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)!
A couple weeks ago I mentioned ordering a $20 battery on Amazon for my iPhone 7 Plus. I probably really should be in the market to replace this phone, but even though the iOS can’t be upgraded, it still functions pretty well. The camera on ALL phones has been improved, but at $1000+ dollars, I’m just not ready for an iPhone 14 or 15 yet. Perhaps if Apple starts to discount a few dollars?
Anyway, I somewhat failed in replacing the battery as getting the old one released from the sticky tape had me prying (after the white ribbon glue snapped). In the process, I broke the ribbon cable that connects the Taptic Engine. Ugh. Somewhat thankfully Brenda’s old iPhone 7 was in the pile of gadgets and so thought perhaps it used the same Taptic Engine … it does not … BUT it could be modified and the plug fits!
After an hour of tinkering, I managed to Jerry-Rig my phone back together, charge it up and it pretty much works as before. My assumption is that with the smaller Taptic Engine, there isn’t quite the same feedback as from the larger one found in the iPhone 7 Plus?
It is the time of year when we reflect on the past year … or in my case … the WAY past years. Last month, my brother Ron mentioned that the property (just the land) that our childhood home was being listed for sale. We were both intrigued and shocked to see the asking price of $450,000 on Zillow … yikes!
Following the listing, Ron was also corresponding with one of the neighbor friends we grew up with who still owns the cottage next door (mentioned Jim Raab before). He ran across a old photo of our house — after we moved to Sidney — 15 or so years after our parents sold the house. The dilapidated shape of our once beautiful home was depressing; as Ron commented, “I can understand why the house was leveled.”
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)! 
