West Valley - March 2024

GS 0324 3/31/24

Spring Savings!

A Message from

Sue Royer

“I was born and raised in inner city Chicago, the sixth of eighteen children with fifteen brothers. Being the oldest daughter, I was always a caregiver which I believe influenced me to pursue work in the healthcare industry. Today, I have three daughters and five grandchildren.

Years ago, I volunteered for hospice and knew immediately that helping seniors was my calling. I was soon employed by hospice but I felt something was missing. I realized it was the limited time I was able to spend with my clients. Having my own business allows me to provide the intimate hands on service needed in our community. I am committed to our seniors throughout their lives and I thank the community for the opportunity to serve.”

Sue

Director

About Us

Since 2002, AAA Senior Placement AZ has been offering FREE services helping seniors find safe, affordable and loving assisted living.

When it becomes too difficult for you or your loved ones to safely manage daily living and/or manage medical needs, call Sue Royer for help navigating the many options available.

We are specialists in all levels of assisted living care resources with referrals to Arizona’s best:

• Group Homes

• Assisted Living Communities

• In-Home Primary Care Physicians

• Home Health Care Therapy

• Transportation

• Private Duty In-Home Care

• Respite Care

• Alzheimer’s Care

• Memory Care

• Hospice

• Support Groups

Assisted living resources accepting:

• Private pay

• Arizona Long Term Care-ALTCS

• Medicaid

• VA Benefits

6 Reasons You Should Call AAA

• We are well known and respected in the medical community.

• All clients are given a thorough assessment to determine proper placement needs.

• There is never a fee charged to the senior or their family for our service.

• We are NOT contractually bound to any outside business. This allows us to serve our clients with only their interests in mind.

• Years of knowledge and experience in the field of senior care.

• AAA Senior Placement AZ is family owned, allowing us to give you quality, personalized service.

FROM THE EDITOR

I hope your March is shaping up to be amazing. This month’s going to be incredibly busy! In addition to watching Spring Training games, we get to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

This month, The Grand Season will highlight the power of setting boundaries in your relationships.

I don’t know about you, but I still struggle with the idea of disappointing those I love. This quote from Doreen Virtue speaks to me, “Boundaries are a part of self-care. They are healthy, normal and necessary.”

As you celebrate this month, I hope you can enjoy each moment with the ones you love, and spend time taking care of your needs.

As always, thank you for your support of The Grand Season, and all of our local advertisers who are committed to providing you with an incredible value and excellent customer service.

Happy Easter,

Melissa Whitton Associate Publisher

INSPIRE

SPEAK CLEARLY

We can say what we need to say. We can gently, but assertively, speak our mind. We do not need to be judgmental, tactless, blaming or cruel when we speak our truths. Melody Beattie

Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. Henry Cloud

When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. Brené Brown

Givers need to set limits, because takers rarely do. Rachel Wolchin

Boundaries are a part of self-care. They are healthy, normal, and necessary. Doreen Virtue

No one will listen until we listen to ourselves. Marianne Williamson

Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. Brené Brown

Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes, they mean it. They’re compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment. Brené Brown

Your personal boundaries protect the inner core of your identity and your right to choices. Gerard Manley Hopkins

“No” is a complete sentence. Anne Lamont

You get what you tolerate. Henry Cloud

GROWTH

USE YOUR VOICE

Often we don’t say no to people, because we’re afraid it might offend them or create tension in a relationship. We’re taught to be kind to others, but we ultimately need to find the balance between being kind and being firm.

1. Get crystal clear on your priorities

There’s no need to deplete your emotional, mental, and physical energy on something that you really don’t enjoy or doesn’t align with your values. Setting boundaries might sound scary, but it gives you the freedom to spend time doing what you love. Boundaries allow you to create life on your own terms. Communicating your boundaries to others is a sure-fire way to make certain people-pleasing doesn’t take over your life.

Here are some ways you can set better boundaries and spend less energy pleasing people:

Getting clear on your priorities will help you figure out what you’re actually willing to spend your time and energy on.

2. Communicate what you will and will not tolerate

If the people around you are always doing or saying things that frustrate you to your core, you have to put your foot down. People will never know that what they’re doing is unacceptable if you never tell them.

3. Think about the impact of your actions

Will it improve your life or is there something that could make a bigger impact? Think about the amount of time something will take compared to the amount of positive impact it will have. If it will take up more time than it’s worth, say no.

4. Do things because they make you feel good

If you find it all too easy to try and make others happy, why not let yourself be happy for once? Make sure you spend time doing things that bring you joy and help you create a better life balance.

5. Offer an alternative

If your plastic food containers develop an unpleasant odor, never fear: Scrub with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Rinse and air-dry.

To remove the fat from your pot roast or other slow-cooked meat dish, make then refrigerate. The fat will float to the top of the juices and coagulate. Remove this layer of fat and then reheat.

Crushed newspaper makes a great rag for shining windows in your home and in the car. No lint left behind!

To sharpen a pair of worn scissors, try cutting through a piece of aluminum foil that is doubled or tripled over. Be sure to clean and dry scissors you use in the kitchen.

Want delicious fried chicken crust but not the dripping oil? Baste chicken pieces with mayonnaise, then dredge in crushed cracker crumbs mixed with a bit of flour. Bake and enjoy.

When starting out a new exercise class, be sure to give it a full month before you decide whether you like it or not. Especially classes that are harder, since you might be very sore and think that means you don’t care for the class.

3.

4.

INVISIBLE LINES

Boundaries act like invisible lines that help maintain a sense of individuality and mutual respect in a healthy relationship. Setting boundaries in a relationship is a way to cultivate mutual respect and a balanced partnership. Boundaries are guidelines that can help prevent resentment, stress, and emotional fatigue from creeping into your relationship.

To paint a clearer picture, consider a couple where one partner always sacrifices their needs and wants. Over time, this imbalance may lead to increased stress and even resentment, negatively impacting the mental health of both individuals. To avoid that stress and resentment, it’s important to practice healthy boundaries within a relationship. The boundaries you establish will be unique to your relationship, but the following areas are a great place to start a discussion.

Boundary #1: Personal Space and Time

Personal space—both physical and emotional—is not a luxury but a necessity for maintaining your sanity and sense of self. Being glued to your partner 24/7 may seem romantic, but it often leads to a stifling and stressful environment. Balancing “we” time with “me” time helps keep the relationship fresh and gives you the space to grow individually.

Boundary #2: Emotional

Your emotions are your responsibility, and the same holds true for your partner. Setting emotional boundaries means understanding that you can’t be the sole emotional support for someone else, nor can they be that for you. This boundary is crucial for your mental well-being.

Boundary #3: Financial

Money is often cited as a leading cause of stress in relationships. That’s why setting financial boundaries can significantly ease mental stress for both parties. It’s important to have an open dialogue about finances throughout your relationship. Strive to continually discuss financial and generous giving goals.

Boundary

#4: Social Media and Technology

Let’s face it, the digital world can be intrusive. Having your phone buzz every minute with social media notifications when you’re trying to have dinner with your partner can be stressful and alienating. Set up “no phone zones” or “tech-free times” during the day, especially during meals or other shared activities.

Boundary #5: Communication

While setting boundaries is good, but it’s effective communication that brings these boundaries to life. Being honest about what you can and cannot tolerate is fundamental to maintaining a healthy relationship and mental state. Schedule regular check-ins with your partner to discuss how things are going.

Former “Superman”

Henry Cavill is not a fan of sex scenes. He admits, “I think sometimes they’re overused these days...Is this really necessary, or is it just people with less clothing on?” While he believes that there are times when sex scenes can be great in a movie, Cavill thinks that “it can be a little bit of a cop-out if a TV show or a movie is just filled with gyrating bodies.”

This might explain why there were no sex scenes in his recent spy film “Argylle,” which may possibly have done better at the box office if he showed his “Superman” body. The $200 million spy film barely made a dent in its cost, which has prompted Apple to reconsider giving the green light to the two proposed sequels for “Argylle.” Apple was already bleeding money from the anemic box-office disappointments of “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon.”

BEVERAGE CLUB

COUCH THEATER

Ferrari (R)

WORTH WATCHING

Now streaming!

This biopic follows owner Enzo Ferrari, played by Adam Driver, during the summer of 1957 as the racing division of his company prepares for the Mille Miglia race. With his company in a state of financial chaos due to extreme losses and his deteriorating relationship with his wife, (Penelope Cruz), Enzo is determined to keep his company out of hot water and pull off a win. (Amazon Prime)

The Greatest Night in Pop (PG-13)

This documentary casts a spotlight on a magical evening in 1985 when some of the most famous singers on the planet came together to record “We Are the World.” With incredible insider footage, viewers feel like flies on the wall watching legends like Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Cyndi Lauper and Bob Dylan find their footing amid an elite group of their peers. (Netflix)

SPRING DRINKS

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MIMOSA

INGREDIENTS

10 strawberries

2/3 c. strawberry ice cream

1/2 c. crushed Nilla wafers

10 oz. vanilla vodka

1 bottle Champagne Whipped cream

DIRECTIONS

Run a sliced strawberry around the rim of Champagne flutes. Dip each rim in Nilla crumbs. Into each flute, drop 1 tablespoon strawberry ice cream, then add 1 ounce vodka and top with Prosecco. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of Nilla crumbs, and a strawberry for garnish. Serve.

SPRING CHAMPAGNE

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c. pineapple wedges, divided 1 c. orange juice

1 c. pineapple juice 1 bottle champagne

1/4 c orange sanding sugar 1/2 c. sliced strawberries

DIRECTIONS

Run a pineapple wedge around the rim of each glass. Pour sanding sugar into a shallow bowl, then dip top of each glass in sanding sugar. Fill each glass about a quarter full with orange juice, then add pineapple juice until juice comes up about halfway. Top each glass with champagne. Garnish glasses with strawberries and pineapples.

BRUNCH PUNCH

INGREDIENTS

ice

2 c. orange juice

2 liter sprite

2 c. pineapple juice

2 c. vodka 1 bottle prosecco

2 c. strawberries, sliced 2 c. raspberries

1 c. fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish

Sanding sugars, for rims

DIRECTIONS

To a large punch bowl, add ice, Sprite, orange juice, pineapple juice, vodka, Prosecco, strawberries, raspberries and mint leaves and stir to combine. In a small dish of sanding sugar, rim glasses with fresh strawberry and coat rims with sugar. Ladle punch into glasses and garnish with more mint.