Road Trip Essentials for Kids

Posted on March 25, 2014 by amfampob

If you are heading out of town soon and driving with kids, a large chunk of your packing list is dedicated to what you’ll need inside your vehicle to keep everyone fed and entertained so you don’t have to STOP.

I could “Google” and “Pin” much more but here’s my favorite list of what to pack and what to do to pass the time in the car.

Activities:

Books, magazines, comics, activity books. Bring books they’ve never read before. Goodwill has LOTS for just pennies.
Sketchbook, notebook, washable markers, twist up colored pencils (no sharpening needed)
Games, such as the license plate game or travel bingo
disposable cameras so they can take pictures – or a digital one if you trust them with it.
Free up space on your smart device and let the kids make recordings along the drive. Or use a good ol’ tape recorder: Let the kids produce a vacation broadcast
Pre-stamped blank postcards (find them at the post office), which your kids can decorate, or postcards bought on the road; have your children write to friends, relatives, even pets
Doodling doodads: a small dry-erase board, Etch A Sketch, Magna Doodle, tic tac toe board.
Pipe cleaners, easy origami, and other scissor-less craft supplies
Portable DVD player and DVDs; don’t forget headphones!
Books on CD for the whole family, such as the Harry Potter series or “The Chronicles of Narnia”. Rent them free from your library.
Scrapbook envelope—entrust your children with the responsibility of collecting postcards, ticket stubs, and brochures for a scrapbook
Create your trip map and track it with the kids. Print a map off Google maps & insert it into a plastic sleeve. Use a dry erase marker which will wipe off nicely.

Food:

Individually packaged, crumb-free snacks such as bite-sized goldfish crackers, raisins, string cheese.
Hard-to-bruise fruits such as apples, grapes and berries; or try fruit roll-ups.
Trail mix, which will leave kids feeling full longer (and keep fingers greaseless)
Reusable bottles filled with water

Miscellaneous:

First-aid items, such as Neosporin, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, Tylenol, sunscreen, and Dramamine
Grocery bags to collect trash
Easy wipes & hand sanitizer
Change of clothes, in case of accidental spills
A blanket for spur-of-the-moment picnics at rest areas—and naps
Jump ropes, football, frisbee, baseball gloves, and balls, etc. so energetic little travelers can tire themselves out at rest stops!

What has worked for you on road trips with your kids? Did you consult Pinterest like I did? Check out our Pinterest board for more ideas on road tripping with kids.

– S.O.
POB Agency

10 Ways We Reduce Dust (and Allergies) in our Home

Posted on March 20, 2014 by amfampob

Today is the first day of spring and we are looking forward to cleaning up the garage, the yard, and “spring cleaning” inside the home. With two small children, it’s hard to have a perfectly clean home every day but the one thing that will stop me dead in my tracks year round (no matter what I’m doing) is dust. Why does dust bother me so much? Because dust mites live in dust. YUCK! And, Pat and Jack have allergies that can go berzerk.

I know dust mites exist and I try hard not to think about them living in our pillows, bed covers, mattresses, furniture, carpeting, and clothing. (Another YUCK!) But, I feel better knowing I can reduce the amount of mites in our home by staying on top of the dust with some easy steps.

Here’s our top 10.

Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture once a week
Keep your closet clean and the floors clear so you can vacuum easily & regularly.
Keep furnace filters clean.
Limit knickknack decor.
Instead of heavy drapery, hang lightweight curtains & shades.
Avoid stacking piles of mail, newspaper, and magazines on tables and shelves.
Keep clothes you wear regularly in your bedroom or closet and store the rest. Use garment boxes and clear plastic containers to store items on shelves so they don’t collect dust.
Store stuffed animals in a closed toy box or closet & regularly wash stuffed toys in hot water. I’ve heard you can put a stuffed animal in a plastic bag and in the freezer overnight every few weeks to help kill dust mites – but I haven’t tried that yet.
Wash your sheets (and the blankets you wrap up in when you snuggle on the couch) weekly
Have your area rugs cleaned once or twice a year

Can you think of any other ways to reduce dust in the home? Who’s ready to get started “spring cleaning”?!

– S.O.
POB Agency

Visit Patrick’s profile on Pinterest.

10 Years and Counting

Posted on March 6, 2014 by amfampob

In this day and age, not many people stay with a company for 10 years or more. In fact, until now, neither had I. So you can imagine when I received the notice that February 2014 was my 10 year anniversary with American Family, I was surprised (time flies when you’re having fun) and proud.

I started as an agent in 2004 and accepted a sales manager position three years later. After six years as a sales manager, I returned to agency the Fall of 2013. A lot comes to mind looking back on the last 10 years and I’d like to share my experience with you.

I was first attracted to a career as an American Family Agent because of the opportunity to run my own business. After many years in a corporate sales position with little control over my time and an ever-increasing gap between effort and reward, I realized I had the entrepreneurial drive to own a business. In the role of an agent with American Family, not only do I control my time, effort and reward but just as important, I have the ability to provide superior products/claims from the best insurance company in the industry.

Not only was I happier in this new role but each year I received an added bonus of working with like-minded fellow managers, supportive company partners and motivated fellow agents. Everyone I’ve encountered in the company, American Family Insurance, has the same focus: Put the client and the Agent first! The company’s sole purpose is to give the client the best experience possible as it pertains to the purchase & servicing of insurance products.

My time as an agency sales manager (2007-2013) gave me access to the inner workings and executive leadership of the corporation. The time spent working for the corporation was invaluable as it helped me understand who we are, where we are going and how important our clients are to the organization. I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of talented sales managers (in Indiana and other sales states) as well as lead dozens of agency owners in District 556.

The opportunity to work once again as an agent, assisting current & prospective clients, has been the best part of this career. Meeting with clients and learning about their families and understanding their story has been a privilege. Our lives are so busy these days with work/family commitments. I know that my clients need my agency’s advice and recommendations so they can make the best decision for their families.

I have so much gratitude for those that have helped me get to this point in my career: My awesome wife, Shawna; my Parents; all the amazing mentors I’ve spent time with; and my past managers that gave me opportunities along the way. All of these individuals helped me succeed in my efforts to be where I am today professionally (and personally). I thank them for their support, encouragement, dedication, time and belief in me and the agency. There’s so much heart and soul that goes into what we do every day and I hope you can feel that when you speak with me and Shannon.

I am optimistic for great things to come at The Patrick D. O’Brien Agency. And those that know me well can hear my tone when I say, “I am pumped”! Here’s to 10 more years!!

– Pat O’Brien
POB Agency

ps. If you’d like to view American Family’s 2013 annual report, you can view it here.

8 Ways to Have Integrity – In your Public & Private Life

Posted on February 5, 2014 by amfampob

Have you ever looked up the word, Integrity in the dictionary? I admit, I had not. Here’s what it says:

in·teg·ri·ty

inˈtegritē/

noun

noun: integrity

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

“he is known to be a man of integrity”

synonyms:

honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness

Integrity is what you do when no one is watching; it’s doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage. I was raised on the 10 commandments and the golden rule. Running a business and raising young people keep “doing the right thing” at the forefront of daily decisions.

How we conduct ourselves in public and private life is crucial to the legacy we leave behind. Maybe that’s why Pat loves golf so much. It’s such a great life-lesson game. It’s the only professional sport where the participants call penalties on themselves.

We’re not perfect, of course, but the following (condensed from this article) is a good read whenever we need a reminder of how best to be honest, true, noble, trustworthy, and kind to family and customers.

1. Root yourself in a moral foundation.

2. Look for the positive.

3. Resist the temptation to compartmentalize your life.

4. Determine to live for others ahead of yourself (Golden Rule).

5. Participate in an active accountability group.

6. Partner with a friend where you need to make progress. That person should “hold your feet to the fire”.

7. Be in the habit of sharing EVERYTHING with your spouse (if you are married). Keeping secrets, big or small, tends to have an impact on who we are

8. Practice the habit of imagining the presence of someone whose opinion you value (Father, Grandparent, Spouse, your children) when conducting yourself with others.

And, if applicable, hold your children accountable. Every lesson we bring to our children is something we need to hear too.

As mentioned at the beginning, “integrity is what you do when no one is watching; it’s doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage. Integrity is keeping your word. Integrity is that internal compass and rudder that directs you to where you know you should go when everything around you is pulling you in a different direction. Some people think reputation is the same thing as integrity, but they are two different things. Your reputation is the public perception of your integrity. Because it’s other people’s opinions of you, it may or may not be accurate. Others determine your reputation, but only you determine your integrity”.

How do you maintain integrity in your public and private life?

– S.O.
POB Agency

8 Important Winter Driving Tips

Posted on January 23, 2014 by amfampob

Living in the midwest, it’s no surprise to us when it gets cold in Winter and snows. But, currently we are experiencing extremely cold temperatures and more snow and ice than the past few years.

Follow these important tips from amfam.com to keep your car, and your passengers, protected during inclement winter weather.

Snow-covered highway during rush-hour 1. Keep your gas tank at least half full to reduce condensation buildup that can lead to gas line freezing.

2. Charge your battery. To start your engine in cold weather, you’ll need your battery to be in good condition and fully charged.

3. Check your brakes Have a professional inspect your brakes to make sure they work properly and apply smoothly. Properly functioning brakes can prevent wheels from locking on slick surfaces.

4. Change worn windshield wipers and fill your washer reservoir with a winter solvent that won’t freeze.

5. Keep tires inflated Under-inflated tires can be dangerous. And the air pressure in your tires will decrease 1-2 psi for every 10-degree drop in outside temperature.

6. Drive slowly When roads are wet or covered with snow, accelerating, stopping and turning take longer. By driving more slowly, you’ll have more time to maneuver.

7. Increase your following distance On dry pavement, your normal following distance should be about three to four seconds. But on wet or snowy roads, you’ll want to increase this time to 8-10 seconds.

8. Have an emergency kit in your car.

Blanket, warm gloves and winter hat – If you run out of fuel or if your battery dies, your vehicle won’t be able to provide heat. A blanket and hat can help keep you warm if you have to wait for help in cold conditions.
Chemical hand warmers – These small, inexpensive packets are available at sporting-goods stores and provide instant heat.
Small folding shovel – If you get stuck in snow, this can help clear snow away from your car’s tires.
Windshield scraper – Keep this handy at all times to remove ice buildup from your car’s windows. A long-handle brush is also helpful to remove snow.
Cat litter – Spread under your tires, this substance can help provide traction on slick road surfaces.

One more important tip – keep your eyes on the road and distractions at a minimum. Even if you are being careful, others around you may be driving unsafely and you need to be on high alert to react. NO TEXTING while driving, please. (Sending a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road an average of 4.6 seconds).

If you do have an accident, please contact us and call a claims specialist immediately at 1-800-MYAMFAM.

S.O.
POB Agency

Healthy Holiday Eating (and Drinking)

Posted on December 23, 2013 by amfampob

We definitely want you to have fun this season and we know delicious baked goodies & seasonal beverages come with the territory. Between baking at home with your family, receiving baked goods as gifts, and attending functions with a large selection of deserts & drinks, you’re probably consuming your fair share of bulge inducing delectables. No wonder so many people make weight-loss a part of their New years resolutions!

Here’s how you can modify a bit but still have fun and enjoy the goodies.

If you’re baking, try substituting the following:

*   Whole wheat flour, ground oats or almond meal for FLOUR.
*   Honey or Stevia for SUGAR.
*   Applesauce, mashed banana or coconut oil for BUTTER & OIL.
*   Applesauce or flax meal for EGGS.
*   Carob chips or dark chocolate chunks for CHOCOLATE CHIPS.
*   Greek yogurt for SOUR CREAM.

If you’re attending a party try the following:

*   Make the earlier part of the day extra healthy. Have a high fiber breakfast, a vegetable filled lunch and exercise in the afternoon.
*   Eat a healthy snack before the party to ease your hunger. We’ve heard a cup of vegetable soup does a great job. Also try fiber filled fruit, string cheese, almonds, 4 oz. Greek yogurt or 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.
*   When you get to the party, survey and determine your options before filling your plate. Decide which foods you like best and choose only those – don’t fill up on the others.
*   Dish out smaller portions – about 20% less than you think you might want. (How many times have your eyes been bigger than your stomach at a party)?

If you are going to indulge in Holiday Libations, here are lower calorie options:

*   Wine spritzer = White or red wine mixed with club soda
*   5 oz. of wine, 12oz. of light beer, or 1.5oz of liquor combined w/ non-calorie mixers = 120 calories each.
*   Cranberry crush = Club soda splashed with cranberry cocktail and frozen grapes
*   Guiltless hot chocolate = 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder, skim milk, low-cal sweetener, dash of cinnamon & vanilla extract
*   Apple tea = Brewed tea sweetened with a splash of apple cider and a cinnamon stick.

Do you have any tricks, tips and strategies for savoring the season without putting on the pounds? We’d love to hear it!

Merry Christmas!!

S.O.
POB Agency

8 Tips For Throwing A Successful Holiday Party

Posted on December 18, 2013 by amfampob

Tis the season for Holiday Parties! When you attend one, you may not give much thought as to how much pre-planning a host may do prior to the event. But if you’ve ever been the host – Oh my! It can get pretty stressful.

We recently had a party for 12 and in between work, kids, volunteer work, and day-to-day household chores, thank goodness we gave ourselves two weeks to prepare! But, it all came together nicely and I’ll share some tips I think will ensure your party is a success without the stress:

1. A store-bought veggie tray is OKAY. Yes, our guests liked the hearty finger food but at the end of the night, that veggie tray was empty. Guests like to nibble and snack as they drink their cocktail and they don’t want to leave feeling stuffed.

2. If you’re serving dinner, choose something that you can make ahead of time. Have a casserole or lasagna pre-prepared so you can greet your guests as they arrive. You’ll be free to mingle with everyone instead of stuck cooking in the kitchen while your guests hover over you feeling as if they should be doing something to help.

3. Decorate with inexpensive festive décor & play music. Simple wreaths and a few candles are an inexpensive way to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Our decor was minimal this year (to save time): a tree and a simply decorated mantle. We put on holiday music from one of our TV channels (who has time to create a playlist?!??!), lit candles and dimmed our lamps. It was just enough. We received many compliments on how cozy the house felt.

: Click for EASY recipe!

4. Serve ONE holiday drink for all. Check out Pinterest for a TON of ideas. Try a Candy Cane or “The Grinch” Martini; A Hot Apple Rum Punch; or the one I served: Pomagranate-Cranberry Sparklers. Even the guys drank it and LOVED it. If you’re worried about drinking and driving, have a list of driving services and/or taxi numbers on hand OR offer them a guest room.

5. On that note, don’t stress your guest room accommodations. We have 1 guest room but 2 couples stayed over. I knew this could be a possibility after serving cocktails so I made sure all the beds had neat and clean bedding – even if one couple had to sleep on (clean) Avengers sheets. But, it’s okay! These are our friends and no need to stress the accommodations. They were safe and slept great!

6. If it’s a relatively small party, enjoy a white elephant gift exchange. This party we hosted is an annual party and we always do a white elephant gift exchange. It’s a blast! It can be something from your home that you are no longer using; something funny; or something purchased. It’s always fun watching people switch and swap as each gift is chosen. We’ve lucked out some years with a great gift and other years we’ve gone home with a gag gift – like a singing turkey. If that’s too risky due to a more conservative group, consider something even simpler than that, like an ornament exchange.

7 If you’ve got the funds, consider hiring help. A catering service will allow you to fully enjoy the party. A bartender is also a nice addition, especially if you’re going for more complicated & diverse cocktails to serve. You might feel like you’re taking the easy way out, but in the end, you’ll be glad you got to engage in the holiday merriment along with your guests.

Have you hosted a Holiday Party (or any party) recently? What did you do to cut back on time and stress? Share your tips and success stories with us!

S.O.
POB Agency

Christmas Tree Fires are More Deadly than Typical Fires – Follow our Tips

Posted on December 5, 2013 by amfampob

The Christmas season has begun and it’s one of our favorite times of year. Our Facebook news feed contains many posts of our friends’ beautifully decorated Christmas trees as well as pictures of them cutting their live tree at the Christmas tree farm. We thought this would be an excellent opportunity to remind you of how to care for your live tree so it does not catch on fire.

Trees are not a fire hazard if you take care of them, keep them watered, and decorate them carefully. However, should the tree catch on fire, it is one of the most deadly fires. In fact, one of every 66 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death according to The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The tree provides an unusually large amount of fuel leaving little time to get out of the house. They are especially deadly if they occur at night when people are sleeping.

Keep the tree well-watered. Check the water supply at least once a day. Trees can drink a lot of water.
Use new or high-quality lighting. Never use lights with frayed cords or worn connections. Consider switching to LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights. In addition to the energy and cost savings, LED lights are much cooler than incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of fires.
Keep the tree away from candles and other heat sources such as a fire place. (A heat source too close to the Christmas tree started one of every five (18%) of Christmas tree fires from 2006-2010 according to the NFPA).
Turn off the lights before leaving home and before going to bed.
Dispose of the tree as soon as it feels dry. Many cities, including Indianapolis and Fishers, will provide safe disposable sites for your tree beginning December 26th. Big box stores such as Home Depot will also provide drop off sites. (Do not burn the tree outside your home)!

In addition to our Christmas tree fire prevention tips, we also encourage you to review the following fire safety tips that pertain to this time of year (compliments of amfam.com):

Candles should be kept away from your tree and any flammable decorations and should be extinguished before leaving a room. Candles are also a major cause of household fires during the holidays.
When starting a fire in your wood stove or fireplace, use hardwood logs cut the season before. Do not toss wrapping paper or branches from your Christmas tree into the flames because flash fires can result. Chimneys and wood stoves should be inspected annually for creosote and cleaned regularly. Stockings should not be hung from your fireplace mantle in the path of sparks and flames. Home heating equipment, such as wood stoves, space heaters and fireplaces, cause nearly one-third of all home fires according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Inspect your lights before they go up to make sure they’re in good condition. Don’t plug too many into the same electrical circuit or overload extension cords. You should use no more than three light sets per extension cord. Unplug all lights when you leave the house and before going to bed.
Make sure everyone knows all of your home’s exits and you have a designated outdoor meeting place to regroup. If a fire does start in your home, stay as low as possible while heading for an exit to reduce your chance of smoke inhalation. If you do catch on fire, stop, drop and roll.

We wish a wonderful and safe Holiday Season.

Merry Christmas!

– S.O.
POB Agency

What Your Food Cravings Really Mean

Posted on November 18, 2013 by amfampob

It never fails that I’ll eat reasonably all day and then for whatever reason, come 10pm, I want to dig into my kids Halloween candy for chocolate and caramel. OR, it’s crunchy potato chips with french onion dip I’ll randomly crave. When I was carrying our son, I’d stop at a convenient mart and buy beef jerky. (Don’t judge). Obviously my body was telling me it wanted something – but what?

Our food cravings are real and they are telling us our bodies are lacking certain things. If you know what your body is really craving, you can try to substitute a healthier option for that craving. After doing a little digging on Pinterest (we have a pinterest page, btw) and finding an article written on Refinery 29 by Lauren Conrad, I found the below info. Maybe I wanted beef jerky for the sodium and what I could have eaten instead is a tuna fish sandwich. Hmmm. See what you think.

If you’re craving salty foods…
“It means your body needs chloride, which is essential in order for your body to maintain healthy digestion and keep your electrolyte levels in check, according to Nutritional Wellness. Avoid super salty junk food like potato chips and eat goat’s milk yogurt or fish instead. Make a tuna fish sandwich or salmon salad for lunch with goat’s yogurt as a snack the next time you have a salt craving”. I’ve also reached for a handful of salted almonds (about 10) which gives me a bit of sodium and a lot of protein and fiber.

If you’re craving sweets…
“It means your body really needs chromium, carbon phosphorous, sulfur, and tryptophan. Get these by filling up on, fresh fruit, cheese and sweet potatoes when you have a sweet tooth. This craving may also mean you’re tired, according to Shape.com. Evaluate how much you’re sleeping lately if you find yourself wanting sweets. Instead of heading for the chocolate cake, take a nap if you can. Or, go for a walk to boost your energy levels”. I’ve found eating a juicy Apple Crisp apple or some mandarin oranges has helped curb my sweet tooth!

If you’re craving caffeine…
“It means your body needs salt and iron. To get these nutrients the healthy way, eat lean meats like chicken or turkey, eggs, or black cherries, surprisingly. If you can, a great option here would be to make an omelet with turkey and veggies, with a handful of black cherries on the side. Craving caffeine can also mean you’re actually just really thirsty or dehydrated, according to Huffington Post. Drink an entire glass of water before you reach for that second (or third) cup of coffee — you might realize you don’t even need it”. This works! I have a bad habit of drinking coffee all morning, especially in the colder months. When I stop and drink 16oz of water, I no longer crave the coffee.

If you’re craving french fries, soda, and pizza…
OH , this is my FAVORITE “food group” of all time. I can turn down any sweet but the above is sooo hard. When you crave these items (and other junk food), “it means your body needs calcium. Instead, fix a kale salad with steamed broccoli, chicken, breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. It might not sound quite as good as those French fries at first, but it will leave you feeling way better, not to mention guilt-free”.

If you’re craving carbs…
“It means your body needs nitrogen, which is found in high-protein foods like fish, meat, nuts, and beans. Eat a turkey burger, a handful of almonds, or a black bean burrito bowl (black beans, corn, pico de gallo, guacamole and brown rice). You might also be craving carbs because you’re trying to cut them out of your diet completely. If this is the reason, make sure you’re eating every food group in moderation to prevent a big, unplanned carb-fest that will leave you feeling way worse”.

Did you learn anything new? What foods do you crave the most? How do you fight the cravings? Let us know!

– S.O.
POB Agency

How to Clean a Glass Oven Door

Posted on November 2, 2013 by amfampob

We had a cookout a few weeks back and as I was hurriedly putting the mac-n-cheese in the oven, the flimsy foil pan bent and toppled. About half of the Mac-n-Cheese fell on the inside of the oven door.

The oven was pre-heated and I was able to save half of the mac-n-cheese so I baked it. I told myself I’d clean the oven “later”. Well, it’s been about two months – not a few weeks – if I’m going to be honest. This is what my oven looked like after two months of numerous uses since the messy mac-n-cheese spill.

GROSS!

I did some research on how to best clean the oven door so we can once again see through the glass. Being mindful that I probably don’t want to use harsh chemicals that will later be baked along with our food, I found this “natural” remedy: Water and Baking Soda.

Water + Baking Soda = Paste

If your oven is not as dirty as mine, mix about 1/4 cup of baking soda with water until it forms a runny paste. If your oven is like mine (baked on thick cheese), you will need twice as much paste (like I did).