Check out our March newsletter!
March 2023
AaronMillerLaw.com 214.292.4225
A JACK OF ALL TRADES Is There Anything My Dad Can’t Do?
I’m excited to watch a new chapter in my dad’s life begin this spring. He’s turning 73 on March 1, and he’s launching a business as a one-man hotshot trucking company in Louisiana. He got the idea about a year ago when he met a guy in Alaska who had a second career after retirement — delivering camping trailers! This will be his second time with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). He also drove trucks when I was preschool age, but he only did it for about six months because he felt it took too much time away from home. Still, he has always loved to drive, so he’s giving it another try on a smaller scale with his Ford F-350 and a super long trailer. My dad is no stranger to changing careers; he has had so many jobs in his life that I’ve lost count. I think he gets bored after doing the same thing for too long — which is probably the same reason he’s coming out of retirement after only a couple of years. He has a remarkably diverse resume, and it’s incredible to think one man has done so many things. As a kid, Dad grew up on a farm and worked there. He also worked for the town’s newspaper setting type (they still used moveable type back then). The tip of his middle finger is still slightly crooked because he used to press down, making the type even. At some point, Dad had a summer job in a fishery in Alaska, where he was cleaning and packaging fish fresh off the boat. This was well before anyone ever thought to make “Deadliest Catch” on TV. Later, Dad eventually moved to Alaska, met mom, and got married. I was born in Anchorage, and shortly after, we moved to Valdez, Alaska, where my sister was born. He was a pastor of a small church as well as a part-time fisherman. One of my earliest memories even involves his days working on a fishing boat. I walked by our kitchen sink and saw an enormous crab sitting there. It’s fair to say it scared me pretty good! I don’t remember eating it, but I’ve never forgotten the shock of that sight. As I got older and we moved, he learned how to repair small printing presses and eventually bought a printing business. I worked there during the summer, first as the typesetter (things had gone modern by then — it was on a computer instead of moveable type), then I helped run a press, which I loved doing. He eventually became an airline mechanic, then the Chief Inspector for a small airline in Fairbanks. Dad briefly thought about going back into that before deciding the relicensing process was too cumbersome, and he’d rather drive a truck. But there were many jobs and money-making ventures along the way. He even owned a janitorial company for a while!
I’ve lost track of all the multilevel marketing companies he was involved with — I’ve eaten a lot of diet cookies over the years.
There’s more. Dad helped build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline by cooking breakfast for the workers and later driving concrete trucks. He built houses with his best friend from high school for a while. He even spent time as a farrier — the trade that involves putting shoes on horses. So, it’s not a huge shock that he wants to return to work or try something new. My grandparents got a motorhome and toured the country during retirement, and my parents dreamt of doing the same. Unfortunately, my mom passed away fairly young, upending their plans. Since he can’t get an RV with Mom, this is probably the next best thing. He’ll see the country while making a little money along the way. I hope this latest gig makes him happy. But if he gets bored again, I’m sure he has another trick up his sleeve.
-Aaron Miller
AaronMillerLaw.com | 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
ARE YOU PREPARED?
Are Your Tools Ready? Utilizing the proper tools will help make your gardening tasks much more manageable. During the final few weeks of winter and the first week of spring, spend some time in your shed or garage to get your tools cleaned up. Use your hose to remove any excess dirt from the previous gardening season and a wire brush to remove rust. You should soak your smaller tools in soapy water, but be sure to rinse and dry them afterward. Coating your wood handles with linseed oil will keep them in better shape for longer. Once your tools are pristine, it’s time to move into your gardening space. Clean Up Your Gardening Space If you’ve gardened in previous years, you probably already have a space for vegetables, flowers, and other plants. You should create a dedicated space for your crops if you don’t. Once you have a space, you need to get it cleaned up. Start by removing any leaves, branches, and other debris that’s fallen into the area. Also, remove any dead plants around the area. Once the area is clear, you should lay down your mulch if it’s needed for any of your plants. This will help regulate moisture and keep your soil at a consistent temperature while fending off pesky weeds. Get Your Seeds and Soil Prepared Now that your tools and space are ready to garden, you can get your seeds and soil ready. Pick out the best soil for the plant you’re growing and your location. Before laying your soil, check the area for weeds, and pull them as soon as you see them. Continue this practice until the weeds have stopped sprouting. Now, you’re ready to start planting. Get your preferred seeds from the store and plant them according to the packet instructions. You can add Miracle-Gro plant food to give your plants the best chance of surviving. When you start your gardening preparations early, you set yourself up for the best chance of successfully growing flowers, vegetables, fruits, and other plants. Good luck with your gardening adventures this spring!
The spring season officially kicks off on March 20. If you’re planning to have a garden this year and haven’t started preparing yet, now is the time to do so. Without proper planning, creating a successful garden can be very difficult. Take the next few weeks to get your ducks in a row, so you can start planting your seeds as soon as possible to grow healthy, beautiful fruits and flowers. If you’re unsure what to do to prepare properly, don’t stress or worry; we’ve got you covered! Below, you’ll find a few tricks to set your garden up for success.
2 | 214.292.4225
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Throughout history, there have been countless women who have performed awe-inspiring feats. From Joan of Arc to Amelia Earhart, there are many women you can research who helped change the world for the better. And there’s no better way to teach your children about these amazing women than by watching a movie about their accomplishments. Here’s a list of movies worth watching to recognize Women’s History Month. ‘Hidden Figures’ Movies about astronauts and space travel usually do well at the box office, but they often don’t focus on the efforts made behind the scenes. “Hidden Figures” flips the script and tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan, three black women who helped turn the tide of the space race in America’s favor. These women crossed numerous barriers to play fundamental roles in the effort to send John Glenn into space. It’s an inspirational watch that will help your children realize they can accomplish anything. ‘Suffragette’ In today’s society, many of us take our rights for granted, but there was a time when many didn’t even have the right to vote. “Suffragette” tells the During Women’s History Month Explore These Powerful Female- Driven Movies
story of the British women who sacrificed everything to help all women gain the ability to vote over 100 years ago. They used art, debate, propaganda, and even vandalism in their protests. Their efforts led to the passing of the Representation of the People Act, which granted some women the right to vote. American women gained their right to vote shortly after. This movie is rated PG-13 due to some intense violence, so viewer discretion is advised. ‘Harriet’ Harriet Tubman is one of the most well-known individuals from the Underground Railroad and the Civil War era. Most of us know she was instrumental in helping hundreds escape slavery, but how much more do you know about the woman behind the actions? “Harriet” takes a deep dive into Tubman’s life by exploring her early life and showing how she became a leader in the Underground Railroad.
TAKE A BREAK
CLASSIC CABBAGE ROLLS
Ingredients
Directions
• 1 medium head cabbage • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided • 1 tbsp butter • 2 14.5-oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp brown sugar • 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided • 1 cup cooked rice • 1/4 cup ketchup • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 lb lean (90%) ground beef • 1/4 lb Italian sausage
1. In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse in cold water; drain. Remove 8 large outer leaves; set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, sauté 1 cup onion in butter. Add tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a large bowl, combine rice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining onion and salt. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix. 4. Remove thick vein from cabbage leaves for easier rolling. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides. Starting at an unfolded edge, roll leaf to completely enclose filling. Place rolls seam side down in a skillet. Top with sauce. 5. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted reads 160 F.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
AaronMillerLaw.com | 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
214.292.4225 www.AaronMillerLaw.com 1400 Preston Road, Suite 118 Plano, Texas 75093 INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
Aaron’s Dad’s New Adventure
2
Tricks to Help You Prepare for Gardening Season
3
Movies Featuring Prominent Women in History
Classic Cabbage Rolls
4
Pro Tips to Organize Your Home This Spring
Add Organization to Your Spring-Cleaning List! 4 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOUSE TIDY
Label messy cords with tape. As working from home and numerous consumer electronics (shut up, Alexa!) become more prevalent in our lives, the cords connecting these devices can become tangled and hard to differentiate. By wrapping a piece of painter’s or washi tape around a cord, you can create a tag to write what that cord is attached to. So, no more guessing which cords you’re unplugging!
It’s March — the month of spring-cleaning! While many often think of scrubbing the windows or washing the floors, spring is the perfect time to reorganize your house into a more efficient space. And no, you don’t need fancy storage furniture or shiny color-coded bins to get your home in order. There are many small things you can do just by using clever tricks and throwaway household items. So, try these organization hacks to tidy your home this month and beyond. Keep your matching bed sets together by using a pillowcase to store them. Organize your linen closet by slipping the flat and fitted sheets into one of their respective matching pillowcases (fold the other pillowcase in there as well!). This way, you’ll never have to hunt for the matching sheets again! Use an old disinfecting wipes container to store your plastic bags. If you like to reuse plastic shopping bags at home, finding a way to store them can be a pain. Next time you run out of Clorox Wipes (or another generic equivalent), rinse the inside of the container with water and store your plastic bags there. Then with the container’s built-in feeding lid, you’ll be able to pull the bags out one by one as you need them.
Add some chalkboard paint to your jars. Sometimes, we have no idea what’s inside the jars in our pantry. Maybe it’s flour, or maybe it’s powdered sugar. Sometimes, it can be neither! To solve this, you can buy a little jar of chalkboard paint at your nearest craft store and paint squares on your jars (or other unlabeled containers around the house) to write with chalk what’s inside! The best part is you can erase these labels and change them based on the jar’s contents.
These hacks will help you give your spring cleaning a major boost by keeping your home neat and tidy for the rest of the year!
4 | 214.292.4225
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator