The Hamlet

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From Me To You...

Ringing in a New Year brings to mind Father Time, clocks ticking forwards, turning the old year into a new, shiny thing, full of promise. Time is a thing that has changed as I have marched through the years. As a child, summers stretched out towards infinity; long, lazy days spent reading, taking walks along country lanes and of course massive road trips with my family. The school year itself was never-ending but for completely different reasons...

As I became an adult and had children of my own, time warped again. The days were divided into feedings, naps, and the lack of time spent sleeping ourselves. Those days were long, but strangely the months and years flew by.

Once the children were in school I thought there would be more time for me, time to read and pursue hobbies. In actuality the time after drop off was never as long as it had looked on the clock that morning. Before I knew it I was back at the school gates waiting for happy faces running towards me, “Mommy, look what I made, learned, have to make tonight!”

After school activities gobbled up any time that was left before dinners had to be made, baths taken, and sleepy bundles of children were read stories of giants and princesses, and tucked safely in their beds.

Now I find myself marking the time between visits, the giggling, tiny children are grown and flown, and my days are more or less my own. I cherish my free time, and there are many wonderful things I can accomplish now. And yet... in the back of my mind a clock is always ticking, marking time until the day I will have the house full of noisy, whirling dervishes again, demanding meals and attention.

This year I challenge you all to use the time we are given in the best way you can. Whether that means taking time for yourself, or giving time to others, be aware and fill the year with memories you can cherish once Father Time turns our clocks to 2024.

Catherine Uretsky

Editor, Estrella Publishing info@estrellapublishing.com 623-398-5541

Furry Friends

Even the most vigilant pet parents have to contend with pet emergencies. Check out some of the most astonishing pet accidents of 2022.

* Digesting something dangerous: A 2-year-old Bichon mix ate a sugar-free apple cobbler made with xylitol. At first, she seemed all right but began vomiting the next day and declined rapidly. When she arrived at the emergency hospital, her prognosis was very poor. However, after eight days of care, she fully recovered!

* Common household concerns: A 9-month-old kitten hid in a large comforter unbeknownst to his pet parent, who had set it to dry on high heat. The kitten was stuck in the dryer for 10 minutes before they heard him yelping for help. They immediately rushed him to the emergency vet, and he was kept at the hospital overnight for observation.

* Lingering liquids: A 2-month-old Shih Tzu puppy was caught by his owners licking some Children’s Motrin that spilled on the couch over nine hours earlier in the day. The puppy seemed fine at first, but then he started to vomit. He was hospitalized and monitored for four days, but the puppy recovered.

* Unfortunate falls: An 8-year-old Pit Bull jumped off a couch and suddenly became paralyzed in her hind end. Her pet parents rushed her to the vet, who diagnosed her with Intervertebral Disc Disease. After receiving surgery to fix her disc herniation, she recovered wel.

* Toys that become treacherous: A 7-monthold Standard Poodle was vomiting, lethargic and appeared uncomfortable for two days. A physical exam revealed he was dehydrated, and

radiographs showed a foreign object trapped in his stomach. He was transferred to the surgical unit to remove the foreign object, which turned out to be a squeaker toy. He was kept overnight for observation before being sent home to recover with his family.

All of these accidents - while they may seem somewhat crazy - could have happened to any pet owner. To help avoid having an incident like this in 2023:

1. Avoid leaving harmful foods and liquids within your pets’ reach, and watch out for potential choking hazards in your home. This seems simple but can go a long way in protecting your pet for the long-term.

2. Stay active, even in the cold months. Going on frequent walks and encouraging your pet to move around is key to avoiding joint stiffening and can help prevent future mobility issues. This can feel like a challenge during the cold points of the year - for you and your pet - but there are always indoor activities you can play to engage your furry friend.

3. Invest in your pet’s well-being. When accidents happen to your four-legged family member, you’ll want to be covered. A pet insurance policy can help offset some of the costs associated with expensive veterinarian visits.

Family Time

Spending quality time with your family is essential for creating strong relationships and fostering a sense of connection. With busy work and school schedules, it can be hard to find enough time to spend with your loved ones. However, it’s important to make the effort to carve out time to truly connect with your family. Here are five ways to make the most of your family time.

1. Have Family Dinners

One of the easiest and most effective ways to spend quality time with your family is to make it a point to eat dinner together. This is a great way to catch up on the day and reconnect with each other. Even if you’re all coming home late, take the time to sit down, enjoy a meal, and chat together.

2. Play Games Together

Playing games is a great way to have some fun with your family. You can play board games,

video games, or even just make up your own game. It’s a great way to have some quality time together and get in a few laughs.

3. Go for a Walk

Going for a walk can be a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the fresh air. Whether you take a stroll through the neighborhood or explore a nearby park, it’s a great way to bond with your family.

4. Take a Road Trip

A road trip is a great way to get away and explore while spending quality time together. You can plan a weekend getaway or even just take a day trip to visit a nearby city. This is a great way to make some memories and spend quality time with your family.

5. Do a Craft or Activity

Crafts and activities can be a great way to spend time together. You can all work together to make something or take turns completing a project. You can also try different activities like cooking, painting, or even just playing with clay.

Spending quality time with your family is important for building strong relationships. Make sure to take the time to connect and enjoy each other’s company.

Home Sweet Home

DIY projects are a great way to improve your home’s value without spending a fortune. Many projects are simple enough to do yourself, and they can make a big impact on the value of your home. Here are some DIY projects you can do to increase your home’s value.

1. Paint: A fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. Choose vibrant colors to give your home a modern look, or go for classic neutrals to create a timeless feel.

2. Refresh your kitchen: A new countertop or a fresh coat of paint on your cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new look. You can also replace outdated appliances with energy-efficient models.

3. Landscaping: Adding plants, flowers, and shrubs to your yard can make it look more inviting and attractive. This can also increase the value of your home.

4. Update your windows: Replacing old windows with new, energy-efficient models can help you save money on energy bills. New windows can also improve the look of your home and increase its value.

5. Install new lighting: Replacing outdated lighting fixtures with modern ones can make your home look more modern and inviting. Choose energy-efficient fixtures to help you save money on your energy bills.

6. Add storage: Adding storage to your home is a great way to make it more efficient and organized. It can also make your home feel bigger and more inviting.

7. Upgrade your bathroom: A new vanity, showerhead, or tile can give your bathroom a fresh look. Modern bathrooms are in high demand, so upgrading yours could increase the value of your home.

These are just a few DIY projects you can do to increase the value of your home. With a little time and effort, you can make your home more attractive and valuable.

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome Myths Debunked

Although experts have made great strides in understanding Down syndrome, there are still many misconceptions about the genetic disorder. Contrary to stereotypes, individuals with Down syndrome attend school, work, have meaningful relationships, vote, make their own decisions and contribute to society in many wonderful ways. Speaking from experience, having lived my life alongside my older sister who has Downs syndrome, positive support from the community enables people with Down syndrome to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

Here are a few myths debunked:

MYTH #1: Down Syndrome is a rare disorder. Down Syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition in people of all races and economic backgrounds. Approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome.

MYTH #2: People with Down syndrome cannot read or write. Most children with Down syndrome can learn to read, write and spell, and many accelerate in their reading and writing development.

MYTH #3: People with Down syndrome cannot walk or play sports. An inability to walk is not a characteristic of Down syndrome. Individuals with Down syndrome have a variety of athletic abilities and levels of agility.

MYTH #4: Adults with Down syndrome cannot live independently. Many adults with Down syndrome in the U.S. live independently with limited assistance from family members or the state.

MYTH #5: Symptoms and characteristics of Down syndrome are the same for everyone.

Although Down syndrome causes some distinct characteristics, each person will have different degrees of characteristics, and some of the features may not appear at all.

MYTH #6: Adults with Down syndrome are unable to form close interpersonal relationships. People with Down syndrome socialize and have meaningful relationships. Some choose to date, marry and start families. Another common misconception is that women with Down syndrome cannot have children. Although it’s true that a person with Down syndrome may have challenges in bearing a child, women who have Down syndrome are fertile and can give birth to children.

MYTH #7: Adults with Down syndrome are unemployable. Individuals with Down syndrome want to be active contributors within their communities and achieve their highest level of self-reliance. For that reason, my organization has developed several unique approaches that not only assist these individuals in fulfilling their dreams of attaining meaningful employment but ensures that employers are receiving valuable employees. Madison Blanton is CEO of Arizonabased One Step Beyond, a leading provider of comprehensive programming and services for adults who have intellectual disabilities. More information is available at https://osbi.org/.

Normalcy

What is Normal and How Do I Get There?

One of the most common questions I’m asked as a psychologist is if something is “normal.” The bottom line is this: Normal is what you know. Therefore, it’s very subjective.

By example, let’s compare Shameless, a train wreck of a show, to the idyllic Leave it to Beaver. If you were raised by the Cleavers, you have a wise father who works in a suit and tie and a near-flawless mother who is a domestic engineer in heels and pearls. If you were brought up in a house a la Shameless, you have a drug-abusing, absentee mother with untreated bipolar disorder and a narcissistic, alcoholic father who is into all measure of lying, cheating and stealing. What you’re used to will be seen as normal until your presented with an alternative.

Instead of “normal,” I invite people to look at behaviors as healthy vs. unhealthy. I also use words like “typical” or “atypical.” For instance, it may seem entirely abnormal for someone to have an abusive childhood and continue to find themselves in abusive, tumultuous or dramatic relationships as an adult. Why would they want

that? Because that’s their “normal,” that’s what they know. I would even say that such a pattern is “not atypical,” which means not infrequent but not the rule either. I wouldn’t say it’s “normal” because there are plenty of women with this history who are not in abusive relationships and some who absolutely refuse to be and look for the polar opposite. Yet there are plenty who find themselves in these repetitive patterns, so I wouldn’t classify it as “abnormal” either.

What can you do to discern whether you should make some changes in your life? Ask yourself one question: “If a friend of mine lived life the way I do, what would I THINK about it? How would I FEEL about their situation? Is there any BEHAVIOR change I would suggest?” Stepping outside of yourself can help you do an honest assessment of which parts of your life are healthy, life-generating ones, and which are unhealthy, soul-damaging ones.

For the full article, visit www.doctorbellingrodt. com. Check out free and paid training options at https://thepsychoeducationacademy.thinkific. com/collections.

DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for evaluation or treatment by a licensed professional. Material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with written permission of Dr. Bellingrodt.

Submitted by Jennifer Bellingrodt, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist. For the full article and more, visit www.doctorbellingrodt.com.

Money Matters

It’s that time of year when many of us promise ourselves we’ll go to the gym more, or learn a new language, or take up a musical instrument, or any number of other worthy goals. But this year, when making New Year’s resolutions, why not also consider some financial ones?

Here are a few to consider: • Don’t let inflation derail your investment strategy. As you know, inflation was the big financial story of 2022, hitting a 40-year high. And while it may moderate somewhat this year, it will likely still be higher than what we experienced the past decade or so. Even so, it’s a good idea to try not to let today’s inflation harm your investment strategy for the future.

• Control your debts. Inflation can also be a factor in debt management. For example, your credit card debt could rise due to rising prices and variable credit card interest rate increases. By paying your bill each month, you can avoid the effects of rising interest rates. If you do carry a balance, you might be able to transfer it to a

lower-rate card, depending on your credit score. And if you’re carrying multiple credit cards, you might benefit by getting a fixed-rate debt consolidation loan. In any case, the lower your debt payments, the more you can invest for your long-term goals.

• Review your investment portfolio. At least once a year, you should review your investment portfolio to determine if it’s still appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. But be careful not to make changes just because you feel your recent performance is not what it should have been. When the financial markets are down, as was the case for most of 2022, even quality investments, such as stocks of companies with solid business fundamentals and strong prospects, can see declines in value. But if these investments are still suitable for your portfolio, you may want to keep them.

• Prepare for the unexpected. If you encountered a large unexpected expense, such as the need for a major home repair, how would you pay for it? If you didn’t have the money readily available, you might be forced to dip into your long-term investments or retirement accounts. To prevent this, you should build an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses — or a year’s worth, if you’re retired — with the money kept in a low-risk, liquid account.

These resolutions can be useful — so try to put them to work in 2023.

Submitted by Wayne Polk, AAMS, Financial Advisor, of Edward Jones

The Great Outdoors

More than just fresh air, time spent outdoors has the power to boost physical and emotional strength

Whether you’re taking a stroll in a local park or ambitiously hiking a new trail, being outdoors helps you feel more grounded and connected to nature. But you may not realize the numerous physical and mental benefits that time spent outdoors has on the human body.

Mother Nature has a profound positive impact on people of all ages, but especially kids. Children’s natural curiosity makes the outdoors a place with endless possibilities. It’s where imaginations can take flight, they can observe biodiversity and learn more about their world around them, not to mention, move their bodies and breathe in some fresh air.

Here are some outdoor ideas that you can do any time of year with your family:

1. Visit a hiking trail you’ve never been to before, or try an evening hike and bring along a

headlamp or flashlight to guide the way.

2. Explore free outdoor programs in your community at parks and nature centers.

3. Learn about astronomy and head outdoors at night to observe the stars.

4. Try your hand at geocaching, where you use a free app on your mobile device to find hidden spots.

5. Organize a game of backyard flashlight tag with family, friends and neighbors.

6. Try a new outdoor activity you haven’t done yet, especially in the winter months, like skating, snowshoeing or skiing.

7. Go outside and talk about how nature impacts the different senses - How does it feel, taste, sound, etc.?

9. Have a picnic outdoors! Or even try eating outside in the evening with flashlights and headlamps for extra fun.

Cowboy Caviar for New Year’s Celebrations

Tradition suggests that you eat black-eyed peas to welcome the New Year because as author John Egerton wrote in his book, Southern Food, they have a “mystical and mythical power to bring good luck.”

While the most common way to eat these beans is in a dish called “Hoppin’ John,” I prefer to enjoy them in Cowboy Caviar with tortilla chips while watching a college bowl game!

Ingredients:

One 15-oz can Black-Eyed Peas, drained & rinsed

One 15-oz can Black Beans, drained & rinsed

One 10-oz can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chiles 1 Yellow Pepper, diced

C Red Onion, diced

Avocado, diced

T Olive Oil

T Red Wine Vinegar

T Worcestershire Sauce

tsp kosher Salt

tsp Cumin

tsp Black Pepper

Optional: Pickled Jalapeno slices to taste

Chopped Fresh Cilantro to taste

Mix everything together and let flavors blend an hour in the refrigerator before serving. The colors look especially bright and vibrant served with yellow and blue tortilla chips!

Submitted by Maureen Woods

Healthy Resolutions

Three of the top five New Year’s resolutions are for better health, according to Statista, a company dedicated to collecting data:

· Doing more exercise or improving my fitness

· Losing weight

· Improving my diet

We care about our health because it makes us feel better day to day. This can be the year to make a positive difference in your health, and here are steps and tips to make it happen, courtesy of Abrazo Health.

Step 1 – Write it down: The simple act of writing down your goals gives you a much greater chance of achieving your goals. Studies show that people who wrote down goals accomplish more than those that did not.

Step 2 – Start small: Consider making one change at a time or starting with goals for which you have the highest motivation. Let the good feeling of successful achievement propel you forward to reach the next goal and keep going.

If your goal is to lose weight, healthy eating is a place to start. A healthy diet has other benefits as well: boosts your immune system, keeps skin, teeth and eyes healthy, supports muscles and also the digestive system and strengthens bones. But how to start?

Detox from sugar: This can be tough but can take you a long way toward reaching your goals for health.

Increase number of vegetables per day: Most people don’t eat enough vegetables. Explore ways to add veggies at each meal, such as frozen spinach in a smoothie at breakfast or raw vegetables like carrots or cauliflower instead of chips at lunch.

Reduce sodium intake: Many packaged foods are loaded with salt. Because high sodium intake is connected to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, make it a goal to have less than 2,300 mg. per day, or approximately one teaspoon.

Reduce saturated fat: Saturated fat from meats and dairy can have negative health effects, while unsaturated fat can be good for your heart. Opting for salmon, trout, tree nuts or avocados can be good choices.

Exercise Goals: Moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day is a good place to start. For example, find a buddy to walk with several times a week, an activity that is safe for most people. Schedule time for exercise, just like you schedule other events and activities.

Step 3 – Ask for accountability: Talk about and share your goals with a friend or family member and then celebrate with that person when you reach your goal. And/or, keep a food and exercise diary. Something about writing down what you eat and do makes it more accountable to yourself.

The information above is intended to get you started, and there is much more to know. Talk with your doctor and research credible sources for a broader picture.

Submitted by Keith Jones, of Abrazo Health

Plan Ahead

We plan ahead for the things in life we look forward to - the birth of a baby, weddings, vacations and holidays. It doesn’t come as naturally to plan for our funeral. It’s easier to avoid the conversation altogether. But, by discussing your personal wishes for your final arrangements, you can protect your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions in a time of immense grief, and potentially ease their financial obligations.

None of us wants to be a burden on those we love. Yet conversations around funeral planning can be tough. Some families find it more natural to discuss the details of their final wishes after the death of a friend or colleague. Others look for specific milestones, like birthdays or retirement. And some families don’t want to have the discussion at all, preferring to write their wishes down. (Just don’t forget to tell your loved ones where to find the document!)

Starting the conversation can be challenging, whether you’re talking about your funeral or asking a loved one how they want to be

memorialized. Perhaps watch a movie with a funeral scene or even just schedule a casual conversation after dinner.

Here are a few suggestions for kicking off the discussion:

* Do you want to be buried or cremated?

* Have I ever told you my favorite scripture?

* If you could write your own eulogy, what would you say?

* Would you prefer a traditional funeral or more contemporary celebration of life?

If you’re still unsure how to broach the subject, The Insider’s Guide to Funeral & Cremation Planning is a great resource. Following along with the free guide will help you and your loved ones understand the steps of advance funeral planning. Or you can download Imagine, a free booklet that will help you design the one-of-a-kind service you’d like to have at DignityMemorial.com.

Remember that almost any funeral or cremation can be planned in advance, including the venue, catering, mementos and cemetery property, but you might be surprised at all there is to consider. A memorial service is unlike any other event, and, by some estimates, your loved ones could have up to 200 decisions to make in a short timeframe, during the darkest hours of their lives. The most memorable services are planned thoughtfully, with personalized touches that reflect the individual and bring comfort to those in attendance. A funeral director can help you navigate your options and develop a plan for a truly personalized event.

Talking openly about the memorial you envision - and encouraging your loved ones to do the same - removes the guesswork from the planning process, and the focus can stay on honoring a unique life lived and celebrating the moments you and your loved ones cherish.

This samurai sudoku puzzle is a great way to engage the brain and help develop logic skills. To solve this Samurai puzzle use standard sudoku rules for every 9x9 grid: each digit from 1 to 9 can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Good Luck!