Trust Matters This Spring, Don’t Skip the Small Things Lessons From Bear Lake MARCH 2018 (480) 418-1776 | KEYSTONELAWFIRM.COM
Now, when I say older, I mean old enough to walk. Sophia was only 3 years old, and the twins were 5, but they trekked along with me while their mom stayed back with baby Zach. The whole way, I was a typical dad, trying to be as fun as possible within the realms of safety. I started skipping rocks on the lake, and the kids were immediately fascinated. I tried my best to show them the finer points of the art form — it’s all in the wrist. But inevitably, the morning became a chorus of plunks as the kids just threw stones at the water with all their might. Then, there was a loud thwack , followed by screaming. Gabe was clutching his forehead, and there was a lot of blood. In her enthusiasm, Bella, his sister, had accidentally nailed him on the top of the forehead. All three kids were crying so loudly my wife heard them from across the lake. I picked Gabe up and started running. I’ve never been more glad to have married a nurse. By the time we got back to the car, Nicole already had the first aid kit out and was in full mom mode. She calmed Gabe down and got him cleaned up. Thankfully the rock left just a small cut, which she was able to bandage with ease. So what’s the takeaway from this story? Well, from Gabe’s perspective, he got a “cool” scar and a story he can lord over his sister for a lifetime. He has a good sense of humor about it. This was also our first indication of Bella’s athleticism. She definitely has an arm on her. For me, this is one of those life lessons. We took a risk taking our young family camping, but I would absolutely do it again. There’s never going to be a guarantee of safety in anything. Chances are that the things that seem scary in the moment will actually become the memories your whole family laughs about at the dinner table. That’s why we stuck with our annual spring trip — to keep building great memories together as a family. Truth be told, my kids never did get my full rock-throwing lesson …
There’s nothing like
an Arizona spring. The mild days and crisp evenings are perfect to head out and enjoy all the sights and sounds of nature. It’s a great chance to appreciate all the natural beauty we often take for granted. No matter how busy things get, Nicole and I always take the kids on a trip during their spring break. It’s been a yearly tradition in our family ever since the kids started school. Some years we’ll go to the beach, and others we’ll head up to the mountains — the trip is always fun and relaxing, either way. The fact we’ve kept up this yearly expedition is rather incredible when you consider how rocky our first attempt was. About six years ago, Zach, our youngest, was only 6 months old, but we were still brave enough to take the whole family camping. We decided to introduce the kids to one of our favorite spots above the rim, Bear Canyon Lake. The pine-scented air and the cool breeze coming off the water were just what Nicole and I needed to unwind. We were only going to be up there for the weekend, so what could go wrong? For the first two days, everything went great. We hiked and ate plenty of snacks, which made an altogether successful camping trip by anyone’s standards. Then, on our last day, I decided to take the older kids on a hike around the lake.
-Francisco
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Everyone faces the prospect of growing older. When it comes to aging, people’s primary concerns include aches, pains, and changes to their physical appearance. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your mind sharp as you age so you can enjoy your retirement. EXERCISE Working out is inextricably tied to wellness in all its forms. A simple, light workout now and then not only maintains physical health, but it also boosts your mental well-being. A 5-mile walk once per week can increase brain volume and prevent mental diseases, including Alzheimer’s. It’s no wonder exercise is the go-to solution for maintaining wellness. LEARN NEW HOBBIES Do you want to reduce memory loss by 40–50 percent? Dan Buettner, a researcher and best-selling author on studies about happiness and longevity, suggests learning a new hobby. Whether you learn to knit, paint, or discover a new board game, you’ll enjoy improved mental health. Get your hands moving, and your mind will surely follow. (Note: Watching TV as a hobby doesn’t count! People who regularly watch TV may suffer up to 50 percent memory loss.) SOCIALIZE If you want to maintain mental health, make socializing a priority. Having an active social life increases your resistance to mental diseases and improves your mood. MATTERS
Furthermore, a healthy social network of friends and family (and we’re not talking Facebook here) helps give you a support system to fall back on when times get tough. TAKE A BREAK
Take a step back from your everyday life and enjoy the small things. Set aside time to sit down with a good book or another activity you enjoy. While on that 5-mile walk, why not take a few moments to slow down your pace and look at the world around you? As the famous saying goes, “Stop and smell the roses.”
I contacted Keystone Law to prepare legal papers for my father (a trust, power of attorney, etc.). My elderly father (90) was very was impressed. But it was the ability of Francisco’s office to deal with the unexpected that really impressed me. We found it necessary to expedite the process due to my father’s illness. They quickly responded and made everything happen with very short notice, something other law firms aren’t very good at doing. Because of them, everything was completed in time, and we are extremely satisfied. But the story continues. Now that I’m the trustee, I count on their continued support to meet my responsibilities. Michelle, an associate attorney, has been there to help me with every detail. My out-of-state investment advisor needed some documents, and I gave him Michelle’s contact information. Once I confirmed that she could release documents to him, she did it immediately. My investment advisor told me that Michelle was one of the best trust lawyers he’s dealt with in terms of providing documents and answering questions in a very timely manner — once again, not very common with other law firms. Overall, we are extremely satisfied with the quality of their work, their ability to respond to problems rapidly, and their follow-through. Great lawyers like those at Keystone are a bargain in the long run! Testimonial
comfortable with Francisco. Francisco was very respectful, but he also made
it clear that my father had to make some important decisions about the trust’s
beneficiaries. Francisco walked him through the decision process and, most importantly, he made it clear that he worked for my father and made sure that the trust met my father’s wishes. The package Francisco offered was very reasonably priced and also quite complete. So I
—Daniel R.
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DOUBLE We ended last month’s Valentine’s Day story on a bit of a cliffhanger. That’s because the way Nicole and I got together was like something out of a telenovela. Last Episode I befriended a beautiful girl in seventh-grade art class, only for us to be separated by high school. For two years, we never saw or heard from each other. Then, I transferred to Mountain View, and there she was in the crowded hallways. Did she remember me? Did she want to? Before I could find out, two yearbook pictures stopped me cold. My crush had a twin sister. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There were two Nicoles. Only, one had a different first name and was wearing different clothes in her yearbook portrait. Which one had I seen? Nicole? Her twin? Both? I couldn’t believe that the whole time we were friends, I never found out she had a twin. Maybe she didn’t bring it up, or maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention. Either way, I was relieved I hadn’t just walked up to her and said hi. That could be embarrassing! During my senior year, one of the pair started hanging out in my circle of friends. I had someone else ask her name on my behalf. It was Nicole. I revealed my identity as the kid from art class, and we had a good laugh. We started hanging out more and eventually started dating. One summer evening, she gave me an incredulous look. “When did you come back to Mountain View?” she asked. “Eleventh Grade?! Why didn’t you say hi?” I tried to explain my conundrum about her twin sister, and she burst out laughing. “That’s me in both pictures!” she gasped. “They had to retake my photo on a different day. Nicole is my middle name, but I like it better. There was a mix-up, and both pictures got printed!” All these years later, we still laugh about that mix-up. It was a real comedy of errors, but one with a lesson: Communication matters! Nicole and I had a great friendship as far back as junior high, but my nerves got in the way. No matter how old you are, communicating with your friends and loved ones is always better than trying to figure out life’s mysteries on your own! Part 2
(Answer)
Recipe:
Zesty Zucchini Enchiladas
For a lighter take on
enchiladas, go carb- free by swapping tortillas
for zucchini!
Ingredients
•
2 teaspoons chili powder
•
4 large zucchini
•
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
•
1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
•
2 cups shredded cheese
•
1 large onion, chopped
•
1 can enchilada sauce
•
2 cloves garlic, minced
•
2 teaspoons cumin
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet, heat oil. Add onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and salt to taste. Stir to combine. Saute chicken for 2 minutes, then add 1 cup of the enchilada sauce. 2. Use vegetable peeler to thinly slice zucchini lengthwise. Lay out three slices, slightly overlapping, and spoon chicken mixture on top. Roll the zucchini “tortilla” and place on baking sheet. Repeat until all zucchini and chicken is used.
3. Cover the enchiladas with remaining sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes, and enjoy!
Adapted from delish.com.
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MY CAMPING MISADVENTURE 4 TIPS FOR MENTAL ACUITY HEAR FROM OUR CLIENTS HOW WE MET: THE CONCLUSION GO CARB-FREE FOR DINNER SPRING CLEAN YOUR UTILITY ROOM
The Importance of Spring Cleaning Your Utility Room
The start of spring brings everyone’s favorite seasonal chore — spring cleaning! As you dust, vacuum, organize, and declutter, don’t forget about the one room that often gets neglected. This year, give special attention to the utility closet. The utility closet houses your furnace, boiler, water heater, A/C junction, and other similar large appliances. Homeowners often forget about these appliances because they are out of sight and out of mind, and this can cost a lot in the long run. Like all the other rooms in your home, this space needs to be kept clean. Dust, for instance, can be hard on HVAC systems. Over time, it accumulates in the HVAC intake and clogs the air filter, reducing its effectiveness and efficiency. This results in a short lifespan for your system, higher power bills, and a poorly heated or cooled home. How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter? • Homes with minimal foot traffic (single or double occupancy) and no pets or allergies: 6–12 months. • Family homes (three or more occupants) with no pets or allergies: 3–6 months. • Family homes with at least one pet or minor allergies: 2–3 months. • Family homes with multiple pets or allergies: 1–2 months.
In addition to changing the air filter, it’s important to schedule a routine inspection of your home’s HVAC system. This includes an
inspection of the appliances themselves and any connecting ducts. Dust, dander, and mold can accumulate in the ducts and spread throughout the home, which can lead to health issues, including respiratory problems. A routine inspection will identify potential problems in your HVAC system. On top of that, you can get these systems professionally cleaned and maintained. These are simple steps that will keep your home’s air systems running smoothly for years to come. Plus, you’ll be ready for the summer months ahead!
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