Take a look at our August newsletter!
AUGUST 2024
The Building Blocks for a Balanced Life
IT’S THE PERFECT TIME TO PLAN AND BUDGET YOUR YEAR!
The beginning of August always brings an exciting atmosphere to our community as the kids and teens prepare to take the next step in their educational journey. It’s the start of another school year! For many parents, this is when it feels like the new year truly begins. The calendar may flip to 2025 in January, but the first month of the year rarely brings anything new with it. However, when a new school year starts, parents have to figure out new schedules for their children’s sports, academic, and extracurricular commitments. That’s why the beginning of a new school year is one of the best times for families to sit down and plan out their year. During the pandemic, my husband and I took a more focused approach regarding our planning and budgeting for the year. We decided to dedicate one day a quarter when we’ll speak with our financial advisor, tax planner, and the C-suites from my business to determine our goals for the year and build a plan to turn them into reality. Dave and I will then go to lunch or dinner together to unravel it all and discuss our ideas for our house, vacations, and business. We’ve done this once a quarter for years now, and it’s helped us maintain nearly every aspect of our lives.
While planning once a quarter can be helpful, simply making time to discuss your goals and plans once a year should be enough to get you on the right track. In the weeks leading up to a new school year, take a moment to look at your family’s schedules for the year so you can determine the non-negotiables and decide what you hope to accomplish. Before looking at individual schedules, start by focusing on the big things, like weddings, graduations, birthdays, and holiday travel. Once you’ve looked at your work calendar and your kids’ sports and school schedules, you can make some additional plans. One thing you must keep in mind is that your goals and ideas might not align with those of your spouse or significant other. Dave and I are very different people, so we have to look at his goals versus my goals and find a middle ground. We often have very different ideas for our resources. When we first bought our house, he wanted to pay down a sizeable portion of our mortgage, but I desperately wanted to take a vacation. Instead of allowing it to become a battle, we decided to try and do both our plans simultaneously, but to a lesser extent than if we tried to do just one or the other. You have to get input from both sides. If you fight, nothing will get done, so it’s critical that both sides buy into the plan for the year. It’s also important to get your kids involved, especially when it comes to planning a vacation. If you want your kids to love the trip and make long- lasting memories, you need to find out what matters to them and what they consider fun. Sometimes, we must make sacrifices to ensure the vacation works for everyone. Planning out everything you hope to accomplish in a year takes time and requires money. You have to figure out when you can do things and what you may have to forgo for your plans to come to fruition. This includes everything from home projects to vacations and everything else in between. Consider sitting down this month to determine what’s on your agenda for the next 90 days to a year. Doing so will help you accomplish your goals and reduce stress!
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A FLUFFY GUARDIAN ANGEL How a Dog Saved Its Foster Family From Disaster
When a Virginia family of five decided to temporarily foster a dog in 2023, they weren’t expecting it to be a life-changing event. But they might not be here today if it weren’t for the Great Pyrenees named Moose that they took home for the weekend. Christopher Cushna and his partner, Sheila Janes, were looking for something fun and unique to do with their three children when they learned about the Paws Around Portsmouth program. This program allows people to foster
daughters, Anya. Though everyone figured the energetic dog wanted to go outside, he was persistent, and they quickly noticed a neighboring houseboat engulfed in flames. As the fire began to spread, the family evacuated safely just minutes before the fire reached their boat.
“If Moose hadn’t gotten Anya and Chris up, we would not be here, as we were all sound asleep, and the fire spread very quickly,” Sheila said.
dogs from the local Humane Society for a short time. They fell in love with big, fluffy Moose and decided to take him on a field trip around town. The family visited their own music shop, where Moose met potential adopters at an event sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The friendly dog later accompanied them to a farmers market, a community band concert,
The family lost their houseboat and everything inside, but thanks to Moose’s heroic act, they are alive and grateful today. “What I like to think about is that we saved Moose from the situation Moose was in, and Moose saved us on the boat,” Christopher said.
Moose’s life-saving actions made big news, and a local woman adopted him. Now, the hero dog is living his best life
and a flea market, where they met a woman who wanted to adopt him.
on a 5-acre farm, complete with a swimming pool. For this family, who had no idea just how transformative a doggy day out could be, Moose will always be their knight in fluffy armor.
Moose returned to the family’s houseboat for the evening since the
adopter could not bring him home that day. As everyone slept, Moose suddenly woke Christopher and one of their
CHILDREN’S BOOK OFFERS MANY LIFE LESSONS
It’s usually a good signal that a book is worth reading if three or more people recommend it, especially if they come from different backgrounds and social circles. Around a year ago, Melissa had multiple people tell her about a quick read called “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy. What looked like a children’s book quickly revealed itself to be an inspiring source of wisdom. The 2019 book follows the unlikely quartet of a boy, mole, fox, and horse as they explore the world around them. The characters reflect on everything they encounter using simple illustrations and dialogue, dropping bits of wisdom throughout. At the root of the book are lessons on kindness and compassion. When you first pick up this book, you might not think much of it, but after reading a few pages, you’ll be hooked and enamored with the story.
A conversation between the boy and the horse provides a great example of how profound this book can be: “What’s the bravest thing you ever said?” asked the boy. “Help,” said the horse. “Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse, “it’s refusing to give up.”
Anyone can benefit from that advice, regardless of age, education level, or any other factor!
If you look up this book or seek it out the next time you go to a library or bookstore, you may question whether it’s appropriate for you or not. By all means, it looks like a book for children, but the lessons within can be beneficial for everyone. It’s well worth the read! If you don’t think you have the time to read the book, there’s also a movie version available that’s currently streaming on Apple TV. It’s an enjoyable watch, but you might take more away from the book!
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August is patio season, and there’s no better time to head to your favorite dog- friendly restaurant or bar with your pup! Whether you want a full meal or just a drink, there are plenty of great options in the Louisville area that you and your trusty canine will enjoy. You’ll love the atmosphere and tasty treats, while your dog will like getting out of the house and spending time with other pups. Here are a few spots I guarantee you and your dog will enjoy visiting. Places to Grab a Drink There are all kinds of great breweries, bars, and pubs to check out around Derby City, but your options may become a little more limited if you’re trying to find a place that welcomes your pet. Hi-Wire Brewing and Garage Bar are two great options if you want to grab a drink with your pup. For a truly unique experience, you should check out PG&J’s Dog Park Bar, which has an entire area designed for dogs to frolic and play with one another. For those on the other side of the river, head to Harbor & Hops in Jeffersonville for a great craft beer and some delicious food. Spots With Great Food There are over 270 dog-friendly restaurants around Louisville to explore. Most places with outdoor patios will allow dogs to join their owners for a quick meal. Whether you’re looking for a fast option like Qdoba, Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe, or Sunergos Coffee & Roastery or want the full menu experience at places like Brasserie Provence and Selena’s at Willow Lake Tavern, there’s a place that’s perfect for you and your furry friend. A Quick Treat for Your Pup Some places will even give your dog something special for joining you. When my sister, Jessica, came to town, she took me to Dunkin’, where they gave me some whipped cream in the form of a Pup Cup. I’ve heard that Starbucks, Dairy Queen, and even Chick-fil-A have their own versions of the Pup Cup too! BARKS FROM BELLA Louisville’s Top Dog- Friendly Patio Picks
HAVE A LAUGH!
INGREDIENTS
•
1 sweet potato sliced into 1/4-inch rounds 1 tbsp avocado oil
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Dressing •
1/4 cup tahini
• • • •
2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp maple syrup 1 pinch of sea salt
–Bella
Water, to desired consistency
Salad •
5 cups of greens (spinach or lettuce)
• •
1 ripe avocado, cubed
2 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add sweet potato slices and toss in oil. 2. Bake for 15 minutes and flip. Bake for another 5–10 minutes and remove from the oven. 3. In a small bowl, mix tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt. Whisk to combine and slowly add water until the dressing is semi-thick and pourable. 4. In a serving bowl, add greens and top with sweet potato, avocado, and hemp seeds. Serve with dressing. DIRECTIONS
Jessica’s dog Bowie loves Graeter’s!
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INSIDE
HOW YEARLY PLANNING CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE 1 MEET MOOSE, THE GREAT PYRENEES WITH A HERO’S HEART UNEXPECTED WISDOM FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE 2 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO LOUISVILLE’S PET‑FRIENDLY EATERIES SWEET POTATO AND AVOCADO SALAD 3 THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIE ANTOINETTE 4
Facts About the Late French Queen Marie Antoinette HEADLESS OF STATE
While France may be known for its artwork, culture, and cuisine, the French Revolution was anything but beautiful, cultured, or tasteful. Instead, it was a brutal, vengeful affair, culminating in the ruthless execution of the French royal family and the end of their royal line. One of the most famous characters from this brutal time was the French queen, Marie Antoinette. She became a symbol for all complaints levied against the French throne, from extravagant spending to their brutal crackdowns on dissent, even though she wasn’t the actual perpetrator. In the end, it didn’t matter. Marie Antoinette, at age 37, was beheaded by guillotine in October 1793. Here are three true facts about Marie Antoinette. Cake: Not on the Menu Although many ascribe the infamous words, “Let them eat cake,” to Marie Antoinette, she likely never uttered them at all. Many other royals, including the French noblewoman Marie Therese more than a century earlier, had been credited
with uttering the notorious sentence. So, someone else had likely said it before the French Revolution ever happened. Young Newlyweds Talk about a crowded household: Marie Antoinette was the 11th daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I, the head of the powerful and influential Habsburg dynasty. She did not spend many years at home, however, because she was just 14 years old when she married the future king of France, Louis XVI. Faux Farmer Despite her regal estate and lavish lifestyle, one of Marie Antoinette’s favorite pastimes was pretending to work as a farmer. She had an entire fake farm built on the grounds of her palace in Versailles, where she and other noblewomen would dress in costumes and pretend to be shepherds and milkmaids.
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