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Greetings!
 I have a secret. Well, I actually have several secrets, but the one pertaining to Martha Stewart will have to wait until a later newsletter.
No, today I'm going to share with you that I love bowling. I love playing; I love the way the bowling alley sounds; I love the way the bowling alley smells; I love competing in league play - I even love to (occasionally) watch bowling on TV (oh wow, did I just admit that?).
The first time I ever played in a league was in the 1980's. It was a work league and we took it very seriously. I don't really remember too much about it except that I bought my own ball (it even has my name on it) and my average back then was 135.
[[ Before we go further, and in the spirit of full disclosure, you should know that being a great Wii bowler (yes I am) does not automatically translate to being a good league bowler. I thought you should know this just in case you're practicing Wii bowling and feel so proficient you're now fantasizing about hitting the PBA tour - trust me the two are completely different skill sets and most definitely mutually exclusive...]]
Fast forward twenty years from my last league experience and I once again have the opportunity to bowl on a league. Believe it or not, I'm using the same ball. A few times I've wondered should I get a new one? Has bowling ball technology changed any in twenty years? Will a new ball affect my performance?
 All great questions but who knows how things will go? It's better to give it a try and see what happens. So I joined my good friend's team - and the first thing you have to do when joining a league is come up with a clever and bowling-inspired team moniker. Ours is 'Gutterly Ridiculous'. Cool right? I knew you'd like that.
So we start bowling and after twenty years it turns out that not only is my ball twenty years older, but so is my body. Egad! The first throw always hurts my elbow. And my hips. And the next day I can barely move. Oh, and my skills are nearly non-existent. Wait a minute! My brain doesn't feel twenty years older! Why isn't my body cooperating? What kind of joke is this?
In the spirit of camaraderie and support, the other bowlers on our team are all giving me helpful advice - walk in a straight line. Don't throw the ball across your body. Make sure you follow through. Are you using the arrows or the pins for aiming purposes? The gutter won't guide the ball toward the pins. Maybe you should consider switching to bingo or shuffleboard....
 Anyone who knows me well knows I am highly competitive, a true Type A personality and, unfortunately, extremely hard on myself when it comes to skill-related tasks. Bowling, like anything, is a skill-related task. It is fun yes, but it turns out to be way more fun when you knock the pins down.
Sadly, my average in this league started at 101. Or was it 99 and my handicap was 101? Hmmm, either way it wasn't particularly good. What is good is that I've slowly and steadily improved. I walked into the league thinking I'd pick right up where I left off all that long time ago and instead it turns out I'm learning lessons in humility and sportsmanship. I don't compete against the other team or the other members of my own team. Instead I compete against myself, working to improve my own performance each week.
We're a little more than half way through this summer league and my best game so far is a 169. I earned an award for a 400 series (a bowling pin shaped magnet that is proudly attached to my refrigerator) and my average is up around 116 right now.
 And I'm having way more fun too. Not because I've improved, but because I've let go of the pressure to excel. This has been a very important lesson for my personal growth. In the beginning I was grumpy when I did poorly and I'd get frustrated when I couldn't figure out why I was missing the pins and then I'd sulk about it and think seriously about throwing in the (bowling) towel.
Then one day I realized I was missing way more than the pins - I was missing the most important aspect of the bowling experience - the people you bowl with and the other teams you meet.
 | | not exactly me, but a redhead. |
So I took a step back and realized it is ok not to be perfect. It's even ok not to be the best. What is important is to give it your best. And this is true in every aspect of your life, be it work or personal or when playing a game. Of course I want to do well and with time and practice (and a bunch of Tylenol), maybe I will. But it's ok if I no longer carry a 135 average - as long as I'm happy and doing my best and enjoying myself in the process.
And by the way, since I'm working with a twenty year older body, I'm keeping my twenty year older ball. Together we are aging just fine and having fun each week with truly amazing people - what could be better than that?
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If you'd like more time for bowling or any other fun activity, outsource your 'to do' list to Executive Errands. We will help simplify your life! www.executive-errands.com 760.469.2487 |
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Our Favorite Things... Desert Area Bowling Alleys
 Well, we couldn't rave about bowling without talking about our two favorite bowling alleys. Our league is at Fantasy Lanes located off Golf Center Parkway in Indio - a nice, big alley at Fantasy Springs Casino with a great staff and clean restrooms.
The other alley we frequent for non-league bowling time is Palm Springs Lanes located at Landau and Ramon, technically on the edge of Cathedral City and Palm Springs. This too is a nice bowling alley and they have been undergoing some remodeling lately so it feels fresh and you don't have the smoke of the casino wafting into the area unless you're on a lane next to the outdoor smoking section.
 The snack bars at both offer typical bar food - pizza, sandwiches and the like. No offense to my friends at Palm Springs, but I think the snack bar is a little better at Fantasy Lanes although neither of them offer many healthy options.
Depending on where you live in the desert, either bowling alley works just fine. Sometimes we get family and friends together and go bowl by the hour and have a great time. Other times I'll pop in for a couple quick solo games. Either way, it's good exercise and a lot of fun.
 Both alley's offer midnight laser bowling, birthday party programs and group bowling options. OH, and don't forget, bowling is a great activity to help beat the summer heat as they are nicely air conditioned.
The next time you're wondering what to do with your family or friends, give bowling a try!
Desert Area Bowling Alleys .... One (or two) of our favorite things!
["Our Favorite Things" gives us an opportunity to share people, places, events and things that we truly love and that you might too. We have no business affiliation with any company or individual featured here. We just want to share good things with you and if our recommendations help build business for someone else or saves you time or money, GREAT!!!] |
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Unpleasant Surprises...
 Have you ever seen something you can't get out of your head? That happened to me a couple weeks ago. As I was backing out of the driveway I saw, coming from the other end of the street, one of those rental vans used by homeowners who want to move themselves.
Why should that be disturbing? Well, because I live in a gated community and like most gated communities in the summer, there are very few people here. And since Memorial Day I haven't seen any cars coming or going from that end of the street. Does that mean someone isn't there? I don't know for sure. Maybe I just haven't seen them. Still, what if...?
Every year we hear stories of homeowners who come back after being gone for anywhere from one to six months and find their homes emptied out. And because of the economic challenges some people have faced, it seems there are more burglaries than ever. Desperate people do desperate things and vacant summer homes are tempting indeed.
Maybe it's because our company does absentee home checks that I am sensitive to vacant homes, but I just can't get that image out of my head. Should I have called the Association to ask if they knew someone was moving? I didn't really see which house the van came from. What if it actually was the homeowners? Would they consider the inquiry to be meddling? What if it wasn't the homeowners and a call to the police helped recover their belongings? It's a sticky wicket for sure.
 All we can tell you is this: Please, when you leave the Desert even if it's just for a week, please have someone look in on your place. It doesn't matter if you've been leaving it empty for 20 years and there's never been a problem. These are different times. All it takes is once and the very last thing you need is an unpleasant surprise when you get back here.
Executive Errands can assist you. We can't prevent burglaries from occurring but we can certainly identify them as soon as practical after they happen and perhaps while the evidence is still warm. You can feel at ease with us - leave us your keys!
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New Services - Electricians - Shocking!
 Executive Errands is proud to announce we've added new electrical services to our vast lineup of local, licensed and insured service providers.
Whenever possible, we prefer to use the individual trade to ensure not only that the company is properly licensed and insured, but also that you, the homeowner, gets the best possible price. Fewer layers mean lower costs.
 No matter what your electrical needs - from simple electrical upgrades or additions of GFI; from new main panels to blown circuit breakers; when you encounter problems with low voltage, or any electricity related problems we can address all your electrical needs.
Our electricians can assist with outdoor lighting, new construction and remodels. No job is too big or too small.
If you're in need of an electrician, please let us know and we'll get someone to you as soon as possible.
For more information or to request a referral, please contact Executive Errands at www.executive-errand.com or by phone 760.898.9604 |
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When You Don't Know Who To Call....
 Every local gets the inevitable question of 'do you know a good.... _______' Fill in that blank with any service - carpet cleaner, window washer, housekeeper, computer technician, caterer, pest control service, concierge....
Executive Errands wants to be the company you call with that question. We offer a wide range of services that you can access yourself. For absolutely no cost to you, you can go on our website at www.executive-errands.com, click on 'Contractor Services' and select from an alphabetized drop down list of all sorts of services.
What separates us from other similar referral services is that we use only local companies who carry the proper insurance and licenses for their particular trade.
We here at Executive Errands are absolutely committed to local companies because we want to do our part to support the local economy and the people who live and work here year 'round.  So often we hear about a company from Arizona or Nevada who comes in and underbids the competition because they are not subject to the rules and regulations and costs associated with doing business in California. We totally understand the client's perspective - he or she wants to get the most bang for their buck, but we should also consider the impact of choosing out of State (and even out of area) companies. Many entrepreneurs are now out of business because they can no longer survive. Just today one really great service provider called and said he was out of business. This particular company has done a lot for our clients over the years. The service he provided could be considered an art form; in fact he is more an artisan than anything else and yet he couldn't support himself or his family so he's taken a 'real' job. And not with just one company, but with three. It is truly tragic. According to the 2009 Small Business Survival Index published by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, California was ranked 'least friendly' to small businesses and entrepreneurs along with New York, D.C. and New Jersey. We doubt that ranking has improved any in the last two years and based on the condition of our State budget crisis, it has probably worsened.  So we encourage you to support the local economy. If you want good, customer service focused and reliable companies with whom to work and you want to support the companies who follow the law and carry the appropriate licenses and insurances, then please, call us and ask 'do you know a good ________' or go online and request your own services. Executive Errands supports our local companies. We hope you do too! We're your Concierge Service! www.executive-errands.com 760.469.2487 |
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New Services - Solar Energy
 As people with homes in the desert where the suns shines nearly every day, there seems almost no basis for NOT having solar energy. Why pay the high cost of electricity when you can generate your own?
The answer to that used to be rooted in the fact solar systems cost tens of thousands of dollars and the return on the investment could well exceed the length of time you live in that particular home. These days there are options to make solar energy not only affordable but cost effective. Executive Errands is now working with a service provider who installs, maintains, insures, does any repairs and offers support for the entire 20 year life of the solar system.  And you can get the system for nearly zero (if not zero) upfront costs. How does this program work? Simple - you agree to pay for the electricity you use each month at a reduced rate and the solar company installs the system, collects any government rebates and takes care of the system for you. You pay a rate that is locked in for the entire 20 year program - and it is transferable should you sell your home.
No upfront costs, solar energy (good for the environment), fixed cost for monthly electricity that you can count on and plan for AND that should save you thousands over what you're paying now. For more information or to get a solar evaluation for your home, please contact Executive Errands and we'll put you in touch with our solar experts. Please call us at 760.898.9604 or 760.469.2487 |
Just for Fun....
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you probably have a lot of fun finding apps. We want to spend the next few months sharing great Apps so if you have one, send it to us at info@executive-errands.com and we'll share it here.
 It's the heart of summer and everyone is pool-conscious about their bodies. Lots of people are are obsessing about what to eat - how do you find healthy and good tasting snacks? Enter the Snack App.
The Snack App offers suggestions for salty, sweet, crunchy, creamy, cheesy, healthy and sinful snack options in the 50, 100 and 200 calorie ranges. In addition, this app also offers weight management tips that revolve around calories and exercise.
The Snack App is available for iPhone and iPad - we already have it downloaded and now can't remember if it was free or not, but it was worth whatever we paid (or didn't pay) for it.
Check out The Snack App - very helpful when you're hungry and want a healthy option!
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 Most doctors agree the best way to watch your figure is to keep a food diary. Enter the Calorie Counter APP - If you're currently monitoring your food and exercise, this app is invaluable! It is a food and exercise diary in one easy application.
It contains the calorie content of thousands of common foods and you can define and save meals for use later so you don't have to reenter everything every time.
It tracks your performance and shows you the net of calories in and calories burned each day so you know for sure (math based certainty) if you'll end up with deficit calories just based on your net numbers each day. This app is intuitive and easy to use. We really like it.
The Calorie Counter App is available for iPhone and iPad. Again, we already have it downloaded and can't recall exactly what it cost, but the full version might have been as much as $4.99 (although it was most likely less).
If you're serious about your health, check out the Calorie Counter App - the easiest food and exercise diary we've ever seen. |
 The Cathedral City - Rancho Mirage (CC-RM) Soroptimist Club asks you to mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th - our 17th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon is slated for that day.We'll be holding it at the Westin in Rancho Mirage and our theme this year is Winter Wonderland. We'll be honoring Ms. Lisa Houston of FIND Food Bank for her great work to help end hunger here in the desert. This promises to be another amazing event and your support is needed to help make it a success. Please 'save the date'! |
 1) If you enjoy this newsletter, then this is a reminder that all of our newsletters are available at our archive by clicking here: EE Newsletter Archive
3) If you'd like an electronic copy of our Homeowner Reference Brochure, please give us a call at 760.898.9604 or 760.469.2487 |
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 One of the best things about bowling is it contains so many competitive angles. There is the team dynamic where you want your team to do well collectively. There is the individual dynamic where you try to better your own performance and ideally at least bowl your average each week. And there is the league dynamic where you try to beat whichever team you're playing so you can be well positioned for cash awards at the end of the season.
I think I just listed those in the order of importance to me. I don't care so much if we win games each week as long as each member of our team has a satisfactory (in their own eyes) week because then it is fun for them. And then, as mentioned in the beginning, I concentrate on doing my own best game and obviously the league positioning is of least importance (although we are human and no one wants to be last).
 My daughters bowled all through junior high and high school and my older daughter has participated in several league seasons. For my 50th birthday, a bunch of girlfriends and my daughters got together and we all went bowling to celebrate. Now we take the grandkids to the bowling alley. Bowling is a part of our family.
In fact, several sports play a big part in our family with football probably being the most influential. We have interfamily team rivalries (please don't get between my daughter and her brother-in-law when the Bears play the Packers), we spend lots of Sunday's watching games together, and some of us even have fantasy football games. While all of that is fun, bowling is the game where we all actively participate.
I miss our board game nights, the times we've played Yahtzee or Monopoly or cards into the wee hours, talking and laughing. These days it is common to have several family members sitting around the living room with various electronics in their laps, all playing some solitary game and barely talking. Curse those Angry Birds!
 But when we go bowling, it is LIVE. It is physical. There is smack talk and high fives and too much beer and a lot of laughing and it is FUN. I think that's why I love bowling. It is a "get your butt up off the couch and participate in life" kind of activity.
I hope you and your families have something in your life where you all actively participate. Have a wonderful July and we'll catch up again in August. Enjoy the summer!
Leslie Spoor, CCS
President, Executive Errands
760.469.2487
We value our clients' privacy. Therefore we do not, distribute your email address to anyone, ever.
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