Di Bartolomeo Law Office - December 2022

Take a look at our December newsletter!

Makin’ It Better NEWSLETTER

December 2022

Oregon Workers’ Compensation | Personal Injury | Social Security Disability

1139 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103 • 503-325-8600 • JoeDiBartolomeo.com

We all know “A Christmas Carol,” which features the three ghosts of Christmas as well as Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim. The story is a Christmas classic that many of us read or watch every year. Growing up, I watched this around the holidays too, and as I’ve continued this tradition with my own family, I’ve come to realize something. The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge was written nearly two centuries ago, in 1843 — however, its themes and lessons are still relevant today. Here are some of my favorite takeaways from “A Christmas Carol.” LEARN THROUGH LISTENING. Once Scrooge decides to listen to the spirits, he begins understanding why the ghosts of Christmas showed him different scenes. His actions have consequences — they reveal how others perceive him and encourage him to learn from his mistakes and grow from them. We are often quick to judge and dispute when we don’t understand something, but having an open mind to the situations around us can help us learn. REGRET CAN LEAD TO POSITIVE CHANGE. After the ghost of Christmas “Yet to Come” visits Scrooge, he’s terrified he will die alone and miss the chance to make amends for his cruel actions. But he soon realizes that he doesn’t have to wallow in regret because he still has time to change the course of his life. Although Scrooge seemed nervous about how others would react to his change of heart, his recent epiphany ultimately helps him start over. Likewise, we can use our own realizations about past regrets to make positive changes. FORGIVENESS SHOWS STRENGTH, NOT WEAKNESS. At the end of the story, Scrooge donates money to the two solicitors he turned down at the beginning of the tale. Then, he goes to see Bah Humbug! 4 LESSONS FROM ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim’s father, and gives

him a turkey and a raise. In some stories, Scrooge goes to his nephew’s home

and spends Christmas with them. Yet, in all three cases, Scrooge seeks forgiveness from those he wronged. Although holding yourself accountable for your actions is difficult, you show strength and courage when you seek forgiveness.

CHANGE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE. Some say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Scrooge proves this saying wrong. He decides not to dwell on the past, to let go of his grudges, and to live in the moment. Scrooge shows us that if we want to do something, change our perspective, or start over, now is a perfect time. It’s never too late to change your ways or start fresh. As you and your family watch or read “A Christmas Carol,” discuss the lessons you learn from the tale. Can you identify other themes and meanings in the story? I would love to know your thoughts.

I hope you and your family will have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful start to the new year.

–Joe Di Bartolomeo

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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Boost Your Health While Helping the Environment

HEAD OUT IN GROUPS. Everything is more fun with others! Round up a group of friends, family, or coworkers and join the initiative together. If you’re up for it, you can even make it a contest! ADD IN DIFFERENT EXERCISES. Plogging doesn’t only have to incorporate jogging — while gathering trash; you can do squats, burpees, lunges, or even pushups. SWITCH UP ARMS. While plogging, holding the garbage bag in the same hand can become uncomfortable, especially as that bag gets heavier! Be sure to change which arm holds it from time to time! INCORPORATE SPRINTS. If jogging becomes too simple for you, try sprinting between trash to intensify the activity. Plogging is a great way to reduce pollution while getting in your workout! Local parks, neighborhoods, and common areas are a great place to start!

According to Our World in Data, the world manufactures more than 270 million tons of plastic annually. About 8 million tons of this plastic winds up in the ocean — that’s 3%! Plogging, a fad that originated in Sweden to help minimize pollution, is taking the world by storm. Essentially, you jog and pick up litter at the same time! Some cardio and a giant clean- up effort? It’s a great way to enjoy the cool winter temperatures while doing something good for the environment! Plogging can be done with others, at any time, and pretty much anywhere litter or trash exists. It’s a win-win! The origin of the word “plogging,” according to the Farmer’s Almanac, comes from a combination of jogging and the Swedish word for “pick up,” which is “plocka upp.” All you need is a pair of running shoes, a trash bag, stamina, some free time, and water to stay hydrated! If you’re interested in taking up the hobby or plogging every now and then to make a difference in our environment, here are some tips to keep the activity fun and interesting!

When applying for disability benefits, one often overlooked aspect is keeping a journal that details the extent of your condition. It helps strengthen your application and increases your chances of getting approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Describing the extent of your injury or disability and how it affects your everyday life helps the SSA better understand why you cannot work due to your condition. So, these details may convince the SSA representative to rule in your favor. No detail is too small when providing documentation and evidence to help strengthen a disability application. Aside from including all the things you cannot do because of your disability, it’s essential to have the time and dates of any incidents or occurrences linked to the disability. For example, any incidents such as seizures, headaches, or episodes of other weakening bodily pains should be noted, along with how long they lasted, which circumstances triggered them, and any medications you have been prescribed. The list of medications is important, especially if they’ve caused any side effects. How Journaling Strengthens Your SSD Application HAVE YOU HEARD OF PLOGGING? Write It All Down!

Writing down the specific locations of the body in pain and describing its nature can help you effectively depict your pain. It is often difficult to prove because pain is so subjective. Still, the more detail you provide, the more an SSA representative can understand the severity of it. Update your journal and write regularly so you have evidence of your ongoing pain. In addition, a journal can be helpful in mentioning any emergencies. If you experience a sudden change in your condition requiring immediate surgery or an unscheduled treatment, documenting medical care can also strengthen your application. Remember, being as descriptive as possible can significantly improve the chances of a Social Security Disability application approval and reward of disability benefits.

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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

AVOID FIRE HAZARDS DURING THE HOLIDAYS HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME FESTIVE AND FIRE-FREE

SPACE HEATERS Braving the cold can be difficult, but a space heater should only be used as a temporary heating source. Not only should you never plug space heaters into extension cords, but you should also keep them away from curtains, beds, sofas, paper, clothing, and flammable liquids. Also, never leave one unattended. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS You can never have too many fire extinguishers! Having a few around the house that you know how to use is vital. A great way to remember is the P.A.S.S. method — pull the pin, aim

With twinkling lights around the Christmas tree, candles burning bright, and the fireplace glowing, your home is very cozy during the holiday season. However, while your home may look perfect, those warm and fuzzy additions also increase fire hazards. A house fire will undoubtedly take the joy out of celebrating the holidays, so take these precautions to ensure you’ll have a safe, fire-free holiday. CHRISTMAS TREES Did you know the quickest way to make your tree go up in flames is to let it go unwatered? Just 2–3 days without water could be enough to dry it out, and a simple spark near any dry wood can start a fire. So, check the water level daily and keep the tree hydrated! You can even take it a step further and purchase a fire-resistant artificial tree! This is the route for those who want to avoid the maintenance and possible hazard of a real one. This doesn’t mean the tree won’t catch on fire, but it will better resist burning and can be extinguished more quickly. HOLIDAY LIGHTS Before plugging in a strand of lights, examine the cord for any damage. It should be free of any frayed wires or loose edges since it can quickly spark, starting a fire in a matter of moments. If you plan to use many lights, plug them into multiple circuits to avoid overloading.

the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent, and sweep the nozzle side to side at the bottom of the fire until it goes out.

Understanding the potential fire hazards associated with this time of year allows you to take simple precautions to ensure your home and family are safe while enjoying the holiday season.

PUZZLE

No wonder the Grinch stole this roast beast — it’s absolutely mouthwatering.

Ingredients

Directions

• 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tbsp paprika • 2 tsp black pepper • 2 tsp salt • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1 5-lb bone-in rib-eye roast • 3 tbsp butter • 2 heads of garlic, halved • 2 bay leaves • 4 thyme sprigs

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, pepper, salt, and olive oil. 3. Place roast in a baking pan and coat with spice mixture. Let marinate uncovered in refrigerator for 1 hour. 4. Place pan on stove over high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, then add butter, garlic, and herbs. 5. When butter melts, add broth, beer, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. 6. Transfer pan to oven. Braise until meat is tender, up to 2 hours. 7. Remove roast from pan and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, strain pan juices and put back into pan and boil until reduced by half. When finished, slice roast and serve with pan sauce.

• 2 rosemary sprigs • 1/2 cup beef broth • 1 12-oz bottle of stout beer • 1 15-oz can diced

tomatoes (with liquid)

Inspired by TasteMade.com

The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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503-325-8600 JoeDiBartolomeo.com

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1139 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103

What’s Inside

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Don’t Be a Scrooge!

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Banish Trash With Plogging Why You Should Keep a Disability Journal

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Stay Safe and Celebrate With These Fire Safety Tips Whoville Roast Beast

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The Pros and Cons of USB Blankets

Do Heated Blankets Live Up to the Hype? WARM AND FUZZY

Electric blankets have endured their fair share of controversy over the years. People who use them tend to love them, but doctors’ warnings and instances of house fires have left many consumers feeling cold. Now there’s a new generation of blankets on the market. With their portability, USB charging, and suitability for outdoors, are they any safer than the ones that came before — or worth your money? The newest heated blankets offer a variety of features. While some plug into the wall like the ones we’ve seen for decades, others use USB charging, which makes them perfect for use inside your car. Some contain a battery that is charged

freezing. And indoors, they help many people save money by using electricity to heat their blankets instead of gas to heat their homes.

But these gadgets do have drawbacks. Portable models tend to be small due to removable batteries. Meanwhile, outdoor models often require an outlet. And some electronic models are impossible to place in your washing machine, allowing for spot-cleaning only. Then there are also some safety concerns. Electronics must follow strict guidelines that are mandated by the government — this means these products should be safe to use, as long as users follow the instructions in the manual. Unfortunately, not everyone follows directions, and doctors warn that many people have experienced burns from their heated blankets. People with neuropathy (nerve damage) are particularly vulnerable. Experts also point out that heated blankets can disrupt sleep cycles since they might make it hard for people to cool down throughout the night. So, does that make heated blankets a good holiday gift or not? Everyone will need to determine their comfort level with these products. Consumers who want to take the plunge should research products carefully, follow the instructions, and never use a heated blanket with fraying wires or fabric. And — as good as the heated blanket may feel — remember to give yourself some breaks. No one is cut out to be that toasty all the time.

separately and then added back into the blanket for no-strings-attached comfort. Outdoor models, sometimes called “stadium blankets,” even have extra insulating material to keep the warmth lasting longer. Many people enjoy the versatility and comfort that heated blankets can provide, but there are other benefits too. USB models can be perfect for your car’s emergency safety kit. Outdoor models allow you to spend more time outdoors in winter without

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The Di Bartolomeo Law Office, P.C. 1139 Exchange Street | Astoria, Oregon | 503-325-8600 | www.JoeDiBartolomeo.com

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