Author: Teresa

Quilts, good books and dogs. Plus a cup of tea. Life is good.

Taking stock

March 13, 2026

This photo resonated with me. I think it’s from FB. Anyway, it accurately sums up my plans moving forward:

I deactivated my IG account today. This single action aligns with so many of the above sentiments. I’m not totally off social media as I still access FB and YouTube. FB is the primary means of communication for many groups to which I belong and I actually find educational value in YouTube when it comes to quilting, cooking and DIY.

1Q 2026 has meant addressing some health concerns and meeting my annual deductible in the process! Things are still a work in progress; however, the changes I’m making will allow me to be the healthiest version of myself so I can live life to the fullest.

I’m extending the “creative sabbatical” I began in late January through the end of June. No new classes, no SQTM summer camp, no additional duties for my quilt guild. I want to sew for the pleasure of creating. I’ll concentrate on supervising Block Party entries for the June quilt show and hosting a week-long CraftLAB in late July for five young ladies. Should I find a local place to teach in the coming months, I’ll certainly consider scheduling fall classes.

Content here will continue to cover everything from celebrating the everyday to quilting to therapy dogs to life in retirement.

Friday fun

March 13, 2026
Sadie at a video shoot for a local foster care support organization

Sadie may look a bit disheveled, but it’s due to all of the petting she received at this morning’s event. Big Girl had her professional headshot made a photographer. She received bottled water and a Chick-Fil-A biscuit for her services. Sadie was filmed and photographed with every kid attending the event. I can’t wait to see the finished video montage.

Me? I’m the human at the other end of the leash. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tax time as an early retiree

March 7, 2026

I finalized our federal and state tax returns today. I like to let them marinate for a few days and then review everything once more before filing. This year marked the most streamlined tax return prep I’ve had since retirement. Why? I stepped away from all 1099 gig work at the end of 2024 once my teacher pension began. No more multiple 1099s with expenses to track! The bonus? More time to spend on activities I enjoy.

We’re approaching our fourth year in retirement. The preceding three years of taxable income has been all over the map. Our 2024 and 2025 numbers are nearly identical, so I think we have a realistic baseline to estimate tax liabilities moving forward.

Keep in mind that local, state and federal governments tax income differently, according to type and amount of income. (Not many cities levy an income tax, but St. Louis does!) 2026 will mark the final year we’ll pay Georgia state income taxes on all income, plus full property taxes. Next year, limited income exemptions begin ($35,000) for income taxes and we’ll receive an exemption for the school tax portion of our property taxes. Eventually, up to $130,000 of income (married filing jointly) will be exempted from Georgia income tax. Georgia doesn’t tax Social Security income either.

Just for grins, I went back and compared this year’s numbers against those from our last full year of employment. Yes, our current income is less than it was when we were both working, but it’s the tax treatment of the types of income that makes the biggest difference. Just saying, we paid an obscene amount of taxes when we were employed full-time!