The Hamlet
February 2018
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From Me To You... Welcome
to the February edition of The Hamlet.
Every month I sit down at my computer to write this piece and I usually have an idea of what I will say. A general theme, some lines thought out in my head. Then I let it fly. Sometimes it is pretty close to my original plan, sometimes I go off on a tangent. The majority of my articles have an example or a snippit from my life, usually involving my children. Let’s face it, kids do say the darnedest things! Growing up in England, my childhood was mostly bucolic. I had my moments, trials and tribulations you could say, but it was pretty nice all in all. Except for Sunday mornings. Yes, church. Not because the pews were uncomfortable - they were. Not because the singing was painful - it was, my mother is tone deaf but refuses to let that stop her from belting out the hymns. Not because the world was beckoning from outside, begging me to play and be free - of course it was. My problem was that my father was the vicar, or minister. He was great at it. His voice rang with conviction, he was kind and gentle with his flock and always sang beautifully. The problem was his sermons. To get inspiration he looked at his life, and in particular his children. Whatever stupid thing we had done that week was sure to be brought up as a humorous anecdote that he could use to teach the lesson of the day. It was
mortifying. We lived with these people and as well meaning as they were, they would always chuckle over our misadventures and talk to us about them later. One time I remember Dad told the story of our one and only attempt at clock maintenance. He had on old clock that I believe he found at a yard sale, intending to wind it up and put it on the mantelpiece. It must have needed more than winding so he gave it to us to see what we could learn from it. As the story goes we gave it back to him pretty quickly in pieces. Many pieces. It filled a large cardboard box that we found somewhere. I don’t remember the meaning behind this sermon, perhaps that there is more inside us that is apparent on the surface, or not to judge the outside of people as what is inside is so much more. Or don’t give your children a clock to play with. What ever it was I remember squirming on my pew as the congregation chuckled along. Now I find myself on the other end of the story. Remembering my childhood I try to be sensitive to my children’s feelings but let’s face it, they will most likely never read this, and as 3 out of 4 are now grown with their own lives they might like to hear these stories. It does, however, remind me of a TV show I used to watch. Perhaps you did too. Here is one of my favorite quotes from Friends that seems appropriate in this situation: “Oh my God. I’ve become my father. I’ve been trying so hard not to become my mother, I didn’t see this coming.” — Rachel Green, The One With Phoebe’s CookiesCookies
Catherine Uretsky
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February 2018
Published by Estrella Publishing LLC, PO Box 6962, Goodyear AZ 85338. Additional copies and article reproductions can be obtained for a fee by contacting info@EstrellaPublishing.com Catherine Uretsky, Publisher and Editor 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com Al Uretsky, Publisher and Sales Executive 623.594.9283 info@EstrellaPublishing.com All contents © 2010-2018 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. 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.
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The Hamlet
February 2018
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February 2018
Belly button lint is a mystery. Belly buttons are smooth, as far I’ve been able to determine. How does fabric fibers get scraped off and lodged into this midriff indentation? It’s somewhat annoying. Especially forgetting to check prior to wearing a two-piece bathing suit. I am NOT speaking from experience, only casual research. While I have no doubt someone with a government grant will cure the belly button lint problem, it’s just one example of many little bits of reality no one wants to discuss openly. Another one is checkout lines at the store. You know. When you’re in a hurry, you’re always in the slowest lane. You stand somewhat patiently waiting checkout. Meanwhile, the next lane over is moving visibly faster. So you jump to that lane, which immediately slows and the previous one goes to warp speed. Too many chips and not enough dip or too much dip and not enough chips. The amount of milk verses remaining cereal. I won’t cause any anxiety with the hot dogs to hot dog buns package count ratios. It’s another piece of reality that involves math. I don’t want to subject you to any more math than Life already throws at you. The balance of peanut butter to jelly, thankfully, is irrelevant. You’re okay as long as you have some of either. The only bad PBJ is not having one.
Traditions
are small compared to the other issues in life. An instructor I had a long time ago gave a life lesson on how to determine levels of importance when faced with dilemmas. She based her comparative scale on real life situations: a hole in your sock on the low end and nuclear war at the other. Belly button lint would be even lower on the scale than a hole in a sock because the sock has to be mended or replaced. Lint can be fixed easy-peasy with a flick of a finger. Obviously, the examples I used aren’t at nuclear war level unless you’re completely out of food, which is a problem. It’s possible the weird things are the Universe playing a prank on us. You’re looking for your keys or some other object. You look everywhere and can’t find it. You go back to the first place you searched and suddenly it’s there. How did you miss it the first time? Or, did the Universe put it back when you weren’t looking? Not everything in the Universe will make sense to us, but it’s how the Universe tries to keep balance. Life is too serious too often. So, the Universe throws little things at us as a reminder that the unexpected is part of life, too. Submitted by John Safin, Southwest Valley Chamber
We put up with the minor irritations because they
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February 2018
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Healthy Living A new year brings new opportunities to focus on health and fitness. The following are four easy ways to boost your health in less than five minutes per day.
Drinking enough water each day helps to boost hydration, improve energy and aid digestion. But drinking before meals may offer another benefit - it can help you to eat less and lose more weight. One study found drinking 16 ounces of water in the half hour before meals led to nearly three pounds of weight loss on average over a 12-week period when compared to those who did not drink before a meal. No matter how healthy your diet, you may fall short on essential nutrients day to day. “Taking a multivitamin is one of the best ways to ensure you are meeting all of your nutritional needs consistently,” states Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, and spokesperson for Swisse Wellness. When choosing a multivitamin, not just any option will do. “Look for brands that have been clinically tested to ensure they can be utilized and absorbed by the body,” points out Palinski-Wade. “I recommend Swisse Ultivite (R) multivitamins as these products have been analyzed in over 13 clinical studies and been shown to improve energy and mood, reduce stress and increase mental alertness in both men and women.”
High stress levels can increase blood pressure, affect your immune system and cause you to pack on the pounds. To instantly fight stress, remember to breathe. Practicing deep breathing exercises, such as belly breathing, can reduce heart rate and lower stress hormones quickly, helping to prevent stress from having a negative impact on health. To practice, place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Breathe in slowly through your nose into your belly. You should feel the hand on your stomach being pushed outward while the hand on your chest remains still. Hold the breath for a few seconds, and then push it out through pursed lips, like you were whistling. Repeat for three slow, deep breaths to instantly feel less stressed. Pick up the intensity of your workout - for one minute. Finding time to exercise can be a challenge, but there is good news for those with maxed-out schedules. A recent study found that just one minute of high-intensity exercise may be equivalent to 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise. Although you shouldn’t ditch your workout routine completely, when you are short on time, aim to fit in small bursts of exercise throughout the day. Just make sure your doctor clears you for intense exercise before getting started.
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February 2018
Tax Mistakes to Avoid
Life changes - getting married, having a baby, buying or selling a home, sending a child off to college or retiring - often come with changes to your tax situation. Overlooking these changes when filing your taxes can lead taxpayers to make mistakes that leave money on the table. Here is a list of common tax mistakes to avoid in the 2018 filing season to help ensure you don’t miss any deductions or credits that you deserve.
One of the most common mistakes taxpayers make is selecting the wrong filing status. A taxpayer’s filing status can affect which credits and deductions they’re eligible for, the value of their standard deduction and their tax bracket. One situation that can make choosing a filing status difficult is when more than one filing status seems to fit. For example, if a taxpayer with children is in the process of getting a divorce, they may not be sure if they should file as married filing jointly or married filing separately or, in some instances, whether they qualify to file as head of household. In addition, common clerical errors such as mixing up names, forgetting to include information reported on your W-2, 1099 or other forms, or even making mathematical errors can also affect your tax benefits. Most taxpayers file their taxes using the standard deduction, but you may be eligible for a variety of itemized deductions that could possibly save you more. Also, you may be eligible for “above-the-line”
deductions and tax credits, none of which require you to itemize. And it’s important to note that the newly passed tax reform generally does not impact these credits or deductions until you file your 2018 tax return in 2019.
Earned Income Tax Credit for lower-income workers: Twenty percent of eligible taxpayers, particularly lower-income workers, do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Depending on their income and the number of children they have, these taxpayers may be eligible for an EITC of $503 to $6,242. Since eligibility can fluctuate based on financial, marital and parental status, taxpayers can be ineligible one year and eligible the next. Education credits: Depending on your academic program, what year the student is in, income and other restrictions, there are federal tax credits that can help offset the costs of higher education for yourself or your dependents. To qualify, you must pay for post-secondary tuition and fees for yourself, your spouse or your dependent. Depending on the criteria, a student may use the American Opportunity Credit of up to $2,500 or the Lifetime Learning Credit of up to $2,000. Itemizing deductions: Itemizing can save taxpayers hundreds of dollars, as only one third of taxpayers itemize but millions more should - especially homeowners. Owning a home is often the key that unlocks itemization, but some taxpayers with high state taxes and charitable contributions may also be able to itemize. Itemizing enables eligible taxpayers to take deductions such as: * Charitable donations * Medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income * Personal property taxes * State income or sales taxes * Casualty losses such as a fire, hurricane or earthquake * Mortgage interest payments On average, the IRS announces annually that approximately $1 billion goes unclaimed in federal tax refunds. There is no late-filing penalty if a taxpayer is due a refund. Also, even if you are not required to file a return, you may be entitled to a refund.
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February 2018
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Hearing Aids Being an informed health care consumer is hard work. There is information everywhere. But how do you sift through it and make sense of it all? And how do you know what is reliable and what isn’t? Sorting through the noise when buying hearing aids is no exception.
In the past several months, there has been significant media coverage and social media discussion about the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, which will make certain types of hearing aids available over the counter in the next several years. At the same time, there are many advertisements about devices called Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) - which are not hearing aids and are not designed to treat hearing loss - adding to the confusion. To help consumers cut through the clutter, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) has pulled together six essential facts for people with hearing loss who are considering the purchase of hearing aids. BHI recommends that anyone who is ready to address their hearing loss keep these six points in mind: 1) Addressing hearing loss promptly and appropriately is important for health and quality of life. Research shows that hearing loss is linked to cognitive decline and dementia, depression, an increased risk of falls and hospitalization, and greater health care costs. 2) Hearing loss is a complex sensory loss. It involves brain function and frequency losses specific to the individual. Human hearing involves a multifaceted interplay between specific parts of the ears and brain. For this reason, hearing aids - which are designed specifically to compensate for hearing loss - must be cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to ensure safety and efficacy. 3) Hearing aids need to be custom-fitted and programmed specifically for the individual so they correctly address those specific frequencies the individual has trouble hearing. The beauty of authentic hearing aids is that they’re tailored - through personalized fitting, programming and follow-up adjustments - to correctly address those specific frequencies the individual has trouble hearing. Follow-up hearing aid adjustments, along with training to help consumers adjust to amplification and re-learn how to hear and process sounds they had been missing, further increase user satisfaction. 4) Personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs) are not hearing aids and are not cleared by the FDA to treat hearing loss. Consumers need to be careful not to confuse hearing aids with PSAPs, which simply turn up the volume - sometimes to dangerously high decibel levels - regardless of the individual’s specific hearing needs. Over-amplifying in this way may put the consumer at risk of greater hearing damage. 5) Seeing a hearing care professional is the best safety net for proper diagnosis and treatment. Going to a hearing care professional helps ensure that any underlying medical issue behind a hearing loss is identified and addressed. It also helps ensure that the person’s hearing loss is safely and effectively treated. Audiologists and hearing aid specialists are expressly trained in all aspects of hearing aids and amplification, and they are state-licensed. Involving a hearing health care professional also means the consumer gets maximum benefit from their hearing aids. 6) Currently, hearing aids are only sold by licensed hearing care professionals. Today, real hearing aids cannot be purchased in the U.S. without the involvement of a licensed hearing care professional. The way hearing aids are sold, however, will change in a few years due to the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017, which was signed into law in August 2017. Nevertheless, the complex nature of hearing loss will not change. BHI urges consumers with hearing loss to remain encouraged. Most people with hearing loss can benefit from custom-fitted and programmed hearing aids. For information on types of hearing loss, visit http://www.betterhearing.org/news/heres-whatyou-need-know-about-different-types-hearing-loss.
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February 2018
Rent vs. Own
If you’re thinking of buying your first home, you’ve probably wrestled with the decision to rent or own your home - and for good reason.
Owning a home is a big commitment. With it comes a lot of responsibility and a long-term financial relationship. But which is right for you? To answer that, let’s lean into the facts. The improving housing market Good news! Since the depths of the recession, the housing market has made a heroic comeback. That can be attributed to a number of factors, including a drop in unemployment and a stronger economy. But as the housing market has recovered, it has experienced some growing pains. With a sharp increase in demand, housing supplies are being strained. This means, among other things, that prices are going up. For families and individuals still recovering financially, finding affordable housing options can be difficult. This applies to home sales and rentals. Making the decision With rental and sales markets heading toward record highs, the decision falls back to what is best for you. Specifically, what is financially feasible. Let’s look at the basic numbers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent paid from 2012 to 2016 was $949 monthly. Compare that with the median selected monthly owner costs with a mortgage, which was $1,491 over the same time period.
Then there are utilities. The median monthly electricity cost for renters in 2015 was $82, with owners paying $117. For piped gas, the median amount renters pay monthly is $42, while owners pay $58.
For renters, it is wise to carry renter’s insurance. Some landlords will also charge maintenance and other fees. Utility costs will also vary depending on the quality of the structure and materials used as well as size of the rental space. Homeowners will pay property taxes, insurance and an estimated $500 annually for routine maintenance, according to the Census Bureau. The benefits of homeownership At a glance, it may seem that renting is the lower cost option. But there are certain benefits to homeownership that may offset the additional regular costs. According to the Tax Policy Center, the primary benefit to owning a home is imputed rental income. Simply put, making a monthly payment on a home that you own is like paying rent to yourself. While that money is not taxed, it comes with another benefit - potential tax deductions. When you file your federal taxes, you may be able to deduct a portion of the mortgage interest you pay. Talk to a tax professional for more information on the expenses you can deduct and the limits for those deductions. Beyond the numbers Homeownership provides a variety of benefits beyond the numbers. For many people, a home is the largest investment they will ever make. The upgrades, work and care put into the home that you own can add value to your investment. It also adds a sense of pride knowing that it is yours. “Having a place to call your own, a place to return to at the end of the day, makes life better,” said Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc. President Eric Hamilton. “You can see it from the moment they make the decision - that sense of pride. It’s a life-changing event and a memory that will last a lifetime.”
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February 2018
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Home Features As we move through the different stages in our lives, our housing needs change too. The home you were excited to move into in your 30s might not be ideal for those now nearing retirement. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, between 2015 and 2035, the number of people over the age of 75 living alone will nearly double from 6.9 million to 13.4 million. Being prepared for retirement and aging is important, so we’re going to take a closer look at the specific housing features that would most benefit those who are looking to downsize or find that perfect home to “age in.” 1. Walk-in showers Installing a walk-in bathtub or large shower is a good idea for ease and safety. Having extra room to move is not only aging-friendly, but a timeless trend that is easy to maintain. Clayton, one of America’s largest homebuilders, features optional walk-in showers with benches that are available in many of their homes. This is a feature that’s great at any age. 2. Wide doors and hallways Spacious doors and wide hallways do the double duty of making your home look great while providing enough space to maneuver a wheelchair or walker through if needed. 3. Open floor plans A home design trend that is perfect for any homeowner age is an open floor plan. But for boomers, an open floor plan is more than just an aesthetic feature. Having wide spaces that allow you to move around is essential to maintaining your
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independence as you grow older. It also helps add more natural light and is ideal when gathering with family and friends. 4. Low maintenance Fixing up an older home with good bones might look fun on TV, but it’s not something you will want to deal with in your retirement. Rather than trying to troubleshoot problem after problem, look for a newly constructed home. Not only will you have fewer maintenance issues, but you can design a flexible floor plan that fits your lifestyle. 5. A customizable floor plan The features listed so far are part of what is commonly known as age-in-place design. These home features work for people of all ages, but are designed so you can age into them. In addition, make sure the home you purchase is single-story and fits the lifestyle you want for your future. As you grow older, you realize there is no one, perfect dream home. Rather, there are different dream homes for different stages of your life.
February 2018
Retirement Readiness
A recent study by the Center for Retirement Research suggests an alarming state of awareness about retirement readiness. For the Americans at risk of not being able to maintain an adequate retirement lifestyle, it’s critical to take action. For the households that are well prepared and don’t know it, they risk sacrificing a comfortable retirement. Understanding the behaviors associated with good retirement planning, in turn, can help you get a better sense of where you stand. Consider the following behaviors, which are more likely to be modeled by those who are well prepared for retirement. A high-level approach to ensuring adequate retirement assets is to save a minimum of 10 percent of your gross income each year. You may need to save even more depending on your asset accumulation goals and how many years you have left to save before retirement. If you would rather have a dollar goal, multiply your annual income goal by 25 to arrive at the amount you should try to save. For example, if after considering Social Security and any pension payment, you want $30,000 more of annual income in retirement, you will need to save $750,000. Lower goals mean you need to withdraw at a faster rate and increase the risk you will deplete your assets too soon. Budgeting - Not all budgets need to detail specific spending items. Rather, you can consider yourself working within a budget if you know that each year you are saving and not creating new debt. If you want to squeeze out more savings, a line-by-line review of spending may well be fruitful. Personal debt - Many of us are saddled with personal debt from college and graduate school. This debt has become so burdensome that the customary progression to home ownership has been delayed for many. The debt has also had a domino effect on the ability to save for retirement. Paying down personal debt should be job one. Other personal debt, such as for a car purchase, should be avoided, minimized or paid down as quickly as possible. Credit card debt, which carries high interest rates, should be avoided entirely. Remember, each dollar of debt limits your ability to save for the future. Mortgage debt - It used to be commonly accepted that you pay off your mortgage before retirement, but more and more retirees are entering retirement with mortgage debt. The old rule remains the best approach, since any indebtedness in retirement will limit your ability to react and adjust to poor investment return on your assets.
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Social Security - With traditional pension plans less commonly offered by employers, Social Security has become an even more important source of guaranteed lifetime retirement income. By waiting to age 70, you can increase the benefit payment significantly, which is also the base for annual Social Security cost-of-living increases for the rest of your life. That increased Social Security benefit may also increase the benefit that a surviving spouse will receive after you die. Unless you have a health care issue that could reduce your life expectancy and no spouse who might need a spousal benefit based on your earnings record, claiming Social Security early is the greatest retirement planning mistake made. Health care - Health care is the single greatest cost in retirement, and various studies estimate the cost to be $250,000 or more for a healthy 65-yearold couple. The cost of health care will be even greater to the extent one retires before age 65 and Medicare eligibility. Moreover, health care costs can vary and may come sooner than expected. The best plan, then, is to work until at least age 65 and understand that health care is a unique challenge in retirement. To the extent possible, utilize Health Savings Accounts and bank any unused amounts annually to build up a tax-free health care fund for retirement. Income planning - No later than 10 years before your planned retirement, you should be translating your retirement assets into an annual or monthly retirement income stream. Start with your Social Security and any pension plan payments as your income base, and then consider how much income your other assets can safely generate. Depending on this analysis, you may want to consider purchasing an annuity to make more of your retirement income guaranteed and avoid the twin risks of poor investment return and living longer than expected. Consider also that many of your retirement assets have an embedded tax liability. You will need to look through your retirement assets to determine after-tax income, since your food, rent and cable bills are paid with after-tax money. Only by seeing your after-tax income can you decide if you have enough to live on. Modeling such behaviors will make it more likely you will be well prepared for retirement. By doing so you will also make it more likely that you are properly assessing the state of your retirement readiness and not over- or underestimating your financial health.
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College Costs With student debt increasingly becoming a longterm burden on graduates and families, says Peter Gayle, a vice president for Prudential Advisors, it’s never been more important to minimize the out-of-pocket expenses to put a student through college - and reduce reliance on student loans. The good news is that anyone willing to put in the time can likely find programs that help foot the bill - helping to reduce the need to take out loans - so a student’s education won’t break the budget or jeopardize a financial future. According to Gayle, families can take a few initial steps before choosing a school:
* Learn how the financial aid process works and get the most out of options that don’t need to be repaid. * Understand each school’s actual net price after financial aid - and set realistic expectations, choosing from the most affordable institutions. * Explore types of financial aid, including grants, work study programs and scholarships; examine the specific types of aid available per school and find out how much of a family’s demonstrated financial need each school will cover. * Understand the kinds of loans available, including a variety of federal loans and private loans, which may be used to fill any financing gaps after exhausting other options. * Understand how parents’ “available income” is used to calculate how much parents are expected to contribute to their child’s education, especially for
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federal financial aid purposes. For families that must use student loans, the federal government is making it easier to understand how to borrow, process applications and repay loans through new online tools. Since 2010, all new federal loans, except Federal Perkins Loans, have been issued through the U.S. Department of Education, which offers information about borrowing and repaying loans. There are multiple options to repay federally funded student loans, which generally require repayments to start six or nine months after a student graduates, leaves school or drops to half-time enrollment. A few popular choices for repayment include types of income-driven plans, which calculate payments based on a borrower’s ability to repay. One catch: It’s critical to re-certify income and family size annually to avoid huge monthly payment increases. When debt becomes too burdensome, some loan programs offer forgiveness through public service, federal government employment, and options like teaching in underserved school districts. Studies show college education can be worth the price. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that students who attend college can earn nearly twice as much over their lifetimes as those with only a high school diploma.
February 2018
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February 2018
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Acupuncture Acupuncture is a complete medical protocol that focuses on modifying the flow of energy (known as qi or chi) throughout the body to correct imbalances to promote natural healing and improve functioning. Balancing the energy flow results in preventing, diagnosing and treating disease, as well as improving general health, commonly associated with: ▪ Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea ▪ Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, chest infections • Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, tendinitis, lower back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis • Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting • Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems The results of acupuncture can be more successful when paired with multiple modalities of holistic treatment, such as Massage Therapy and Yoga, also offered at The Wellness Center. What to Expect
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As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins with limited side effects. The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required. A regular maintenance program to maintain health and wellness calls for monthly acupuncture treatments and it is recommended that yoga and massage therapy be combined into the holistic treatment approach. What to Know Before you Go People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most people feel only minimal discomfort as the needles are inserted; some do not feel the needles at all. Share all health information with your acupuncturist at intake so you receive the full benefits from each treatment. When making your appointment, be sure to ask for the specific guidelines to follow the day of your treatment, to ensure maximum success.
February 2018
Life As A Caregiver I am a pretty positive person by nature. I tend to view things with the glass half full. That doesn’t mean I’m a Pollyanna. But it means I would rather be happy than sad. But dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease sometimes makes being happy a challenge. It not only impacts your day-to-day existence, but in can creep into how you react to other issues that come up. Take this week, for example. The husband of a very good friend of mine had a severe stroke early in the week. The prognosis is unclear, but he has a very long road ahead of him, if he makes it at all. His wife is just devastated. They both are just wonderful people whom I adore. And there’s nothing I can do to fix this. Oh yes…..I am there for her. I call and comfort and pray and support. And I will make meals and run errands and whatever else I can do to assist. But that’s about it. Doesn’t seem like very much. But I know it is. I am so sad and very teary. Then a day later, I found out that a dear friend of mine is under hospice care and is unresponsive. She had cancer about 2 years ago, beat it and moved back up to Washington state with her husband to be closer to family. Then the bloody cancer came back…with a vengeance. Treatments haven’t worked and all I’ve been able to do (with the help of our two other friends who all paled around together as a group) is declare my love and support through sending cards and texts. There is nothing I can do to fix this. I am so sad and very teary. And then today I learned she died. My dear friend died….way too soon. But at least she is out of her pain and with the angels.
time coping with them because they pile up inside. I am lucky that I can get through them. God truly made me strong in many ways. But I am also quite emotional at the same time. Not the fall-apart emotional. But the teary and heavy-heart kind. I wasn’t able to cry my eyes out over the loss of my friend until my mom was settled and ready for bed. I wasn’t able to be quiet and pensive and deep in my thoughts over the stroke my friend had until mom was comfortable and secure for the night. But that’s the way it is. I must be strong for her and not visibly sad or it will only make her sad. For the moment anyway. She won’t remember why I’m sad, but like I said, she & I live in the moment. So what’s the solution to help keep my sanity and allow me to take care of myself? Working out is good. Taking short respites is also good. And I do both. But my love for my mom is unconditional and watching her go through this brings tears to my eyes as fast as I can snap my fingers. Which is what I wish I could do to rid her of this horrible disease! Submitted by Kathy Linton,
West Valley Resident
Also today, as I was giving my mom her breakfast, she tried to find a word to express what she wanted me to do. And it wouldn’t come. And she broke down and cried out of total frustration. The inability to find words to express yourself is an effect of Alzheimer’s. She hasn’t had that problem very often, so this could be a sign of continued deterioration. I settled her down, was kind and soft with her and explained that this was a symptom of Alzheimer’s, not about her being stupid (which she claims she is). She snapped out of it quickly and she resumed breakfast. But I couldn’t fix it. And when I left her room, I was sad and teary. And that’s what happens to caregivers. They take on all the natural burdens of life and have a harder The Hamlet
February 2018
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Shut Eye
While few people like daily workout routines or kale salad, most everyone loves sleep. And a good night’s sleep loves you, too: It boosts mental and physical well-being. With today’s stressful, highly caffeinated, screenaddicted lifestyles, millions of Americans do not get enough sleep. There are many reasons for this. A look at the 2017 Sleep in Review study by Sleep Number suggests that sleeping habits are highly individualized and need to be addressed on a caseby-case basis. This year, more than 30 percent of Americans reported they slept worse than in 2016. A big culprit here is television. Nearly half of all respondents said that television often cuts into their sleep. In fact, 24 percent of millennials and 14 percent of all Americans report that binge watching before bed prevents them from getting enough rest. Nearly 70 percent say worry and responsibility are preventing them from getting the sleep they need. A racing mind keeps many Americans from getting rest, particularly among Gen Xers. Worries about taking care of others - aging parents or young children - can often lead to neglecting yourself. However, putting your own self-care first is often the best way to care for others. Those who sleep well say they have a healthy balance of taking time
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for themselves and helping others that need them. Of course, if you’re having difficulty sleeping, this might sound easier said than done. How do you get there? How do you achieve that wonderful, restorative eight hours of sleep? There’s not one right way to do this, but according to the survey, there are several habits good sleepers have: * Ditch the device: Forty-six percent of selfdescribed “good sleepers” never or rarely bring a device to bed. * Have a laugh: Those who sleep well are more likely to watch a comedy before going to sleep. * Keep it cool: Forty-five percent say that cooling down the bedroom temperature is the No. 1 thing they do to improve sleep. * Stay tidy: Those who make their bed every morning are less likely to struggle with sleep. A good night’s sleep can mean the difference between having a wonderful or a horrible day. More and more Americans are realizing this. Over half (54 percent) of those surveyed are making “improving the quality of their sleep” one of their New Year’s resolutions, which is up 30 percentage points from 2014.
February 2018
Make your chip and dip a little more hip
Entertaining Tips 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Jalapeno Pimento Cheese
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Ingredients:
Directions:
1 bag Lay’s Kettle Cooked Chips 8 ounces jalapeno cheddar cheese, grated
Using a food processor or grater, shred cheddar cheese.
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
Add chopped pimentos, chopped jalapenos, cayenne powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, mayo and 1/4 cup thick Greek yogurt. Mix until combined. Depending on texture you want, add more Greek yogurt.
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Stir in lemon juice.
2 tablespoons mayonnaise 4-ounce jar of pimentos, drained and chopped
1/8 cup pickled jalapenos, drained and chopped 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
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February 2018
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Puzzles & Games Sudoku for February
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1 6 3 4 2 9 8
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Sudoku Solution 5
Numbers from 1-9 must appear only once in each row, column and box. Good Luck! Solution is on our website www.EstrellaPublishing.com
WORD SEARCH
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Valentine Riddles Q: What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine’s Day? A: I’m stuck on you! Q: What travels around the world but stays in one corner? A: A stamp. Q: Why is lettuce the most loving vegetable? A: Because it’s all heart. Q: What do squirrels give for Valentine’s Day? A: Forget-me-nuts. Q: What did one volcano say to the other? A: I lava you. Q: What is a vampire’s sweetheart called? A: His ghoul-friend. Q: Why did the banana go out with the prune? A: Because it couldn’t get a date. Q: What happens when you fall in love with a french chef? A: You get buttered up. Q: What did the caveman give his wife on Valentine’s Day? A: Ughs and kisses! Q: Why did the boy put candy under his pillow? A: Because he wanted sweet dreams.
18 The Hamlet
February 2018
Business Directory AUTO SERVICES A Plus Auto Repair Desert Princess Car Service Litchfield Auto Repair
623.986.1586 602.300.7076 623.882.8700
BUSINESS & EDUCATION Estrella Partners Group
623.594.9283
FINANCIAL & LEGAL SERVICES American Family Insurance - M Gama Edward Jones - Chris Carlton Estrella Bookkeeping KRamer Legacy Documents State Farm Insurance - T Gremillion The Insurance Lady
623.535.5836 623.386.1940 623.377.3996 623.386.7767 602.799.8410
HEALTHCARE & BEAUTY Active Life Pain Center Healthy Life Family Medicine Skincare Extraordinaire
623.535.9777 623.889.3477 623.826.3726
HOUSEHOLD SERVICES Al’s Plumbing Beckham Electric Cluff Mechanical Heating & AC Desired Handyman Dirt Busters House Cleaning Estrella Mountain Pest Control JBS Roofing J&H Appliance Repair
623.329.5170 480.370.1014 602.765.COOL 623.910.5183 623.977.6725 623.680.6619 623.247.9252 623.925.5427
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Urgent Air Younger Brothers Exterminating
602.377.1999 623.487.3147
LANDSCAPE & POOL CARE Pool & Landscape AZ
480.9993348
REAL ESTATE Realty One Group - G Samuelsen 602.327.7938 West USA Realty - Budge Team 623.694.3907 West USA Realty - M Sears 623.853.3380 RECREATION Elutheria Wellness Center KFNX 1100 Radio
623.986.5110 602.277.1100
RETAIL & RESTAURANTS Estrella Ordnance Haymaker Restaurant Co Pure Patio Steel Shield Security Doors
623.262.2154 623.536.9000 623.299.8000 623.977.3277
February 2018
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WE LOVE TAKING CARE OF YOUR ROOF! Let Your Residential & Commercial Roofing Contractor actor Show You How Much!
“Let Our Family Cover Yours” New Construction, Repairs, Recovers, Maintenance Installation of Gutters & Attic Insulation Shingles, Tile, Built Up, Single Ply, Foam & Coatings, Metal, Shake
20 The Hamlet
www.JBSroofingAZ.com
February 2018