Libertyinspectiongroup.com 610.717.3082 FEBRUARY 2018
THE END OF THE DARK AGES HOW I MET MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE KAREN
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T hese days, with our kids finally at an age where we can entrust them to a babysitter for the evening, my wife Karen and I are just glad to be able to go out and enjoy each other’s company on Valentine’s Day. After 14 years of marriage, it’s nice to have a moment that forces us to take a closer look at this incredible life we’ve built together, and to reflect on how we ended up in each other’s lives in the first place. It all started not too long after I graduated from Temple University, when I was just working and enjoying the city. One night, I met up with a bunch of friends from school at a local bar, who introduced me to someone who I hadn’t yet met, this incredibly beautiful woman with big brown eyes who had yet to graduate from Temple. Pretty much instantly, my night became less about meeting up with my buddies, and more about chatting up this fascinating, friendly, and wonderful person I’d just met. As we talked enthusiastically over drinks, it was clear that we shared a special connection. She was so easy to talk to, deeply intelligent and perceptive with a biting wit that really drew me in. I found that, like me, she was a highly active person, and loved exploring Philadelphia. And, like I said before, she was wildly attractive. Frankly, she was the whole package, and I found myself wanting to learn everything I possibly could about her. The next day, we went on our first date, and the rest, as they say, is history. Well, almost. About five or six months into our relationship, we actually decided to call it quits, just sort of scrambling in different directions as young people sometimes do. We stayed apart, somehow, for almost a year, but when we saw each other out and about once again, we restarted things up as if nothing had ever happened. A couple years later, we moved in together for a few months out in Clifton Heights in her grandmother’s old house. I’d bought the ring weeks earlier, and
had been keeping it with me, waiting for the right moment. One weekend, when we were both at home completely covered in dirt, sweat, and grime from our crazy work schedules, the mood suddenly struck me. There, in that dinky little kitchen in the middle of a totally regular day, I asked if she’d be my wife. Now, we’re just coming out of a period I call “The Dark Ages,” where we were stuck at home for 8–10 years just bringing up the kids past toddler age. It was a wonderful time to be sure, and Karen and I love our kids more than anything, but sometimes you just have to hit the town and have some fun with your partner. I’m sure this Valentine’s Day, we’ll be peeling out of the driveway the instant the babysitter arrives. –Chris Earley One weekend, when we were both at home completely covered in dirt, sweat, and grime from our crazy work schedules, the mood suddenly struck me. There, in that dinky little kitchen in the middle of a totally regular day, I asked if she’d be my wife.
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USE WHAT YOU GOT
WISE WORDS FROM MALCOLM
GLADWELL’S 'DAVID AND GOLIATH'
W e all love a good underdog story. There’s a reason we’re still talking about the “Miracle on Ice” almost 40 years after the U.S. hockey team faced off against the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics. And of course, who could forget when a shepherd boy stood before a giant on the battlefield, and brought his enemy down with just a pebble and a sling? The story of David and Goliath is the greatest underdog triumphs of all time, but was David’s victory really so improbable? New York Times bestselling author, Malcolm Gladwell, asks us to challenge what we know about obstacles in his latest book, “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants.” Right from the start, Gladwell asks readers why David is cast as the underdog. It is due to his age, size, and weapon compared to the large, armored, and more technologically advanced Goliath. However, while Goliath's great size and heavy armor may have helped him before, he also moves slower. So slow, in fact, he can’t avoid David’s small, well-aimed stone. Again and again, we see individuals with disadvantages, so-called underdogs, achieve greatness. Teenagers who struggle with dyslexia go on to become CEOs and lawyers, or children who lose a parent grow up to be brilliant scientists. Likewise, we can see those whose success should have been guaranteed, and
instead they crash and burn. Gladwell strategically pairs real-life stories of success and failure with psychological research, helping readers better understand why what we might first see as a disadvantage, can be a secret weapon for success. Chris Earley himself recently finished the book and he got a lot out of it. Through skillful storytelling technique, Gladwell weaves together history and psychology, encouraging us to rethink how we view own our personal struggles to, ultimately, come out on top. The best way to achieve greatness is by following Gladwell’s simple advice: Use what you got.
TESTIMONIALS
"Cainen Bedsaul was a true professional. I'm a Realtor and was recommended to Liberty Inspection Group by a co-worker. Cainen arrived early, explained everything thoroughly, showed great attention to detail, and was a pleasure to work with. I would have preferred that he physically climb onto the roof but considering the house is under 6 years old, I understand pictures will suffice. I received the inspection report the same day, a very pleasant surprise. From this experience, I have no hesitation recommending Cainen and Liberty Inspection Group to any of my clients." –Rob K. "I am a Realtor and have met many home inspectors. I was recently referred to Liberty through a presentation they hosted and decided to give them a try. The inspection was for a property I was purchasing. The inspection was performed by Tyler. When we arrived at the property he was already on the roof checking its condition. Tyler is super friendly and willing to answer all questions. I have been to many of these but I have to say, he covered EVERYTHING! Kudos to Tyler and Liberty, I will definitely be referring them to my clients." –Heath L.
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WHAT DO YOU GET IN AN INSPECTION?
WHAT TO LOOK FOR FIRST
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Interior Walls: Any cracks or evidence of potential
While most buyers and sellers know the importance of a professional home inspection before closing, not everybody understands what exactly an inspection covers. Here, we break down exactly what we’re looking for when we investigate the nooks and crannies of a potential new home. EXTERIOR • Siding, trim, eaves, and exterior walls: An experienced inspector will look closely to see whether any siding or walls on the house are missing or cracked, as well as whether foundations may potentially invite insect damage. • Foundation: With most houses, the foundation isn’t actually visible from the outside. Still, the inspector will know to look for secondary evidence of foundational problems, such as indicators of settling. • Roofing: We’ll check the construction of your roof, seeing whether poor installation may cause you problems later on, and look for damaged or insecure shingles and problems around vents and gutters. • Decks/porches/patios: We’ll closely inspect the exterior lounging areas, ensuring that no damage or improper installation will cause problems down the line. INTERIOR • Basement/crawl spaces/attic: We’ll look for evidence of flood or leak damage and lack of structural integrity, while keeping a close eye out for any kind of mold or health hazard. HAVE A LAUGH ON US!
infestation will be taken into account. • Appliances: If there are any kitchen or laundry appliances that come with the home, these will be checked to see if they work or if they may be fire hazards. • Fireplaces • Outlets SYSTEMS • Plumbing: The inspector will investigate all showers and faucets, search for visible leaks throughout the house, and check the water pressure. If the pipes in the house are old, they may recommend a secondary inspection to determine whether they need to be replaced. • Heating and Cooling: We’ll estimate the age of the HVAC system, make sure it works properly, and recommend any necessary repairs or maintenance. • Ventilation System/Air Quality: We’ll test the air for invisible hazards like radon and make sure the house is vented properly. • Electrical: After determining the type of wiring the house has, we’ll check to ensure the electrical systems don’t present any risk of electrocution, shock, or fire.
SWEET AND ZESTY DETOX SALAD
Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com
INGREDIENTS
For the Salad: •
For the Dressing: •
3 cups chopped kale leaves 2 cups chopped broccoli florets 2 cups chopped red cabbage
1 large carrot, roughly chopped
• • • • • • •
• • • • • • •
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil
Ingredients:
1 cup matchstick carrots 1 cup chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 tablespoon white miso 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil Salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1 diced avocado
DIRECTIONS
pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste. 3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.
1. To make the salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine. 2. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until smooth. Season to taste with salt and
Directions:
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PAGE 1 The End of the Dark Ages PAGE 2 Redefine Underdogs With Malcolm Gladwell
PAGE 2 Hear From Our Clients
PAGE 3 What Does a Home Inspection Include? PAGE 4 The Most Romantic Destinations on Earth
THE BEST VALENTINE’S GETAWAYS
TO FANTASIZE ABOUT
Positano, Italy More than perhaps anywhere in the world, this place looks like it was lifted straight from a sappy romance novelist’s imagination. You and your partner can kick back on a balcony overlooking the entirety of this seaside town, taking in the century-old multicolored Italian architecture perched precariously on the verdant mountainside. Too small to accommodate swarms of tourists, it’s the perfect place to while away the hours ambling from shop to shop, sampling the delicious local cuisine, and maybe taking a dip along the 300-meter beach. The Maldives From a water villa smack dab in the midst of the glassy, ultra-blue Indian Ocean, you and your main squeeze can enjoy utter seclusion. Sip champagne in the shade of a palm overlooking an otherworldly sunset or get a little more adventurous, strap on a mask, and check out the abundant aquatic wildlife. Many hotels in the area even include access to an array of boats, perfect for your own private excursion along the mild waves. Of course, you could also always just stare, dumbfounded, into the horizon, wondering how such a place could actually exist on Earth.
Valentine’s Day is for fancy dinners, heart-shaped boxes packed with subpar chocolates, and fantasizing about the magical places you and your beau would have escaped to — if only you had the PTO. So, grab a glass of bottom-shelf cab sauv, cuddle up next to your special someone, and try to make them feel bad for taking you to Chili’s instead of whisking you away to one of these picturesque fantasy lands. Udaipur, India These days, meandering through the cobblestone streets of Paris with your loved one is très passé. All the real high-rolling romantics are migrating southeast to the famous Oberoi Udaivilas hotel in western India. Set in a traditional Mewari palace, visitors will feel like royalty as they stroll around the labyrinthine gardens that surround the elaborate cream-colored structure. Travelers can relax beside one of the many glassy pools sprinkled throughout the estate, all of which are enthusiastically attended by an unparalleled service staff.
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