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Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

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I was scrolling on the internet recently and a headline jumped out at me, “3 Scary Noises Your Furnace Shouldn’t Make.” So I immediately thought, “I should read this so I know if my furnace is making any unusual or dangerous noises!” Now I should note that my furnace is not making any odd noises that I am aware of, and if it was I wouldn’t hear them anyway because it is in the garage. But that did not stop me from scrolling to learn all I could - from the font of all wisdom, the internet.

Did you ever think that there would be too much information? That having access to all the knowledge out there would cause more problems than it would fix?

Let me give you another example. Someone in our family recently had regular blood work done. “Not a problem!” You say. Well, have you visited a doctor recently? Gone for any blood tests or scans? Then you too are a victim of the ‘knows too much’ family. Those incomprehensible lists of names you almost know from all those hours

of watching Grey’s Anatomy, the scary numbers that seem so high and low compared to the ‘normal range’ presented to you.

So you do what we all do. Google it. This, my friends, is the rabbit hole of information that always ends with you convinced that you have at the least a serious, if not terminal, diagnosis. Once an actual doctor was consulted there was nothing unusual in the tests, but the temporary terror we experienced was not good for our health. In this world of law suits and commercials claiming that everyone has been exposed to some terrifying chemical or other, it can be hard to reign in the terror that a medical report instills.

A little knowledge is apparently a dangerous thing, and I will try to reduce my internet based research in the future. Now excuse me while I check out my furnace, I swear I heard it making a noise just now...

Catherine Uretsky

Editor, Mountain View Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.398.5541

Get Out of Your Own Way

Have you ever wondered why you react so strongly to certain things? Why someone says a specific thing or acts a certain way toward you and you have a big reaction that later seems disproportionate to the event? I can promise you it’s because at least one of your self-limiting beliefs is being triggered. Let’s look at a couple of examples here:

For instance, your partner goes out with friends, comes home later than expected and doesn’t call or return your texts when it gets really late and you’re trying to check in with them. When they get home, you go off on them and rant and rave about them not caring about you, or maybe you even accuse them of cheating. Chances are, those situations are triggering your fears of abandonment. When that fear is triggered, like it or not, you are instantly transported back to when those fears first arose. It’s not a conscious

process, but it’s one that will continue if you don’t do something to overcome it by exploring and changing the self-limiting beliefs that lie beneath it.

Or let’s say your friend becomes really successful with an opportunity that was presented to both of you but you didn’t take because of a fear of failure. When you see her, she talks about how her career is rocketing to the next level and how she’s so happy that her hard work has paid off. You say that you’re happy for her but then you cry on your way home and snark at your spouse or kids when you get home. But aren’t you happy for your friend? Yes, of course you are, but you’re also jealous, which is triggered by your selflimiting belief of not being worthy or capable of good things. You have to annihilate your selflimiting beliefs in order to respond differently to both the opportunities and the successes of others.

DISCLAIMER: Material is for informational purposes only 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.

The 3rd Key of Success

The 3rd and final Key of Success is where the magic happens. We have introduced the 1st Key of Success – Thinking and the 2nd Key of Success – Passion. Passion manifests when the knowl edge of the mind (my thinking) becomes the knowledge of the heart (my passion). It becomes an inner knowing, an inner belief, a driving force. The first and second keys are combined through the 3rd Key of Success. However, this is where many people fall short. They become victims of life’s circumstances that distract them and dictate their lifelong journey, and many of their dreams die unlived. But not you, for you have found the 3rd Key of Success – Body Language. You under stand the importance of daily habits and behav iors that serve you as you shed those habits and behaviors that hold you back. You realize success is taking one or more daily action steps toward your goals. In doing so, you gain momentum and confidence and develop the habit of success.

Here are vital habits and behaviors that will ben efit you on your journey:

1. Always put your goals in writing.

2. As you begin your day, read one page from a book that points your mind in a positive direction.

3. Plan your tomorrow the night before.

4. As your day ends, write down your suc cesses for the day and three things you are grateful for this day.

These are just a few ideas to get you moving, as Body Language is the 3rd Key of Success and is all about taking action. Making the 3 Keys of Success part of your lifestyle will make your suc cess inevitable.

Submitted by Larry Tracey, founder of Youth4Youth, which develops success and leadership skills in youth and promotes school safety by treating everyone with respect. He is a member of the Peoria Primary Prevention Coalition (3PC). For additional information, visit www.Youth4Youth.org or https:// www.3PCoalition.org

Yum Yum

Texas Sheet Cake Cookies (for Santa!)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for COOKIE EXCHANGES! Many of us have been to one or hosted ~ depending on the number of guests, instructions are given for how many cookies to bring so that everyone goes home with a bountiful variety. The recipe I’m sharing this month comes from a neighbor, Kelly, who brought these to last year’s event ~ and they were one of the hits of the party! And what are the origins of Texas Sheet Cake, you ask? A reference for a large chocolate sheet cake published in the Galveston Daily News back in 1936 as well as a 1967 recipe for another chocolate sheet cake with pecans in the frosting that was published in the Huntsville Heritage Cookbook. Yes, Huntsville as in Alabama, not Texas!

Helpful Hint: Purchase a bakery box for each guest for ease in transport home.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cookie ingredients in a large bowl until mixed thoroughly. Dough will be thick.

Using a medium cookie scoop, place dough on parchment-lined cookie sheets.

Bake for 7-8 minutes; remove from oven then let cool on the cookie sheets for 4-5 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack.

Combine first (3) frosting ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and whisk until melted. Remove from heat and add powdered sugar ~ whisk until smooth. Using a small spatula, spread frosting over cookies.

Let frosting set; cookies can be kept in an air-tight container at room temperature up to (3) days. Optional: Place a Pecan Half on each cookie after frosting is spread.

Submitted by Maureen Woods

NON-STRESS IRA DESIGNATION

For 401ks, IRAs and other qualified retirement accounts, the designated beneficiary form directs how the funds will be paid on your death. Common problems that arise with beneficiary designations are:

• The “Estate” or no beneficiary is listed, so a probate is needed and the IRA will lose the ability to be stretched beyond 5 years, increasing the income tax.

• A beneficiary dies before you, and if the trust was not the IRA’s designee, then the financial company rules apply to who gets the deceased beneficiary’s share.

• The designated beneficiary is a minor, not a trust for the minor, and so a costly court conservatorship is need and much of the

deferred tax benefit is lost.

• Your spouse, who is not your children’s parent, did not sign a spousal waiver, so your spouse is entitled to at least if not all of funds, not your children.

Remember, currently, an inherited IRA must be paid in 10 years, if the beneficiary is not a spouse. Leaving a portion or all of your qualified retirement account to charity makes sense.

The charity does not pay income taxes and will receive more funds than a family member. Other assets which are not taxable then can be left to family or friends.

Sharon Ravenscroft, Esq., The Cavanagh Law Firm, PA, Sun City and Phoenix offices, (623) 815-7451 or Sravenscroft@ CavanaghLaw.com. Sharon’s practice focuses on Wills, trusts, probate and trust administration. For more information www. sharonravenscroft.com

Spiritual Thoughts

Have you ever used a search engine to find a recipe online and then gotten a long list of articles titled something like, “Top 10 Hors d’oeuvres Your Family Won’t Forget,” or the “15 Best Pies For Thanksgiving?” This season is full of Top Tens, countdowns and numbers adding up. Advent calendars with chocolates, legos or liquors countdown the days until Christmas. Spending adds up, this year higher than most because of the cost of inflation.

In the Christian tradition, we know that the whole reason Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem was for a census! Someone was counting people and calculating taxes!

and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the inn. Luke 2:1-7

All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged

Sometimes we get so caught up in the numbers that we forget to pay attention to our surroundings. I wonder what it would look like if we all asked our neighbors which holidays they celebrate this time of year. What makes this time of year meaningful to them? Maybe it is time to ask the people living in your house, what would make their seasons brighter? Make a “bucket list” and prioritize doing only those things that mean something to you during this season. What are your family’s top ten songs to listen to? What are your neighbors top 3 treats you can bake for them? What is the number 1 family tradition that you just don’t want to miss this year.

This year Spirit Song church will be having our Christmas Eve service at Vistancia Elementary School at 6:00pm. We will also be having a “Pajamas and Carols” worship on Sunday December 25th at 9:00am. We hope that no matter what you do this Winter Holiday Season, that you will find and spread the joy of togetherness in all you do.

Submitted by Pastor Misty Howick, of Spirit Song Church

Peoria 411

The City of Peoria has launched a new citizen engagement app, offering residents one more way to connect with city services and resources. MyPeoriaAz is available to download free on a mobile device, and features an easy-to-use interface where users can submit and track service requests, locate city resources and facilities, and stay up-to-date on city news and events.

MyPeoriaAZ allows users to submit requests for numerous services such as graffiti removal, street maintenance, street lighting, traffic signals, trash and recycling, and more. Users may submit a request anonymously, or they may provide contact information to receive regular updates as their service request is processed. The app also serves as a one-stop shop for information about city resources including family and youth services, neighborhood and community assistance, parks and recreation, events, city news, and more.

MyPeoriaAZ replaces a previous citizen engagement app. Stay connected by downloading the new app today at the Google Play or Apple App Store, or visit https://peoriaaz. citysourced.com/.

Old Town Holiday Festival

The City of Peoria invites you to join us at the annual Old Town Holiday Festival, on December 10, 2022. Take a stroll through Old Town Peoria and enjoy the festive and fun holiday activities, including the following:

• Tree lighting ceremony will take place at 7:15 p.m.

• Live music and entertainment

• Horse drawn carriage and wagon rides

• Local merchants and vendors

• Gingerbread house display

• Food trucks

• Photos with Santa Claus

• Roaming high school choirs

The festival will take place south of Peoria and Grand Avenues, including Osuna Park and the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. Parking and admission are free.

Submitted by Coucilmember Brad Shafer

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:

digit from

to

can only appear once in every row, column and 3x3 box. Good Luck!