You’ve done the responsible thing and set up your estate plan, which includes a Revocable Living Trust. You’ve gone through the process of choosing your agents, planning distributions of your assets, nominating guardians and conservators for your children, and naming agents under health care and general durable powers of attorney. You’ve signed all the documents, so now you’re done, right? Not exactly. There are steps that you should continue to take even after you have signed your documents to … [Read more...] about Maintaining Your Revocable Living Trust
Jim Babbitt Leaves Legacy of Kindness, Environmental Conservation and a Pathway to the Past
On Monday night, Nov, 15, James E. Babbitt died peacefully at his home in Flagstaff with family, after a battle with illness. In the days to come, as word spread, the cry of hearts breaking could be felt from the bottom of the Grand Canyon to the tops of Hopi mesas. The world had lost a kind and gentle giant who walked the streets of downtown Flagstaff, explored deep canyons and great mountains, held immense respect and appreciation for Native cultures, was a steward of wild places and searched … [Read more...] about Jim Babbitt Leaves Legacy of Kindness, Environmental Conservation and a Pathway to the Past
Rejoicing in the Gift of Participation
Jessica’s joy says it all: “I am a skier! Now I can ski with my family!” Jessica, 27, was born with a rare genetic condition known as COACH, which stands for cerebellar vermis aplasia, oligophrenia, congenital ataxia, coloboma and hepatic fibrosis. Only a few thousand people in the country are believed to have this syndrome in which part of the brain does not fully form. Most individuals with COACH have a cognitive disability, organ problems and difficulty with movement. For Jessica, life … [Read more...] about Rejoicing in the Gift of Participation
Considering Health Insurance Options for Early Retirees
When you retire from your job before turning age 65, you will likely lose your group health insurance coverage. You will then need to find a new health insurance plan to cover you until you qualify for Medicare. You may have a number of options from which to choose when selecting a health plan. The best choice for you likely depends on your income, your health and the network of medical providers to which you want access. COBRA (continuing group coverage) You may be able to continue … [Read more...] about Considering Health Insurance Options for Early Retirees
Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
The mere fact that relapse is more common than uncommon sheds light on how difficult it truly is to break addiction. No one enters rehabilitation with the intention to fail; rather, they enter a treatment program hoping in their heart they can stop using for good. The problem with this approach is addiction doesn’t happen in the heart. It happens in the brain. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic, underlying, largely genetic brain disease, making … [Read more...] about Treating the Brain Disease of Addiction
Buyers Beware: Shhhh, Sellers are Listening
You know when you’re discussing something, let’s take new ski gloves or a Hawaii vacation as an example, and all of a sudden you are being targeted by ski glove companies or Hawaii VRBOs online? Is it serendipity? Or is it targeted marketing from our technologies passively hearing our conversations toward goods and services? Let’s go with the latter. Believe it or not, the same thing can happen with a prospective buyer touring a home. With a myriad of technologies in our home, sellers can … [Read more...] about Buyers Beware: Shhhh, Sellers are Listening
Dreaming of a New Home for the Holidays
With our bellies full from the Thanksgiving cornucopia, Hanukkah upon us, and Christmas right around the corner, this is typically a time of year where we take a moment to reflect and give thanks. Yet, it can also be a time when relatives visit and we realize we don’t necessarily have the home space we desire. Perhaps a guest bedroom and larger great room for entertaining make it to the wish list. Or, maybe recognizing that a designated office space is in order since the dining room table is in … [Read more...] about Dreaming of a New Home for the Holidays
How the Gut-Brain Connection Impacts Mood
Have your ever heard the saying, ‘the gut is the second brain’? Have you ever wondered what it means when people say that? I’d like to answer that question and more today! First, the second brain is your enteric nervous system (ENS) and it consists of hundreds of millions of neurons, or nerve cells, that line your gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the rectum. The connection between the gut and the brain is becoming more and more recognized when it comes to our moods, such as anxiety … [Read more...] about How the Gut-Brain Connection Impacts Mood
Are You Prepared for Self Defense?
Are you prepared, both mentally and physically, to defend yourself should the need arise? Many of us may think that, because we’ve chosen to arm ourselves with a firearm or other defensive tool, we’re good to go. But, it’s not that simple. It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. In the world of self-defense, that offense means being situationally aware. Situationally aware people are active observers of the world around them. They are constantly evaluating the potential for … [Read more...] about Are You Prepared for Self Defense?
Study Shows Stress Levels Decrease in Shelter Dogs When Fostered
Researchers are studying ways to reduce stress in shelter dogs. They are finding that canine foster programs and activities like weekend or holiday sleepovers that remove animals from noisy shelters and place them in home environments have a significant impact on their cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone involved in the stress response system in both humans and animals. In order to gather this type of evidence, companion animal scientist Lisa Gunter, Ph.D., and Maddie’s Fund Research … [Read more...] about Study Shows Stress Levels Decrease in Shelter Dogs When Fostered