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September 2022
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FALLING INTO PLACE Looking Forward to the Upcoming Season
It’s hard to believe that fall is just around the corner. I love spending time outside, so summer is my favorite season, and I’ll be sad to see it go. Then again, as I write this, it’s 105 degrees outside. So, a part of me is looking forward to walking the dogs in cooler weather. Autumn is one of their favorite times of the year — since they’re not too hot anymore, they get a lot friskier than usual. But for me, the hockey season is the main draw of fall. I’ve loved the sport since my introduction to it in law school. Growing up in Fort Worth, hockey wasn’t popular among anyone I knew. But one summer when I was working for a law firm in Houston between my second and third year of law school, a good buddy who knew icing from off-sides explained the game to me. He was a big fan of the Colorado Avalanche, who were in the playoffs that year. We’d get buffalo wings every night the Av’s were playing, and he’d teach me how the game worked. It looked like pure chaos at first, and I didn’t understand any of the rules. The penalty box baffled me. I didn’t understand why players were sent there half the time — or why getting to sit down and rest for a few minutes was considered a punishment. I eventually caught on and learned to love the sport. A few years later, that same buddy and I split season tickets to the Dallas Stars for a few years. We intended to take other friends and use it as a networking tool, but usually ended up going to the games with each other. Now, I mostly follow the minor league hockey team, the Allen Americans. (A funny name, I think, since so many players are Canadian!) A year or so after that summer, I worked as a law clerk for the Texas Supreme Court. The executive assistant for the judge I was working for was a big fan of the local minor league team, the Austin Ice Bats. She
convinced me to go to a few games (let’s be honest, it didn’t take a whole lot of arm twisting). I took Grace, who was around preschool age, and she had a blast. There were bounce houses and cotton candy, and I’d let her blow bubbles in her drink (only allowed at hockey games). I also had an interesting time explaining hockey fights to her, why the crowd was cheering, and that like blowing bubbles in your drink, some things were okay for hockey games, that weren’t other places. We both had a blast. A lot has changed since those years, and this fall marks many transitions for my family. After several years as an assistant principal, my wife, Wendy, is becoming the principal of her own school. We’re all extremely excited to watch her shine in her new role. She has worked hard to get to this point, and I’m proud of her. Meanwhile, Grace recently took her bar exam, and we’re sitting on pins and needles waiting to get the results in October or November. Assuming she passes (I know she will), she’ll get her license 20 years after I received mine, which seems kind of fun. Meanwhile, my middle daughter, Elissa, is entering her last semester at Oklahoma State, and we are excited for her graduation this winter. Finally, our youngest, Kaitlin, is trading in beaches for red dirt. She’s transferring from Texas A&M in Corpus Christi to Texas Tech, where she’ll have more resources with a larger business school — and a larger sports program doesn’t hurt either! Fall represents change, and our family currently has no shortage of it. I look forward to watching them evolve and grow throughout this and every other season of life — and sneaking in a hockey game or two along the way.
-Aaron Miller
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SHIFT TO THRIFTING
4 Hacks to Stock Your Closet
Learn vintage sizing. It’s pretty obvious that the sizing standards have changed dramatically over the years. Though many thrift stores stock more modern looks, plenty stock items that may be decades old. A general rule of thumb when it comes to vintage clothing is that they are at least four sizes smaller than modern sizes. Women’s clothing is especially notorious for being inconsistent, and it’s always a good idea to try something on before purchasing it. But this is a generally good idea for everyone since you’re less likely to be able to return it. Thrifting can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Try these hacks and join the ranks of people who know how to find a great deal on quality items.
You don’t need expensive clothes or accessories to feel like a million bucks. Name brands are always great, but for those who don’t want to spend a pretty penny, thrifting is a must! It’s also a great way to express your creativity and find quality items on a budget. Find the best days to shop. You would think going on a Friday or Saturday would be the best day for thrifting, but it’s actually the opposite. Those are the busiest days of the week and everyone loves shopping on the weekend. You’re less likely to find any good items since the store will be crowded and inventory will be picked over. Instead, shop during the middle of the week to find the best items before the crowd rushes in. You can even ask your local thrift store which days they restock their inventory, so you’re guaranteed the best picks. Each store is different, but this information will save you from shopping when the inventory is low. Look for items to revamp. With a little creativity, you can turn any article of clothing into a masterpiece. Sometimes you may feel inspired by a specific outfit or expensive look, but you don’t want to spend the money to get similar pieces. Thrifting is an easy way to find look-alikes and make them your own! If your inspiration has specific colors or designs, you can dig through the racks and find certain pieces to use. You may have to do some sewing or cutting, but you can revamp just about any fabric. Recognize high quality/valuable items. A mistake most beginner thrifters make is focusing too much on searching for name brands or companies with lots of name recognition. Though it’s great when you are able to find them, if you only search for those brands, you may miss other great items. It’s important to go beyond the big brands and check labels to learn markers of quality. If it’s an item you really like but haven’t heard of the brand before, keep your phone handy! You can look it up and see what the original price point was and whether it’s worth your money.
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3 TIPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR ELECTRONICS TANGLED UP IN CORDS?
Protect your cords. Smartphone and laptop chargers aren’t cheap by any means. Since we use them so often, the cord that attaches to the device is susceptible to fraying and breaking. If you have some painter’s tape lying around, take a small piece and wrap it around the cord close to the connectors on both sides! The tape acts as a brace and keeps your charger cord sturdy.
Technology was created to make our lives easier, and though it simplifies our daily routines, it can be a hassle to maintain — especially if there are cords involved. Keeping the power flowing to multiple devices requires a plethora of cords that can get tangled and annoying. Also, as time goes by, cords may break or simply stop working. Organizing and preserving the quality of your electronics is the best way to extend their longevity, and with these tips, you can save a few headaches along with some money.
Organize extra cables and cords. If you’re like most people, you probably have a bag or box of
Tidy up your cords. When you have tons of cords and cables attached to your desk and power strips, they can become a tangled mess. You end up pulling the wrong cord because they all look the same, and it’s a pain to figure out which is which. A great way to fix this is to use binder clips! You can clip them onto your desk to keep cords separate and in one place. Take it up a notch by using colored/patterned binder clips. Assigning specific colors to certain cords lets you find the one you need at any moment.
tangled wires and cables somewhere. It can become an organizer’s worst nightmare, but there’s a better way. First, find an old shoe box and several empty toilet paper rolls. Then, place the rolls upright in a shoebox, wrap each cord up separately, and place them inside the rolls (one per roll) to keep them separate but together. Maintaining our electronics, especially the cords, allows our technology to continue working for us without worry or breaking the bank. Try these hacks and watch how untangled your cords and life can be!
TAKE A BREAK
Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
Ingredients
Directions
• 4 sweet potatoes • 2 cups seedless red grapes • 1 tsp grapeseed oil • 1/4 tsp salt, plus a pinch • 1/4 tsp pepper, plus a pinch • 4 oz goat cheese, divided • 2 tbsp honey, plus additional for drizzling • Pinch of cinnamon • Pinch of nutmeg
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. With a fork, poke holes in potatoes. Tightly wrap each in aluminum foil. 3. On a baking sheet, place potatoes and roast for 45–60 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Remove and unwrap foil. 4. With a knife, slit each potato down the middle. 5. Increase oven to 450 F. 6. On a nonstick baking sheet, drizzle the grapes with grapeseed oil. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast for 20–25 minutes. 7. Using a spoon, remove sweet potato flesh while keeping shape intact. 8. In a large bowl, mash sweet potato flesh with 3 oz goat cheese, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and honey. 9. Scoop filling back into potatoes. Top with remaining goat cheese, grapes, and drizzled honey.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Season of Change (and Hockey)
2
Look Like a Million Bucks Without Breaking the Bank
3
Don’t Cross Your Cords!
Grape, Goat Cheese, and Honey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
4
DIY Fall Scavenger Hunt for the Family
As the leaves begin to fall and the air becomes cooler, it is a sure sign that summer is slowly coming to an end. Though we will miss the pool parties and backyard barbecues, there is still lots to look forward to during fall. Autumn is known as the season of change, and getting the kids outside allows them to understand and explore the changes going on in the world around them. Creating a fall scavenger hunt is a great way for kids to practice their reading and observation skills, all while still enjoying the outdoors. Signs of Fall Creating a specific scavenger hunt for signs of autumn is a great way to enhance your child’s observation skills. Ready, Set, Scavenge! EXPLORE WHAT AUTUMN OFFERS
Fall Color Wheel The best way to explore autumn’s colors is by creating a fall color wheel hunt! Since the leaves are the surest signs of fall, kids can compare and contrast the different colors of each leaf they find, making this a fun hands-on activity. You can either download a color wheel template from the internet or make one yourself! All you need is a piece of paper that’s big enough for kids to tape the leaves onto and different areas for the colors red, yellow, orange, and brown. This will help kids see the different kinds of leaves as well as their visual changes during the season. The weather is getting colder, but it doesn’t mean you have to hibernate too! Bundle up with a cozy sweater and beanie, and encourage the family to get outside to explore all of the wonderful changes autumn has to offer.
Consider the following for your signs of fall hunt:
1. Leaves that have changed colors 2. Tree seeds or pine cones that have fallen to the ground
3. Items from a fall harvest (like pumpkins, sunflowers, or hay bales) 4. Changes among people’s apparel (such as jackets, hats, and scarves) 5. Animals hibernating or migrating
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