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T hank Y ou for H elping M e S teer the S hip
Appreciating the People Who Help
March 1 is Employee Appreciation Day, and I have a great reason to observe it this year. Not too long ago, I hired my first full- time employee. I had a part-time assistant for a while, which was a godsend, but having someone working for me full time is truly amazing. My new employee, JaNai Goldsborough, has increased our productivity and decreased my stress levels in too many ways to mention here. I do a lot of work with Medicare and Social Security recipients, many of whom are 65 and up, and who sometimes suffer from disabilities. These clients require extra care, and it helps us to be more accessible when I have another person assisting with client inquiries. This also gives me time to solve unanticipated problems. For a while, there was a glitch with my message box; none of the messages my clients left for me showed up on my phone. I never would have had time to get to the bottom of that without JaNai’s help, and this realization made me think of ways other important people in my life — such as my parents, past assistants, or even our nanny — have given me the same peace of mind.
–Duane Hamilton 1 770-744-1855 This March, I encourage you to not only appreciate your employees, but also the people in your life who help you, love you, and support you in all the things you do. a ship, and instead of having to constantly leave the helm to manage details, I have others who let me know when I need to change course, which allows me to keep both hands engaged and in control.
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE HAVE HELPED ME, AND I CAN’T HELP BUT APPRECIATE THEM FOR THEIR ROLES JUST AS I APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR ME.
I have received overwhelming support from my parents in everything I do. There are so many ways the people in my life have helped me, and I can’t help but appreciate them for their roles just as I appreciate the people who work for me. It’s like I’m steering
maintaining its value. Additionally, decluttering closets and corners will remove any barriers that prevent you from seeing blemishes that need a little touching up. The rooms that make the most sense to potentially renovate are the ones that receive the most traffic: namely, the kitchen and bathrooms. Most home improvement websites and articles advocate for renovating these rooms first. Luckily, replacing old appliances with newer ones requires little technical knowledge. It is also relatively simple to paint walls and cabinets to match modern sensibilities. Beyond that, upgrading countertops and floors can go a long way in improving the market value of your house. Finally, it pays to remember who the future owners of your home will be and of support you might need down the road. With our generation living longer than our parents, there’s a possibility that we may require additional support services. You and your spouse may not know if either of you will need in-home care, but considering this possibility and the financial factors that come with it can help you better enjoy this exciting phase of your life. In most cases, neither Medicare or Medicaid covers in-home care. There are some exceptions, like home- and community-based services that are state and locally funded and cover those who qualify through Medicaid. If you or your spouse are veterans and meet the requirements, you may be eligible for aid and attendance benefits. These benefits are paid for by the VA in addition to a veteran’s monthly pension. It may cover the costs of in-home care for veterans who require the aid of another person or are housebound. Visit
what sort of style and amenities they will find appealing. The population of the U.S. is getting older, and many older properties have stairways that are too steep, hallways that are too narrow, and showers that are too difficult to get into. Keeping an aging population in mind can help homeowners decide which projects to prioritize. It pays to consider what sort of technology will improve the functionality of a house as well. From thermostats to doorbells, there are plenty of smart devices on the market that can make a new homeowner’s life much simpler. These home improvement projects range from easy yearly maintenance to keeping future population trends in mind, but none of them should pose serious problems for the industrious homeowner. Benefits.va.gov to learn more. Still, you may not want to rely on qualifying for one of these services. Consider adapting your estate plan to include designated in-home care. Meet with your attorney to review your living trust and see if it addresses a caregiver. Talk to your family members and loved ones about the possibility that you or your spouse may need this service. While a family member may offer to step into that role, consider how easily they will be able to carry it out. Even a part- time caregiver could provide you with support and make your family members feel like they are not doing it alone. Planning for the possibility that you may need in-home care services can help make your retirement even more enjoyable. Knowing you’ll have a close helping hand can ease your family’s worries and even strengthen your bond.
When retirement approaches, you may be thinking about the freedom you’ll enjoy after putting in your last nine-to-five. It’s a culmination of years of hard work and a cause for celebration! Before you get to celebrate, though, it’s important to consider what kind
Making Your House Look Good Inside and Out
March is National Asset Management Month and, as spring approaches, there will be a myriad of opportunities for homeowners to increase the value of one of their key assets: their home. Even if you aren’t looking to sell anytime soon, there are projects and practices that can increase the value of your house and generate larger ROI down the road. The easiest way to increase the value of your property is to keep its appearance sharp inside and out. Planting and maintaining trees, flowers, and grass will accentuate the beauty of your yard, no matter its size. Though not as frequently needed, touching up the outside of your house with a fresh coat of paint goes a long way. As for the inside of your home, keeping floors, walls, and appliances as free of wear and tear as possible will help in
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Spring is here, and one way of taking advantage of the warm weather with family and friends is with a bit of friendly competition through unique games that are sure to bring laughs and fun for all ages. Here are three games that can be played in the backyard or at the park and can involve everyone. Bocce Ball W acky B ackyard G ames for A ll A ges Taking Advantage of the Spring Weather
Ladder Golf Sometimes called “ladder toss” or “ladder ball,” this game can only accommodate four players, two pairs playing against each other. However, since most adequate ladder golf sets go for around $20, it is perfectly possible to get multiple sets to accommodate a larger group. The object of ladder golf is to toss ropes with golf balls on either end (bolas) from a set distance toward the rungs of a ladder. Each rung has a point value of one to three, and teams can decide how many points it will take to win a game.
While you only need two players, this game can include up to eight people split into two teams. Without getting too much into the gameplay specifics, the ultimate goal of the game is to score points by bowling a bocce ball toward a smaller ball called the jack. Whichever team gets one of their balls closer to the jack in a round scores a point, and the first team to a set number of points, normally between seven and 13, wins the game. While regulation courts for bocce ball exist, any open space roughly 13 by 90 feet should suffice for an informal game. While professional bocce ball sets can cost over $150, multiple vendors sell standard sets for between $20 and $40.
Spikeball This is another game that usually requires at most four players (again, two teams of two), and is a little faster-paced than the two games previously listed. All four players stand around a net trampoline, and each team tries to use their palm to slap a small plastic ball into the net in such a way that the other team cannot return the ball. This game is more reflex intensive and less contemplative than bocce ball or ladder golf, but win or lose, spikeball is a definite source of laughter and good fun for everyone involved.
B eet , M int , and R icotta H ummus
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
INGREDIENTS
• 1 6-ounce beet (about the size of an adult fist), scrubbed • 1 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained • 1/3 cup tahini, well-mixed • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander • Mint leaves, poppy seeds, and olive oil, for garnish
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese • 1 garlic clove, grated
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. Wrap beet tightly in foil. On a foil-lined baking sheet, roast wrapped beet until fork tender, about 60–70 minutes. 3. While beet is roasting, blend chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, ricotta, garlic, salt, pepper, and coriander until smooth. 4. Once beet is cool enough to handle, use a paper towel to remove beet skin. Trim root end and cut into small pieces. Add to blender or food processor, and blend until entire mixture is smooth. Add additional salt if desired. 5. Transfer to a shallow bowl, top with garnishes, and serve. 3 770-744-1855
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How I Observe Employee Appreciation Day Considering the Costs of Home Care Landscaping, Appliance Updates, and Keeping Future Homebuyers in Mind Connecting With Friends
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and Family Through Friendly Competition
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Beet, Mint, and Ricotta Hummus Don’t Let the Rain Dampen Your Spirits 4 R ainy D ay A ctivities
As the weather warms up, the urge to get out of the house becomes stronger. However, any plans you might have can be abruptly canceled due to rain. If you find yourself stuck inside for the day, here are a few activities to keep you occupied.
Get Bakin’ A wet and chilly day is an excellent opportunity to warm yourself up with some baked goods. Bake your favorite snickerdoodle cookies or fudge brownies, and pour yourself a mug full of hot chocolate or cider to get through the stormy day. Read a Book If you have a bookshelf full of novels you’ve not cracked open, a rainy day is the perfect time to jump in. Settle down on the sofa with a cuddly blanket and enjoy some uninterrupted reading. The rain smattering against your windows creates the perfect background noise to delve into the pages of a new adventure.
Create Your Own Film Festival Having a movie or TV series marathon is another great way to pass the time. You can watch some of the classics, like “Forrest Gump” or “Singing in the Rain,” fill the day with “The Lord of the Rings” series, or start a new Netflix show. If you want to involve your kids in the binge-watching, you can let them pick out one of their favorite movies too. Piece Together a Puzzle A rainy day is a great opportunity to pull out a puzzle. You can also grab your friends or family members and make the puzzle a team activity. With the whole day ahead of you, you’ll have several hours to devote to one of your favorite hobbies.
Don’t let the rain keep you down! Instead, take advantage of the weather and enjoy a cozy day at home.
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