PRICELE$$ October/November 2012
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Best Fall Driving Practices
Paranoid Parenting Your Future is Up to You Inspiring Parents, Motivating Kids, Celebrating Life
Family Album
Cannon Stevens
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. Winston Churchill
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(ARA) Many Americans put a great deal of trust in our country’s health care system and the health care professionals who tend to their medical needs. But from time to time, a medical procedure doesn’t go according to plan. When a procedure goes wrong, here are nine tips from FindLaw.com about your rights as a patient: 1. Understand your health insurance. Millions of Americans purchase health insurance with little understanding of what they’re actually buying. They assume that when a medical crisis comes up, they’re covered, but that isn’t always the case. Take responsibility for your health and read your insurance policy to clearly understand what is and isn’t covered, and what your financial responsibilities will be in the event of a major medical event. 2. Become familiar with your employer’s policies. The Family and Medical Leave Act is a federal law that has established minimum unpaid leave standards and rights for employees who have health problems, sick family members or who are giving birth to or adopting children. Become familiar with the law and any additional benefits offered by your employer if you are or will be facing a medical situation that may make it difficult to work for a lengthy period of time. 3. Get a second opinion. If you don’t like the way you’re being treated or don’t believe your physician is providing the best possible care, consider seeing another physician. If you’re facing a major medical issue and want to understand all of the treatment options available to you, or to confirm the treatment plan recommended by your primary physician, let your doctor know that you’re going to get a second opinion. Good doctors generally welcome further consultation with other doctors. If you seek a second opinion, check ahead of time that it is covered by your health insurance. 4. Consider alternative courses of treatment. In times of a serious or critical illness, ask your physician to explain all potential treatments to you, whether or not your health insurance will pay for them.
5. Understand your right to refuse medical treatment. You have the right to refuse medical treatment. You also have the right to leave a hospital or health care facility against medical advice. If you do so, however, most hospitals and health care facilities will require you to read and sign a form indicating refusal of treatment in order to protect themselves from any future malpractice claims. 6. Bring a trusted friend or family member to your appointments. Invite a trusted friend or family member to join you when discussing your health care with your physician. Medical information and options for treatment can be complex. Having another person listening to your doctor can help you process all the important information and sort out your options. 7. Protect yourself against health care fraud. Groups attempting to defraud the health care system and/or programs like Medicare and Medicaid may be putting your health at risk through bogus treatments and prescriptions. Stick with well-recognized health care organizations and pharmacies, and carefully watch your medical statements for unusual activity. 8. Keep good records. Keep your own records of your health care treatment and make sure to inform your primary physician of treatment you have received from other doctors. Also keep careful records of your children’s medical histories, including information about vaccinations, allergies and medications. 9. Consider drafting a health care directive. You may want to hire an attorney to help you complete a health care directive, which designates a trusted person, such as a family member, to make decisions about your health care treatment in the event that you cannot due to illness or injury, including your wishes regarding organ donation. For more information about your rights as a patient, visit FindLaw.com. ■ 940.210.1769 • WISE
Health Wise
Your health: 9 tips to protect your rights as a patient
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Chef Sandy Hall
I
t is finally feeling like autumn outside with cooler days and crisp nights, it’s my favorite time of year so I am thrilled! October also marks the beginning of my busy season, as it does for many people. Sporting events, Halloween celebrations and the beginning of the ever-busy holiday social season can mean that homemade dinners sometimes get lost in the shuffle. If planning whole menus in advance seems daunting not to worry! All you need are a few building blocks on hand that have the potential to become delicious dinners in no time. Now is the time to utilize your freezer for more than a repository for ancient popsicles and the sad bag of peas that the whole family uses as an edible ice pack. Take a moment and think of some of your family’s favorite entrees – breaded chicken tenders, pulled pork sandwiches or maybe steaks on the grill? All of these dishes and more can be prepped before being frozen, allowing you to have the major building block for meals in hurry right at your fingertips. There are a few basic rules to observe to help ensure success. Delicate cuts of meat or seafood should only be exposed to acids (wine, citrus, vinegars etc.) for an hour or less. Simply package acidic marinades separately and add to your protein an hour (or much less time for shrimp or delicate cuts of fish) before you’re ready to begin cooking. Air is the enemy of freshness when freezing, so all foods destined for the freezer should be packaged in airtight containers/wrappings. All foods should be absolutely cool before being frozen. Warm foods create condensation which becomes ice crystals in the freezer, resulting in an odd “freezer” taste and mushy textures when thawed.
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Raw steaks and poultry can be rubbed with spice blends or packaged in your favorite marinade, wrapped tightly before being frozen and as they thaw, they will also be marinating, making them ready to cook the minute you need them. Breaded fish or poultry can be breaded as per your usual recipe, and then frozen prior to baking. If you wanted to make a large batch of something like breaded chicken fingers, the best way to freeze is to spread the breaded tenders on a non-stick baking sheet and place in the freezer. Once the tenders are frozen, place them into a freezer bag and lay flat in the freezer. You can then select only as many as you need for each meal. Does your family enjoy meals in the slow cooker? Package the meats and liquids in a freezer bag and lay flat in the freezer. When it comes time to make your meal, simply add your vegetables to the crock with the (fully thawed!) bag ingredients and cook as usual. With the potential for delicious dinners on hand thanks to a freezer stocked with easy main-dish options, you will be less likely to dread dinnertime and also much better equipped to spontaneously invite friends over for a home cooked dinner and a long overdue catch up session! Bon Appetit! ■ Chef Sandy Hall Chef Sandy Hall, owner of Dinners on Demand Personal Chef Service, has been creating customdesigned meals for health-conscious clients since 2000. Chef Sandy is an industry award winning chef and culinary instructor whose articles and time-saving tips have been published in a variety of statewide and national publications. Chef Sandy resides in the rolling countryside of Wise County, Texas with her husband, Neal, their two Golden retrievers and three disobedient cats. You can learn more about Chef Sandy and the services offered by Dinners on Demand Personal Chef Service by visiting www. dinnersondemand.biz.
Savory Puff Pastry Rolls – An easy freezer appetizer 1 package frozen puff pastry (there will be two sheets per package) thawed as per package directions 2-3 C. of your favorite shredded cheese (go lighter with stronger cheeses) 6 T. Basil or sun-dried tomato pesto 10 +/- thinly sliced prosciutto, herbed turkey breast or ham Flour for dusting Plastic wrap
Directions
Dust a cutting board or spotlessly clean counter top with flour and cover with an unfolded puff pastry sheet. Dust with a small amount of flour and gently roll out the pastry until it is half of its original thickness. Thinly spread each sheet with half the pesto, sprinkle on your cheese of choice, top with the thinly sliced meat and starting at the shorter end, carefully roll into a tight “log”. Wrap the log in double layers of plastic wrap and place on a flat surface in the freezer. (Once the log is frozen you can move it to a more convenient spot within the freezer.) When you need quick appetizers, simply remove the log from the freezer and allow it to partially thaw. Preheat the oven to 425 and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Slice the log into ½” thick rounds with a serrated bread knife and place 1” or more apart on the baking sheet. Bake on center rack for approximately 15-20 minutes. The rolls will expand, puff and turn a lovely golden brown. Two rounds also make a lovely garnish on a simple salad.
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On The Cover: Oct/Nov, 2012 In our 8th year of ‘Making A Difference’ P.O. Box 521 • Boyd, Texas 76023
Lane Medlock #0 and Cole Wilson #9, 2nd Grade Boyd football. Celebrating making good tackles.
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Publisher & Parent Company . . . . . . . . . . . TinkInkPublications.com Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott@tinkinkpublications.com Graphic Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Sparrowgrove Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . sara@tinkinkpublications.com Distribution Guys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott and Don Tinkham Office Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Max and Buddy Our Reason For Doing This . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . YOU! Advertising Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ads@wisefamilymagazine.com To submit: Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@wisefamilymagazine.com Photographs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pics@wisefamilymagazine.com Wise Family Magazine is published monthly by Tink Ink LLC and distributed free of charge through local merchants. Wise Family Magazine reserves the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. Opinions expressed by the contributors are not necessarily the opinions of the publication. Tink Ink LLC assumes no liability or responsibility for any claims made by advertisers in the magazine. Reproduction in whole or part without express written consent of the Publisher is prohibited.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Wise County Sheriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 940 627 5971 Severe Weather Updates . . . . . . . . . www.weather.com Emergency Preparedness Info . . . . . www.redcross.org www.MissingKids.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-843-5678 National Child Abuse Hotline . . . . . . . . 1-800-422-4453 National Poison Control Center . . . . . . . 1-800-222-1222 National Substance Abuse Hotline . . . 1-800-662-4357 National Runaway Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-786-2929
Readers...
In This Issue:
Health Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Chef Sandy Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Dave Says . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Women’s Occupational Workshop . . . . . . . . . 10 Winterizing Your Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Local Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Quick Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Paranoid Parenting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Wise Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Fun & Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
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Family Album
Dawson and Greig can’t believe how lucky they are to have Penny Baisden as their Grandma Great!
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Dave Says
Making the right choice Dear Dave, I’m a landlord in New York, and I’ve always felt it’s not a good idea to rely entirely on previous landlords for referrals on prospective tenants. Do you have any tips for selecting good renters? - Jean Dear Jean, I think you’re on the right track. Most landlords aren’t thorough enough with the screening process. You can’t get to know someone without spending some time with them and digging into their personalities and backgrounds a little. I have several rental properties, and here are a few tricks that work well for me. I always pull a credit bureau report on prospective renters. I also get a big deposit up front. I spend quite a bit of time talking to them one on one, as well, so with all this they’d have to be a pretty good con artist to get past me. Another thing I do is to drive by the place they’re currently living. I like to see what condition the house is in, and if they keep the yard maintained. To me, this is a great indication of how responsible they are and how they would treat my property. It’s not a bad idea to get some proof of them having made previous rental payments on time, either. In some ways it’s a leap of faith any time you sign an agreement with a new tenant. But there are things you can do in order to make a more informed decision as to whom you’re doing business with. And who knows? Lots of renters appreciate knowing they have a landlord who handles things in a professional manner. Maybe these suggestions will help you both feel a little more at ease. Good luck, Jean! - Dave What the law will allow Dear Dave, A debt collector has been calling members of my family to get information on me. She has identified herself as collector, and I want to pay what I owe, but is it legal for them to do this? If not, what can I do to make them stop? - Katherine Dear Katherine, No, it isn’t legal. If she identified herself in any way as a debt collector, and spoke with anyone but you about your debt, she has broken federal law. This is a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. You need to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against this collector and her company.
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I would also advise recording the conversation the next time they call. Just tell them at the beginning that you’ll be taping any interaction you have with them from that point forward, and tell your relatives to do the same thing. That way, you’ll have proof of their misbehavior to hand over to the FTC or the attorney general. You might even be able to get this crooked collector shut down. Don’t get me wrong. It’s perfectly okay to collect a debt. If you’re a creditor or collector, it’s simply money that’s owed to you, and you deserve it. But you must do it within the confines of the law, and you should do it within the confines of good taste. If you owe money, you should be honorable enough to pay what you owe. But this kind of behavior is just harassment and intimidation. Don’t let them get away with it, Katherine! - Dave Is accountability the key? Dear Dave, I’ve been working the Baby Steps and doing a budget most months. But how does someone who is single stay motivated and focused with something like this? It feels sometimes like it would be easier if I had someone holding me accountable. - Rick Dear Rick, The first thing is to make sure you do a written budget each month. Not once in a while, not most months—every single month. If you don’t draw the out-of-bounds markers, there’s no way to know when you’ve stepped over the line, right? A monthly, written budget becomes your self-accountability tool, especially when you’re single. Still, there’s nothing wrong with introducing a little accountability into your life. You don’t have to be married to be accountable to someone other than yourself. Ask a good friend or maybe even your pastor to have a look at your plan and see what they think. Just make sure this person is someone who knows a little something about money and finances. Honestly though, Rick. I think doing the Baby Steps and following my plan can be easier for single people. Think about it this way: You don’t have to talk someone else into coming along for the ride. You also don’t have to come to an agreement with someone else on everything financial. All you have to do is get serious, look in the mirror, and say, “Quit being stupid with money!” In other words, you just have to do it. Admittedly, you don’t have the built-in accountability in a singles situation. But on the other hand, you don’t have someone calling you a doofus when you mess up! - Dave
Dear Callie, I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. But no, your lawyer is not correct. Payment for federally insured student loans is not due upon the borrower’s death. They are waived. I’m going to give you two pieces of advice. The first is to fire your attorney. We’re talking about basic knowledge when it comes to probating an estate here. If he got that wrong there’s no telling what else he’s told you that’s off the mark. Second, you can take care of this by sending a copy of the death certificate to Sallie Mae. I’ll warn you ahead of time that it may take a while to jump through all their hoops. I mean, you’re dealing with the federal government. They’re not exactly known for getting things right the first time. But once you’re declared permanently disabled or you pass away, federally insured student loans are discharged and not held against the estate. Don’t pay it! - Dave
format from leasing to payments if you financed the thing. Should you keep this vehicle? Only if it’s a small percentage of your income. If you make $60,000 or more, I’d probably say save up, pay cash, and keep the car. But if you’re making closer to $30,000 the answer is no. - Dave ■
Dave Says
Don’t pay it! Dear Dave, My brother was killed earlier this year, and my mom is finalizing his estate. He had a couple of federally insured student loans through Sallie Mae totaling $8,000 at the time of his death, and the attorney probating the estate says mom now has to pay off those loans. Is that correct? - Callie
Dave Ramsey For more financial help, please visit daveramsey.com
Focus on your potential instead of your limitations. Alan Loy McGinnis
Buy it or turn it in? Dear Dave, I made the mistake of leasing a car a while back, and the lease is up in about nine months. Should I save up the money between now and then to buy it, or save as much as I can to pay down my student loans? - Anthony Dear Anthony, At the end of a lease the price for which you can purchase the car is called the residual value. This amount is preset when you lease the vehicle. So the big question right now is, what’s the car actually worth? If the company thought it would be worth $12,000 and it’s actually worth $14,000, that would be a good deal, and you’d want to buy it instead of turning in the car. Even if you were going to turn around and resell it, you’d still want to go ahead and buy. Another big thing is that I’d never tell you to finance a car after the lease term. There’s no difference between that and walking onto a car lot and financing any other $12,000 car. Look at it this way. You basically have a $12,000 car loan right now, and you’d only be changing the 940.210.1769 • WISE
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Women’s Occupational Workshop 10
Your future is always up to you “Oh, the places you will go...” - Dr. Seuss
“...the moral of the story is that anyone can count the seeds in the apple; no one can count the apples in the seed.”, “How can the sky be the limit, if there are footprints on the moon?”, “Be all you can be”. Do any of these sound familiar? Through these oft repeated quotes, it makes it sound as if potential is all around us, ready for the grabbing. Reality check...it is! We often hear these and many more quotes, roll our eyes, and think, “Okay, but what about me. Nothing seems to be waiting for me.” But, you are wrong. Potential, the possibility of changing and improving our lives, is a reality that the average person fails to accept. For it to become who we are, to manifest in our lives, we must take steps that push us forward - to light the fires of change, if you will. We must move out of our comfort zone and into the Zone of Possibility. There are steps to follow that will inspire us, motivate us, fill us with desire to grow. The only holdbacks to a new tomorrow are the selflimiting beliefs that we can achieve our potential, the energy to move forward and the establishment of empowering goals. Self-limiting beliefs limit our dreams and goals. These are by definition, a firmly established belief that we can’t achieve success. They are not that we lack skills (training fixes that), or that we do not have time to do new things (time management and delegation fixes that), or that we might fail (that’s why it is called trying). Selflimiting beliefs cause us to stand still. All progress stops and in turn we use that frozen position to validate our lack of belief in ourselves. Our new mantra becomes, “See, I knew I couldn’t do that because I never have before.” Logic flies out the door. There are many things we do that we’ve never down before. Actually, if you start at birth, everything we do, we’ve never done before. Seriously, self-limiting beliefs are all about containment. They masque forward movement by reinforcing current conditions and results. Another famous quote applies here, “If not now, when?” You must step out the routine and into the realm of possibility, the Zone of Potential. As to low energy levels that result in not
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moving forward, often, it is the stagnation that pulls at our energy. We are bored by the lack of spontaneity and the rush of invention that propels us into new projects and opportunities. Nothing is more energy zapping than feeling trapped into a mindless and unfulfilling daily task routine. Trying new things, seeking new challenges, diving into new training will open the doors in our mind to begin to believe that we can achieve what seemed so far-fetched only moments ago. Energy grows as achievement improves. We begin to see potential all around us. Now, we must tackle goals. If you do not establish goals, with measurable results, into your new challenge, it becomes only a dream. Goals give your dreams wings. A step-by-step approach will increase your time for training and growth, goals will assist you in seeing the possibilities in yourself and destroy the beliefs that ‘you can’t and never will.’ Goals will act like fuel to the fire of achievement. Goals must be written in the present. (not ‘when I messages’; rather, ‘I will messages’. They must have movement attached that demonstrates themselves by chartable progress with timelines. Goals must be rich in action tones that result in a sense of accomplishment. They must be written in pencil because situations are subject to change and often as you begin to catch a glimpse of the potential of your idea, progress will accelerate. Dr. Seuss was correct when he challenged his readers that they would go far and achieve much. That day is here and now. You can take up your residence in the Zone of Possibility today. You are the only limit to your success. ■ Keitha Story-Stephenson, Ph.D. Keitha Story-Stephenson, Ph.D. owner of BlueSky Wellness Center, provides private consultation for individuals and corporations in Nutritional Wellness, Weight Management, ADD/ADHD Nutritional Management, and other Alternative Health Care. Services are available by appointment in Decatur at 506 West Walnut. Call 817-239-9525 or visit us at www.BlueSkyWellnessCenter.com for more information. Follow us on our Blog, www. DrKeitha.com or www.MerchantsCircle.com . Also, tune in to Christian Radio, KDKR 91.3fm, on Saturdays at 1:30pm, for “Feeding the FamilyMind, Body and Spirit” or go to KDKR.org for live streaming of our broadcast.
Family Album
Madyson Minor & her friend Erin Holt. Both are 3rd grade pee wee cheerleaders for Bridgeport.
Mason Menzel-Cox after a 7th grade VICTORY over Iowa Park
“The essence of our effort to see that every child has a chance must be to assure each an equal opportunity, not to become equal, but to become different - to realize whatever unique potential of body, mind and spirit he or she possesses”
John Fischer
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Laying Down the Law
Family Album
Brogran Ables of Decatur
Wise Pediatrics
940-626-4400 A Specialist for your children as they grow!
Leslie Hollis, MD
Board Certified in Pediatrics since 1999 Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Accepting Most Insurances Call if you have any questions
609 Medical Center Dr., #2300 Decatur, Texas 76234 Attached to Wise Regional Hospital www.WisePediatrics.com
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Leigha Morgan Eubanks
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‘Supporting’ the future by supporting our youth. Your Steel Warehouse, Catering to the Aggregate & Oil Industry Bridgeport Steel & Supply 323 PR 1400 • Bridgeport, Texas
940.683.4940
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Winterize your home in a weekend (ARA) - Preparing for Jack Frost’s arrival can send a shiver down any homeowner’s spine. A long to-do list for getting your home ready can feel overwhelming, leaving you wondering where you’ll find the time and resources. But, with some optimism, easy tips and access to a few rental tools, you can winterize your home in just one weekend, leaving plenty of time to enjoy autumn’s splendor. Prepare your lawn and landscaping Cold temperatures cause grass and other plants in your landscape to go dormant. Spend a few hours preparing your lawn for beautiful greenery next year. Start by aerating. Renting an aerator is a costeffective and efficient way to reduce thatch and provide extra space in the soil for water and oxygen to reach the roots. Find a local American Rental Association (ARA) member store near you by visiting RentalHQ.com. After aerating, spread a quality winter fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients it needs to grow strong. If you live in an area with harsh winters, remember to cover roses and delicate perennials so that they are protected. Winterize your deck The harsh winter elements can take a major toll on decking, so it’s important to protect it. With a little time and effort, your deck will make it through winter unscathed and ready for outdoor fun in spring. To keep the structure’s integrity intact and wood looking beautiful, clean and seal your deck before winter arrives. Start by renting a pressure washer at your local ARA member rental store. The trained rental associate will give you guidance on safe and efficient operation of the pressure washer. After you clean your deck, let it dry completely and then apply paint or sealant. Trim your trees Weak trees and dead branches can break and fall during winter, possibly damaging your home, your car, a utility line, or worse. Be a responsible homeowner and cut weak or dead branches in the fall so you don’t have to worry. A chainsaw is the easiest way to deal with dead branches and will take much less time than hand sawing. You can rent a chainsaw to cut the wood into small logs or pieces for disposing of properly. 14
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Chippers can also be rented for grinding up the wood and using it for mulch in the spring. Seal windows and doors When temperatures drop, the small leaks in windows and doors become apparent. Avoid a chilly house and high energy bills by caulking your windows and weather stripping doors. Weather stripping is cheap and easy. Apply the adhesive strip between the door and frame for a tight seal that limits the amount of air that enters or exits when the door is closed. Caulking windows is a simple process as well when you have a caulk gun. If you need a tall ladder to reach second story windows, consider renting it since you’ll likely use it infrequently. While you have the ladder, clean your gutters of leaves and other debris that can cause backups and ice dams. All you need is one weekend to prepare your home and yard for the cold weather ahead. Plus you’ll get to enjoy the crisp autumn air while you get these quick and easy chores done. ■
Family Album
Keira, daughter of Cassidi Patterson, Paradise, TX
Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one’s potential.
Bruce Lee
It’s the growing season… and planted
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Woodhaven National Bank 800 Hwy 287, Suite A Rhome • 817.638.5111 Woodhaven National Bank inside every Woodhaven 6750 Bridge Street branch are people who make Fort Worth • 817.496.6700 your banking experience a Mansfield Community Bank pleasure, whether you’re 1700 E. Broad Street growing a business or a family. Mansfield • 817.473.5979 Ridglea Bank We’ve never had to work 3325 Fairfield Ave at Camp Bowie very hard at treating you like Fort Worth • 817.731.3361 an individual — it just comes Woodhaven Bank Northeast naturally. Visit one of our 4607 Colleyville Blvd. branches today. Colleyville • 817.656.7755 Mercantile Bank 2229 A Park Row Arlington • 817.277.2225 Woodhaven Bank 6301 N. Beach Street www.woodhavenbank.com Fort Worth • 817.489.6500
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Local News/Events
The 39th Annual Lord’s Acre Fall Festival
Estelle Miller and Jocelyn Rawlings hold a quilt made for the Lord’s Acre auction at FUMC Boyd.
The 39th Annual Lord’s Acre Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, October 13 at the First United Methodist Church at 540 S. Allen St.(Hwy. 730 S.) in Boyd. Everyone is welcome to join us for some good old-fashioned family fun.
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Activities begin at 9 a.m. and include children’s games, a flea market, a country store selling baked goods, homemade goodies and crafts, and vendors selling a variety of merchandise. A turkey dinner will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with take-out meals available. A live auction featuring homemade quilts and other oneof-kind items will begin at 1:30. Raffle tickets for a $500 Walmart or Cabella’s gift certificate will available for sale with the drawing held at 2 p.m. Carter Bloodcare will be available for blood donations from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Come have some fun and save lives at the same time. Contact Jocelyn at 940-389-3053 or Denise at 817-807-1243 for more information about our festival or for vendor space information. ■
Quick Tips
Easy and affordable ways to spruce up your space (ARA) - When seasons change, it’s also a good time to change out and update your home decor. Time and budget don’t always allow for a complete overhaul, so here are some easy and affordable ways to rejuvenate your home. Reuse, repaint, reupholster When you think creatively, it’s easy to give old belongings new life. Paint wooden frames or potted plant holders with new, bold colors to quickly add a hint of color to any area. Reupholster pillows with patterned fabric to liven up any room. Many craft stores sell scrap fabric for a fraction of the price. Or, spend even less when you repurpose gently used clothes by turning them into custom pillowcases. Simple swaps and switches Try a new take on a traditional favorite. Candles are an easy way to add instant ambiance to any room. New Energizer Flameless Wax Candles are a longlasting alternative that gives the same beautiful look and feel of traditional candles. Made with real wax, these candles create the same warm glow and realistic flicker of a flame with LEDs that never need replacing. The convenient four-, six- or eight-hour timer means you never have to worry about them burning out. One of the reasons decor can feel worn and dated is simply because it’s familiar to you. And, wall decor is one area that can be particularly pricey to update. An easy way to renew interest in existing mirrors and art is by switching their location in the home. Once it has been relocated
to another room, you’ll find a new appreciation for something that’s been overlooked for years. Create focal points Affordable accessories are a simple way to update your space and help create focal points and pops of color throughout each room. Consider hanging different-sized picture frames together in clusters above a large piece of furniture, like a table, sofa or bed. Grouping frames creates one piece of eyecatching artwork to spark conversation. For a more vibrant look, paint frames in various bright colors. For a sophisticated look, stick with a uniform color of all white or black. Display groups of colored vases or candles on tables, bookshelves or windowsills to draw eyes to one or two focal points. Flameless wax candles come in different colors, sizes, heights, scents and textures to fit any decor. Don’t be afraid to mix it up: pair candles in glass jars with pillars, use different heights and colors, awaken the senses with scented candles and create beautiful candlescapes anywhere for the perfect atmosphere. Because these candles have no open flame, they are safe to use around children and pets, in small spaces and near curtains or furniture. With a little imagination, it’s easy and affordable to spruce up your space and add ambiance to your home everyday. ■
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DID YOU KNOW... 18
...you can test an egg and get an approximatation of its age? All you need are the eggs and a bowl of cold water. Gently drop the egg into the bowl of water. If it:
• Sinks to the bottom and stays there, it is about three to six days old. • Sinks, but floats at an angle, it’s more than a week old. • Sinks, but then stands on end, it’s about two weeks old. • Floats, it’s too old and should be discarded.
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PARANOID PARENTING
I
Why we should worry less.
f you’re a typical parent you may worry about your kids. A lot. You may feel overwhelmed at times with so many fearful messages the world is an unfriendly place for children. Maybe you feel justified in your worrying. But are you? What We Worry About Teresa Martin, mother of three children under age ten, says there isn’t an area she doesn’t worry about. “I worry about whether they know enough to protect themselves, or if they know too much.” She is especially anxious about home invasion: “I lay awake at night planning, strategizing how I’ll sacrifice myself to save them from harm.” Angie Sutton nervously laughs it would be easier to name concerns that do not cause her to lose sleep. Since she has teens “all the early sex worries are creeping in” and she fears her kids “will get slipped some kind of a drug at a party.” According to a recent survey by the Mayo Clinic, the top five worries for parents are: 1. Kidnapping 2. School snipers 3. Terrorists 4. Dangerous strangers 5. Drugs Real Concerns Christie Barnes, a mother of four and author of The Paranoid Parents Guide (2010) says far too often as parents we overestimate the potential for rare dangers and underestimate the potential for commons ones. Based on statistics, the top five common dangers are: 1. Car accidents 2. Homicide (usually committed by a person who knows the child, not a stranger) 3. Abuse 4. Suicide 5. Drowning Why So Paranoid? Teresa Martin shared “We live in a world where there is no such thing as a safe place anymore. It feels like an overwhelming and impossible feat to keep our kids safe.” Barnes says parents fixate on horrific and atypical events in the news without considering the odds it will happen to their families. The author would like to see statistics scrolling at the bottom of the TV screen indicating the actual likelihood of any given tragedy occurring. The problem is when we’re focused on the
wrong dangers, we may be distracted from those that truly matter. We’re distracted because: 1. We don’t have the facts. We sometimes get a distorted picture of the world because of a fear-based culture reinforcing over-spending, over-protecting, overparenting, and over-worrying behaviors. 2 We’re tuned into fear. We worry about the wrong things because we are tuned into fear, not facts. Constant fear creates fearful children, and Barnes says “Parents need to focus on what really does happen and not what could happen but probably won’t.” 3. We’re stressed and tired. “Stress management is as important as worry management” writes Barnes. Parenting is a tough gig, and when we’re fatigued we’re more vulnerable to worry. Less Paranoid Parenting The Paranoid Parents Guide encourages parents to practice what Barnes terms “positive parenting” since “parenting is stressful enough without confusion about doing the right thing.” Consider these tips culled from her guide: • Face the facts. There is a lot to smile about, parents! Crime, homicide, abuse, and kidnapping are down (abuse is a greater threat from family and friends than strangers). When we are tuned into facts, not fear, we teach our kids to not be afraid of the world which is a boon for them now and in the long run. • Be less overprotective. Barnes says overprotecting ultimately harms kids by making them less resilient. We don’t want to teach them to be helpless or too dependent. • Insist on helmets and seatbelts. Although it sounds like simple advice, Barnes says it’s the best way to reduce the chance of your kids’ death by 90 percent and the chance of serious injury by 78 percent! For more helpful positive parenting advice, visit www.paranoidparentsguide.com. ■ Michele Ranard, M.Ed. Michele Ranard has a husband, two children, and a master’s in counseling. Visit her blogs at cheekychicmama.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.
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Wise Information
Best fall driving practices: school is in session (ARA) - Fall is often associated with such pleasantries as back to school, beautiful foliage, a spooky Halloween and Thanksgiving feasts. What is often lost and forgotten are the safety hazards associated with the season while out on the roads. Fifty-six percent of Americans are planning to take a fall road trip, and 51 percent are planning on driving at least 500 miles, according to Hankook Tire’s latest Quarterly Index. With all these miles being logged on U.S. highways and streets, it is best to take the proper precautions to ensure the safety of yourself, your family and those on the roads. Slippery when wet: Fall foliage is, without a doubt, a grand sight. But once leaves hit the ground, raking isn’t your only concern. Speeding over wet leaves can lead to losing control of your car. In addition, fallen leaves can serve as prime cover for potholes and ditches which can result in flat tires, blowouts, or even more serious structural damage to your vehicle.   School is in session: With young children and teens back at school, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for an increase in pedestrian traffic and school buses that make frequent stops. Hankook’s Gauge Index found that only 37 percent of people pay more attention behind the wheel when school is back in session. With decreased speed limits in school zones, school buses loading and unloading, youth biking to school, and the occasional free-spirited daredevils crossing streets at their own discretion, the reasons for being attentive during this time abound. Trick or treat: Not paying attention while driving on Halloween can lead to a true fright fest. Forty-four percent of respondents say they drive more carefully when trick-or-treaters
WISEFamilyMagazine.com • 940.210.1769
are out on Halloween. With excited kids on a sugar high patrolling the streets in all types of costumes, often in the dark, their safety is a prime concern. In fact, just last year Safe Kids USA released findings that showed on average, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween as compared to any other day of the year. Are you prepared? Now that you are aware of some of the fall driving hazards, it’s time to properly prepare to hit the road with confidence. How so? Disconnect: In this day and age more and more people are hyperconnected via smartphones and gadgets. Treat your road trips as a reprieve from the outside world and avoid texting while driving, which is cited as one of the biggest distractions for drivers amongst those polled. Learn how to change a flat tire: In case you do hit that hidden pothole, being equipped with the knowledge of changing a tire can help avoid headaches and put you back on the road in no time. An easy way to learn is to have a friend or family member show you the ropes. But, don’t expect a helping hand from a stranger if stranded. Sixty-one percent of people have not stopped to help a fellow driver change a tire. Check your tire pressure: Gone are the 90 degree summer days. Every 10 degree drop in air temperature can actually cause a vehicle’s tires to drop up to 2 pounds per square inch (psi) in tire pressure. Improper tire pressure can result in increased tread wear and lowered performance, factors that are exacerbated by wet leaves. Proper preparation is as simple as purchasing an air pressure gauge from your local auto repair store. ■
Family Album
Brielle Nicole Wadley
Cheryll Fostell with her children and grandchildren.
Decatur Women’s Health Center Who do you TRUST with your OB/GYN care?
Your health and well-being as a woman are our concern. We offer a full range of obstetrical and gynecological care. Our emphasis is on makingYou feel comfortable, confident and reassured.
Douglas Kyle, M.D.
Call today to schedule your next appointment.
940-627-4216
1713 S. FM 51, Suite 101 • Decatur, Texas 76234
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Fun & Games Across 1. Hunger twinge 5. Clears the windshield 10. Certain herring 14. “House of Wax” henchman 15. Grow accustomed (to) 16. Emulate Echo 17. You, long ago 18. Officer’s jacket 19. Pillar of heaven, to Pindar 20. Get out of here 22. Peony part 23. Sexy dress feature 24. Abundantly endowed 25. Complain 28. Scroungers 32. Jackson’s predecessor 33. Capital of Belarus 34. Upholstery problem 35. Reheat, in a way 36. À la ___ (one way to order) 37. Volcano shape 38. Big heart 39. One gentleman of Verona 40. Moon stage 41. Starred in high school sports 43. Set on by surprise 44. Try for a part 45. Potter’s purchase 46. Bees aplenty 48. Get out of here 53. Canine pests 54. Desert sanctuary 55. Gamblers’ paradise 56. Expresses curiosity 57. One with a cover story, perhaps 58. Tennyson’s “Geraint and ___” 59. Flat-topped hill 60. Score marks 61. Grouper snaggers Down 1. “Meet Joe Black” star 2. Ottoman bigwig 3. Cranny’s companion 22
onlinecrosswords.net
4. Macabre 5. Word with “reason” or “reach” 6. One in an igloo, perhaps 7. Rock music genre 8. Clinton’s “Big Ditch” 9. “Just a ___!” 10. After-dinner item, maybe 11. Get out of here 12. Name in a Tolstoy title 13. Word with “big” or “raw” 21. Dignified “Shucks!” 22. Prospector’s tool 24. Floribunda, e.g. 25. Hackneyed 26. Draw out 27. Get out of here 28. Stuck in goo 29. Not tricked by 30. Shampoo instruction 31. Celerity
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33. “Auntie ___” 36. Telephone part 37. Soap title word 39. Paper unit 40. Emotional distress 42. Humanitarian Mother 43. Friars Club events 45. Time spent on the job 46. Word with “body” or “grand” 47. Word with “clock” or “penny” 48. Zoo fixture 49. Takes off the shelf 50. Mathematician Descartes 51. Entity 52. Signals at Sotheby’s 54. Ripple maker
Name
Wise Merchants Association Membership Benefits The Wise Merchants Association was founded in June 2009 by Kim Tinkham to help local businesses weather the recession. The goal of this Association is to allow merchants to share ideas, problems and solutions with other merchants. Our Association meetings are structured to provide information, education, and motivation for business owners, as well as networking opportunities. We believe in having local merchants support each other and in keeping shopping dollars local. Our Association does not compete with the local Chambers, and actually partners with them on occasion for special events. We are a unique Association with the only goal of providing business owners information they need to grow their business! Membership Benefits: • Motivational speakers • Training • Informal meetings • Networking opportunities • Excellent sponsors • Supportive members • Business owner focused
Additional Business Benefits: • Highly recognized by the Wise County Clerk and Wise County Attorney • Recommended by many local organizations • Discounted advertising in Wise Family Today Magazine • Discounts on member’s products or services
Our meetings have included training for business owners in marketing, networking, social media, business goal setting, sales training, and business etiquette. We also have informal, after-hours Mixers that are a great opportunity to bring guests. Thank you to our members and we encourage you to take advantage of all of your membership benefits. If you are not a member, we invite you to join us at www.wisemerchants.org!
Company
Website
Ruby & Michael Carreiro A Day Away Retreat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.adayawayretreat.com Cathy Morris . . . . . . . . . . Aesthetic Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.TexasCosmeticDoc.com Kathy Redwine . . . . . . . . Aflac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.aflac.com Jim Tumlinson . . . . . . . . . All-American Water . . . . . . . . www.allamericanwatersofteners.com LaDonna Koerner . . . . . . Avon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.youravon.com/lkoerner Greg Roberts . . . . . . . . . . AWL Home Inspections . . . . . . . . . . www.awlhomeinspections.com Keitha Story-Stephenson DS .BlueSky Wellness Center . . . . . . . . www.blueskywellnesscenter.com Debbie Johnson Crall . . . Boot Camp Academy 101 . . . . . . . www.bootcampacademy101.com Laura Marshall . . . . . . . . Bright Ideas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.brightideastx.com Jack Cannon . . . . . . . . . . Cannon Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.cannonrealty.net Ruth Bucher . . . . . . . . . . Celestine Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.celestinetherapy.com Cher Tilghman . . . . . . . . Cher Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.CherRealty.com Christi Shields . . . . . . . . Christi Shields Accounting Michael Dunham . . . . . . Computer Rhino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.computerrhino.com Cut & Grow . . . . . . . . . . Cut & Grow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cutandgrow.com Ida Mae Burnett . . . . . . . Decatur EDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.decatur-edc.com Glenn Walker . . . . . . . . . Decatur Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.decaturmusic.com Deborah Reynolds . . . . . DediKated Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.dedikatedresource.com Teresa Littlejohn Fanning Designs by Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . designsbytree.com / vin-trad.com Don Dixon . . . . . . . . . . . Dixon Fine Woodworking Sandy Hall . . . . . . . . . . . Dinners on Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.dinnersondemand.biz Karen Turner . . . . . . . . . . Double K BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.doublekbbq.com William Shea . . . . . . . . . Everprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . everprint.biz Chris Miller . . . . . . . . . . Farmers Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.chrismillerinsurance.com Dora Trejo . . . . . . . . . . . . Farmers Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.chrismillerinsurance.com Deborah King . . . . . . . . . Final Touch Finishing School . . . . . . . . . www.finaltouchschool.com Phillip K Flusche . . . . . . Flusche Auto Repair Susan Boston . . . . . . . . . . Gold and Silver Perfection . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.numisnetwork.com/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . goldandsilverperfection Karen St. John . . . . . . . . . Hampton Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.hampton.com Dave Jackson . . . . . . . . . . Jackson Excavation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.jacksonexcavation.com Jack Bullion . . . . . . . . . . . Juice Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.jackjuiceplus.com Bonnie Kohnert . . . . . . . . K-Double-K Promotional Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kdoublek.com Lynn Self . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karl Klement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.klementdecator.com Deborah L. Mann . . . . . . Mann Refrigeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.mannair.com Laura M Shaffer . . . . . . . Mary Kay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.marykay.com/LauraShaffer Lisa Chapman Brown . . . Mary Kay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.marykay.com/lbrown Melissa McAlister . . . . . . Mary Kay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.marykay.com/mmcalister John Lanier . . . . . . . . . . . Parker Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.parkerpropertiestexas.com Kathy Fisher . . . . . . . . . . Parker Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.parkerpropertiestexas.com Sherry Williams Layton . Parker Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.parkerpropertiestexas.com Misti Pearman . . . . . . . . Pearman Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.pearmanins.com Maria Carrillo . . . . . . . . . Photography by Maria . . . . . . . . . . . www.photographybymaria.com Peggy Powell Lampkin . . Powell Insurance Concepts Dennis Emett . . . . . . . . . Pre-Paid Legal . . . . . . . . . . www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/dennisemett Karla Maxwell . . . . . . . . . Premier Designs Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.premierdesigns.com Robin Miller . . . . . . . . . . Robin Miller Tax Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.robinmillertax.com Brenda C. Morgan . . . . . Sagebrush Steakhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.stagecoachsteaks.com Bandy Hicks . . . . . . . . . . Scentsy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.scentedchick.com Suzanne Smith . . . . . . . . Smith Investment Group Debra Smith . . . . . . . . . . Smith Seminars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.smithseminars.com Cary Bohn . . . . . . . . . . . . State Farm Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.carybohn.com Steven M. Williams . . . . Steven M. Williams, Attorney . . . . . . . www.stevenmwilliams.com Shawn Mitchell . . . . . . . . Swimming Instructor Mickey Doyle . . . . . . . . . Synrge Marketing Strategies . www.SynrgeMarketingStrategies.com Tammy Kelly . . . . . . . . . . Tammy Kelly Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.tammykelly.com Kathy O’Dell Hughes . . . Tastefully Simple and Celebrating Home Dawn Taylor . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Made Graphics & Signs . . . . . . www.taylormadegraphics.org Texas Insurance Agency . Texas Insurance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.texasins.net Debi Porter . . . . . . . . . . . The Edge in HR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.theedgeinhr.com Kayla Prock . . . . . . . . . . Timeless Graphics & Signs Matt Kramer . . . . . . . . . . Voice Mapping For The Life You Want . . . . . www.mkvoicemap.com Debbie Males . . . . . . . . . Warner-Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.warner-radio.com Paula Null . . . . . . . . . . . . Willow House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.paulanull.willowhouse.com James Stainton . . . . . . . . Wise County Attorney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.wisecountylaw.com Sherry Lemon . . . . . . . . . Wise County Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.wisecounty.org Tayler Ponder . . . . . . . . . Wise Family Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . www.wisefamilymagazine.com Valerie Dickerson . . . . . . Workforce Solutions-North Central Texas . . . . . . www.dfwjobs.com
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