Law Offices Of William F. Underwood - January 2022

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JANUARY 2022

First Year of Parenting — Complete HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISABELLA!

Before we became parents, Priscila and I used to laugh at parents who hosted birthday parties for their 1-year-old. It seemed a little ridiculous to host a party for someone who wouldn’t even remember it.

Then, we became parents. And we realized first parties were for the parents — to celebrate one whole year of surviving parenthood!

One year ago this month, Priscila and I welcomed Isabella into the world. In some ways, this past year feels as though it’s been an eternity; in other ways, it’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since she was born. Through the ups and downs, Priscila and I have learned a lot in our first year as parents. I’m not sure I’m qualified to offer any “parenting advice,” but I certainly have more confidence today than I did last year at this time. Becoming a dad was terrifying for me. I worried about being able to make a bottle and feeding her or doing other basic care things for her. Today, I’m happy to say I can do all of those tasks, and they have become second nature. Looking back, a few items helped our first year as a family of three go smoothly. The first was the Shusher, which is a white noise machine for babies that mimics the muffled sounds infants are familiar with from the womb. It was a lifesaver for us during those first few months, and while we don’t use it much anymore, I always recommend it to new parents. The second is a spendier item, and it’s actually quite popular among parents — the Snoo. This modern bassinet essentially rocks and glides your baby to sleep. I cannot overstate how valuable this was for us. It was worth its weight in gold! Luckily, we were able to rent it for a few months to keep the cost down. As we continue to learn about parenthood, we’re watching Isabella grow and discover the world around her. She’s insanely curious about anything and everything, crawling all over the house and putting whatever she can find into her mouth. That’s why it was surprising to us when she wouldn’t eat solid foods! She’s always using her mouth to explore, but she has been very stubborn about actually eating. Our pediatrician says that can happen sometimes, though.

Regardless, it’s been fun to watch how Isabella discovers the world. At the time of writing this cover article, she’s learned how to pull herself up and is showing signs that she could start walking any day now. People keep telling us that this is when the work really begins, but to me, it’s just crazy that only a few months ago, it was a big deal when she learned how to roll over or sit up. Now, she could be up and on the move any moment. I can’t wait for Isabella to start walking, but what I’m most excited about is getting to talk to her. I’m excited to hear what she has to say and to see how her personality continues to grow. You can start to see who your baby may become as their personality grows in that first year, but they can’t really express themselves beyond facial expressions and reactions. Getting to talk to Isabella is going to be such a cool experience. Like many parents approaching this big birthday, we can’t wait to celebrate Isabella. We’ll likely cave in and host a birthday party, celebrating our first year as parents. It’s been a fun, lesson-filled adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy birthday, Isabella!

-William F. “Trey” Underwood, III

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THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A HOBBY SKILLS THAT ENRICH US

January is National Hobby Month, and since it falls at the beginning of the year, it’s the perfect time to try something new! Hobbies add variety to your life and ensure you aren't just living to work, so to speak. The best way to find a hobby you enjoy is to be open to new things. Whether it’s gardening, reading, drawing, running, fishing, crafting, or even beekeeping, finding an activity you enjoy is important. Here’s why! Hobbies are stress relievers. Hobbies offer a healthy escape from your busy lifestyle by keeping you engaged in something you find pleasure in. Instead of just relaxing on the couch and turning off your mind for a bit (which is totally acceptable sometimes), hobbies allow you BECOME A BETTER DRIVER 3 Defensive Driving Tips You follow the speed limit, pay attention to traffic signs, and don’t use your phone while driving. Is there anything else you can do to become a better driver? Yes! You can employ defensive driving techniques that will keep you and other drivers on the road safe. Here are some of those techniques. Plan ahead to stay ahead. It all starts before you even get in your vehicle. Before you head out the door, check the weather. Is it going to be sunny, rainy, or foggy? You also want to check what time of the day you will be out and what the traffic will look like.

to remain mentally productive while winding down at the same time.

you’ll find some great friends who share the same passions as you!

Hobbies also provide eustress. Believe it or not, one type of stress is

Hobbies develop patience. When you take on a new hobby, you are tasked with learning something new. Whether you’re practicing a new instrument, learning a different language, or figuring out how to make jewelry, a learning curve is involved. Building new skills takes patience, a very important attribute for success. Finding a hobby that suits you may take some exploration and trial and error, but it is all in good fun! Make it your goal to try something new or learn a new skill each month until you find something that sticks. Once you do, you’re sure to find that hobbies are both enjoyable and enriching! prepared for! Being prepared to brake will also notify the drivers behind you that you’re slowing down. By checking your surroundings, you’re able to find an escape route if necessary. You can take an exit to bypass traffic or maneuver your vehicle out of the way if you sense that an accident may occur. Only depend on yourself. You aren’t a mind reader and therefore cannot predict what other drivers around you will do. Even if you think they see you merging or switching lanes, you can’t assume they are going to move to give you more room. This is annoying, but keeping your own emotions in check is important. Road rage will only cause further distractions and can endanger yourself and others. Always prepare yourself for the worst but hope for the best. If you find yourself in an accident despite taking all the precautions, allow our team at the Law Office of William F. Underwood to help!

deemed beneficial: eustress. If you aren’t overly stressed and are feeling a little under- stimulated, a hobby can provide activity for both your mind and body to keep you feeling excited about life and ready to take on new challenges and adventures.

Hobbies offer a social outlet. Some hobbies involve group activities, such as bowling, sports teams, book clubs, and even wine tasting. Connecting with others offers the social support humans depend on to lead a healthy and fruitful life. Who knows? Maybe

Allow yourself enough time to get to your destination without having to rush. Feeling rushed and driving in a hurry can lead to an accident because you’re paying more attention to the time rather than what’s going on around you.

Pay attention to your surroundings.

It’s best to look at what’s in front of you and see if you can notice any traffic buildup or if vehicles are switching lanes because of a slow driver or item in the road. You don’t want to roll up on something you weren’t

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HITCH PROPERLY BEFORE YOU GO

PRACTICE PROPER TRAILER SAFETY

The items we pull with trailers are often heading toward something fun, but when not properly hitched to our vehicles, these trailers can

pin — a small metal bar — into this latch. This is necessary and vital to ensure a hitch doesn’t wiggle out of place.

create deadly disasters. A driver cannot control a trailer that detaches from a vehicle, and it rarely rolls forward. Instead, it will swerve left or right, potentially destroying the lives of those it crosses paths with.

Don’t forget chains. Your trailer’s hitch will likely come with two chains. These should be attached to the vehicle in a cross pattern. (Make an “x” with the chains.) While these devices won’t help you tow, an experiment by Minnesota State Troopers and TV station KARE 11 proved that when a ball mount disconnects, chains can prevent a trailer from detaching from the vehicle. Chains could be the difference between a deadly accident and just a few scratches on the bumper. Bonus: Hook up your lights! Trailers block other drivers’ view of your vehicle’s brake lights. Connect your trailer to your vehicle’s electricity — this should be part

This year, make trailer safety a priority before hitting the road for fun.

Check the ball size. Most hitching systems utilize ball mounts. These are devices that attach to the vehicle and have — you guessed it — a ball on the top. The trailer’s hitch fits over the ball on the vehicle. However, in order for this mechanism to work, the hitch and the ball mount must be the same size. Each device will have the size written on it. Use the crank on the hitch of your trailer to perfectly cover and tightly grasp the ball, but never attempt to use a ball mount that isn’t sized properly for a hitch, as this could loosen the grip of the trailer. Latch it down. After the ball and hitch are secured, close the latch on the top of the trailer hitch. This will lock the hitch into place. Then, always insert the

of the hitch and mount — to ensure this vital signal is usable.

Trailer accidents can often be tragic. If you or someone you know is injured due to another driver’s trailer negligence, our team at the Law Office of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. can help. Call us today to learn more.

Ingredients • 3 oz unsalted butter, divided • 2 large leeks, finely sliced • 2 large carrots, finely chopped • 1 tbsp flour • 14 oz chicken stock, warmed • 2 tsp Dijon mustard CHICKEN AND LEEK FILO PIE

We Value You! At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., the trust we build with our clients is our most valuable asset. To show our appreciation, we would like to thank our clients who have referred others to us since our November newsletter:

• 3 tbsp heavy cream • 12 oz cooked chicken, cut into chunks • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • 12 sheets frozen filo pastry, thawed

Martha Craft Austin Cravin Lois Johnson

Keith Jones Eusebio Mitchell

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a pan over low heat, melt 1 oz butter. 3. Add leeks and carrots and cook for 15 minutes, until softened but not colored. 4. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. 5. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring until sauce is smooth, then let simmer for 10 minutes. 6. Stir in mustard and heavy cream, then add cooked chicken and parsley. Transfer to a large ovenproof dish. 7. In a pan, melt remaining butter. 8. Put a single filo sheet on a board and brush with melted butter. Scrunch up pastry sheet and place on top of chicken mixture. Continue until pie is covered. 9. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the filo is golden and chicken mixture is bubbling.

Your recommendations are greatly treasured by everyone at our office. Clients can also leave their comments on our services through Google Reviews! These statements give us critical feedback and help other clients who are facing stressful life situations find dependable lawyers. Previous and current clients can also receive free notary services at our office. Learn more about this service by giving us a call at 229-888-0888.

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Isabella Turns 1! PAGE 1

Why Hobbies Are Important PAGE 2

Time to Get Defensive — On the Road! PAGE 2

3 Steps to Safer Towing PAGE 3

Chicken and Leek Filo Pie PAGE 3

The Original ‘Celebrity’ Athletes PAGE 4

GLADIATORS: THE ORIGINAL CELEBRITY ATHLETES?

matches ended with a combatant’s death. While the gladiators themselves did not have much money, they were very expensive to train and not easily replaced. Promotions for gladiator fights were very similar to what you see when traveling to a professional sports stadium today. Instead of paper posters to promote athletes or upcoming games, the ancient Romans painted their posters directly on walls. These painted posters often gave dates and times for upcoming matches and included gladiators’ names and sometimes even their records. For a better understanding of gladiators and the popularity of their matches, take a look at the Colosseum in Rome. This massive amphitheater was built almost 2,000 years ago and could seat up to 75,000 people. For comparison, the biggest stadiums in America hold a little over 100,000 people. Back then, there were no Jumbotrons or screens to see from far away. Tens of thousands of people would go to watch gladiator fights with nothing but their own two eyes.

January is a big month for sports. The College Football Playoff takes place, the NFL playoffs begin, and the NBA and NHL seasons are fully underway. Stars from each of these leagues have cultivated a global fan base and become celebrities. While this might seem like something that could only happen in the present day thanks to international media and the internet, historically, many gladiators reached untold levels of fame thousands of years ago. For the most part, gladiators were not born into wealth and never saw much money during their careers. In most cases, they were originally slaves who became so indebted that they had nothing left to sell but their bodies. For a variety of reasons, slaves were chosen and sent to gladiatorial schools, where they trained to become the best at their craft. When we think of gladiators, we often picture giant arenas and lots of death, but that was rarely the case. It’s estimated that anywhere from 1 in 5 to 1 in 8

While they might not have had the luxuries or money our current athletes have, gladiators still had quite a bit of fame. If anything, gladiators prove that athletes are and always have been incredibly influential in society.

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