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JeanAnn’s Journey–New Year New You!

by JeanAnn Taylor | Dec 31, 2019 | Asheville, Lifestyle, Reinvent

By Jean Ann Taylor

This catchy little phrase gets a lot of publicity in January. Many of us take a look at our lives each new year and reassess where we are and where we want to be. Some of us then make the decision to create a “new you,” or to “reinvent” ourselves. The primary purpose of reinvention is to give ourselves the gift of living authentically.

I’ve “reinvented” myself several times over. I reinvented myself when I became a mom, when I worked in a professional career environment, and when I got out. I reinvented myself after surviving cancer and as an empty-nester. I reinvented myself from a “reserved-introvert” to a “social-introvert” so I could compete in dance competitions and speak to large groups of people. Reinvention isn’t something I do each New Year; it’s something I do regularly to keep up with the person I become as I go through my life. I’ve found that reinventing myself is essential for my happiness and personal fulfillment.

I think it’s unrealistic to expect that the dreams and goals you have at 20-something will always be the same at 60-something. Those first objectives served a purpose and may have given you joy—and money—but that doesn’t mean the career you choose at 25 can’t change when you are 45. Life is ever-changing, and reinvention helps us honor our personal values as we go through our journey.

The motivation to reinvent ourselves often comes from feeling dissatisfied or unhappy with our current situation. I’ve learned that this initially feels awful, but if you take a good look, you’ll realize that the uncomfortable emotions are actually sending the message that it’s time to make a change. This yearning or dissatisfaction keeps us from staying in paralyzing circumstances. Without the anxious or restless feelings, we may never reach the point where we say, “This is enough.” Only when we acknowledge our truth can we begin the search for new experiences or changes that will lead to living a fulfilled and authentic life.

There are also times when serendipitous occurrences lead to the desire for reinvention. You may decide to learn a new skill for a specific project and then realize that you have discovered a new passion. This can lead to the desire to make changes in your life so you can explore these possibilities further.

Happy, fulfilled lives don’t just happen; they require work, focus, and a desire to live authentically. When you are feeling stuck, the first thing to ask yourself is, ‘What do I want?” Sounds simple, right? It’s not. I love the line in Alice in Wonderland when Alice asks the Cheshire Cat which path she should take. His simple answer says everything, “That depends on where you want to go.” Ask yourself: How do I want to live my life? What gives me joy? What do I have to do to make my dream a reality? To answer these questions, you must know who you are at every stage of your life. It’s good to know that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. I know an 80-year-old lady who recently began taking dance lessons, and she just entered her first dance competition! Changing who you are and being willing to take risks requires courage, drive, energy, focus, and planning; but the results are fulfillment, contentment, happiness, and inner peace.

“New Year, New You” can be more than just a January expression when you adopt it as the motivation you need to take a conscious look at your life. You can then create changes that will make you healthier, happier, and more fulfilled. Reinvention can give your life meaning because living authentically is really the only way to live your life with purpose, and to have your wishes and dreams realized.

Happy New Year!

Jennifer Bullman Jones–Bullman Heating & Air, Inc.–One Big Family!

by Sandi Tomlin-Sutker | Dec 3, 2019 | Asheville, Leadership, Women

Since growing up in her parents’ business and living her youth in Asheville, Jennifer didn’t want or expect to move back here after college. But life, as it often does, arranged things in a different way.

Her parents started Bullman Heating & Air in 1993; Dad worked at it full time, and Mom worked a regular job during the day and helped him at night. They started out in a tiny trailer with one truck. When Jennifer was only 12 years old, she began working in the business every day after school; her main job was typing—on an actual typewriter—job proposals her dad created. She also answered phones and made appointments. A focus on work and success was something she saw in her parents and something she emulated herself from that early age.

In 1999 she graduated from North Buncombe High School and went off to college at UNC-Charlotte. “Back then Asheville wasn’t like it is now (I love it now) and it was not where I thought I’d get married and raise my family.” But in her first year in Charlotte, she met her future husband, Chris Jones, a first-round draft pick right out of high school who played for the Giants in the minor leagues. “I was one of those who said I wasn’t getting married till I was 30 . . . I think my dad even had me sign a contract about that! Two months after we met, Chris proposed, and we married a year later.”

They traveled together for a couple of years after college, living in several places—like Louisiana, Maryland—every few months until in 2003 he was traded to the Rockies which brought him to Asheville to play for the Tourists. Back home, Jennifer thought it was great to be near her family again. It had been hard for her to get a job since they moved about every six months, so she went back to work for her family business, which included her brother, Branson. At the end of that baseball season, she was pregnant and decided not to go back to Charlotte where they usually spent the off season. Her husband left for spring training, but she stayed behind in Asheville, not wanting to travel while pregnant. Then he decided to retire right before their first daughter, Mckenzie, was born; he got a job locally while she continued to work for Bullman, where she’s been ever since.

During that time a lot of changes happened: her parents got divorced and her mom left the business. Jennifer moved into the role of office manager with a lot more on her plate, including a second daughter, Madelyn. Dad was still in the role of owner/president and her brother was in sales. But in 2012 their dad decided to retire and hand the business over to his daughter and son. From then until about two months ago, Jennifer was Vice President and Branson was President. “Then he decided to go a different route and pursue his music career. I am now owner/president and it’s been great. My biggest worry was that the employees might not like a woman boss. I was a woman running a heating and air business within the construction industry. I had been in a management role but not a full owner.”

Partly because she has an “open door” policy with her 50 employees and partly because many of them had seen her grow up and grow with the business: “Everyone has been very receptive of me running things. They feel they can come in and talk with me about their lives. A lot of people who are managers now have been with the business for 20-25 years. We also have customers who have been with us for years and also watched me grow up. We are one big family!”

And speaking of family, Jennifer and her husband have raised two daughters, now 15 and 12 who have also grown up seeing a successful mom and dad. “I want them to be proud of me. I tell them: You make your own money, make your own way. Don’t marry a doctor, BE a doctor!”

When each of them was born Jennifer didn’t take them to daycare right away. “They came to work with me every day, and my 15-year-old now comes in after school when she is available to help out. When our 12-year-old needs money, I tell her to come to work and earn some.”

Bringing babies to work, especially in a male-dominated business, might seem difficult to carry off. But, “Employees were happy to see the girls. We had a huge office with a playpen. My service manager at the time actually helped me change diapers! I would sometimes put the babies in file cabinets while I was filing. I have videos and photos of them running around the office; everyone loved it.” And
that contributed even more to the “One Big Family” feeling.

And surely that has contributed to Jennifer’s full life: she’s been married 18 years this coming January; her girls are active in sports: travel volleyball and they play for Biltmore Volleyball Academy. Her oldest also plays softball and they both are straight A students. “We normally go to a game or practice after work. We’re very proud of them. Our oldest, now a sophomore, is preparing to go to Chapel Hill for college when the time comes. She’s always thinking about building her college credits.”

Meanwhile Bullman Heating & Air continues to build and maintain its strong reputation for quality and service. “We’re very picky in our installation. Look at our duct work and it looks like art. I’ll only hire people who do it our way: right the first time. There are lots of ways to pass code, but that’s not our way, the Bullman way. It’s got to be perfect. My dad taught us that.”

Meanwhile, they have been voted best in WNC for the last six years. They have three departments: new construction, change outs, and service. They cover all of WNC and are also licensed in TN and SC. Jennifer says that while they could grow more, add more employees, she wants to keep the business about the size it is now to maintain that family feeling.

“My dad was hard on me growing up; he pushed me and told me, one day you’re going to take over the business and I want you to be able to do it well. I had no plans to be here, but now I can’t imagine life anywhere else.”

Jennifer Bullman Jones
[email protected]
Bullman Heating & Air, Inc.
bullmanheating.com
828-658-2468

It’s Time to Winterize Your Garden

by Betty Sharpless | Dec 3, 2019 | Asheville, Gardening, Landscaping

By Betty Sharpless

If you are a gardener, you may think that wintertime is a good time to take up an indoor hobby. Nope! Take advantage of the next mild day to upgrade your garden.
This will result in a much stronger, brighter garden for the year of 2020.

First on the to do list: cut back old stalks and leaves that have turned brown in your flowerbed. A really easy way to know what to cut or prune is, “prune after it blooms.” In other words, don’t cut your azaleas in the fall or you will be cutting off all of the buds for next spring. In the fall, prune your crape myrtles, butterfly bushes and hydrangeas. Next spring, get into the habit of following each bloom season with a decisive trimming.

Once the bushes are tidied up, snip back the remains of flowers and greenery that have gone dormant. As you go, deadhead (snip off the former blooms) flowers back into the garden to encourage more blooms in the following year. Conversely, if you already have too many Black Eyed Susans, cut those stalks with their seed heads on and remove them from your garden beds. This is also a good time to share seeds with friends so they can have blooms in their gardens.

When you have cleared off the old stalks and leaves, use a rake to remove leaves and debris. If you have a compost pile, add your leaves to decompose into amazingly rich soil to top dress your garden beds next spring. If you would like to have annual poppies and larkspur, now is the time to sprinkle the seeds over the surface of your clean beds.

When people ask me why their garden is not blooming the way “it once did,” my first question is, “When was the last time you fertilized?” Generally speaking, you should fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as Plantone, twice each year. I recommend feeding your garden and shrubs in October and March. The October feeding is for your spring blooms, the March feeding is for your fall blooms and general health. Give each shrub about one cup of fertilizer. Azaleas, rhododendrons and evergreens would like Hollytone fertilizer even more than the Plantone. If you have perennial beds, sprinkle them with Plantone instead of trying to feed each plant. These two fertilizers are organic, safe for pets and will not burn your plants if you overfeed.

After a hard day in the winter garden, nothing tastes as good as a hearty soup. One of my favorite winter soups is made with winter greens or spinach, potatoes and onions. The attached recipe may
become your favorite winter soup too!

Green Soup

In a large soup pot, add 1/3 cup olive oil or butter, 1 large chopped onion, 3 cloves of garlic, chopped. Cook over medium heat until the onions are soft. Add 5-6 yellow potatoes, chopped into ½” cubes. Add chicken stock and water just to cover, and cook until the potatoes are tender. Add 4-5 cups chopped Swiss chard, kale and spinach. Cover tightly and turn off the heat. After the greens have wilted, use an immersion blender (or potato masher) to blend about half of the soup, leaving the other half as chunks to add texture. Serve soup topped with shredded sharp cheddar or tortilla strips.

Betty Sharpless is a professional free-lance gardener, writer, and quilter who loves firecracker alliums–magic wands in the making! Follow her on Instagram @sharplessbetty

Spotlight on Christina Chandler

by Peggy Ratusz | Dec 3, 2019 | Asheville, Music, Women

By Peggy Ratusz

One soulful, assertive artist, this Memphis, Tennessee native has been writing songs since age six. A graduate of The University of Memphis, she performed with the school’s renowned band Sound Fuzion. Then she joined local Memphis band, Venus Mission, and made it her mission to build a fulfilling and honorable reputation on the local scene. Asheville welcomed Christina Chandler and her reputation to our local scene in 2009.

In every good way, this was the longest phone interview I have ever conducted. Chandler’s life has been longer than the years it represents. She knows what she wants to say. She has a lot figured out. I wish I could include 1000 more of her words because when she gets on a roll, it’s educational, inspirational, and mesmerizing.

We traded remedies for sinus infections; we debated generation and gender gaps from our two perspectives; Christina being a 30-something and me being a . . . well, you know. We delved into challenges relating to being female artists and the pros and cons of “branding.” We delighted in the breadth of talent coming in and out of our city these days. It was indeed a wonderful way to spend an hour and a half together!

Tell me about the North Carolina Songsmiths and how you got involved.

NC Songsmiths originated in Durham, founded by my business partner, Brian Hill and Bob Funck, the original NC Songsmith. It’s a showcase model that morphed into a weekly tour series for vetted songwriters residing in North Carolina. As a way to bring our area artists into the model I started ringing up contacts asking them questions to discover who could pull off a week-long, already curated tour. That started in June of 2018 and continues today. Venues that host our concerts include Whole Foods in Asheville, The Local in Boone, MadCo in Marshall, 185 King in Brevard, Brown Mountain Bottleworks in Morganton, Lookout Brewing in Black Mountain and Ginger’s Revenge here in Asheville. We’ve executed over 500 events and worked with over 54 original artists! (For more information, please visit their website: ncsongsmiths.org/)

The duo, Free Wheelin’ Mamas; tell us more.

The band started as an A-Capella trio and I was invited by one of the mamas, Shalene Hill, to sit in with them at a house concert. That manifested into my organically taking the place of founding member Joy, who wanted to pursue other endeavors. In time, Shalene also decided to pursue other interests. So now it’s Sarah Easterling and I singing and playing guitar, banjo, ukulele, and percussion. We do a mix of original and cover music. Freewheelinmamas.com (Youtube live on Acoustic Asheville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSkBZ0nyDGA)

What motivates you to pursue opportunities to work with others?

I am all about integration in my own life and in the community. As artists we are conditioned to focus on our own projects and we forget that sharing the load can make things easier. I started working with NC Songsmiths, for example, because I wanted to create a cocoon where people feel safe to share and ask for help. I knew I needed to ask for help from people who have been touring longer than I have. Running our own tiny businesses can feel isolating, lonely and competitive; all these things don’t contribute to quality of life. If we share the load in a smart way, we all elevate the baseline of expectations.

What do you look for in partners?

An ability to see the big picture; evidence that intention and action aligns. Here’s a line from one of my songs: “like that river wide, I’ll roll you over if you don’t do what you say and say what you’re gonna.” Obviously we don’t always accomplish what we say we’re going to do, but I think the sincere effort in putting my words into action for myself or someone else is an admirable trait and I look for it in potential partners.

What drew you to learning the instruments you play?

When I moved to Madison County, I didn’t play an instrument. I soon realized that living on the outskirts with two little ones (daughter Shaelyn and son Jack), was going to be hard, especially after being a full time singer and booking agent in Memphis. I felt I didn’t have a way to pursue music, without learning to accompany myself. I started teaching myself how to play guitar. I played in the Junior Appalachian Musician Arts Council Program here in Madison County by volunteering when my daughter started taking lessons there. The guitar teacher at that time was the former guitar player for Rising Appalachia, David Brown and when I started helping him, he showed me a few things! I like playing solo gigs, but I really love that I’ve gotten to the point on guitar now, where I can take solos.

Explain your approach to song writing and if it differs from your approach say five years ago.

Yes! Five years ago I was working exclusively with a song writing partner, Adam Jennings who lives in Tennessee. He’d send me instrumental recordings that I would then write lyrics over. That gave me the confidence to send him my song ideas and we started a true collaboration called “The states apart sessions.” A few years ago I started writing songs on my own again which brought me full circle from when I started writing songs at age six. My mom recognized my penchant and encouraged me by setting up voice lessons and lining up mentors to help me develop my compositions. These days I’m more about developing a signature sound, applying it over the genres I’m drawn to write within. I’m successfully conveying what I hear, to partner musicians on stage and in the studio.

I came away from our conversation, realizing profoundly that Chandler is a unifier. She’s a mover and a shaker with a voice, soulful like Patty Griffin or Aretha Franklin, and melodic like Dolly Parton or Linda Ronstadt. A songwriter who is inspired by universal themes, she scribes struggle and joy with potent abandon, helping make life bearable for those hungry and savvy enough to listen.

To discover when Christina Chandler will be playing next, visit her website christinachandlernc.com/bio

December
Music Calendar

Remedies for SADness

by Natasha Kubis | Dec 3, 2019 | Acupuncture, Asheville, Depression

By Natasha Kubis

In the Northern Hemisphere, we experience the winter solstice at the end of December, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year. The origin of the word “solstice” is derived from the Latin word sõlstitium, which translates to “the standing still of the sun”. Cultures around the world have long held feasts and celebrated holidays around the winter solstice as the beginning of the return of the sun, and darkness turning into light.

Most people do not realize that natural light is essential to our well-being just like water, air, and food. Our bodies use bright, full spectrum light to regulate our mood, sleep, and energy levels. When the temperature starts to cool and the sun’s path drops lower in the sky, our bodies take notice.

It is natural for our state of mind to wax and wane at the beginning or end of a season. This is especially true during the winter when the days get shorter and our exposure to natural light is limited.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) symptoms typically appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Some symptoms of SAD may include feeling depressed on a daily basis, losing interest in activities you once enjoyed, low energy, sleep problems (typically oversleeping), changes in appetite or weight (usually overeating and weight gain), difficulty concentrating, and feeling hopeless.

Some factors that may contribute to SAD include:

1. Your biological clock (circadian rhythm)

The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to changes in sleep patterns.

2. Serotonin levels

A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression.

3. Melatonin levels

The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body’s level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood.

4. Family history

People with SAD may be more likely to have blood relatives with SAD or another form of depression.

5. Having major depression or bipolar disorder

Symptoms of depression may worsen seasonally if you have one of these conditions.

6. Living far from the equator

SAD appears to be more common among people who live far north or south of the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the winter.

It is normal to have some days when you feel down but if you feel down for days at a time and you can’t get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your doctor. This is especially important if your sleep patterns and appetite have changed, you turn to substances like alcohol for comfort, or you find yourself withdrawing from friends, loved ones, and social situations.

Some ways to combat SAD:

1. Get moving

Regular exercise can boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals as a way to combat depression. Try and get 30-60 minutes of exercise three to five times a week. It is best if you are able to exercise outside in natural daylight. If not, choose a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical at home or at a gym. Consider yoga classes and other group classes or develop a daily routine on your own.

2. Let the sunshine in

Get outside as much as you can during the day to take advantage of the sunlight. If you live where it’s cold, be sure to bundle up, but take a stroll around the block at noon or soon after — that’s when the sun is brightest. Sunlight, even in the small doses that winter allows, can help boost serotonin levels and improve your mood. When you are indoors keep your blinds open to let as much natural light in as you can. Try to sit near windows when eating meals or doing your daily tasks. Some people find that painting walls in lighter colors or using daylight simulation bulbs helps to combat winter SAD.

3. Stick to your schedule

Keeping a regular schedule will also expose you to light at consistent and predictable times. Eating at regular intervals can help you watch your diet and not overeat. Maintain a regular sleep cycle by going to bed and waking up at the same time.

4. Take a vacation

Taking a winter vacation to warmer climates can help people who have seasonal affective disorder. Even a few days in a sunny place can be helpful with winter depression.

5. Reach out to friends and family

Close relationships are vital in reducing isolation and helping you manage SAD. It may feel more comfortable to retreat into solitude, but being around other people will boost your mood. Make the effort to reconnect with family and friends.

6. Connect with a counselor or join a support group

Sometimes just talking about what you are going through can help you feel better. A support group allows you to connect with others who are facing the same problems. This can help reduce your sense of isolation and provide inspiration to make positive changes. Counseling, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can be highly beneficial for people with seasonal depression. The right therapist can help you curb negative thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, and help you manage symptoms.

7. Find your purpose by helping others

Volunteering your time to help others can help shift your mindset and perspective to a more positive place.

8. Eat the right diet

Eating small, well-balanced meals throughout the day, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, will help you keep your energy up and minimize mood swings. While the symptoms of SAD can make you crave sugary foods and simple carbohydrates, such as pasta and white bread, complex carbohydrates are a better choice. Foods such as oatmeal, whole grain bread, brown rice, and bananas can boost your feel-good serotonin levels without the subsequent sugar crash.

9. Take steps to deal with stress

Stress can exacerbate or even trigger depression. This becomes obvious during the holiday season when there is heightened stress from family and an increase in financial pressures.

Practicing daily relaxation techniques can help you manage stress, reduce negative emotions such as anger and fear, and boost feelings of joy and well-being. Try yoga, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.

10. Find your bliss

Do something you enjoy every single day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be painting, playing the piano, working on your car, having coffee with a friend, taking a class, joining a club, or enrolling in a special interest group that meets on a regular basis. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that’s fun
for you.

Natasha Kubis is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga teacher. For more information, visit essential-well.com

Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas

by admin | Dec 3, 2019 | Asheville, Eco-Friendly, Lifestyle

For holiday shoppers who like to plan a bit ahead of time and give a gift that could make the difference in someone’s life, here are ten holiday gift ideas that help others and the environment.

Give the Gift of Your Time

One of the nicest things a loved one can give is the gift of their time, whether that means as a babysitter, errand runner, shuttle driver or something else equally helpful. This is an especially wonderful gift for someone who is ill or older. Give the gift of time by reading to them or making a meal.

Give the Gift of Service

One of the easiest gifts to give is personal hand-crafted gift cards redeemable for things like a manicure or pedicure, back or foot massage, home-cooked meal, house cleaning or some other service a friend or loved one might appreciate.

Give an Activity Gift Certificate

While the standard gift cards generally come from local department or grocery stores, this is the year to consider giving something a little different. A gift certificate to a special class at a local school, the movies or theater, or a sporting event is a nice change of pace.

Give Gifts from Recycled Materials

One of the best ways to promote sustainability is by making or buying gifts made from recycled materials. Consider giving and using handmade paper products like stationery or holiday cards. Check out your neighborhood or the internet for stores that sell goods made from recycled materials.

Give Gifts that are Recycled

Not necessarily a gift made from recycled materials and definitely not Aunt Ellie’s fruit cake that just arrived by express mail yesterday, but something that was purchased at a flea market, yard sale, estate sale or second-hand store. Lots of people have collections to add to, so a special token found in some dusty corner of an antique store might be just the ticket.

Give Homemade/Handmade Gifts

Nothing says lovin’ like something from the oven! Homemade gifts for the holidays are the best. Bake, sew, paint, craft or whatever. Make up a batch of cookies and fudge or create a photo album, scrapbook, family DVD or memory box. Better yet, how about creating something from baker’s clay?

Give a Gift that is Living

While it is not outlandish to give someone who is very close to a pet – rescue the little feller from the local pound — a nice flower or potted plant might be a better choice. You might want to consider giving a selection of flower or vegetable seeds, bulbs to plant in the spring or a hummingbird feeder – just add sugar water.

Give a Donation in Someone’s Name

If friends and family are particularly devoted to a certain charity, making a donation in their name might be the right idea. Otherwise there are a lot of worthy organizations to choose from environmental or otherwise.

Be Sure to Shop Locally

There are so many local merchants that offer services that friends and family can utilize that it may be difficult to settle on just one. Shop locally and eliminate the middleman, reduce transportation costs and help the local economy, all of which helps shoppers and the environment. Plus local businesses typically return an average of 80 percent of each dollar spent back to the community.

Use and Give Eco-Bags or Shopping

Want to give the gift that keeps on giving? Give canvas shopping bags available in small sizes at many grocery stores and help friends and family eliminate the use of plastic shopping bags. Or choose larger bags from the local craft store that can be used for lots of different occasions.

The whole idea is to find new and different ways to make the holiday season people- and earth-friendly.

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