Preparing for the Worst november 2019
AND FEELING GRATEFUL THAT IT DIDN’T HAPPEN
As summer wound down, our area faced the prospect of a major hurricane, a Category 5 that would rival Hurricane Andrew. It made a lot of native Floridians shake in their flip-flops, including us. Hurricane Andrew was devastating for Miami, and Hurricane Dorian looked like it would make a similar impression on West Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast. Like many others in our community, Chris and I stored up on the essentials of food, water, and pet supplies. We boarded up our house, brought everything that was outdoors inside, and made our evacuation plans.
Gardens, which is a more solid, cinder-block structure. We felt a sense of community in preparing for the worst. Despite the fear we felt, it was comforting to know we had family and friends who would be there for us. Then, as quickly as the threat appeared, the storm turned away and it was time to take the storm shutters down. This left me with a strange mix of feelings afterward, especially when I consider all that preparation. I took the storm shutters back down, returned the patio furniture outside, and did all the other busywork. But the alternative is frightening, and
A day before the storm was going to hit us, it stalled over the Bahamas, going only 1 mph. Thankfully for Florida, this meant the storm had more time to make the highly anticipated 90-degree turn north. While we breathed a sigh of relief, we could not help but think about what was happening to the Islands of the Bahamas. Elbow Cay, a spot that Chris visited just this past June, took the brunt of Dorian’s force. What were once adorable beach cottages just steps from the water became mangled and unrecognizable pieces of debris. We feel for our Bahamian neighbors and their heartache. Our thoughts go out to them.
our preparation wasn’t for nothing — one look at pictures of the Bahamas will tell you that. Dorian was a powerful force to be reckoned with, and we’re overwhelmingly grateful we did not have to contend with it. Overall, we’re left with an immense feeling of gratitude coupled with deep sadness for our neighbors. During a month of giving thanks, we are thankful there was no damage to the Florida coast. We will show our thanks by donating our extra hurricane supplies to relief organizations in the Bahamas. Our hearts go out to the people affected, and we hope our contributions will be a small way to show them that people care and are here for support.
Something you may notice in times like this is how people come together and help one another. As the storm approached, we saw neighbors assisting one another to put on storm shutters and close up outdoor structures. We have a well, so if the power goes out, we’re without running water. Our neighbors helped us get a generator, and everyone pitches in with food and water. In high winds, our frame house wouldn’t hold up well, so as Dorian approached, we contemplated leaving home for Chris’ parents’ house in Palm Beach
– Ashley and Chris Bruce
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Know the Basics for Your Divorce We recognize that it’s not easy to think about, but knowing the basics of the divorce process can set you on the best possible footing as you move forward. You don’t need to know everything — that’s what your attorney is for. But having a general sense of the process will help you prepare for each step and give you a better understanding of how it all works. Here’s an overview of the second phase of most divorces, called the discovery process. A Look at the Discovery Process About one month after you’ve filled a petition for divorce, the second step of proceedings is what’s called the discovery process. This is the term used by courts and lawyers to describe the exchange of financial information between the two parties. This exchange allows attorneys to put together an idea of the financial state of each party. Florida’s mandatory disclosure laws require each party to exchange three years of tax returns, one year of savings and retirement statements, three months of bank and credit card statements, and other documents. In more complex cases, lawyers will ask for three years of most financial and business records. As part of the document exchange process, lawyers can subpoena records from you or your spouse’s banks, employers, accountants, and anyone else who may have relevant information pertaining to the divorce case. Do you have further questions about this process? Don’t just rely on Google. The internet is a wealth of resources on endless topics, and the divorce process is no exception. What’s out there, though, is not always written by legal professionals, and having insight from a trusted attorney can make a world of difference in how you approach your divorce. In our online “Florida Divorce Law Guide” video series — available on our website — attorney Christopher Bruce walks you through each step of the divorce process, making it straightforward and simple with only the information you need to know to have the best divorce. The discovery process: the initial exchange of financial records
ENGAGE YOUR KIDS ON THANKSGIVING WITH THESE GRATITUDE-THEMED GAMES Thanksgiving is an excellent time to teach children about gratefulness. By planning some fun, gratitude-themed games, you can impart a valuable lesson and spend some quality family time together. Get your kids in the holiday spirit by adding a Thanksgiving twist to these classic games. PICTIONARY Want to bring out your kids’ creative sides? Pictionary is the perfect way to encourage artistic expression and grateful thinking. Try adding a rule where players have to draw something they’re grateful for. This will get your kids thinking beyond turkey and stuffing and give them an imaginative way to express their gratitude. Plus, who doesn’t love a good art contest? GUESS WHO? To play gratitude-themed Guess Who?, have each participant write down their name and something they’re thankful for on a slip of paper and put it in a bowl. Then, at the dinner table, have each person draw a random slip and read what it says without saying the name while everyone else tries to guess who wrote it. While Pictionary may get your kids talking about what they are thankful for, Guess Who? will tune them into what others around them are thankful for too. PICK-UP STICKS Like regular pick-up sticks, the goal is to remove a stick from a haphazard pile without disturbing the others. However, by using colored sticks that represent different kinds of thankfulness — such as places, people, or food — you can make players think outside the box. This will ensure you get a wide range of creative, thoughtful answers whenever the kids pick up a stick. These modified games are great for helping your kids realize how much they have to be thankful for. Use these to spend some fun, educational, quality time with your family this Thanksgiving.
You can find more information and resources on our website, FloridaDivorceLawGuide.com.
Is your friend or client in need of a guide as they prepare for divorce? our divorce strategy book can help! The book can be downloaded for FREE at ControlYourDifficultDivorce.com. If your friend or client lives in the South Florida area, we will mail them a hard copy of the book upon request.
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Giving Back There’s No Better Time Than Now In the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s destruction, we want to highlight this Thanksgiving season as a time for giving to those less fortunate. So, in the spirit of the holiday, we encourage you to consider donating to a worthwhile cause. Here are some wonderful ideas for where to start. BAHAMAS HURRICANE RECOVERY While donating physical supplies like cases of water or unused toiletries is helpful, relief organizations say the most effective way to help those in the Bahamas devastated by Dorian is with cash donations. Shipping and distributing donated goods rack up extra costs that could have gone directly to survivors. Your donations instead go directly to purchases like generators and cleaning supplies, and because they’re bought in the Bahamas, it helps the economy get back on its feet. Visit Bahamas.com/ relief to see where you can donate. PEGGY ADAMS ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE For over 90 years, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League has been sheltering, treating, fixing, microchipping, and adopting out thousands of lost and abandoned pets. Recently, they’ve started taking in Bahamian animals that were displaced by Hurricane Dorian. You can volunteer your time at their facility or one of their events, or you can donate pet supplies and goods directly by visiting PeggyAdams.org/donate.
LITTLE SMILES FLORIDA From St. Lucie to Miami-Dade County, this organization fulfills the needs of newborns to young adults in local hospitals, hospices, and shelters. Whether the kids they treat have life-altering illnesses, suffer from abandonment, or experience other trauma, Little Smiles believes in the power of providing toys, clothes, fun events, and transportation to kids who simply don’t have any. Sign up to volunteer your time or host a toy drive at LittleSmilesFL.org/get-involved. BIG HEART BRIGADE Big Heart Brigade feeds less fortunate families, former service members, and former first responders throughout the year, but they’re best known for their annual Thanksgiving Feast. Thousands of volunteers from South Florida prepare and distribute Thanksgiving meals to those who don’t have the means to traditionally celebrate the holiday. Volunteer your time or donate Christmas gifts by visiting BigHeartBrigade.com/volunteer.
have a LAUGH
Green Beans With Ginger and Garlic
ingredients
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1/2 tsp ground ginger
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2 lbs whole green beans, ends trimmed
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1 tsp crushed red pepper
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6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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Kosher salt, to taste
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2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. To the side of the stove, prepare a large bucket of ice water. 2. Cook beans in boiling water for 4 minutes. Immediately transfer to ice water. Drain and pat dry. 3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in ground ginger and crushed pepper. Add green beans. 4. Cook together for 2–3 minutes. 5. Transfer to plate and serve.
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
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Reflecting on Hurricane Dorian page 1
Gratitude-Themed Games for Kids
Know the Basics Before Your Divorce page 2
Ways You Can Give Back page 3
Go to an Art Museum Day page 4
3 Hidden Gems Celebrating American Art Go to an Art Museum Day
SHELBURNE MUSEUM Vermont
Go to an Art Museum Day, which takes place on Nov. 9, is very clear about how you should celebrate it: Go to an art museum! This holiday is an important reminder of the wealth of art and creativity housed in our nation’s museums. Many facilities participate in the holiday with events and discounted entry fees. While East Coast art meccas like New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Musuem of Art immediately come to mind, there are some hidden gems in our country that deserve a second (or first) look.
Experience American history, art, and design at this impressive museum that was “designed to allow visitors the pleasure of discovery and exploration.” From architecture to impressionist art, the 35 acres of this
museum house 39 different structures, each celebrating a subsection of American art. Founded by Electra Havemeyer Webb, an art lover and collector, Shelburne Museum exemplifies her vision of an institution that celebrates both past and present.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART Wyoming
CHINATI FOUNDATION Marfa, Texas
It’s hard to beat the setting of this museum. Located in Jackson, Wyoming, the National Museum of Wildlife Art is nestled into a cliff that overlooks the pristine National Elk Refuge. As if the beautiful environment
This contemporary art museum carries out the intentions of artist and founder Donald Judd, who sought to create a sense of time and place through thoughtful curation and design. Judd emphasized “works in which art and
weren’t enough, the museum is also filled with 14 galleries (over 5,000 pieces) from artists who evoke the relationship between humans and the natural world, including pieces from Georgia O’Keeffe, John James Audubon, John Clymer, and Robert Kuhn. In 1994, the museum received the Wyoming Humanities Award, and, in 2008, it received its current designation as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States from Congress.
the surrounding landscape are inextricably linked.” Located on 340 acres of land, the museum includes permanent and temporary installations. The foundation also supports artist residence and educational programs. Judd’s ideas, and their manifestation in Chinati, have helped establish Marfa as an international art destination.
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