Retired IT consultant. Retired Hockey Mom. Retired Base Brat and Military wife. Lifelong learner. Writer.
My husband and I are retired, and so far, so good. Recently I pondered some reasons why we have adjusted to such a major lifestyle change so good, so far. Both of us grew up as military kids – did this have anything to do with how we planned for and adjusted to life after … More Retirement and this Military Brat
My memoir Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story by Michele Sabad, continues to be a success. But what does that mean? I defined my first book a success by these criteria: I recouped my self-publishing costs, and continue to generate enough sales to pay for ongoing costs. Plus about a bottle of wine a month. … More Writing Success. Fear.
It’s been a long snowy winter where I live (Aylmer, Quebec), and I see it’s been similar elsewhere. This is my third winter in retirement, and I’ve noticed some changes about how I handle this wonderful (not sarcasm) season. I do enjoy watching the weather channel and get thrills when I see the red screen … More Winter and Retirement, Part 2
The following is a new companion story to the book Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story by Michele Sabad. To be published Fall 2019 in a new anthology “My Hero Dog: Stories on How Our Dogs Have Helped Shape Who We Are” by the Museum of the American Military Family. The phone rang one weekday … More Cognac. Yes, Named for the Booze.
Some pictures define a life. When I retired almost 3 years ago now (!) I took up writing as my new raison d’être. In year 1, I wrote and self-published the book Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story by Michele Sabad. Year 2 was spent marketing, which I found I didn’t hate: the signings, the … More Writing, Retirement Year 3 Begins
When my son was deployed to Mali, Africa, I admit I didn’t know how I felt. I grew up an Army kid. I lived all over Canada and in Germany, too. My dad was away often. Then I married a fellow army kid in Petawawa, and he joined the Air Force. So I lived a … More Brat to Wife to Mom
This is my third winter of retirement. It occurred to me this fine, freezing Quebec January morning, that my winter survival habits have changed since my working days. In those quickly-forgotten working days of January, I would bundle in as much winter gear as necessary to catch the bus, where I would overheat on said … More Winter is Better in Retirement
Who can look at this photo of winter and not say it’s their favourite season? I’ve always loved winter activities and am eager for the river to freeze enough to walk on it. Alas, I am not young enough to enjoy skating on the rough, cracked, natural ice anymore, but I do like watching. It’s … More Winter : One of my Favourite Seasons
This time of year, I see many posts on social media of favourite quotes, advice, words of wisdom. Maybe I’m naturally contrarian, but I always think of a smart-alec snarky response! Here’s some New Year’s resolutions and advice translated Stevie-style. Caution, to be read with a sense of humour as it was written with tongue-in-cheek. … More New Year Resolutions – Debunked
As usual I did NOT read as many books this year as I planned. How does that happen? I spent a busy year marketing and promoting my book Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story, which turned into more fun than anticipated. Many signings, travels, family events; it was a high-school renunion year; it was my … More Reading List 2018
Stevie Szabad, Author 