidate for a septoplasty. I’m reading this back and thinking, “too many details” but I felt bad not including Tom in my first two categories.

He is very busy at work and hasn’t taken enough time off, either.

I pack his breakfast and lunch for work and try to give him some notes and treats.

I have taken a lot of home stuff off his plate for now.

We went to see a silly movie this month. Tom loves going to the movie theater!

We have enjoyed several tv shows together this summer.

I made Ted Lasso shortbread for the premiere:

Tom discovered Instagram reels recently and we like to send each other funny things – mostly about dogs and marriage.

Something I’m making space for – personal growth and learning…

My circle has gotten smaller over the last year, and I have had to realize that I’ve outgrown some friendships or needed to move those to more of an occasional friendship category. I’ve also reconnected with some old friends which has been wonderful. I’m figuring out who the retired Amy is, you know? I think I like her.

What would you share today?

Amy

23 thoughts on “Share 4 Somethings”

  1. Retired Amy sounds so cool and fun; what’s not to like about her?! I hope Tom is feeling better soon, it sounds like he’s had it rather rough lately.

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    1. She is way less stressed than she was as a teacher. Her Type A might even be Type A- now. Thank you – I hope so, too! I hate that he has tinnitus. It sounds (no pun intended) horrible!

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  2. Though I’ve never been a teacher, I’ve been in the school environment a lot for thirteen years as a sub and now in the kitchen and I realize how intense school jobs can be (not just for teachers but for aides and other positions as well) in both good and bad ways. Being away from that environment has to be a huge relief (FREEDOM!) but I could also see missing quite a few things about it. Sorry to hear that about Tom. Honestly so much you wrote about him applies to Donnie (not the specific health things but just the fact of things not be great health wise and then working too hard with little time off). I hope things improve for him- I’m sure you’ve been a great help to him, practically as well as emotionally.

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    1. Yes, to all of that! The school environment is stressful and honestly post-pandemic the job changed. So much additional stuff was put on our plates. You do have a really good idea of it!
      I haven’t been planning much for us on the weekends because I know Tom needs to be home. Donnie manages to really pack his weekends, though! I think Donnie is more social than Tom. Tom is fine just being with me and Eddie Otis most of the time – lol.

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  3. I love how you answered all of the prompts! I didn’t realize Tom had felt bad most of the summer; I’m really sorry to hear that. I hope he’s able to get some relief soon, whether through medicine or a medical procedure. Aging is not for the faint of heart! I like that you’ve taken a lot of things off his plate to help him out some at home and in life. You’re a good wife! I love that you like the retired Amy; it’s important to like who we are, right? I like her, too. Smaller circles of friends isn’t a bad thing; in fact, I think it’s good to get down to the nitty gritty of those you call “yours”. We don’t need much, in terms of friendship, just a couple of really dear ones, you know?

    I hope you enjoy the weekend!

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    1. Thank you! He isn’t a complainer. I almost have to squeeze it out of him. Thank you. It’s not! I have tried but I still need him or someone to do the tasks I can’t do. I have offered to hire some things out. He is like my dad and doesn’t want anyone to help him. Thank you. I am spending more time with myself so I hope I like her. I agree. We really don’t. I am open to meeting new friends that want to do more of what I want to do and have more time.

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  4. Retired Amy has a great attitude. Sorry to hear about Tom’s medical woes. Michael has always had some tinnitus and it has gotten worse over the years. Frustrating!

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    1. Thank you! Not always, though! Thank you – it seems like it would literally be so life altering. I did just hear magnesium can help. Does Michael take it?

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  5. I think you are nailing the retired life! You such a doer that not doing what you’ve done for so many years has left a big hole. But, that hole is getting smaller with every day. You have the best attitude about finding joy and whimsy. I loved my first retired year as it was just me and the dog. Then, Mike retired, and we started traveling. Moving away from my hometown was hard because finding new friends in your late 50s is not easy. I so admire the way you just tackle problems head on while I always try to find a way to skirt around them and procrastinate! I call myself the Queen of Procrastination for a reason!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. I don’t know about nailing it. Maybe gluing it somedays? Other days just taping it? Lol.
      I do try but I get down on myself, too. I actually like a week day alone! That sounds really hard. I would be open to it, but people have their groups established so I get that. I procrastinate on things that are hard for me but I am a get it done person on many things, too. My mom got s*^t done. My sisters and I appreciated that about her even though it sometimes involved us.

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  6. I love that you are being so intentional as a wife!! I feel I go up-and-down there. . .super-aware, then get “busy” and think “he’s an adult too” then I am inspired (usually online) by a reel or blog friend (you!!) to step up my game for my life partner 🙂 Years ago I had a friend come and spend some time with us and she was (still is I think) a Super Wife. She did all the “wife-ing” things while with us too and I was blown away – I wanted a wife too!! Seriously. So I try to be the wife I would want for my Tom. . .and it’s HARD when they have all these medical issues that we can’t relate to and then when we give advice, well, that’s not always met with a positive attitude (at least with me – ha!).

    Retired Amy CAN do all these things and I’m glad you like her so much. I’m sure your people like her too. Not that Teacher Amy wasn’t great – just not as much time for all those special people in your life, right?

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    1. You have a full time job so it’s hard to be and do all the things right now. I have no excuse. True words – I want him to try some things to help him and he is stubborn.
      I am spending more time with Retired Amy, so I better like her. So true. I started following a retired lady IG account and she said it took her 5 years to figure out retired life.

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  7. Tinnitus is a nightmare, I suddenly developed it out of nowhere about three years ago. It got so bad that ear ringing, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath resulted in a couple of ER visits. I travel btw Saudi, Germany, Seattle a couple times a year so this popping up on a long haul flight was a concern. I frequent natural remedy/health sites and some recommended a daily dose of magnesium. Sure enough it worked, no more tinnitus. If I feel a small episode starting, I double the magnesium supplement and add Betahistine. Hope this helps!

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    1. I am so sorry you dealt with that! I can only imagine how bad that was on a plane. I was actually thinking magnesium might help him. I will definitely tell him this. Thank you so much.

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  8. I finally had a quiet moment this Sunday to catch up on all your posts from this week! School has completely taken over my life lately, so I’ve been saving your posts and reading them all in one go today. ❤️

    And I have to say, as a teacher myself, I can really relate to your thoughts about August and school! I’m still very much on the school-year roller coaster, so I’m a little envious of your freedom from that particular August chaos. 😄 At the same time, I completely understand the mixed feelings and the FOMO you described.

    Thank you for sharing all these little pieces of your life. Your posts are always such a lovely treat for me!

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    1. Oh, I know how that goes! Maybe now I can be your weekend FIKA! Lol. I think you do it better in Sweden than we do it here.
      I’m glad you are still reading my silly drivel.

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  11. I have realised that I am a June girl not an August girl too, it has even been too hot here in England. I am ready for September and cooler weather. I love that you celebrated not going back to school. This is the first year that I have no kids going back to school or college and it’s strange. So sorry Tom has been unwell, it sounds like he’s had a lot to deal with, I hope he feels better soon.

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    1. Right? June is just perfect! I am, too. Thank you! It was fun! It is so strange when you stop living your life on a school calendar. Thank you- I hope so, too.

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  12. It’s got to be strange to be in this back to school time and not returning to work…but you sound like you’re figuring out and loving the new you! Love the sign!! Taking time to enjoy the little things and sharing fun things with your hubby, long walks with EO and seeing friends all sound like a great plan!

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    1. So strange! I do miss actual teaching and the good parts but not the bad parts and lack of balance. I am figuring out the new me. It’s fun but weird. Thank you! My world has gotten really small. I used to interact with about 200 people a day – no joke! Thank you for commenting!

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