CHRISTMAS 2024 POST

I have helped decorate a few Christmas trees in my years, but all of them would never have added up to this one pictured here. Plus lights. I had to take a few photos and spent time with the "wow" factor. How much patience/talent do you have to have to do this? I am guessing this was a group effort.

 

Regardless, a good opening photo to the YMATA Christmas 2024 post.

Has been busy few weeks for us, but not "Abby Normal" this time of the season. Cookie gifts delivered, presents mailed out and all have arrived on time. The bride and I have been treating each other to presents via Amazon for a month now. "I would like a........". "OK, my treat as one of your Christmas presents." Not much to unwrap this season. 

The rule of waiting until Christmas to open presents vanished years ago. We have been known to give birthday presents months in advance. Our 24th anniversary is next week and we have ordered a very nice gift that is scheduled to arrive later in the week. Not a big gift, but one we are equally excited about. We are in the Christmas spirit early this year. I even have the essential cards ready to go. 

There is hope in the air. We can see it in other people with whom our paths cross. We are hearing and seeing more folks saying "Merry Christmas." "God Bless." The words easily offered in this little corner of our world.

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Norwegian Apple Cake. Homemade. 

Neighbors 2 miles to the south brought this cake over Friday night on their "date night" out to a local steak house. They stayed and visited a few minutes wishing us a Merry Christmas. Their first date in seven months after their last baby boy. Now 4 boys. They were like young kids on a first date getting out of the house. I could see it in their eyes. 

We delivered cookies to them two years ago when they first moved here and they never forgot that moment of being welcomed to the neighborhood and meeting us. We received the same treatment from local neighbors when we first moved here. Still talk about the folks and the special treats they dropped off to say hello and welcome us to East Texas. Heart things!

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ITERATIONS

The 3D printer has been running most everyday for over a month now. Cell phone speaker boxes and various holders. Most of the changes have been taking place inside the boxes and with the size of the opening in the back for cell phone fit.  Just when I thought I was done, I would share with a friend and have them put their cell phone in the slot. Their larger phone cases would not fit. 

 

One fellow said that the cost of new cell phones are now over $1K so protecting them in a heavy duty case is important. He had a point. I went back to the original designs/drawings and changed dimensions and changed dimensions and changed dimensions til these bigger phones fit. 

Designs and ideas for cell phone holders and passive speaker boxes are all over the net. It has been fun and a great learning experience for me working inside the design process and continuing to learn 3d printing.

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JIBBER JABBER

Weather has been mild so for this season. Temperatures in the 60s this week with some rain predicted.

I am not at a loss for more posting here, but am more inside a relaxed peace state of mind. Have just passed 300K visits over the years posting. Not a big number in the scheme of things, but for one old man in a little corner of the world it is just fine. 

Have a Merry Christmas this season. Wishing you time and appreciation of some of the little things in life and for a year ending on better footings than recent years past. The days are longer now as the sun rises a little higher each day. 

God Bless and thank you for your time in visiting here this past year.
 

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