| September 2026 Living OUTSTANDING Highlights & Reflections |
Welcome to the September edition of Living OUTSTANDING! September always seems to bring a shift in energy. Summer begins to fade, schedules settle into new routines, and I find myself turning a little more toward learning, planning, and thinking ahead. This month has been a mix of professional development, new discoveries, meaningful connections, and some really nice moments with family along the way. In this issue, I’ll share the pair of socks I’m Obsessed with, along with Updates on some of the learning and strategy work happening behind the scenes in my real estate business. A practical Treasure continues to make it easy to leave my purse behind, while Sounds & Stage brought a fun movie night with my daughter. On the Tech front, I discovered an interesting way to compare multiple AI tools at once, and I’m filled with Anticipation for a girls’ weekend in New York City next month. This month’s Networking brought new connections through a multi-chamber event, while my Discoveries led me to a new Akron restaurant I’m already planning to revisit. Inspiration came from watching an incredible display of talent, discipline, and teamwork at Ohio State, while a Notable book about making the most of college gave me plenty to think about as a mom of a college student. And as always, I’ll close with Gratitude, this month for a simple dinner and movie with Abby that felt especially meaningful now that she’s away at college. As we officially settle into fall, I hope this edition inspires you to stay curious, keep learning, make time for the people you love, and appreciate the little things that make everyday life a little more outstanding. I’d love to hear—what made your September outstanding? <Note: You may need to click "view entire message" at the bottom to read the whole thing... Outstanding is a long word:)> |
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OBSESSED:What I'm enthralled by |
Apparently, I’ve reached the stage of life where finding the perfect socks is genuinely exciting. I’ve been having a hard time finding socks that come up high enough to keep the back of my tennis shoes from rubbing against my ankles—but not so high that I don’t like how they look. I also like a little cushioning. These Hanes Absolute Run socks I found at Target check all the boxes. They’re super comfortable and come up just a little higher than the socks I’ve worn for years. As an added bonus, “Hanes” and the small pattern on each pair are printed in different colors, making them much easier to match after they come out of the laundry. |
UPDATES:What I'm working on |
Learning & Home Sale Contingency Strategy |
I tend to spend a little more time on professional development and business strategy this time of year, and September has definitely followed that pattern. This month, I attended the Ohio REALTORS convention in Columbus and came home with updates and ideas on everything from current legal issues to the rapidly changing ways AI is being used in real estate. I’ve also been working on a more robust strategy for buyers who need to make their purchase contingent upon selling their current home. Those offers can be more complicated and less attractive to sellers, but there are things buyers can do before they ever write an offer to put themselves in a stronger position. If you’re thinking about making a move and know you’ll need to sell your current home in order to buy the next one, it’s never too soon to start the conversation. A little preparation and strategy ahead of time can make a big difference when the right house comes along. |
TREASURES:Thing I'm loving |
My Teelevo Wallet Phone Case |
I absolutely love my Teelevo wallet phone case. I’ve been using this type of case for years, and at this point I’m not sure I could live without it. The little wallet compartment on the back holds my driver’s license and a credit card, which means most of the time I can leave the purse and wallet at home. Even better, the wallet “door” folds out and doubles as a stand when I want to prop up my phone. Admittedly, I’ve had the door eventually break off more than once, so I’ve replaced the case several times. Fortunately, they aren’t very expensive and every replacement gives me an excuse to pick a new color. |
SOUNDS & STAGE:What I'm watching or listening to |
I saw Practical Magic 2 with my older daughter this month, and we both loved it. I think we liked it even better than the first movie! It was one of those movies that was simply fun to watch together—and definitely one I’d recommend! |
TECH:What's making my life easier |
I haven’t had much time to play around with this yet, but I recently learned about ChatHub.gg, a website that lets you search or create using multiple AI models at the same time. You can compare responses from several different AI tools side by side, which seems like a really interesting way to get different perspectives, ideas, designs, or approaches without jumping from platform to platform. There’s no subscription required to get started, so I’m excited to experiment with it. |
ANTICIPATION:What I'm looking forward to |
I’m really looking forward to heading to New York City next month with my younger daughter, her friend, and her friend’s mom for a girls’ trip/senior trip. The main event is seeing Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden, but we’re also planning to squeeze in a Broadway show and some other touristy adventures while we’re there. It should be a really fun long weekend... one that I'll probably need a week to recover from! |
NETWORKING:Who I've connected with |
Multi-Chamber Speed Networking |
I really enjoyed the multi-chamber speed networking event hosted by the Fairlawn Chamber this month. I got to meet several new people while also reconnecting with others I hadn’t seen in a while. I always appreciate events like this because they’re an easy way to expand your circle, strengthen existing relationships, and learn more about what other people do. The more people I know and understand, the better resource I can be when someone needs a connection, recommendation, or introduction. |
DISCOVERIES:What I'm learning or discovering |
Buckets at House Three Thirty |
I finally had a chance to try Buckets, the newer restaurant inside House Three Thirty in Akron. They may be best known for their chicken, but I went with one of the build-your-own salads, and it was both delicious and very generously sized. Now I need to go back because I want to try the smash burgers... and the chicken! |
INSPIRATIONS:What is inspiring me |
The Ohio State Marching Band |
I was never a band kid. I went to an all-girls high school, so there was no football team or marching band, and my college was small enough that there was also no football team or band. So while Ohio State famously calls its marching band “The Best Damn Band in the Land,” I admittedly don’t have much to compare it to. But I am completely in awe of what they do. My husband and I went to the first game of the season, which also featured the Alumni Band, so we got the added bonus of seeing FOUR Script Ohios. I’m amazed by the precision involved—marching perfectly in step, playing an instrument, remembering exactly where to go, and continually moving through intricate formations. And the day we were there was swelteringly hot. We watched them march into the arena and caught part of their practice session inside, where there was no air conditioning and it was stifling. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the hours of work, discipline, teamwork, and stamina behind those performances. I could honestly watch the band all day... and admittedly, I might find it more entertaining than the football game! (Click here to watch a short montage of the OSU band from the Ball State game.) |
I listened to several good books this month, but the one I actually sat down and read in hard copy was Hacking College by Ned Scott Laff and Scott Carlson. The premise really resonated with me: college shouldn’t simply be about checking boxes toward a degree. Students can be much more intentional about choosing classes—both inside and outside their major—and using those choices to develop the skills, experiences, and knowledge they’ll eventually need in the working world. In other words, instead of asking only, “What major should I choose?” you can begin with the future and work backward: What interests me? What kind of problems do I want to solve? What skills might I need? And what experiences can I seek out now to help me figure that out? The book also talks about the “hidden job market”—all of those careers most students simply don’t know exist yet. That means exploration becomes an important part of college too. I thought the book did a great job explaining why students should “hack” college, although I found myself wanting a little more guidance on how to do it—especially for a student who is still undecided. So naturally, I turned to ChatGPT. I used some of the concepts in the book to help create a workbook for my daughter with questions and exercises designed to help her identify what she cares about, explore potential career paths, and think more intentionally about how she uses her college experience. If you have a high school or college student who is still trying to figure out what they want to do or wants to "hack" college to find the best way to do what they want, let me know. I’d be happy to share it. |
GRATITUDE:What I'm grateful for |
This month, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to have dinner and go to a movie with Abby, who is now a freshman at Ohio State. Since I was already in Columbus for the REALTORS convention, it gave me the perfect excuse to spend a little time with her. It wasn’t anything elaborate—just dinner at a Mexican restaurant, a movie, and time together—but I think those ordinary moments feel a little more meaningful now that she isn’t home every day. I’m grateful I got to sneak in a little mom-and-daughter time while I was there. |
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| | Outstanding Ohio is brought to you by Erin Johnson, eXp Realtor |
Erin's mission is to be Ohio's most Resourceful Realtor by providing the resources to help people buy and sell houses and live their best lives in the outstanding state of Ohio. Erin specializes in assisting clients in Copley/Fairlawn/Bath and Summit County, but is willing and able to serve most of Northeast Ohio. If you live outside of this area, she can refer you to an experienced agent who can serve you.
If you are thinking about buying or selling and would like a free consultation or home valuation, call/text 330-227-4355 or email erin@outstandingohio.com. |
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2857 Riviera Rd Suite 201- Fairlawn, OH 44333 |
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