After commenting back in 2022 on a favorite Babylon Bee parody video (added from YouTube below the break), this 2023 year year end New Year’s Eve favorite is another California oriented music video. Both parody clips highlight memorable songs as well as destructive policies from progressive Democrats governing a once idyllic state. It does seems that those same policies are infecting every large DEM run city in the country? Time to wake before it is too late America!
All fathers who semi-attempt to pass down a few “handyman” skills are proud of their sons (and daughters – mine is amazing!) when they tackle projects by themselves.
Taylor continues to amaze me at his fortitude when taking on homeownership projects, although he’s never been hesitant to jump into things with both feet. 😊
It may not seem all that difficult to some, but property measuring and cutting holes in walls to run wiring so that they don’t show is not as simple as it appears. After cutting the holes, he decided to Facetime me to find out how to get the wires from the hole above to the one below when the wall was stuffed with insulation. Thankfully he was able to use a fishrod to get the wires through. After putting the specialty electrical boxes in place and mounting a “flat to the wall” mounting system, it looks great! I don’t say it enough, but I am proud of him. Way to go Taylor!
The IRS has set the new tax brackets to adjust for inflation beginning in January 2024. The update is to shift higher by 5.4%, but for 2023 taxes that most of us will be filing before April 15 and saw even more “bracket creep” due to the previously year’s inflation.
Here are the changes unveiled by the IRS. The inflation-adjusted elements will apply to the 2024 tax year, meaning returns filed in 2025.
Standard deduction
The standard deduction, which reduces the amount of income you must pay taxes on, is claimed by a majority of taxpayers.
It will rise to $29,200, up from $27,700 in 2023, for married couples filing jointly, amounting to a 5.4% bump. For individuals, the new maximum will be $14,600 for 2024, up from $13,850, the IRS said.
Heads of households will see their standard deduction jump to $21,900 in 2024, up from $20,800.
After taking Brenda’s 2010 Acura RDX to a local service garage in September, it ran fine for a few months. Beginning in December though, it started to stumble and eventually triggered lights on the dash that included emissions and an AWD code. So we have taken it back this week to see if there is something else acting up — I’m hoping for another rubber hose issue, but whenever the words “emission system” comes up, the $$$ signs go off in my subconscious. 😊
BUT … to make this a ThrowBack Thursday #TBT post, how about a photo from 2016 with the previous owner, Drew! Back then it was pre-children and in Wayzata, Minnesota. Good times and good memories for them.
Pre-posting a Christmas day blog update as I’m expecting to be busy with our family … and for the record … I am finally getting in the spirit and correct mood to celebrate Christ’s birthday.
Since this is a Music Monday, it is appropriate to include the most popular Christmas song in America … BUT since I’m not a Mariah Carey or “All I Want For Christmas” song fan, I also though I would share what is playing non-stop at our house … ugh. Brenda has been TV streaming “It’s A Wonderful Life” in black and white non-stop since mid-December. I actually don’t mind the movie and enjoy it … but unlike “The Christmas Story” … I can only take so much.
It is becoming more and more difficult to remember what I’ve added to the blog and what I have not when it comes to woodworkingprojects? I had thought I might have mentioned a few of the steps back in November regarding doweling a couple of unique joints when building a Puppet Stage for my granddaughters? Obviously I merely put the photos in the archive, but never made a comment — which is fine, but does start to concern my mental state!
So for a Christmas Eve post this year, I ‘ll update the blog with a photo of the finished Red, White and Blue Puppet Stage for my granddaughters, even though I was really disappointed in the curtains — perhaps I can remake them later? Anyway, I suspect Katelyn will appreciate the effort … even though a purchased one would probably be more polished? Besides the joinery (covered by paint), the “stand” parts are removable with a thumb knob so that everything lays flat for storage (ie. against a wall in a closet or something).
The girls are getting older so I’m not sure how much “hand puppeteering” they will enjoy, but it was an idea mentioned by Katelyn (so I’ll blame her if they don’t enjoy it)!
Although I’ve never paid attention to those who perfect the skills of bartending, I’ve always enjoyed listening to Jimmy Buffett Caribbean escapism music … and sipping on a good Margarita. Beth DeCarbo posted a recipe and thought I might want to give it a try “next summer.” 😉
Jimmy Buffett – “Margaritaville” live on the Tonight Show in 1981
Place a layer of salt on a small plate. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass and then tip the glass upside down onto the plate of salt and coat the rim with salt. Reserve the lime wedge.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the tequila, triple sec, sugar, lime juice and 3 tablespoons water. Shake vigorously to combine and then pour the mixture, ice and all, into the prepared glass. Garnish with the reserved lime wedge and serve immediately.
much “hand puppeteering” they will enjoy, but it was an idea mentioned by Katelyn (so I’ll blame her if they don’t enjoy it)! 
