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 It's the start of a brand new year. I don't know about you, but I always feel a sense of both gratitude and hope at this time of year - gratitude because the prior year was prosperous, my family are all doing well and life itself is really quite good; and hope because the new year puts a clean slate in front of us, full of unimaginable possibilities.
The one thing I know for sure is that if we work hard and maintain our integrity then those possibilities will turn into luck and luck turns into an avalanche of good things. (Yes, I believe we make our own luck)
The last eight weeks have been a bit challenging - first there was a cardiac scare. It turned out to be ok - I'm totally fine - but for a few days there was a real concern for my heart.
 Given I rarely have anything too serious health-wise, it was a total wake-up call. Faced with the possibility of cardiologists and who-knows-what-else, I suddenly thought - what if, God forbid, I die? Who will take care of my clients and my company? What about my kids and grandkids? What about my home? The dog? Oh no!
Like many people, I haven't planned for the eventuality of my own demise. I'm 56 now and while that is still fairly young, it is not a bit too soon to give serious thought to end of life planning.
 And then after the cardiac scare, I got the flu. Not a little case either. From two days before Christmas until after New Year's Day, I was wickedly sick. In fact, I'm still trying to get over the last of it.
As I laid on the sofa New Year's Eve, trying to breathe, I had an epiphany:
I can do anything I want to do. That probably doesn't sound like much of an epiphany, but like many people, I get caught up in what I SHOULD be doing. I should go out more. I should exercise more. I should read more. I should, I should, I should...
 The word "should" is based on what we think someone else thinks is important, not necessarily what WE think is important (or that makes us happy).
The truth of the matter is that each of us can pick and choose what we want to do and as long as we are true to ourselves; as long as we opt for activities that nourish our soul; as long as we are happy with our choices; it doesn't really matter what we should do.
 For me, I put a lot of activities on hold, hoping to meet someone who might like to do them with me. Even though I am perfectly fine on my own, it would be nice to have someone to 'ooh and aah' with.
And truthfully, if you wait until there is someone else in your life, you might spend a lot of lonely nights watching TV at home. (and believe me, after more than 20 years as a 'single' I know for sure no one is going to come knocking on the door while I'm at home watching TV!)
So if you want to go dancing, join a class - they'll partner you up for the evening. If you want to play golf, there are several singles golf groups around - they'll put you in a foursome. If you like to read, join a book club so you can discuss the books with others.
 You get the drift... just because you're single doesn't mean there isn't a way to have interaction with real people and do activities you enjoy.
THAT was my epiphany. And a few days after that epiphany, I had another - it's also ok to spend the evening on the couch watching TV, if that's what you truly want to do! These epiphanies were freeing. I know they seem simple and obvious, but as human beings we can get so caught up in the incessant chatter in our minds that we can often overlook our own authentic truths.
 As you start this new year, remember that this is a time for new beginnings. Silence your brain chatter. Truly consider what it is that you want to do and figure out how to go DO IT.
This time next year you'll be looking back and feeling even more gratitude that you didn't wait for life to come to you - you went after it with gusto....
Executive Errands® - if you need to clear up some time to follow your dreams, delegate your 'to do' list to us... 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com
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Our Favorite Things... FitBit
 When I traveled for work, I was constantly running through airports, dragging and lifting suitcases over my head on airplanes, running here and there. These days I can sit down at the computer at 5:30 in the morning and suddenly it is 7 o'clock at night - a whole day consumed by work and the only time I stood up was to refill my water glass or go to the ladies room.
My activity level has gone from turbo charged to zero and my body really feels it. Hips hurt. Back hurts. Feet scream if I'm on them for too long - all from a lack of use. You know the old saying, if you don't use it, you lose it. So very true.
 Part of my new beginnings for 2014 is to get more active. Not because I should, but because I want to do it.
Somehow I heard about the Fit Bit, which is basically a fancy pedometer. Fit Bit's come in several models; ranging from about $90 to $300. Because I have used pedometers in the past, and because they haven't worked to motivate me in any appreciable way, I opted for the lowest cost (and lowest feature) model, the Flex.
The Fit Bit Flex is easy to set up - it is rechargable using a USB port on your computer and it syncs to your computer to provide a dashboard with a graphic representation of the number of steps you walk per day, the amount of minutes of intense activity per day, the number of calories you burn per day and the distance you travel per day.
 The accepted doctor recommended exercise goal for pretty much anybody is 10,000 steps per day. That equals right at 5 miles per day, give or take. I have to tell you with unbridled enthusiasm, that the Fit Bit is an AMAZING motivator (at least it is for me).
The graphic dashboard representation of your activity is mesmerizing. I want to make the little odometer-looking gauges reach the 'red line'. (hot rod car owners will get my meaning). You wear the Fit Bit all the time (I have the bracelet model which works great for me). It is waterproof so in the shower or the pool is fine - it is constantly working, tracking your activity all day long. A charge lasts about five days.
 I've also started walking on El Paseo at o'dark thirty and in 30 minutes I can rack up 2 miles and 30 minutes of "intense" activity. Add in an hour later in the day of Salsa dancing and it was easy to hit over 11,000 steps for the day. And to my delight, the bracelet buzzes/vibrates when you hit the 10,000 step goal!
I love it. If you want to create a new fitness beginning in 2014, the Fit Bit is one great way to help get started. For more information, www.fitbit.com I bought mine on Amazon, so check them out there too.
FitBit, one 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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How Lazy Do You Have To Be?...
 We have quite a diverse group of clients. Some are Canadian who are here six months and gone for six. Some are locals - living in LA, Orange County, San Diego, Ventura County or San Francisco - who come back and forth on weekends. Many are from all over the country, who visit here anywhere from a week to a few months off and on throughout the year.
Some of our homes are rental properties - VRBO type rentals (we don't do the actual rental piece) where we clean and turn the home between guests, do guest interface, make sure the amenities of the home stay stocked and do the home preventative maintenance.
 And some of our clients are desert locals. People who live here year 'round who are trying to get back a few hours each week so they can have the time to do the activities that nourish their souls.
In each case, we tailor our services to support each client's lifestyle and needs. Some of my favorite clients to sign up, though, are the Do It Yourself-ers. These can be first time second homeowners or long term second homeowners or locals but in all cases, these are people who have been totally self-reliant their entire lives and are now considering allowing themselves to have a little assistance.
 I really love these people. When we first meet them, they are almost always apologetic; often resistant to the help; sometimes downright cranky. We've had people who say they could NEVER delegate some of their workload but because they live too far to come here to do things themselves, they are engaging us - reluctantly.
We even had one recently who said half under her breath, 'how lazy do you have to be' [to use this type of service]? Well the fact is, this has nothing to do with being lazy and everything to do with balance and quality of life.
 There is no shame in having a little help. Doesn't there come a time when we DESERVE to not have to do all the routine and mundane tasks that consume our days? I for one love to clean, but I have our housekeepers in every other week. Am I physically able to do it myself? Of course. But I don't want to spend what little free time I have cleaning my house.
Here is the real reason why I love the Do It Yourself-ers so much: Once they start using us, and slowly over time, they learn to adjust. Little by little they begin to relinquish some control and they find they feel so much better. Soon they are asking us to do more and more as they take their new free time and spend it doing activities they truly enjoy.
 It's so rewarding for us to watch them blossom. Because that's what it feels like. They transition from busy hardworking multi-taskers and for a minute, at least here, they are able to have some balance; to enjoy their lives in the desert and to feel what it's like not to have to 'do it all'. We love being a part of that transformation.
When it comes to new beginnings, we really hope more people will take a hard look at their lives and ask themselves - do I really need to do all of this?
Not that a task doesn't need to be done at all, but if it does, do you need to be the one to do it? Or can it be delegated so that you can simplify, have more fun, reduce your stress and find some balance.
 That's the whole purpose of Executive Errands® - to help make lives better for our clients...If you're ready to start delegating and to create some balance in your own life, please contact us at: Executive Errands® Lifestyle Management services. 760.898.9604 www.executive-errands.com
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 One of our favorite days of the year is Super Bowl Sunday.... We love football and of course, it's always fun to see the crazy commercials. It's a day full of food, drink, friends, family, football and camaraderie.
If you find yourself running low on Super Bowl supplies, give us a call and we'll run them right over*.
And so you can amaze your friends, here's a quick Super Bowl Quiz from 2011. (answers at the end of this newsletter)  1. What NFL team has won the most Super Bowl games to date?
2. What NFL team/s have lost the most Super Bowl games so far? 3. What NFL Super Bowl XXXVIII half-time musical entertainer experienced a notoriously replayed wardrobe malfunction during her performance? 4. Which NFL franchise is the last Wild Card team to win a Super Bowl? 5. Which two NFL teams played in the very first Super Bowl game?  6. Who led the crowd in reciting America's "Pledge of Allegiance" for NFL Super Bowl III in Miami? (Hint: The answer is a group of people, not a single individual.)
7. Which NFL team holds the records for scoring the most touchdowns in a single NFL Super Bowl game? 8. Which Super Bowl win successfully wrapped up a completely undefeated season for one NFL team? 9. Which city has hosted the NFL Super Bowl more than any other city in the United States? 10. Which Super Bowl game featured an NFL team, playing in its own home stadium?
*Standard non-member rates apply plus the cost of supplies as per our website.
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When it comes to new beginnings, it is often helpful to take advantage of technology. These apps may help you kick off 2014 in a positive way:
 For health management, try My Fitness Pal, a wonderful food diary, activity tracking, calorie consumption planner. Calories in/calories out is the only true way to get to your ideal size and keep it for the long term. The sheer act of logging your food intake can be enlightening.
 If you are trying to establish new habits, try Lift, an app to help you create new routines. They say it takes 21 days to change a habit. Just like logging in your daily food intake, logging in whether or not you did whatever new habit you're trying to develop will help you make the change.
 If you're trying to quit smoking, MyQuit Coach is an app to help you decrease your nicotine consumption and ultimately to quit smoking.
And finally, if your goal is to gain better control of your finances, consider Mint, a personal finance app that helps you budget and monitor your saving and spending habits.
 All of these apps include graphics and, like Fit Bit, it seems those graphic representation of your progress really can inspire and encourage you toward success.
Each of these apps are available Free from iTunes.
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Unusually Yours...
 It is our promise to provide the highest quality and most diverse set of services possible. There is a list of our most requested services on our website at www.executive-errands.com, but did you know we get asked for all sorts of unusual things too?
Some of these requests are pretty random, others are things we do fairly regularly, but they aren't on our core list of services. Things like:
- Procure a specific year, make and color of an automobile to rent to do a video reenactment of an accident
- Find an exact replacement of a wedding ring lost in the sea during the honeymoon
- Create a flower arrangement that fits exact dimensions of one specific container - that we couldn't take to the florist
- Build and upholster a wall-wide, legless headboard
- Meeting with a client at 11pm to give them a key to their home because they forgot theirs
- Hand writing holiday cards, invitations and thank you notes
- Building a pool
- Repairing countless appliances
- Building new gutter systems to redirect water runoff
- Referring convalescing and elderly loved ones to a long term care facility and/or for short term medical assistance
- Assist with parties, including catering, mobile food trucks (and mobile margaritas), cakes, balloons, entertainment, etc
- During the fires last summer, the news media (erroneously) reported one community was being evacuated. In a panic, our clients who live in that community asked us to investigate. After speaking with local fire and law enforcement several times, we ultimately went to the community to ensure the safety of their individual homes and to put the clients' mind at ease
 As you can see - it doesn't matter what you might need. In the last eight years, we've only had to say 'no' a handful of times - and we're pretty proud of that fact.
The next time you think, should I ask for help, think, YES and give us a call....
By the way, all of our Service Providers are insured and name us as Additionally Insured. Most of our Service Providers have been working with us for five years or more so we are well acquainted with the quality of their services.
Referrals are free or we can act as intermediary and handle your projects in their entirety.
www.executive-errands.com With one single call we can handle, do, or facilitate just about anything you might need. 760.898.9604
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Events & News...
 Jan 23rd, we're speaking at the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce lunchtime leads networking group , Profit Connection.
This event is being held at the Chamber offices and always sells out so if you'd like to go, please RSVP to Katie at katie@pdacc.org
 Feb 4th we're participating in the DRM/Associa Homeowner Appreciation and Business Partner Expo at Agua Caliente. We look forward to participating in this event in support of the Property Management company and all their homeowners.
March 20th we're participating in a Disaster Preparedness expo at the Ironwood Country Club. This event is always fun and informative - and necessary since we live in earthquake country.
 We just joined the Women's Council of Realtors organization and renewed our California Desert Association of Realtors (CDAR) membership. We are an affiliate now of both organizations.
As we work with so many realtors, we feel it is especially necessary to give back and support their organizations. 760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com
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Valentine's Day...
 Valentine's Day is only a month away! One of the ways to celebrate new beginnings is to be sure the people in your life know how much you love them. There are lots of ways to show love and one of my favorite ways is to cook for them.
This Valentine's Day, consider a decadent dessert you can serve in the privacy of your home. Add a little champagne and who knows where the night will lead? Here then, are Chocolate Walnut Tangerine Tarts...
Tart Shells:
- 1/4 cup(s) flour
- 3 tablespoon(s) chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoon(s) confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon(s) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon(s) cold unsalted butter, cut in bits
- 1 large egg yolk
Tangerine Filling:
- 1/3 cup(s) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) grated tangerine zest
- 3 tablespoon(s) tangerine juice
- 1 teaspoon(s) lemon juice
- 2 large egg yolks
- Whipped cream, for garnish
- Chocolate curls, for garnish
- Tangerine zest (optional), for garnish
Directions:
- To make tart shells: In food processor, pulse flour, walnuts, sugar and cocoa until nuts are finely ground. Add butter; pulse until the size of small peas. Add yolk; pulse until dough is evenly moistened and crumbly.
- Turn out crumbs onto work surface and gather into a ball; divide dough half. With floured fingers, press dough over bottom and side of 2 (4-inch) heart-shaped or round tart pans with removable bottoms. Cut off excess dough along top edge of tart pan. Prick bottoms with fork; freeze shells 15 minutes. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line tart shell with nonstick foil. Bake 20 minutes. Carefully remove foil; continue to bake 5 to 8 minutes or until dry and set. Let cool.
- To make filling: In a 1-quart glass measure or bowl, whisk together filling ingredients until blended; pour into crusts. Bake 12 minutes, or until filling is just set. Cool tarts on wire rack. To serve, remove tart pan sides and bottoms. Place tarts on plates. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream, chocolate curls or tangerine zest, if desired.
 Executive Errands® is your cupid service! Need help shopping for Valentine's Day? We are here with our arrows, at your beck and call. Plan now for your special day!
Don't yet have an account with us? Contact us today!
760.898.9604 or www.executive-errands.com
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Social Media for Business...
- each day we post at least one service, helpful hint, charity update or other news. If you haven't yet visited and 'liked' us, please do so today!
Concierge Business Solutions™
760.898.9604
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Super Bowl Quiz Answers...
 1. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six Super Bowl games and lost three.
2. This dubious honor is shared by three NFL teams. The Buffalo Bills, The Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings have each lost four Super Bowl games. Buffalo actually lost four Super Bowl games in a row.
3. Janet Jackson played a precarious peek-a-book with co-performer Justin Timberlake during the 2004 Super Bowl, broadcast live on CBS TV, when the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers (32-29) in Houston.
4. The New York Giants won the Super Bowl in 2007, beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII after advancing to the big game as a Wild Card team.
 5. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs (35-10) in the first Super Bowl, playing in Los Angeles in 1967.
6. The astronauts of the "Apollo 8" space mission led the "Pledge of Allegiance" for Super Bowl III, having recently completed the first manned flight to orbit the Moon.
7. The San Francisco 49ers scored eight touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV, held in New Orleans in 1990. The Giants beat the Broncos (55-10).
 8. In 1973, The Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins (14-7) in Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles, becoming the only team in NFL history (to date) to finish an entire season (and post-season) without a single loss.
9. Miami leads the Super Bowl host cities, at least so far, having welcomed football's biggest game nine times.
10. None. As of 2011, no NFL team has ever played in the Super Bowl in its own home stadium.
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 One of the things the cardiac scare did for me was remind me how fleeting life can be. None of us (or very few of us) ever really 'get' that it can all be over in an instant. As an example, a friend of mine's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and then found out it has spread throughout her entire body. While miracles do happen, the doctors are not optimistic. She felt fine one day and as soon as she got the diagnosis, began feeling all sorts of aches and pains. Now the chemo is compromising her quality of life. It is so very sad.  But even without the stark reality of a health scare, it is in our best interest to be present in the moment. To live consciously and with purpose. There are no big answers in this life. The key words to live by are: authentic, kind, humble, courteous, conscious, true, loving, positive, belief, faith, honesty, integrity, balance, and above all else, doing our best to keep in the forefront of our brains what is important. And it isn't your bank balance or the car you drive or wasting time doing tasks other people can do. What's truly important are family and friends and having the time for life experiences that bring you joy. It's so easy to forget all this. It is easy to fall into a rut or to sink into self pity or lament what we don't have instead of celebrating what we do. When we look at our lives from a state of gratitude, we find that 'enough' has a whole new meaning.  The epiphany that I can do what I want was enormous for me. You'd think that this idea should be a given, but it was a revelation because it told me that I am not accountable to anyone but myself. I am not restricted by my own brain chatter's false limitations. I get to choose how I spend my time. I get to choose activities that make me happy. I can live a life that is full and whole and joyful even though I am not half of a couple.  2014 is going to be the best year of my life so far. I can feel it. I believe it. And hopefully you will believe it for yourself too. Embrace this new beginning with enthusiasm, gratitude and joy. Be realistic and take the steps to protect your future because the truth is this whole experience is temporary. Just do it and move on, back to the joy... you'll find a level of happiness you didn't even know existed... Until next time....
Leslie Spoor, C.C.S
President, Executive Errands® & Concierge Business Solutions™
760.898.9604
CL #944447
We value our clients' privacy. Therefore we do not, distribute your email address to anyone, ever.
Executive Errands® is a Registered Trademark of Leslie Spoor
(our attorney insists we say this)
 
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