Check out our December newsletter!
DEC 2021
I COME TO FIGHT. I DON’T BARK. I BITE! WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364
REFLECTING ON WHAT’S IMPORTANT Why December Is the Best Month
December is one of my favorite times of the year. For starters, Dec. 3 is my birthday, but I also enjoy all the holiday parties and get-togethers with family and friends filled with food and fellowship. Many of us get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle, and it can seem like everything is nonstop. Christmas has always been special to me since I was a child. My parents didn’t buy me a lot during the year, but on Christmas, I was showered with gifts. I was that boy who believed in the magic of Christmas. I still try to make the holiday season special as an adult to put a little extra magic in the holiday. Alison and I usually put our Christmas tree up early or mid-November. We have an artificial tree, but we always had real trees growing up. Back when I was a child, my parents would take me to the Christmas tree farm in Winnsboro, Texas, where we would take a hay ride to cut down our
from all over the DFW metroplex get to come shop for Christmas gifts for their kids. This is an amazing ministry that blesses hundreds of children from all over the metroplex with Christmas presents. My wife is working with Safe Haven to provide children and families who are victims of domestic violence a holiday season filled with surprises while they are residing in a shelter. This year has been tough on some folks. I encourage you to help someone who needs it this Christmas if you can go through an organization in your community. I know nowadays I get more joy out of giving than I do getting.
As 2021 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on where we are at. I am so thankful for the great life I get to live today. We have a healthy family. We have a thriving business where we get to help people every day through crisis situations. It’s so rewarding. In three short years, our firm has grown from just me as a true solo to a team of 16 as I’m writing this today. God has really blessed us, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2022.
own tree. Those were some great memories. I do like the smell of a real tree in the house but don’t miss cleaning up all the pine needles left behind when the dead tree is removed! We may get a real tree this year, though. It would be fun to go cut one down and bring it home.
From our family to yours, have a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a wonderful New Year!
It’s important for us to help out others during this season as well. We support Mission Arlington and their Christmas store where underprivileged families
–Matt Aulsbrook
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DEFENSIVE DRIVING 101 SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS ALONE?
BOOST YOUR MOOD WITH THESE TIPS
Many Americans spend the holidays alone every year, and the pandemic has only made it more difficult for people to see their loved ones, as travel has become more restricted and strenuous. If you’re one of these people who are spending their first holiday season alone this year, here are a few strategies you can try to make the situation a little easier. Don’t hold yourself to the usual standards. One of the best things about spending the holidays alone is that you can do things your way. You don’t have to worry about meeting everyone else’s standards. Instead, you only have to make yourself happy. Simply telling yourself that you are not going to have the usual holiday environment can slightly help, but redefining what the holiday means to you can remove a huge weight. Trying new things or looking toward the future are great ways to reduce the stress of spending the holidays alone. Keeping up with old traditions may remind you of what you’re missing out on, so it can greatly help to create your own traditions. Plan ahead. If you know in advance that you’re going to be spending the holidays alone, planning ahead can prevent negative feelings. While being spontaneous can sometimes keep things fresh, it could leave you with a feeling of hopelessness about what to do next. There’s no need for your list to be extensive or highly detailed, but even just planning to watch a movie or cook some of your favorite dishes can give you something to look forward to. Take care of yourself. Just because you’re not seeing people during the holidays does not mean you should forgo your basic needs. Stick to your regular hygiene habits and do not let them get away from you. The same goes for eating and sleeping. Staying clean, well-fed, and well- rested goes a long way toward improving your happiness. As with all mental health advice, what works for some does not work for everyone. Do what you think will work best for you and help you keep your thoughts happy.
Defensive driving is more than just following traffic laws and procedures. It’s driving that allows you to protect yourself and other drivers on the road using safe strategies before an accident can occur. Follow these tips to get started on your journey to becoming a better and safer driver. Plan ahead. Defensive driving begins before your tires hit the road. Check weather conditions, how heavy traffic is, and the time of day that you will be driving. You want to leave yourself enough time to make your commute safe and not rushed. Feeling like you’re running behind can lead to road rage, faster driving, and quick decisions, which may cause an accident. Be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what is going on around you. Check your mirrors frequently and look at what traffic is doing ahead of you. If cars are braking in front of you, begin to slow down rather than coming up on the vehicle in front of you at a high speed. This way, you have more room in case someone brakes hard behind you, and you can warn drivers behind you about an unexpected stop. Checking traffic in front of you and behind you also helps you find an escape route if needed. You will be able to maneuver your vehicle for the best chance of you seeing and being seen. Always leave yourself a way out and be sure to check your blind spots! Don’t depend on other drivers. On the road, you’re on your own. You can’t assume that a driver is going to move out of the way for you to merge or switch lanes or be courteous at all. Plan your moves by anticipating the worst-case scenario and assume the worst but hope for the best. Driving is a freedom that most people can enjoy, but while it can be fun to bust out the best car tunes and take the scenic route, driving comes with big responsibilities and can be dangerous. If you took the necessary precautions on the road and still end up in an accident, please call us at 817.775.5364 . We’re here to help you get the compensation you deserve after a crash.
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Finding Home Finding a Safe Place for Older Loved Ones
The holiday season is a time for gathering with your loved ones, but it can also be a reality check for many families. Their older loved ones may appear “not all there,” disheveled, or just simply off. It may be a sign that the older adult is in need of extra care, whether that’s found in an assisted living or nursing facility or through an at-home caregiver. As you decide, keep these telltale signs of good and bad elder care options in mind. This can prevent an all-too-common issue: elder abuse. The Ugly Side of Caregiving Because senior populations may rely on others for daily functions, they can be susceptible to abuse and neglect. Often, there are issues that can alert a family member to such occurrences. For instance, if a facility has a strong smell of urine or feces, this is a sign that the facility may not have enough staff to help older adults use the restroom, so residents live in unsanitary conditions. Other common signs of neglect or abuse include a lack of privacy — staff members don’t knock — or mistrust of staff. Texas-Sized LAUGHS
When touring a new facility, monitor resident interactions with staff and daily activities to gauge the health of the facility. Ask for references when interviewing at-home caregivers. Signs of a Good Facility and Caregiver A great facility will be active. There will be activities posted on a bulletin board, regular celebrations, decor matching the theme of the season, and residents milling about in common areas. Another positive sign is outdoor space and plant life. If a facility has patios, bird-watching spaces, and blooming plants, the staff cares about creating a relaxing environment for their residents. It’s also a great idea to inquire about volunteers. Scouting troops, churches, and local resource centers will often partner with the best local senior services to provide activities and workshops for their residents. This is a sign that caregivers are invested in the well-being of their residents. Choosing the right care options for your loved one isn’t easy, but feeling confident in the people you trust with your loved one’s care can offer peace of mind. If that comfort is dashed by signs of elder abuse, contact Aulsbrook Law Firm today. We can help you fight for justice.
CELTIC YULE CUPCAKES
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • •
2 eggs
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3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup butter
1 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract Orange zest, to taste
1 1/3 cups raisins 2 tbsp hot water
2/3 cup sugar 1 1/4 cups flour
2 cups powdered sugar
DIRECT IONS
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. 2. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, butter, vanilla, orange zest, and sugar. 3. Add the flour and baking powder, then fold in the milk and raisins. 4. Grease a cupcake tin before pouring the batter into it. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool. 6. In a small bowl, blend the hot water and powdered sugar to create the icing. 7. Ice your cupcakes and serve!
Inspired by RecipesForAPaganSoul.weebly.com
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INSIDE Reflecting on 2021 During the Holidays 1
Tips for Spending the Holidays Alone
Defense Is the Best Offense 2
Finding a Safe Place for Older Loved Ones
Celtic Yule Cupcakes 3
Why Basketball Is a Christmas Day Tradition 4 Cases We Handle: • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death
• Car Wreck • Truck Wreck
Merry Hoopsmas!
WHY BASKETBALL IS A CHRISTMAS STAPLE
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Kings of Christmas Day: Since their initial 1947 debut, the New York Knicks have gone on to play the most holiday games of any other NBA team. They have 22 wins and 31 losses, giving them the most losses on Christmas Day. (Until recently, they had the most wins, too, but the Los Angeles Lakers now hold that title.) Point Pros: This year could be a historic one for the NBA. LeBron James is slated to surpass the late Kobe Bryant for the most points scored on Christmas Day. James needs 13 points to outpace Bryant when the Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets this year. However, the title for most points scored in a Christmas Day game goes to Bernard King of the Knicks, who scored 60 points in a 1984 loss to the then-New Jersey Nets.
Nothing says Christmas quite like basketball — at least, that’s been the case since 1947. In addition to stockings, eggnog, and general yuletide cheer, each Christmas Day brings about an annual lineup of basketball games featuring the National Basketball Association’s best of the best, and it’s become a time-honored tradition.
forward and players didn’t have to travel too far from their families.
That looks different today. In contrast to the National Football League’s Thanksgiving Day games, where the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always play, Christmas Day is now reserved for the NBA’s top teams. In many ways, this is a marketing ploy designed to heighten NBA viewership on a day when few other sports host games, and by using their best teams,
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But where in the North Pole did this idea come from?
While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact reason, the NBA has hosted Christmas Day
the NBA can ensure viewers are treated to great games.
games since 1947, when the New York Knicks beat the Providence Steamrollers 89–75. For decades, teams
However, for loyal fans and viewers, the tradition has
sparked a few great moments, including the following greatest games, statistics, and achievements — plus a potential record to watch for this year.
across the league would play their regional rivals on Dec. 25, ensuring the basketball season moved
You can catch all five Christmas Day games on ESPN and ABC this Christmas Day!
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