Good morning!!!!

[RedNeckGeek]

You must make a heck of a lot more than me, according to the calculation I値l save $1460, and I surely consider myself middle income. But it is likely that the middle class will pay more in totality, because in totality, we are by far the largest income earners.

A big part of it comes from the fact that those that live in states with high income taxes can no longer deduct them. So the 12,000 standard deduction is pretty easy to exceed here in Kalifornia. Property taxes are still deductible, but that doesn't help me at all; everything's paid off. :mur:

There are a LOT of factors that the estimators don't take into account, and it's gonna take some time for tax professionals to get a handle on what the new law actually means in terms of tax calculations. One thing's for sure, though, I'll be trying to get my hands on a copy of TurboTax 2018 as soon as it comes out.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Yes, Apple's software does slow down your iPhone as it ages. No, it's not to get you to buy a new phone, but rather to help better manage older, poorer performing batteries:

Apple's iPhone slowdown: Your questions answered - CNET

Don't like it? Have a new battery installed in your iPhone and the software stops slowing it down.

 

[RoyJackson]

2017-12-22, 0314

8 degrees right now...high about 20. Looks like 4 to 7 inches of snow tonight into tonight and freezing raining on Saturday morning. No snow removal until after the freezing rain.

Last work day of the year!

As far as the tax bill, best take that to Friendly Politics as it will go more political sooner or later. As for me, no comments...not in this great thread.

 

[Eric Salop]

As far as the tax bill, best take that to Friendly Politics as it will go more political sooner or later

I'm fine with that Roy, the last few pages have lost me completely

 

[Eric Salop]

Good morning all. Only 3 sleeps to Christmas !

A turkey was kindly brought over by a friend yesterday and was to be hung for a few more days, however the weather has turned so warm that my wife wants it jamming into a cool box. Max has been licking his lips and going crazy outside trying to track where it has come from, he just doesn't believe me when I tell him there are no wild turkeys in this country.

Favourite coffee cup ? For me that has to be -

Sodamo, hope you have plenty of battery replenishing sun until the generator is fixed.

Ding Dong wngsprd.

 

[daugen]

44 degrees going up to mid fifties today in light rain. So while it may be in rain, at least my bush hog is in, showed up at 4pm yesterday just as Massey dealer was letting his employees go for the holiday. So the boss is in there today alone, I'm headed up there with my little 6 foot wide trailer which this even smaller 5 foot mower will fit in. Or he said it would...at least the one wheel sticks out back and not on the sides. I also have a fertilizer spreader to pick up. Should be fun with the two of us loading this in the rain; am not entirely sure how I'm going to get mower out other than drag it, as I can't back tractor up the ramp, too heavy. Guess I may be getting out the straps and chain and at least can lift the spreader out.

A A+ to all equipment designers who put a lift hook in the right place.

Sounds like Roy and others are going to have a white Christmas. I'm happy for you!

 

[wngsprd]

35 going to 57.

I wonder if Samsung is doing the slowdown trick, too...my older Galaxy seems a bit sluggish at times since the last software update.

I've got some chores today getting ready for company coming in tonight...NC son and boxer, NY son, cat, and girlfriend we have yet to meet. Then tomorrow, wife's parents and brother and his wife, and VA son and wife. Should be a full house.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Thanks for sharing. Prayers for comfort, rest, and healing.


________________________________________________________

New word in our household vocabulary.

Misophonia.

Pretty sure we've diagnosed our middle daughter again. Almost every symptom gets a check from our perspective. We were watching a "Longmire" episode from the new season and he went to question a prisoner in jail. The prisoner kept getting irate at smallish sounds and told them he had Misophonia. He said something like "check it out, it's a real condition".

Our daughter has trigger sounds that literally drive her nuts. The situation is getting worse rather than better. Not knowing what was going on, we had prayed that time and desensitizing would smooth things over. Not so yet. We will have to look into what the treatment centers offer. She hates to wear headphones already, thinking that someone might be saying her trigger words.

Farmer2009, I learned something more about autistic people yesterday that I wish I had known years ago. When an autistic person goes into meltdown mode, if you are causing it by confronting them for whatever reasons, you have to back off and learn when to back off before "mental scarring" occurs. The scarring can be almost impossible to overcome if you go too far with punishment, or trying to train them to do something and they melt down. You can show or tell them things kind of quickly, and then back off, giving them the space and time to contemplate or digest what you have told them.

It took us a while to realize that as far as we can see the boy "never" is bad but overwhelmed. We can't talk him out of it but distractions help a huge amount. Lately we have not allowed his mother to visit him or contact him in any way and he is more able to deal with the things that are hard for him. (He is very afraid of his mother) Sounds bad but the only way.

We will be praying for you and your daughter, none of these things make sense and are HARD to deal with for everyone. Ed

 

[daugen]

I'd like to thank several of you for the discussion on autism. Most of us don't have a clue.
And our reactions to autism are rarely helpful from the sounds of it.
I can think of several restaurant examples where severely disabled kids were met with scowls when they
were a little disruptive. Versus compassionate understanding.
Very easy to write off this situation as undisciplined kids acting out with parents who don't care.
Couldn't be any further from the truth.

The drain on parents must be enormous, and this is a lifetime deal.
And if too much sensation is a problem, too much input, then Christmas is not exactly made to order for that.
But the show has to go on for other kids, so boy is my hat off to you parents who do your best with this.
So an especially merry and meaningful Christmas to all parents of autistic kids, no matter what their age.
You all get some extra Christmas Love in your stocking.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Good morning all, 32 this morning going to 55 and partly sunny. 50% chance of snow Christmas eve, if that happens wife will be happy. Got a little work done in the shop yesterday, need to go to the grocery today. Don't know what else, need to wrap presents soon.

Mostly, Wow, average almost 16 and 1/2 miles a day for a year. Impressive.

Randy, Praying for you to have a great Christmas.

Rip, Praying for you and your wife.

Buckeye, praying you get good news.

Have a great day. Ed