Surprise Living

Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor

623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive

623.398.5541 info@EstrellaPublishing.com

All contents © 2010-present day Estrella Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission from Estrella Publishing LLC is prohibited. Estrella Publishing accepts freelance contributions, there is no guarantee that materials will be used or returned. Some content is provided by Brandpointe. Estrella Publishing is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or Advertisers. Estrella Publishing reserves the right to restrict all advertisement to their proper classification and to edit or reject any copy at its sole discretion. Neither this publication nor Estrella Publishing is an agent of or in any way affiliated with the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association, or any of their respective affiliates. This publication has not been approved by, sponsored by, or endorsed by the associated Developer nor Homeowners Association in any way.

From Me To You...

I am planning a getaway for a few days up to the cooler air in the mountains and honestly I can’t wait. There is something about putting yourself in a different place that reenergizes and restores the mind. I recall holidays when the children were young - times that were anything but relaxing - we all felt like we got to start fresh when we straggled back into our house, tired but refreshed.

In today’s fast-paced world, where we often find ourselves caught up in hectic routines and demanding schedules, it’s easy to overlook the significance of taking a break. When we engage in the same activities day in and day out, our minds can become stagnant, and monotony can set in. This lack of stimulation can lead to decreased productivity, creativity, and motivation. However, introducing change into our lives, whether it’s trying a new hobby, exploring a different location, or even altering our daily routine, can provide us with a fresh perspective and reinvigorate our enthusiasm.

Change also allows us to break free from our comfort zones and challenge ourselves. It encourages personal growth, as we learn to adapt to new situations and develop new skills. Stepping outside of our familiar environment and embracing change opens up doors to new experiences and opportunities, expanding our horizons and broadening our knowledge.

By taking a break from our usual routines and engaging in new experiences, we can gain a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm for life. Trying new things together with friends, family, or even strangers can foster bonding and create shared memories. It encourages us to connect with others, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections, ultimately enriching our social lives. Even if you cant get away, you should try incorporating change into your routine this summer. It may lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life and as they say, “a change is as good as a rest.”

Catherine Uretsky Editor, Surprise Living Magazine info@estrellapublishing.com 623.398.5541

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Summer Fun

While a sunny summer is nice, too much of something is never a good thing. Excessive heat can cause dangerous conditions, such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Here are some ways to beat the summer heat:

1. Wear natural fabrics, such as a loose-fitting, white cotton or linen shirt. Dark fabrics absorb light more than lighter ones.

2. Replace the salt lost from excessive sweating with lemon water. One squeezed lemon provides 21% of a person’s daily required dose of vitamin

C. The acid in lemons can damage your teeth so don’t forget to use a straw.

3. Remember that foods rich in fat and protein take longer for your body to digest and therefore require additional metabolic heat. Go for salads to help you feel light and hydrated.

4. Use frozen water bottles to cool down your pulse points including behind your ear, at the bottom of your throat, on your wrist, inside your elbow and behind your knee.

5. Apply a moisturizer that contains aloe vera on

sunburned skin. Sunburns slow the skin’s ability to cool itself off.

6. Invest in room-darkening curtains to help keep the light and heat out more efficiently.

7. Avoid heat-producing appliances, such as the dryer. Air-dry your clothes instead.

8. Avoid using the oven, try outdoor grilling or use a slow cooker to help keep the heat out

9. Ditch your incandescent lights and make the switch to LED bulbs. LEDs give off cooler lighting, which also means your air conditioner won’t have to run as high during summer.

10. Stay indoors or in an air-conditioned area as much as possible. Spending only two hours in an air-conditioned space can help reduce your risk of heat stroke.

With temperatures sky-high this summer, staying hydrated is important whether you’re just sitting in the sun, exercising for recreation or playing sports. If dehydration sets in, you may start to feel tired and dizzy, have muscle cramps or lose consciousness, entirely.

Here are some tips to stay ahead of your hydration needs, especially for those who have an active lifestyle:

• Before exercise: Drink 17 to 20 ounces of water within 2 to 3 hours

• During warm-up: Drink 8 ounces of water within 20 to 30 minutes

• During exercise: Drink 7 to 10 ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes

• After exercise: Drink 8 ounces of water within 30 minutes

Staying cool this summer can be easier than it seems. But if you or someone you know is suffering from heat stroke or dehydration, go to the nearest hospital or call 911. Please do not delay care.

Submiitted by Abrazo Health

The Talk

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, around 50 percent of teenagers have tried illicit drugs at least once in their lifetime. With drugs and binge drinking on the rise, it’s essential to recognize the importance of alcohol and substance abuse education in schools and to ask parents to support the effort by encouraging open conversations with their children about underage drinking at home.

Education provided in a school setting is instrumental in teaching children and teens about the potential implications of their actions and habitual behaviors. Alcohol education in schools offers a different perspective on substance abuse and a different atmosphere where young people may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences with alcohol. As much as every parent wants their child to feel like they can be completely transparent, it doesn’t always happen, and having a school-based curriculum and services, can be an excellent resource for families.

Many Valley schools offer alcohol education and behavioral health services, so I encourage parents to investigate what alcohol education resources are available at their child’s school. Sessions provide young people with valuable information, insightful stories, examples and case studies, and advice about seeking help or assisting others.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests that every $1 spent on prevention contributes 10-fold savings on drug and alcohol treatment. Therefore, talk to your child before exposure to alcohol and other drugs. When parents talk with their children early and often, they are more likely to respect your rules and advice. It’s never too early to talk to your children about alcohol, especially because many children may try alcohol or other drugs at a very young age.

About 10 percent of 12-year-olds say they have tried alcohol; by age 15, that number jumps to 50 percent. Although those statistics sound scary, believe it or not, you significantly influence your child’s decisions to experiment with alcohol. One of the most influential factors during a child’s adolescence is maintaining a strong, open relationship with a parent. When parents create supportive and nurturing environments, children make better decisions. Though it may not always seem like it, children listen to their parents’ concerns, so parents must discuss the risks of using alcohol.

Alcohol misuse by school-aged children arises from risk factors associated with genetics, culture, environment, and the behavioral patterns of consumption by parents or other family members. These may also occur due to interpersonal, sensation-seeking, or impulsive issues and/or concerns, not to mention curiosity and peer pressure. By utilizing the school as a resource and supporting it with discussions about alcohol at home, parents create an atmosphere where young people are more likely to be transparent and share their honest feelings about alcohol and how it impacts their lives.

Submitted by Erika Arthur, MSW, BHT, of Southwest Behavioral & Health Services

Legal Advice

NON-STRESS PROBATE WITH A WILL

The Last Will and Testament is the document that allows courts to re-title accounts and assets which are in your name (not a trust) and which do not have a beneficiary designation.

If you are leaving assets to adults (not minors), then you can use beneficiary designations and avoid probate. A Will is still a good idea to have as a backup for any account without a beneficiary; either because a beneficiary was not listed or a financial company lost the beneficiary designation. If your spouse has children which are not also your children, the Will also can assure that your spouse’s half of the community property goes to you. Otherwise, intestate laws apply and your spouse’s children will be entitled to one-half of the community property and one-

half of your spouse’s sole and separate property.

Be sure to keep your Original Will, because using a copy requires a formal court probate hearing. Evidence proving the Will was not revoked is needed when the original cannot be located. Wills need two witnesses and a specially worded affidavit so the Will can be probated without a hearing. A handwritten Will does not need witnesses or a notary if all of the dispositive provisions are in your handwriting and all pages are originals.

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.

those bugs under control.

Submitted by Sharon Ravenscroft, Esq.

Summer Fun

Summer in Arizona offers a diverse range of activities that cater to various interests and provide opportunities to beat the scorching heat. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, here are some exciting activities that make Arizona an ideal destination for summertime fun.

Water activities play a significant role in beating the Arizona heat. The state boasts several beautiful lakes such as Lake Powell, Lake Havasu, and Canyon Lake, where visitors can enjoy boating, jet skiing, fishing, and swimming. For a unique experience, take a dip in the clear waters of Slide Rock State Park, which features natural water slides formed by the smooth red rocks. For more water based fun, head to one of Arizona’s water parks. Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa and Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix offer thrilling water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and splash pads, providing a cool respite for all ages.

Arizona’s cultural scene shines during the summer months as well. The Heard Museum in Phoenix showcases the art and culture of Native American tribes through its vast collection

of artifacts and exhibits. Visitors can explore traditional pottery, jewelry, and textiles, gaining a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage of the region. Tucson’s Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum combines a zoo, botanical garden, and natural history museum, offering an immersive educational experience.

For those seeking indoor entertainment, Arizona is home to numerous art galleries, theaters, and museums. The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix showcases an extensive collection of instruments from around the world, allowing visitors to explore diverse musical cultures. The Phoenix Art Museum and Tucson Museum of Art provide a visual feast for art enthusiasts. Summer in Arizona means embracing the vibrant festival scene. The city of Flagstaff hosts the Flagstaff Folk Festival, where visitors can enjoy live music performances and workshops. In Tucson, the Arizona International Film Festival showcases independent films from around the globe.

Arizona offers an abundance of summer activities that cater to all interests and age groups. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or a deeper understanding of the region’s heritage, Arizona’s diverse offerings ensure a memorable summer experience.

Yum Yum

Tortilla Egg Roll-Ups

Ingredients

4 Large Eggs

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 whole grain tortillas (6-inch)

Optional mix-ins: finely chopped spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers

Preparation

1. Over medium heat, warm a 6-inch skillet.

2. In small measuring cup, scramble one egg.

3. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to skillet, pour in the egg, and swirl so it covers the bottom of the pan.

4. Sprinkle on 2 tablespoons of cheese and optional mix-ins.

5. Let egg cook about 30 seconds, or until the bottom is cooked, but the top is still a little wet.

6. Press 1 tortilla right on top of the wet egg, and cook another 30 seconds (the egg and tortilla will stick together.)

7. Using a spatula, flip the egg and tortilla over, and cook another 30 seconds until the egg is fully cooked.

8. Remove from pan, let cool slightly, then roll it.

9. Repeat for remaining eggs and tortillas.

10. Eat immediately or store covered in the fridge for up to four days.

You can even make extras to keep in the freezer for up to three months. Using these tips, you’ll be able to throw a crowd-pleasing get-together that your friends and family will be talking about all summer long!

Perception is Reality

Working with couples, I’m often astounded by how two perceptions of the same event can be so different. Each person’s perception is based on their interpretation vs. entirely grounded in a given reality. I always say that there are at least three sides to every story: yours, mine and the truth–the last of which is usually found somewhere in the middle!

Feelings aren’t right or wrong, but the thoughts that come from them are another matter entirely. They can get us into trouble via the generation of assumptions and other bad choices. How we see a given situation or event is open to interpretation. How we respond is within our control, and our responses are often characterdefining moments. The goal is to see things as clearly as possible, with a balance of rational thought and emotion.

Sometimes, we may struggle to see things clearly. The lens through which each person sees is colored by their past events and experiences. Lenses come in 3 colors: clear, rose-colored and gray. Clear is the most accurate color, and the other two can result in bad decisions based

on positive or negative feelings, originating from the skewed thoughts the lenses create.

Rose-colored is the color that Polyanna wears, and these lenses can result in naïveté, being taken advantage of and disappointment when unrealistic expectations aren’t met. For example, trusting too early in a relationship, revealing too much of self and having it used against you by an immature or spiteful person. Seeing through gray glasses can result in sadness, lost opportunities and relationship difficulties. If everything is doom and gloom, self-esteem can be affected, which, in turn, affects motivation and can result in depression or at least chronically negative thinking. Early experiences can create gray lenses that cause us to be more sensitive and take things more personally as well.

Submitted by Jennifer Bellingrodt, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

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.

Dad Jokes

* You can’t blame anyone else if you fall in your driveway…it’s your own asphalt.

* I’ve started telling everyone about the benefits of eating dried grapes. It’s all about raisin awareness.

* I’ve started investing in stocks: beef, vegetable, chicken. One day I hope to be a bouillianaire.

* If you boil a funny bone, it becomes a laughing stock. Now that’s humerus.

* I accidentally rubbed ketchup in my eyes. Now I have Heinzsight.

* Did you know muffins spelled backwards is what you do when you take them out of the oven?

* Scientifically, a raven has 17 primary wing feathers, the big ones at the end of the wing. They are called pinion feathers. A crow has 16. So, the difference between a raven and a crow is only a matter of a pinion.

* I was walking in the jungle and saw a lizard on his hind legs telling jokes. I turned to a local tribal leader and said, “That lizard is really funny!” The leader replied, “That’s not a lizard. He’s a stand-up chameleon.

* I tried to come up with a carpentry pun that woodwork. I thought I nailed it but nobody saw it.

* Singing in the shower is fine until you get soap in your mouth. Then it’s a soap opera.

* The Black-Eyed Peas can sing us a song but the chick peas can only hummus one.

* Then there was the time Fruit of the Loom took

Hanes to court… it was a brief case.

* How much does a chimney cost? Nothing, it’s on the house.

* My friend said she wouldn’t eat cow’s tongue because it came out of a cow’s mouth. I gave her an egg.

* Ran out of toilet paper and now using lettuce leaves. Today was just the tip of the iceberg, and tomorrow romaines to be seen.

* My friend Jack says he can communicate with vegetables. That’s right...Jack and the beans talk.

* I was struggling to understand how lightning works and then it struck me.

Money Matters

If you decide, for one reason or another, that you’d like to redefine “retirement” to include part-time work or consulting, you could enjoy exercising your skills and meeting new people. But you can also receive some key financial benefits.Specifically, bringing in some paychecks in your retirement can help you in these areas:

• You could contribute more to your IRA. During your working years, you may have contributed regularly to an IRA, but once you retired, you might have thought those days were over. But there’s no age limit – if you have any earned income, you can contribute to an IRA and boost the financial resources you have available for retirement.

• You could potentially lower your withdrawal rate. Once you’re retired, you will likely need to rely on your investment portfolio to provide you with some – or maybe most – of your income. Consequently, you’ll need to establish an appropriate withdrawal rate – a percentage of your portfolio that you can take out each year without running the risk of potentially outliving your money. Income from part-time work or

consulting may lower your dependency on investment income, thereby reducing your annual withdrawal rate and extending the overall longevity of your investment portfolio.

• You could add to your grandchildren’s 529 plans. When you invest in a 529 education savings plan, the earnings and withdrawals are federally tax-free, provided the money is used for qualified education expenses. As a grandparent, you can contribute to a 529 plan with your grandchildren as beneficiaries. And a 529 plan can be used for more than college – it can fund some programs at trade schools and K-12 expenses in some states. So, by putting some of your earned income to work in a 529 plan, you can help improve your grandchildren’s prospects. • You could reduce your debts. By the time you reach retirement, you may or may not have retired your mortgage, but you might have other debts on your books. If you can apply some of your earned income to these debts, you can improve your cash flow and possibly avoid dipping into your retirement accounts for shortterm needs.

Of course, you’ll also have to consider some issues if you end up working in retirement, particularly if you bring in a sizable amount of money. For example, if you’re earning income and collecting Social Security before you reach your “full” retirement age your monthly benefits will be reduced. Also, the added income could push you into a higher tax bracket.

Overall, though, the financial benefits of part-time employment income during your retirement years may be worth it – so give some thought to “unretiring.”

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

Samurai Sudoku

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!

Solutions are on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com