Law Office of Kevin Jensen - October 2021

Law Office of Kevin Jensen - October 2021

480.632.7373 jensenlawaz.com October 2021

The Books That Made Me Why Reading Is a Valuable Part of Who I Am

I have a confession: When I was a kid, I was a total nerd.

reading, slowly becoming that little boy who would sit in his great-grandfather’s chair reading his many, many books. I suppose that’s not a terrible hobby, but it's certainly a way to lose an entire day! From every book I read, I tend to pick up bits and pieces to use in my everyday life. I love knowing about the foundations that set up the world we know today, and I always find a connection between old stories and today. Since I like to write my observations and ideas in the margins, I’m a strict “real book” person. My great-grandfather used to do this, too. I would love finding his notations in his books. It was a connection to a man I revered and a peek into his mind.

I’m not sure why, but I was also fascinated with learning about American history. I was intrigued by all of its components, particularly the founding of our nation. To this day, I am very interested in George Washington and the American Revolution. With October being National Book Month, I want to share some of the greatest joys I’ve found through reading. Admittedly, I don’t read as much as I would like to, but whenever I get a chance to do so, I’m usually opting for classic literature or pieces that highlight the stories of our country’s legacies and history.

I believe part of this fascination goes back to my great- grandfather’s legacy. He served as a justice of the peace for our small hometown, and he was my inspiration for studying law. But he also had this huge library in his home. He was a big reader, and I would love to go into his house, sit in his big judge chair, and just read. I would pull any and every book I could down from his shelves. To his credit, this is likely what started me down the path toward American history and a love of the classics. My great-grandfather had a collection of Harvard Classics I loved to read whenever I could. (These are 50 volumes of books deemed poignant pieces in history, originally published in 1909.) Today, I’ve read many biographies of American heroes, and I’ve also finished some of the greats, like “Moby Dick,” “Les Misérables,” “Treasure Island,” and “War and Peace.” (Yes, I did read the whole thing, but it took me a long time!)

Books and the stories they tell have become a large part of my family’s life as they have grown. I made an exception to my “real book rule,” and as the boys were growing up, we would play “Harry Potter” audiobooks on all our family road trips. The adventures at Hogwarts are in the background of many of our family’s greatest memories. Charles Dickens’ words in “A Christmas Carol” are, too, as we often read that story around the holidays. I would encourage you to take this opportunity to find books and stories that you enjoy. You don’t have to be a nerd like me, but reading is an affordable, easy way to learn about the world around you and grow in ways you never imagined. For instance, I like to think the little boy clambering all over his great-grandfather’s library would be proud of who I am today.

And I have to attribute part of that to the books I read along the way.

480.632.7373 1 -Kevin Jensen

When I find a book I’m particularly interested in — like “War and Peace” — I have to be careful not to get too sucked in. I could spend hours of my day

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Fresh Tips From the Laundry Room

The Easiest Way to Clean Your Washing Machine

Despite being designed to clean, your washing machine can be anything but. As water settles in the machine’s basin and detergent and grime cling to the edges, it can become a budding environment for mildew and gnarly smells. But with a few simple steps, your machine will smell and function like new. Why You Need to Clean Your Washing Machine The most common washing machines are top- and front-loading, and some do a better job of cleaning than others. However, the washing machine isn’t where germs and bacteria go to die. In fact, according to Reader’s Digest, many home washing machines don’t sanitize clothes, and numerous studies have found that these devices can transfer certain germs from one material to the next.

However, by cleaning your washing machine, you can remove bacterial buildup, residue, and mildew buildup. (No more gross smell!) Furthermore, regular cleaning protects it from damage due to grime accumulation. How to Clean It Whether you have a front- or top-loading washing machine is a matter of preference, but it also matters when it comes to maintenance. For example, front-loading machines have a rubber lip just inside the door where dirt and hair accumulate. Top- loading machines can collect the same amount of dirt in the softener dispenser.

to tools for cleaning your washing machine. Start by running your machine on its hottest cycle for a few minutes, then pause the cycle. (With top-loading devices, you want a pool of water in the bottom of the machine after it’s paused.) Then, YouTube cleaning tutorialist Andrea Jean Cleaning recommends pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda and about 2–3 cups of white vinegar into the machine. (Bleach will work, too!) While the solution sits, scrub the door, detergent trays, and any lips where grime can hide. Then, simply close the lid, finish the cycle, and watch your machine clean itself!

Regardless of the machine’s style, baking soda, vinegar, a rag, and hot water are the go-

Get more washing machine cleaning tips from your device’s manufacturer.

WHEN STARS SPLIT

3 Famous Divorces That Are Proof of Healthy Divorce

fame is the fact that the duo live in separate homes on the same property, ensuring their children are never far from either parent. What’s more, the exes relied on a mediator to create a co-parenting plan that best serves them and their children. This is family law at its finest! Caitlyn and Kris Jenner In 2013, Kris and Caitlyn Jenner announced they were getting divorced after more than 20 years of marriage, sending shockwaves through the reality TV world. Two years later, Caitlyn came out to the world as transgender and revealed that while her transition wasn’t the impetus for her divorce from Kris, the personal struggles she was facing at the time created major cracks. It took some work, but today, the couple frequently celebrate their daughters’ accomplishments together, and Kris often steps in to support her ex-spouse when she can. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin In 2015, Gwyenth Paltrow and Chris Martin announced they were “consciously uncoupling,” much to the chagrin of everyday human beings. However, since their split, the actress-turned-entrepreneur and musician have made a “conscious” decision to not let the end of their romantic relationship impact their friendship and connection with their children. The couple regularly report being good friends, going on vacations with their children, and even spending the night at each other’s houses. While money and celebrity status may make some of these scenarios easier for the world’s biggest stars, the healthy way they live out the end of their marriages proves divorce doesn’t always have to be messy.

Celebrities — they’re just like us! Or, at least we like to think they can be. And when it comes to love, marriage, and divorce, many celebrities are no more special than anyone else. However, the following famous ex-spouses can offer a little inspiration to those struggling to co-parent or share an amicable relationship with their ex. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner In 2000, actor, director, and producer Ben Affleck met actress and entrepreneur Jennifer Garner on the set of “Pearl Harbor.” The next 21 years would include a rumored relationship, whirlwind marriage, three children, and a drawn-out divorce plagued by alcoholism and complications in letting the marriage go. Today, Affleck and Garner are happily divorced, and among their biggest claims to divorce

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3 Traditions to Make the Holidays Exciting Again! Don’t Dread the Holidays

It may be the season of ghosts and ghouls, but the time for presents, family feasts, and holiday traditions are right around the corner! If you're divorced, this time of the year can come with many complicated feelings. Among them, the feeling that you’re missing out on your favorite traditions can be the strongest! If this is your first year post-divorce — or if you still struggle with this feeling — consider these ways to inject a little holiday spirit into your new traditions. Bring Back the Oldies Our favorite piece of advice for clients looking to create new traditions is to bring back activities you did as a child! Connect your children to your past or simply reminisce about your favorite aspects of the holidays by doing what you would do with your parents or grandparents when you were growing up. Not only will the nostalgia fill you with happiness, but you will also get to share an important part of who you are with a new generation. (And a new tradition will likely fall into place.)

Give Back Many co-parents choose to split the holidays, and this can leave one parent alone or without their child on the actual date of the holiday. For many, this can be a lonely experience. If this is you, the best way to counteract this feeling is to put some good back into the world. Get out and volunteer! On the holidays without your children, volunteer at holiday dinners for those less fortunate or invite an elderly neighbor who may not be able to travel over for dinner. Contact community centers, churches, and other organizations to find holiday volunteering opportunities near you! Gift Experiences When you’re a co-parent, the time you get to spend with your child is precious. Gifting an experience rather than an item can become a tradition your child enjoys and a way to create more time together. It could be as simple as a trip to their favorite restaurant and a movie they could pick out or as extravagant as a vacation. Just make sure to talk to your ex before doing so each year! The holidays after a divorce can come with a mix of emotions, but you don’t have to go through this experience alone. If you have questions about your divorce, please contact our team today.

Slow Cooker Squash, Kale, and Sausage Soup

LAUGH BREAK

This healthy, savory soup is the perfect lunch for a cool fall day.

Ingredients

• •

1 tbsp vegetable oil

• • • • • •

Salt and pepper, to taste 4 cups chicken broth 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp Italian seasoning 3 cups kale, chopped 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

4 Italian chicken sausages, sliced to bite-size pieces

• • •

6 cloves garlic 1 onion, chopped

6–7 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed

480.632.7373 Directions 1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and cook 4–5 minutes, stirring often, then remove from the pot and set aside. 2. Add garlic and onion to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes. Add squash, salt, and pepper. Sauté 8 minutes. 3. In a slow cooker, combine sautéed vegetables, sausage, chicken broth, and seasonings. Cook on low heat for 3 hours and 30 minutes. 4. Open the pot and add the kale. Cook another 20 minutes, then add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Cook 10 more minutes, then serve and enjoy! 3 Inspired by SugarAndSoul.co

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Reading Has Value — Try It!

Wash the Washer the Easy Way!

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3 Haunted Destinations to Visit This October

Ghosts Across America October is one of the best months for travel in the U.S. With mild temperatures and gorgeous, colorful leaves everywhere, there’s no better time for a cross-country road trip. Add some Halloween flair to your October vacation with these three ghostly attractions. hosts regular walking ghost tours and ghost hunting classes. Stay a while at Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona. 3 Haunted Spots Every Ghost Believer Will Love

Guests at Hotel Monte Vista have often enjoyed long stays at the downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, hotel, but not everyone leaves. Constructed in 1927, the hotel is host to a number of reported ghosts. The most well-known is an elderly woman who would spend hours rocking in the chair in her room. Today, her chair can be found moving on its own. Another popular visitor is the ghost of a bellboy who knocks on doors and announces that room service has arrived — only, no one's there. Is there a monster in Pine Barrens, New Jersey? This one’s for those who love mysterious creatures. Pine Barrens is a mass of forested land that spreads across seven counties in New

Visit the most haunted town in the U.S. — Waynesville, Ohio. Sure, New Orleans may have a spooky past, but it doesn’t compare to Waynesville. Many residents and visitors think this Ohio town is rife with ghosts. You may hear cries to “hurry up” at The Hammel House Inn, where many tunnels for the underground railroad came through, or you could see the apparition of a businessman from the 1800s who “never checked out.” Other sources report hauntings at the town’s historical society, Museum at the Friends Home, including a little girl who moves toys and sits on the porch. The society leans into the local fascination and

Jersey — and its most famous resident isn’t human. The Jersey Devil has a long, storied history and is said to be a combination of many animals: Its body is shaped like a kangaroo with wings. It has the head of a dog but the face of a horse. The creature is believed to have had a sickly start to life in 1735 and has stayed to haunt the forest’s inhabitants and even those who visit the area today.

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