Check out our September newsletter!
MONTH 2021
(AV)A BREATH OF Fresh Air SEPT. 2025
AvaAir. We’ll Be There
THE HORROR OF THE $29 MAINTENANCE BILL Vampires at the Door
Every Halloween, we love spooky stories, creepy costumes, and haunted houses. But one horror story isn’t confined to a single night a year, and it’s lurking just beyond your front door. This isn’t the tale of ghosts or goblins. Nope, it’s much scarier. It’s the tale of ... the $29 maintenance inspection. You know the one. It seems innocent enough at first, maybe even helpful. A company offers a super-cheap “maintenance checkup” for your HVAC system or fridge. You think, “Well, it’s just $29. What could go wrong?” And that is where the vampire crosses the threshold. You see, like any good vampire tale, the real trouble doesn’t start until you invite them in. That low price tag isn’t about maintenance. It’s about sales. They don’t come to fix; they come to frighten. The moment you open your door, they sink their teeth in: “Your system is dangerously old!” “You’ve got mold!” “The whole thing could die ... any second!”
I have a true story to share. A neighbor recently called in a panic, convinced that mold was taking over their home after one of these inspections. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t mold. It was just normal condensation. But the scare tactic had already worked its magic. They were ready to spend thousands on a new system they didn’t need. Here’s the truth: Real maintenance costs a bit more. That’s because trained technicians who know their stuff do a genuine check, not just scare you into opening your wallet. It’s not about getting in the door and upselling air purifiers, UV lights, or new equipment. It’s about keeping your current system running as efficiently and safely as possible. The sad reality is that many companies don’t even hire people who can fix things anymore. Instead of experienced troubleshooters, they send out salespeople in disguise. These new “technicians” often don’t have the skill or experience to repair older systems. So, what do they do? They tell you it’s beyond repair and try to sell you a replacement instead. At AvaAir, we do things differently. We believe in fixing things. Sure, sometimes a replacement makes sense. But we’re not about using fear to get you there. We’re about trust and longevity, not just of your equipment, but of our relationship with you. And so, every Halloween, I’m reminded of that old vampire legend. They can’t come in unless you invite them. The same is true here. Don’t be fooled by the too-good-to-be-true offer. Don’t let them across the threshold. Because once they’re in, they’re not just inspecting your system; they’re draining your bank account. So, here’s your Halloween horror story, with a bit of truth: Protect your home. Be wary of whom you let in. And remember, when it comes to maintenance, a little upfront cost saves you from a frightening bill later.
Happy Halloween! Don’t eat too much candy!
–Chris Heenan
WWW.AVAAIR.COM • 1
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
From Chaos to Calm Actionable Tips for a More Organized Home Life
Family life these days can be stressful. Many parents must work more hours to make ends meet. They sign kids up for multiple activities to give them every opportunity possible. Meanwhile, video games and social media seep into every spare minute at home, stealing time family members might have spent resting or hanging out together. No wonder family life feels like a race with no finish line. But strategies to give yourself a little breathing room can be surprisingly simple. Here are six ideas to help everyone at your house feel calmer and more in control. Restore Routines Sticking to set times to finish chores can lend a sense of order. Setting homework, housework, and bedtime schedules can be calming for children. Teach your child to perform basic tasks at the same time every day, such as making their bed. For parents, planning set times to pay bills or shop for groceries can restore a sense of control. This strategy may seem obvious, but the rush to meet other commitments can easily eclipse common-sense habits. Plan as a Team Post a family calendar in a central location, such as on the refrigerator, and make updating it a shared weekly task. Some families with older kids use a digital calendar synced to everyone’s devices, but paper is better for teaching young children the process of collaborative viewing and updating. Set a time every week to huddle about the coming week. Include homework due dates, errands, activities, and household routines to make sure essential jobs get done. Delegate a household task to each child, and add due dates to the
by praising them for getting off to a calm, well-planned start. This skill, instilled early, can make your child’s adult working life far easier.
Set Limits FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is rampant among families. Parents often over-commit to too many activities in an effort not to miss any valuable opportunities. As difficult as it is to say no when your child asks to take part in too many activities, it is essential to preserve order. Establishing boundaries around your children’s commitments will teach them two valuable skills: setting priorities and valuing free time. Both are essential to a fulfilling, sustainable life. Don’t Procrastinate Much of the stress in families’ home lives springs from a mad rush to meet commitments in too short a time. Cultivate a habit of looking ahead at future deadlines and demands, and stop trying to save time by cutting it close. If your soccer player needs to arrive at practice on time, allow 30 minutes for the 20-minute drive. If your fourth grader needs supplies for next week’s fundraiser, shop for them this weekend rather than the night before the event.
Encourage Realistic Standards As odd as it may seem in our highly competitive culture, settling for less than perfection can go a long way toward de-stressing your home life. Setting perfectionistic standards can lead children to feel stressed and defeated before they start. Aim for positivity rather than perfection. Ask more questions rather than making demands. Say, “What is your plan for homework tonight?” rather than, “You need to get started on your homework.” This subtle change will empower your children to build a sense of personal mastery. As subtle as these changes may seem, they have helped countless families extract order from chaos. Try them yourself — and enjoy the sense of calm and control that will result!
calendar. Enjoy watching your kids learn teamwork, organizational skills, and accountability!
The 10-Minute Prep Teach your children every evening to plan ahead for the next day. Join them in a 10-minute planning session to lay out their clothes and gather all the necessary supplies. Reinforce the habit the next morning
2 • 678.902.2822
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Hit ‘Play’ and Hit the Road
Audiobooks the Whole Family Will Love
The stress of holiday road trips can tempt any parent to let their kids zone out in front of a screen, but don’t give in! To prevent bored youngsters from disappearing into their tablets or phones during long drives, consider healthier modes of entertainment, such as audiobooks. Unlike passive entertainment media such as movies and video games, audiobooks can accelerate a child’s reading ability by making more complex language accessible. Also, the whole family can enjoy listening to a good audiobook — even sitting in separate seats in a moving car! Apps like Libby or Hoopla provide access to audiobooks and ebooks through participating public libraries. Amazon Prime subscribers can access some free audiobooks through Audible. For suggestions on family fare, ask your local librarian or check out the nonprofit Common Sense Media website for recommended holiday-themed books. For elementary school children, consider “The Snow Queen,” a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. This classic story of a girl saving her friend from danger, read by Julia Whelan, will inspire listeners with its lessons about fidelity and courage. Another classic is “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden. Read with dazzling energy by “Monk” actor Tony Shalhoub, this tale of a streetwise city mouse encountering a country cricket in a New York subway station is an engaging, easy listen.
For tweens, “The Mother- Daughter Book Club, Book 5” by Heather Vogel
Frederick tells of five book club members setting out on holiday trips from the tropics to the Alps. Of course, numerous disasters befall them before the book’s satisfying ending! Another Christmas-themed winner is “Nickel Bay Nick” by Blair Jackson, a coming- of-age novel about a troublemaking 11-year-old boy who gets a chance to redeem himself when a mysterious neighbor blackmails him to perform acts of charity in
their down-and-out town. And “Juniper’s Christmas” by Eoin Colfer is a Christmas adventure about 11-year-old Juniper Lane, who is accidentally exposed to North Pole magic after she asks for help from a mysterious woodsman living in a nearby park. As you listen, you can enjoy knowing that in addition to entertaining the family, you are stimulating your child’s imagination and language ability as they visualize the people and places in these delightful stories.
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Take a Break
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Ingredients
Marinade • 2/3 cup red wine • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
• 1/4 tsp black pepper • 1/4 tsp ginger powder • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup brown sugar • 1/4 cup sesame oil • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tsp minced garlic
(optional, for a spicy marinade)
Meat • 1 1/2 lbs flank steak
1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice across the grain into thin pieces and enjoy! Directions
WWW.AVAAIR.COM • 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
WWW.AVAAIR.COM 678.902.2822 3231 Normandy Cir. NE Marietta, GA 30062
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
AvaAir. We’ll Be There
Inside
1
Beware the $29 Inspection
2
6 Steps to a Smoother Family Life
3
Audiobook Adventures for Family Car Trips
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
4
Have a Chat With Yourself — It’s Good for You
Talking to Yourself Isn’t Crazy — Really! IT’S SELF-CARE!
Find Lost Items Faster Have you ever lost your keys and started saying, “Where are my keys?” as you look around? That’s not just habit — it’s science at work. A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that speaking the name of a lost object out loud can speed up the search process. When you vocalize what you’re looking for, your brain can use verbal and visual cues, helping you locate the item more efficiently. Improve Mental Health What you say to yourself matters. Practicing positive self-talk — like encouraging yourself after a mistake or giving yourself a confidence boost — can reduce stress and improve emotional resilience. Phrases like “I can handle this!” or “Let’s take it one step at a time!” support a healthier, more optimistic mindset. Here’s the bottom line: Talking to yourself is a powerful tool for improving focus, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. As long as the self-talk is constructive and kind, don’t hide it — embrace it instead. So, go ahead and have a chat with yourself. Your brain will thank you.
You’ve probably caught yourself muttering under your breath or talking out loud when no one else is around. While it may feel strange, research shows that talking to yourself is perfectly normal and can be good for your mental well-being. Gain Mental Clarity When you talk to yourself out loud, your brain slows down and organizes thoughts more clearly. This is especially helpful when you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or need to make a tough decision. Saying things out loud forces you to process information more deeply, almost like giving yourself advice from a trusted friend — after all, who knows you better than yourself? Boost Focus and Performance If you sometimes talk yourself through a difficult situation or task, keep it up! Research shows verbal cues can sharpen focus and improve task performance. Athletes, for example, often use motivational self-talk like “Keep going!” or “You’ve got this!” during training and competition. That same technique can help you power through a challenging work project or stressful situation with more confidence and drive.
4 • 678.902.2822
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator