A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER & GUIDE FOR YOUR HOME

GB Group sends...The happy homeowner

PHONE: 479.464.7336 www.BuildWithGBGroup.comDECEMBER 2012

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+ A Year in Review: GB Group Project Highlights of 2012

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+ Christmas Wishes

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+ Q & A+ Vocabulary of the Month+ Starbucks Riddle Contest+ Heidi’s Healthy Home Tip

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+ Superstar Client of the Month+ Quote of the Month+ Book of the Month+ Talk with Tank

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+ Andrew Turned 7+ Your Vocabulary: It’s Important!+ Useless Trivial Tidbits

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+ Christmas Fun+ Community Happenings+ Recipe of the Month+ Riddle Contest Winner

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+ Feature Story: Merry Christmas from Our Family to Yours!

IN ThIs Issue:Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours!

At the risk that this will hold likeness to a cutesy Christmas Card, we here at the Tankersley household want to send our Christmas Greetings and 2012 Summary in the form of an acrostic. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

Monopoly was discovered by Andrew. He plays with others or alone, either works.Employees. New, wonderful employees for which we are so grateful. Read Charlotte’s Web this summer with the kids. The ending brought tears to us all. Really enjoying new construction projects and new friendships with clients. Yippee for fall trip to Coronado Heights in Kansas with Mama and Papa Holthus.

Currently, Joely owns enough baby dolls to hold hands and circle the entire world. H appy to be alive. R unning. In the park. Around the house. Down the street to the neighborhood pool. I nstantly ecstatic when we were visited by Auntie Jenae from Dallas.Sick on her 4th Birthday in August! Joely had a better time after she got well. Thunder. The name of Andrew’s summer T-ball team. Massive but (luckily) eventually cute haircut given to Joely by Joely.A beautiful ballerina emerges out of her chrysalis and begins ballet classes. Special memories made with friends on Mexico trip.! New Baby Cousin on the Way (#2 for Heidi’s sister!)

Three deer killed at “Deer Camp.” And many ducks this year, too. Boys only. At Thanksgiving, Joely states she is “Thankful for baking cookies with mom.” New tug-of-war rope given to Drake, our Golden Retriever. He carries it everywhere. Kids still love wrestling with Daddy. Drake usually joins in and licks faces. Everywhere we go, we LOVE the animals. Joely was in heaven at a friends Pony Party.Rides on four-wheeler given by Grandpa Tankersley.Seven. Andrew’s new age on 12-12-12! Lots of little golden retriever puppies held at Grandma & Grandpa’s farm.Everyone enjoys family game night. Connect Four, Old Maid, Scrabble. We play it all. Yoga and Pilates still being taught by Heidi to her wonderful clients at Pinnacle Pilates.

2 Baby Teeth Missing From Andrew’s Mouth.0 Regrets. 1 Wedding in Spokane, Washington for Uncle Caleb and now-Aunt Susanna.2 Grateful People. Jacob and Heidi are so blessed by you—what you mean to us, our family, and our business! Merry Christmas!

For the first time in the two year history of our newsletter, we didn’t have a winner for last month’s riddle! We couldn’t believe it! Andrew and Joely decided we should make Santa our honoree and set out some hot chocolate on Christmas Eve. So, we will. For everyone who was stumped about last month’s riddle, here you go:

Last Month’s Riddle: Add one line to make the following true: 5 + 5 + 5 = 550.

And The Answer Is: Add a diagonal line to the first addition sign to make it a 4. So, the equation now reads 545 +5 = 550.

Are you sorry you didn’t win? Then better play this month’s game! Look on page 6 for the riddle. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the first to respond with the correct answer!

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Last Month’s Riddle Contest Winner!

DEC 22 - Holiday Hoopla. Rogers, AR.

DEC 23 - Arkansas Figure Skating Association Skating Exhibition. Lawrence Plaza - Bentonville, AR.

DEC 23 - Eagles Cruises. Rocky Branch Marina. Rogers, AR.

DEC 23 - Moscow Classical Ballet’s The Nutcraker. Baum Walker Hall at Walton Art Center. Fayetteville, AR.

DEC 31 - First Chance 2013. Benefiting “Peace at Home.” Uark Bowl. Fayetteville, AR.

JAN 12-13 - NWA Women’s Expo John Q. Hammons Center, Rogers, AR. FEB 15 - NWA HBA Home Show. Springdale Convention Center.

CommunityHappenings

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Christmas Fun

DIRECTIONS1. Slice one side of the Medjool dates and pop out the seeds. Stuff a few pieces of toasted almonds into each date and then fill with ice cream. Place stuffed dates back into freezer and allow to harden. Work in small batches to keep everything cold and the ice cream frozen.

2. When Medjool dates are hard, melt the chocolate. Remove Medjool dates from the freezer and dip in melted chocolate. (You can cover half the date, or the complete date, as these pictures show—your choice!) Place on wax paper and return to the freezer. Serve garnished with the remaining almonds and lightly dust with powdered sugar. Yummy!

Medjool Date Bonbons

Recipe

INGREDIENTS 8 Medjool Dates1 Cup Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream1 Cup Organic Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate (Melted)

1/2 Cup Almonds (toasted and sliced) 1 Sheet Waxed Paper Pinch of Organic Powdered Sugar (optional)

Andrew found this recipe by the box of Medjool dates at Ozark Natural Foods. Enjoy!

USELESS TRIVIAL TIDBITS

1. How The Grinch Stole Christmas is ranked number 102 on the all-time biggest box office hits with sales at an adjusted gross income of $381,968,200.

2. More than 1.76 billion candy canes are made annually for the Christmas season

3. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, Americans buy 37.1 million real Christmas trees each year.

4. More than three billion Christmas cards are sent annually in the United States.

5. During the Christmas buying season, Visa Cards alone are used an average of 5,340 times every minute in the United States. 6. “Frosty the Snowman” is considered to be a Christmas song, despite not mentioning Christmas at all. It was written by Steve “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson.

7. In 1962, the first Christmas postage stamp was issued in the United States.

9. In Greek, X is the first letter of the translated word Christ; that is where the word “Xmas” comes from!

10. Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold. 3

YOUR VOCABULARY. IT’S IMPORTANT! Did you know that the extent of a person’s vocabulary is directly related to their professional ranking in the hierarchy of corporate America? One particular study showed that scores on a vocabulary test administered within a corporation of 500+ people directly correlated with their positions within the company. Without a single exception, the higher up the professional ladder, the higher the vocabulary scores on the test. Without a single exception. Isn’t that crazy? From the CEO with the highest vocabulary, to the janitor with the lowest. But, vocabulary does more than help you land your dream job. Having a wide-ranging vocabulary opens up the ability to communicate better with others. Most everyone in this world speaks in order to communicate with others. Most everyone, at some point or another, has to write, just like I’m doing now. Knowing the correct word to say, how to say it, and when to say it are crucial to communicating with others. Having the right word at just the right moment can mean the difference between someone understanding you or not. And think about this: what if you are a child? Think of the brain expansion that happens when you learn a new word. Your perspective of the world expands. With each new word you learn, you have a new tool to work with. The new ideas surrounding that word can now help you contemplate ideas on a higher plane of thought. It has been said that with every new word a person learns, one will understand about 8-10 other words that directly relate to the word that was learned. Think of how fast you can expand your child’s comprehension of the world—or your own, for that matter! At our house, we try and learn a new vocabulary word each day. I have a few handy books for it: Merriam-Webster’s Vocabulary Builder and The Painted Word: A Treasure Chest of Remarkable Words and Their Origins by Phil Cousineau.

A few other ways to increase your vocabulary: 1) When you are speaking with someone, and they use a word you do not know, ask them what it means. Sure it may be awkward for a moment, but who’s better off in the long run? You! You’re getting smarter by the minute! 2) When you are reading and you come across a word you do not know, look it up in the dictionary and use it at least five times that day in conversation. Write it down. Review it the next day. Commit it to memory. We heard a TRUE story of a cab driver in New York who started reading the dictionary and teaching himself new words while waiting for his next passenger. This man literally created a larger vocabulary for himself, fifty or a hundred times over. So, he went on to own the cab company he used to drive the cab for! Don’t underestimate the power of words. Here’s a good way to look at it: If you just learn one new word a day, that’s 365 new ways of understanding the world in one year. If you incorporate the rule of associated words, that’s a potential 3,650 new “understandings” a year! Whoa! The world is yours! Learn away!

ANDREW TURNS SEVEN!Andrew Turned SEVEN on 12.12.12! A special birth date this year AND a special boy! We had to celebrate!

Andrew and two of his buddies from church got together for a fun evening at Fast Lane with dad. They had so much fun. Games, go-carts, laser tag, food. Heaven.

On the actual day of Andrew’s birthday, we came home from school and prepared the requested celebratory snack-feast: Homemade Mickey Mouse Pancakes with chocolate chips and chocolate sauce.

After shopping for some presents that night, it was “Birthday Boy’s Choice” of restaurant. Andrew picked Chick-Fil-A! (Eeek! If you don’t know me very well, than you need to know this: I’m a mom who doesn’t do fast food with

her family. Ever.) But, it was his birthday, after all, not mine. So I smiled and went along with the celebration. We had a truly fantastic time. Chicken nuggets and all.

Al and Lois Haase of Bella VistaWe completed a master suite remodelation along with a laundry room-made-larger and powered bath addition.

Philip and Kristen Thomas of RogersIn the Thomas’s home, the bathrooms were right next to each other. We began by gutting both bathrooms and then moving a wall to increase the size of one of the bathrooms. Massive amounts of transformation took place to achieve the final, finished design, but it was all worth it!

Jeremy and Ivone Hudson of SpringdaleJeremy and Ivone Hudson were preparing for the arrival of their baby boy, born July 21, 2012. We re-decked their 700 sf deck with recycled decking, removed a twin window and replaced it with easily accessible french doors to improve the flow-thru traffic in their home, and completed a bathroom renovation.

Mike and Jessica Castagna of Siloam Springs Mike and Jessica Castagna, of Siloam Springs decided to renovate their kitchen so it was more functional for large gatherings and a growing family. We went in and worked with Mike and Jessica to help come up with solutions to better accommodate their family and realize their goals of a more functional space.

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A Year in Review: GB Group Project Highlights of 2012

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Philip and Kristen Thomas of RogersIn the Thomas’s home, the bathrooms were right next to each other. We began by gutting both bathrooms and then moving a wall to increase the size of one of the bathrooms. Massive amounts of transformation took place to achieve the final, finished design, but it was all worth it!

Mike and Jessica Castagna of Siloam Springs Mike and Jessica Castagna, of Siloam Springs decided to renovate their kitchen so it was more functional for large gatherings and a growing family. We went in and worked with Mike and Jessica to help come up with solutions to better accommodate their family and realize their goals of a more functional space.

Doug and Tamie Ellis of FayettevilleThe Ellis’s had already done a substantial amount of renovations to the 1950’s home they have for their college age Education. It looked beautiful, the only problem was, their two bathrooms needed help. We gutted the bathrooms and completely refinished them, giving a fresher feel to both spaces along with an updated look.

Mark and Karel Hayre of Centertonl Mark and Karel Hayre wanted to update their existing home and add space to make their home more functional for large family gatherings. After various architectural renderings, the final product included adding on to the back of the house, creating a spare bedroom and a great room. We were also able to add more room to the master suite. The rest of their home got an extensive face lift as well.

Q: What is the difference between stained concrete and polished concrete?

A: The differences between stained versus polished concrete are as follows:1) The price of polished concrete is about twice the cost of stained concrete. 2) Water resistant- While both products are better than carpet or wood, polished concrete is better when dealing with really wet areas. 3) Resistant to Foot Traffic- Polished concrete will outlast stained concrete by years. Eventually Stained Concrete will loose its finish and need redone. With polished concrete the dye soaks deep and evenly into the concrete as it is

polished, the stain on stained concrete stays on the surface. Colors will vary greatly depending on how the concrete takes the stain. Either choice is nice because both are easy to clean and can come in a wide variety of colors and design options. Concrete flooring is also a sustainable choice, in that you can use non toxic materials and the concrete itself has a long life. But, in the end, when it comes to stained vs. polished, I’ll refer to the phrase “You get what you pay for.” Do you have a question? Submit your Q to contact@BuildWithGBGroup.com to have it answered.

Questions & AnswersYou ask the Q. We give you the A.

RIDDLE CONTEST! BE THE FIRST TO ANSWER THIS RIDDLE & WIN A $5 Starbucks Gift Card

THE RIDDLE:Decipher this clue:

YYYMEN

TO PLAY: Call or email now with the answer to the above riddle. Whoever responds first with the correct answer, wins! Call 479.464.7336 or email contact@BuildWithGBGroup.com (If calling after hours, leave a message. We will honor whoever contacts us first.) All ages can play!!!

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Heidi’s Healthy HomeTip of The Month

Baking soda is a staple around our house. First of all, it’s non-toxic. For me, that moves baking soda to the very top of my “favorites” list when it comes to cleaning. In terms of smell, baking soda is relatively innocuous, and in fact, is known for soaking up other bad smells.

Here is what we do with baking soda around our house. Perhaps this list will help you, too. Or, maybe, you already use baking soda for other things not even included on this list!

1) Carpet Cleaner and Odor Neutralizer— This can be great for carpet accidents—especially ones that smell bad. Once you have cleaned up the mess or removed the stain, sprinkle some baking soda directly onto the carpet. Let it sit for a few minutes and then vacuum over the baking soda. It will pull out any residual smell.

2) Sink Cleaner—Great combined with a sponge to get your sinks and counters sparkling.

3) Tub/Shower Cleaner—Mix with Borax (another natural powder-like substance) to get cleansing, scrubbing action and power. Use a scrub brush and the soap scum doesn’t stand a chance.

4) Absorbs Bad Scents— Set a small container of baking soda open in your cabinets if you have an area of strong food smells (or other smells)! The baking soda will absorb the odors.

5) Toilet Bowl Cleanser—You can sprinkle baking soda around the inside of your toilet bowl. Let it sit, then scrub. No harsh chemical smells, and your toilet gets scrubbed white and clean with no residual smell.

6) Jewelry Cleaner-- If your wedding ring needs brightening and you don’t have time to swing by the jewelers for a cleaning, take a toothbrush and baking soda to the ring and give it a little scrub. It will shine and sparkle good as new. Quick and easy. You can’t beat that.

7) Christmas Cookies-- Of course, you need baking soda to make those long awaited Christmas goodies. Joely loves measuring out the baking soda and baking powder when we bake things together. Take time to enjoy your family, maybe making a recipe you haven’t tried. And… don’t forget the baking powder!

(I’m laughing because it kind of sounds like I work for Arm & Hammer—but I assure you, I

don’t! I just know a staple product when I see one.) Enjoy!

From our home to yours, Have a very Merry, Healthy, Happy Christmas! Heidi Tankersley

BAKING SODA: A MIRACLE PRODuCT

In honor of the article on page 3, we thought it felicitous (appropriate, suitable) to start including a Vocabulary Word of the Month in our newsletter. Read it to your family, use it in conversation, add it to your own vocabulary words. With no further ado, your vocabulary word for the month:

Expatiate verb (ek-spay-she-ate):

1) To speak or write at length.2) To wander freely.

Sentence example: Let me move on from the topic of learning vocabulary words, lest someone accuse me of expatiating on the issue.

Word of THE monthVOCABULARY

Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter! We wish you and your family a fantastic and fun-filled Holiday Season! Call us for all of your Custom Home Building and Home Renovation needs. And don’t forget to tell your friends about us, too. Visit us at BuildWithGBGroup.com. Office phone: 479.464.7336. Many Blessings, Jacob Tankersley and the GB Group Construction Team 7

Positive Quote of the Month

Must Read Book of the Month

THE 4:8 PRINCIPLE: THE SECRET TO A JOY-FILLED LIFE By Tommy Newberry (Founder of the 1% Club)

This book got its start when the author simply started passing it out to friends and family. Soon people were recommending it to others and passing it along to their friends. It gained popularity. The book got picked up by Barnes and Noble. Now, The 4:8 Principle is a New York Times Bestseller. The premise of the book addresses the importance of our thought life and how ultimately, it leads to our success—or failure. Newberry states that research indicates the average person thinks approximately 50,000 thoughts per day. Each thought moves us either toward our

God-given potential or away from it. The book discusses how a joy-filled life can be found when we direct our thoughts to those characteristics found in the Bible verse of Philippians 4:8 where it reads: “Finally, bretheren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Our thoughts do affect us. Our thoughts affect us at our jobs, with our families, with our friends and neighbors. Everyday we are building ourselves up with our thoughts or breaking ourselves down—and others as well. I don’t know of a single person who can’t be helped by a healthy reminder that our thoughts are absolutely influencing us on a daily basis. And, Newberry also tells you ways to change your thoughts if you don’t like what you’re thinking. Get the book. You’ll love it and benefit from the words inside.

Hello happy clients and friends! Most of you know me, but if not, I’m Jacob Tankersley, homebuilder, husband, father, business owner & entrepreneur, and avid hunter. My family consists of 2.4 children and a Golden Retriever, Drake.

And now for your Talk With Tank...

Talk wiTh Tank (He’s a tank full of information)

BENEFITS OF INSuLATED CONCRETE FORMSInsulated Concrete Forms, also known as ICFs, are a great way to build the walls of your home. This is a technology that has come a long way in the last 5 years. ICFs are a Styrofoam block that look a lot like a giant Lego. You stack them up to build your walls for your basement or the walls on the foundation itself, then you fill the blocks with concrete. When the process is complete, you have a water proof, super-insulated concrete wall. The energy efficiency of the wall is incredible. This system also acts as a great sound barrier.

How does this new building system interact with the other components of home construction? You actually carve out places for wire and pipes to run inside the wall for your electrical and plumbing systems. And, you can

attach your drywall directly to the Styrofoam blocks, saving you money on framing material cost. At the point you are looking at building, check out ICFs. It might just be the right fit for your project.

Superstar Client of the Month

Obrien and Alicia Bedwell of Rogers, AR.

Congratulations to Obrien and Alicia Bedwell of Rogers! They are receiving Superstar Client Status this month because of their patience through the

design phases of their renovation project and their willingness to thoroughly search for the proper and best options for their outdoor space.

Thank you Obrien and Alicia for being so wonderful! We appreciate clients like you!

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.” –Maya Angelou

GB Group ConsTruCTionP.O. Box 7734

Springdale, AR 72766

GB Group Construction | P.O. Box 7734 Springdale, AR 72766479-464-7336 | www.buildwithgbgroup.com

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Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year!

Love, The Tankersleys