It's 2012 - are you ready for it?  You'd have to be living in a cave not to have already heard about Dec 21, 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar.  There are so many doomsday theories; this "end of a cycle" is going to rival Y2K in its "end of the world" predictions.  Already airlines are gearing up and have added tens of thousands of extra flights to Mayan countries in anticipation of an influx of curious visitors.  Wow!

For me, 2012 promises to be wildly prosperous and full of opportunity.  Once again I have turned off 'news' TV (I air quoted the word 'news' because there is so little true news broadcast these days) as I refuse to allow the negativity and fear-mongering being spewed from my TV into my consciousness.  Think positive and anything is possible!

Today, as we stand on the threshold of a brand new year, I'm fairly certain most of you have made a resolution or two.  Me? No resolutions.  But I have been giving some thought to a bucket list.  I'm at the age where many of my friends have been talking about a bucket list and what they want to do before they get too old.  However, being the rebel that I like to think I am, mine is not a bucket list.  Oh no, instead, I have created an UNbucket list.

In no particular order, here is my Top 10 List of things I am NEVER going to do:

1.    Bungee jumping - I've jumped out of an airplane, owned a motorcycle, even became a pilot, but there is no way I'm tying a rubber band to my, um, butt, and jumping off a bridge.  No.  Not me.  And that in fact leads me to my next 'never'...

2.    Base Jumping - you know this crazy activity? Jumping off a tall building or cliff or other stationary and way-too-high structure.  No...crazy.  I get vertigo.  I will never do this.

3.    Get a Facelift - yes, I know we live in the land of plastic people and I am actually an advocate for plastic surgery, but when you mess with your face you run the risk of either having a face that doesn't match your wrinkled body or you end up looking like a Muppet.  I love Kermit, but don't want to look like him.

4.    Taste a Bhut Jolokia chili pepper (aka Ghost Pepper).  I love spicy stuff, but this 401x hotter than Tobasco chili hails from India and is nearly too hot to eat.  On the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale, it  carries the distinction of a 1 MILLION SHU rating - that's as compared to a jalapeno which rates between 2500 - 8000 SHU's.  Bite into one?  Um, no.

5.    Climb Mt. Everest - ok, this one is on a lot of people's bucket list, but not mine.  I've been up to 12,000 feet elevation, which is nearly half of Everest's 29,000 feet and it was tough breathing at that level.  I'll keep my feet on the ground (unless I'm in an airplane), thankyouverymuch...

6.    Eat worms.  Or goldfish. - the popularity of gross TV (like Fear Factor) has made the eating of disgusting things popular, but even the mere thought of putting a worm anywhere near my mouth makes me gag.  I can't even watch OTHER people eat worms.  YUCK...

7.    Bathe in the Ganges River - even though the Ganges River has a higher religious, cultural and spiritual significance than any other river on the planet, it is also highly polluted.  Nearly 2 million people bathe in it EVERY DAY hoping to reap the benefit of its spiritual properties, but the fecal coliforms alone exceed the official Indian government levels by more than a 100x.  And that doesn't even take into account the decomposing bodies and such.  Ewww It's just unhealthy.

8.    Swim with Sharks - as much as I love flying, I hate the water.  Even being on a boat is unnerving because there are LARGE animals in the ocean.  Really big.  Not mosasaur big, I don't think (at least not that we know about), but BIG just the same and they can sneak up on you.  No, not going on or in the water if I can help it.  I saw JAWS....

9.    Walk on Hot Coals - this is often used as a team-building exercise or to otherwise show you have confidence and inner strength and so much faith you can walk across the coals without getting burned.   From what I've read, there is a way to do this and not get burned, but I am not taking the chance.  I have plenty enough confidence and faith so I don't need to prove it with hot coals!

10.Never Say Never - I just spent nine bullets telling you what I'll never do, but as we all know, 'never' is probably the worst word in the English language.  Life is ever changing.  WE are ever changing.  I can't say for sure I won't do any of these things.  Maybe they'll clean up the Ganges.  Or maybe my 10x magnifying mirror will convince me a small tuck would be ok.  Or maybe I just won't be able to resist the hot coals.  Who knows?  That's the great thing about life - it's a constant adventure!

The truly best thing about the start of a new year is the hope and excitement we feel - like anything is possible and that this year will be better than the last.  I'm not worried about the Mayan calendar or the end of a cycle.  Nobody died when we transitioned from the Renaissance to the Exploration age or from that to the Industrial age or from the Industrial to the Information age.  And Y2K was a big bust.  I say look to the future with enthusiasm and anticipation - but stay rooted in the present for 'today' is all we really have....

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When you're ready to tackle your bucket list or to realize your resolutions (gym, anyone?), keep your life moving forward by outsourcing your routine or mundane errands to Executive Errands.  We'll free up your life so you have the time you need for your life's adventure!  760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com

We need your help growing our Facebook page!  Our goal is to have at least 500 followers this year.  As of this writing, we are at 137 so we are already a quarter of the way to our goal!

 If you enjoy this newsletter, and we know you do, please click here:

At least once per day we post a new service, ideas of how to use us and about the charitable work we do in the community.  We also share unique client stories (when we have their permission).  For example, we posted about a lady from Kentucky who called us to help her son who was out here in Palm Springs.  She found us on Angie's List!  We didn't even know someone had put us on Angie's List!  How exciting!

The Executive Errands Facebook page is our way to communicate information between newsletters so we can keep you current with our activities.  Please take a moment to join our FB family and Thank you in advance for 'liking' us!!

With 7 billion people on this planet, it's time we get very serious about renewable energy sources.  Being here in the desert, it only makes good sense to consider solar energy as a means to cooling our homes and heating our pools.

Rules, rebates and government programs are ever changing but we work with a company who makes it possible to add solar to your home with no cash out of pocket.

Again, these points must be re-verified during your quote process, but if you have Southern California Edison as your electricity provider, the most current information we have is as follows:

--No cash out of pocket for the hardware as the solar system is paid for by investors

--You, as the buyer, assigns the rebates from SCE and the investor monetizes the 30% Federal Tax Credit, plus they give you another 10% off

--You, as the buyer, and the solar company agree on a flat monthly rate for your electricity (an amount that is less than you pay now) and you have the option of a 0% or 2.9% annual increase

--Should you decide to sell the home, the contract and the system are transferrable under certain restrictions (unless the home is sold 5 years after installation)

If you'd like to consider adding a solar system to your home or pool, please contact us for a referral.  As always, our referrals are free and are to reputable, licensed and insured companies.

Executive Errands 760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com

We were surprised to learn that some of our regular clients think we only do Absentee Home Checks!

Yes, we do absentee home checks and we even have a state of the art electronic form that is completed while we're in your home and is maintained online so it is available to you at any time from any computer, laptop, iPad or iPhone. 

But besides absentee home checks, we also run errands, go shopping, assist in-home with filing, laundry, closet or garage organization, pick up and take things to charity, provide relocation assistance, courier documents, deliver lunch, unpack belongings after a move, wait for deliveries or utility services, assist with downsizing efforts and funeral arrangements. 

We can shop for and wrap presents, go to the post office, make & confirm your monthly appointments, buy you event tickets, make dinner reservations, plan a party and order flowers, gift baskets, balloons and candy. 

We can do internet research, type a letter, catalog your receipts, provide non-medical companion care, arrange and facilitate services for your home and a host of other activities.

The list of things we can do to help simplify your life is only limited by your imagination.  If you put it on your 'to do' list, then most likely you can delegate it to us.

And did you know that our services may be tax deductible if you have a business? Absolutely!  We're a personal assistance service and as long as you have us do something (anything) business related, you can write off our fees.  And that holds true whether your business is local or located somewhere else.

In fact, rather than lose productivity by sending employees out to run corporate errands, delegate them to Executive Errands and treat errand running as an expense instead of driving up overhead.  Your accountant will congratulate you!

If you're a seasonal homeowner, remember - yes, we care for your home in your absence, but when you're here, we're always available to make your desert stay enjoyable.  You shouldn't have to spend your time doing chores - let your personal concierge do that for you!

For more information or to hire your own Personal Concierge, please call us at 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com

We've recently enhanced our backyard services.  Not only can we provide pool and spa maintenance, but now we also offer repairs, remodels and new pool and/or spa construction.

We can create, build or remodel your outdoor kitchen.  We can refinish your patio furniture (especially that teak - it suffers greatly in the desert sun), make new patio cushions and clean patio upholstery.

Does your wrought iron need repairs or a new finish? We can do that too.  Are your outdoor appliances old or in need of service?  Let us get them fixed up.  Does your tile look worn and tired? We can clean and polish it to nearly new!

If your landscape needs maintenance, revitalization or a whole new re-do, one call to Executive Errands and we'll get it all under control.  Firepits, fireplaces, outdoor lighting, new seating - we do it all.

Give us a call for all your outdoor and yard needs.  One of the great benefits to living in the desert is the amount of time we can spend outdoors enjoying the lovely weather.  Your yard should be an extension of your home - and it should be perfect for being outside.

For more information or to get a quote for any of these services, please give us a call at 760.898.9604 or visit our website at www.executive-errands.com

Executive Errands 760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com

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