Winston & Damman September 2018

Winston & Damman's online newsletter for September 2018

On Your Side (810) 966-WINS (9467)

September 2018

Growing Together Watching Our Eldest Daughter Begin Her Senior Year

I still vividly remember my eldest her first day of kindergarten. Needless to say, I was a mess. I can remember crying, thinking, “How could this already be happening?” It felt like just yesterday she was a little baby keeping us up at odd hours and learning to walk and talk. daughter, Hannah, going off to her first day of preschool and eventually Fast-forward to September 2018, and that same baby is now a senior in high school, navigating her way through college applications and figuring out what she wants to do in the world. It’s been an exciting and sometimes challenging journey for Hannah, who, at 17 years old, is continually discovering her love of music. Readers of previous editions of our newsletter will remember our family’s strong ties to baseball and softball. In middle school, Hannah was a softball, basketball, and volleyball player. She was a talented pitcher, but little mistakes would bog her down, get in her head, and mess with her game. Slowly the other sports dropped off, and when she eventually told my husband and me that she wanted to quit softball, too, we pressed her to make sure that’s what she really wanted to do. She seemed sure, and soon afterward we watched her musical talents blossom. In fifth grade, Hannah started playing the trumpet, and three years later, she switched to French horn. That same year, she approached her father and me about taking vocal lessons. This threw us for a loop. But it’s a passion she wanted to follow, and as

parents, we wanted to encourage it. We would hear her sing in the shower and occasionally hear the mumbles of her voice outside of her lessons before picking her up, but it wasn’t until her first recital about a year later that we really heard her. She sang this Italian melody, and we were absolutely blown away. She had an amazing talent that we didn’t even know about. And unlike on the softball diamond, she didn’t let the little mistakes get to her. She was completely enthralled with learning more. At the end of last year, her focus on music shifted to a goal of becoming French horn section leader in the school’s band. For weeks, I remember her saying, “I just want to be section leader. Gosh, I hope the director picks me.” Finally the night came, and Hannah’s wish came true. She had been chosen to lead her section the next year — her senior year! But there was more. (And luckily, I have this part on video!) The band director began explaining how he selected the role of senior assistant drum major — a student who helps lead and conduct the band. Standing up on stage, Hannah was still beaming alongside the other section leaders, when suddenly, the director called her name. She had also been chosen as drum major! She stood in disbelief, unsure if that was really what had just happened, before making her way over to her director.

accompany her on a recent band camp and watch her develop her craft. It’s a memory of her I will always cherish, watching her and other kids like her develop their talents. As she changed into her drum major uniform — a classic white suit that offsets that band’s blue uniforms — before a recent football game, she was still shocked that she had been given this opportunity. But at that game, I saw a kid who was completely in her element. She was content and right where she should be. Just like that first game as a drum major, this year will be full of plenty of firsts and lasts for Hannah and our family. While it’s just as bittersweet as it was on that first day of school so many years ago, I’m excited to see where this ride takes her.

This summer was full of drum major training and band camps. I got to

–Nicole Winston

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Need a Personal Assistant to Manage Your Kids’ Crazy Schedules?

School has started. Youth sports are in full swing. Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment. All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through the insanity sometimes feels more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. Tag Team There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or

family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious. Teamwork Makes the DreamWork While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.

if you’re lucky, have some freedom. The Right Tool for the Job

Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire

SUMMONED TO COURT Jury Duty Myths

There are so many rumors about jury duty that it can be difficult to know which ones are true. Here are three of the most popular speculations, debunked. Admitting Bias Will Ensure Your Dismissal If you admit that you are biased when you serve jury duty, it does not guarantee your dismissal. In fact, a judge cannot dismiss you for being biased — but an attorney can. In addition, attempting to portray yourself as a biased person can put you in a troubling situation.

Other ways you’re entered into the pool include buying a home, paying taxes, and getting a driver’s license. Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you’re still liable to be summoned. Serving Jury Duty Will Get You Fired If you’re worried about getting fired for serving jury duty, you can breathe easy. Your employer cannot fire you once you’ve been selected for jury service. In fact, if your boss threatens to fire you for it, they will face the penalties, which include fines and even jail time. Many

Attorneys and judges have been selecting jurors for a long time and know when someone is lying to them. Your best bet will be to give honest answers to the questions they ask. No Voting, No Jury Duty According to another circulating myth, if you aren’t registered to vote, you don’t have to serve jury duty. Many people believe this myth because voting enters you into the jury duty pool, but there are other means by which citizens are chosen.

employers know and understand this, but if yours doesn’t, you can submit a file of complaint to the trial court administrator, and they will take care of the rest for you. The system to select jurors has been around for a while, and those involved know what they’re doing. It’s best to go in with an open mind and be completely honest. After all, it is your civic duty to do so.

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Prepare Your Garden

Autumn Steps for a Better Spring Garden

Keep Your Garden Tidy Once you’ve harvested your best fruits and vegetables, go back through and harvest the rest, even if you don’t plan to eat them. Make sure your garden is clear of old vegetables, fallen leaves, and

Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese Want to take your grilled cheese game to the next level? This recipe calls for cheese both inside and outside the sandwich, adding a crispy crunch to the grilled cheese experience. It’s a quick, delicious weekday dinner option the whole family will love. With fall just ahead, it’s a good time to think about your spring garden. For a beautiful garden next year, begin preparing this fall. Here are a few ways to get a head start! Planting Bulbs If you want beautiful flowers in April, you should start planting bulbs now. Many flower bulbs need to be in the ground before winter settles in; this helps activate the bulbs’ biochemical process that allows them to bloom. Getting the bulbs into the ground before it freezes allows their roots to grow deep enough to protect them from the biting winter weather. Among the flower bulbs you should plant soon are tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths. Chicken Wire After you’ve planted your bulbs, there’s a risk that uninvited guests will dig them up. There are a few ways you can ensure that your bulbs remain undisturbed throughout the fall. One way is to place chicken wire over your bulbs after they’ve been planted. This keeps rodents from digging them up and allows the plants to grow through the gaps in the wire.

weeds. Leaving decaying plants in or on top of the ground can spread diseases into the soil and attract unwanted pests to your garden. Healthy Soil

Pulling up weeds and all of your vegetables can help keep the earth free from rotting plants, but there are other steps you can take to ensure that your soil stays full of nutrients. Pick up a kit to test the pH

levels of your soil. Most gardens thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. Add compost to your soil supply now to give it time to break down during the winter months.

INGREDIENTS

• 8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano) DIRECTIONS 1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and

• 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 cup apricot preserves

4. In a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve.

FOOTBALL TOUCHDOWN QUARTERBACK AUTUMN

EQUINOX LABORDAY BARBECUE SEPTEMBER

HARVEST APPLE STUDENTS HOMECOMING

mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together.

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine

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this edition INSIDE

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Hannah Begins Her Senior Year 3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life Falsities You’ve Been Told About Jury Duty Get a Head Start on Next Spring’s Garden Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese What Do USDA Beef Grades Really Mean?

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Beef Grades Decoded Understanding USDA Beef Guidelines

Here’s how the grades break down: USDA Prime: If you want a high-quality cut of beef, you should get USDA Prime. These cuts of meat tend to be more expensive, but for the price, you get a tender, flavorful, well-marbled cut of meat. For a fantastic steak, you should reach for Prime. USDA Choice: A lot of people purchase USDA Choice when they want a good cut of beef but don’t want or cannot afford to pay the USDA Prime price. These cuts generally have less marbling, but they are still fairly high quality. When you just want to throw a few steaks or burgers on the grill, Choice will serve you well. USDA Select: This grade of meat is decent quality, but it doesn’t have the level of marbling found in Prime and Choice cuts. Because of this, Select cuts are usually

less tender and flavorful. These aren’t great options for steak, but if you’re making a stew, you can’t go wrong with Select. Standard and Commercial: These cuts of beef don’t always make it to the supermarket, but when they do, they’re often priced lower. They also have limited marbling, which can mean a tougher texture with less flavor. Keep in mind that these cuts are not often labeled anywhere on the packaging, so if you see beef packaging that lacks a grade, it may be a lower-grade cut. Utility, Cutter, and Canner: Many people never encounter these grades at the supermarket. These are cut from very lean, older cattle and are usually sold directly to food manufacturers to make processed meat products, such as hot dogs. These grades are also used in dog food.

If you’ve ever purchased a cut of beef or strolled past the meat counter at your local grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the different grades of beef. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has guidelines for the meat sold in stores across the country. Before the meat is sold, it receives a grade. As a shopper, it can be difficult to understand what these grades really mean.