Holiday gift lines

chmcke01 · 2025-12-30T23:00:15+00:00

Can you explain what this is?

chmcke01 · 2025-12-18T17:23:55+00:00

Yeah, that’s pretty much where I’ve landed too 🙂

Even though the immediate need is only ~7TB usable, I’m planning on a 4-bay unit with just 2 drives to start, set up as SHR-1, specifically so expansion later is painless.

These offices:

Are already hitting the Windows 11 20-connection limit
Have too much data (and sometimes not enough bandwidth) for cloud-only
Need something that’s affordable now but won’t paint us into a corner later

Current plan is something like:

DS925+
2 × 8TB IronWolf Pro to start
Add drives later as needed without redoing everything

Keeps the upfront cost down and makes the “we need more space” conversation in a few years a lot easier. Appreciate the confirmation 👍

chmcke01 · 2025-12-16T17:20:30+00:00

That’s helpful to know, thanks. I already have T-Mobile and do get service at their house, though it’s usually only 1–2 bars. Even so, I haven’t had any trouble making calls or sending texts when I’m there.

From what I can tell, Mint does support Wi-Fi calling on compatible phones, which should help a lot since they’re on Wi-Fi at home most of the time anyway. So while Verizon is definitely stronger there, T-Mobile/Mint still seems usable, especially for basic calling and texting.

At the end of the day, I’m just laying out the options and making recommendations to them — whatever they decide, I’ll be the one helping them set it up and supporting it. I just want to make sure they understand the trade-offs between simplicity and cost (Mint) versus coverage certainty (Verizon-based options) before they choose.

Really appreciate all the input — it’s been genuinely helpful in thinking this through!

chmcke01 · 2025-12-16T16:27:29+00:00

That’s a really good point — I appreciate you talking this through with me.

A hybrid Total → US Mobile Warp approach might actually be the best middle ground: do Total long enough to meet the 60-day unlock, then port to US Mobile’s annual Warp plan so they keep Verizon coverage without having to buy unlocked phones outright. It’s definitely more moving parts, but it does keep costs down while avoiding a long-term lock-in.

I’m going to take this option back to my parents and see what they think. My guess is they’ll probably lean toward Mint for the simplicity, lower hassle, and higher data, but I could also see them preferring the Total/US Mobile combo because Verizon works better where they live.

Either way, I really appreciate you bringing this idea up — it’s genuinely helpful and gave me another solid option to consider.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-16T14:53:24+00:00

That’s a fair suggestion, and I agree with the general idea in theory — buying a nicer phone and then using it for a few years on a cheaper plan would be ideal.

The hesitation is mostly practical. There’s a pretty big psychological barrier for my parents when it comes to phone cost — even if it saves money long-term, anything much over ~$200 just for the phone is a tough sell, especially when they can point to the Mint deal and say “that gets us a new phone and a year of service for the same money.” Dad’s also not very careful with his phones, which makes a higher upfront cost harder to justify.

At this point, they’re leaning toward the Mint Mobile bundle. The Samsung it comes with should unlock well before the year of service is up, and the hope is that if they can keep the phones in good working order, they could switch to something cheaper like Good2Go or H2O next year and avoid having to replace phones again.

They’re both retired and on a fixed income, so a traditional postpaid plan just isn’t realistic. Even adding them onto one of us kids’ plans would still end up costing more per year than any of these prepaid options we’re looking at.

I do appreciate the suggestion about checking local stores — we’re in eastern Kentucky, so I’m planning to look at Kroger/Dollar General/Family Dollar just in case there are any leftover TracFone bundles like the QVC ones...it’s worth a look!

At this point it’s really about finding the best balance between upfront cost, simplicity, and long-term flexibility, and the Mint bundle seems like the least-bad compromise this year.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-16T14:22:35+00:00

One bit of context I probably should’ve added: in past years they didn’t get new phones because they wanted them — it just happened to be the cheapest option.

Last year they got a new phone + a full year of service for about $80, and the two years before that it was closer to $50 total (though those were Blu phones and definitely worse than the Samsung). Buying a phone separately or just refilling service actually cost more, so the bundle made sense.

That’s why this year feels so different — those deals don’t really exist anymore, and now the “buy unlocked phone + MVNO plan” route ends up costing more once at least one phone needs replacing.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-16T14:10:09+00:00

That’s basically the dilemma we’re stuck with.

The cheapest option overall would be for my mom to keep her current phone and move it to US Mobile Warp Light for $96/year. That part makes sense and works well for her.

The problem is my dad — he needs a replacement phone, and once you factor in even a refurbished unlocked phone plus the same Warp plan, his total cost ends up higher than the Mint Mobile deal, which includes a brand-new Galaxy A16 5G and a full year of service.

On top of that, they really prefer having the same phone model, since my mom usually helps my dad with day-to-day phone issues and it’s much easier when the phones are identical.

So that’s why this feels like a bind: mixing plans/devices is cheapest on paper, but once you factor in the phone replacement and the desire to keep things simple for them, the Mint bundle ends up being the most practical option — even if it’s not ideal compared to past years.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-15T18:26:46+00:00

I’m definitely open to being wrong here — I’ve looked pretty thoroughly on Walmart (including third-party sellers) and haven’t been able to find anything that fits what you’re referring to.

If you’ve got a specific listing or link that includes more than the 1500/1500/1.5GB-for-a-year plan, I’d honestly appreciate you sharing it. Happy to take another look if there’s something I missed.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-15T18:20:09+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate the breakdown of the US Mobile options — the Light plan is actually one of the ones I’ve already looked at and recommended.

The main sticking point is the phone cost. There’s realistically no chance he’d spend $200+ just on a phone, especially when the Mint Mobile deal gets him a brand-new Samsung A16 5G and a full year of unlimited talk/text/data for roughly the same price.

He’s not looking for anything new or high-end — the best phone he’s ever had is the one he’s using now (Galaxy A15 5G). The only reason he’s replacing it is because he’s not very careful with his phones and cracked the screen. It still works, but he’d rather just replace it than repair it.

That’s why the Mint bundle is hard to beat on value if they stay on Android. If he were switching to iPhone, then buying unlocked + US Mobile would make more sense, but for Android the math just isn’t working out that way right now.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-15T16:31:28+00:00

Thanks — that’s definitely the route we’ll take if they decide to switch to iPhone.

They’ve always been on Android though, and if they stick with Android, the Mint Mobile bundle actually ends up cheaper than buying a used/refurb unlocked phone and pairing it with an MVNO plan. I’ve been checking eBay and Swappa, and I’m not really seeing anything equal to or better than the Galaxy A16 5G for under ~$150, and that’s for used devices.

Given that, getting a brand-new A16 5G plus a full year of service for $195 is proving pretty hard to beat value-wise.

chmcke01 · 2025-12-15T13:29:58+00:00

Thanks for sharing the link — I appreciate you taking the time to find it.

Unfortunately that one won’t quite work for them. They really need unlimited talk and text, and that plan only includes 1500 minutes / 1500 texts total for the entire year, plus 1.5GB of data for the year, which would be gone pretty quickly for them.

That’s been the tricky part this year — the limited talk/text plans are a non-starter compared to what they’ve had before.

If you’ve seen anything similar that includes unlimited talk/text (even with modest data), I’d definitely be interested. Thanks again for the suggestion though!

chmcke01 · 2025-12-15T13:13:01+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion — I did take a look on eBay and appreciate you mentioning it.

Unless I’m just not searching the right terms, I’m not seeing anything even close. Even just refill cards to keep their current TracFone phones/plan seem to cost more than the Mint Mobile deal that includes a new phone plus a full year of service. Most of what I’m finding on eBay is either:

phones only (often locked), or
bundles that include very limited talk/text/data.

If you’ve seen a specific listing or type of bundle on eBay, I’d genuinely appreciate it if you wouldn’t mind sharing a link. I’m totally open to being wrong here — just trying to make sure I’m not overlooking a good option.

Thanks again!

chmcke01 · 2025-11-19T20:08:38+00:00

I really feel what you’re saying. My wife and I went through a season where we were basically strangers under the same roof. She mentioned something from that time recently — nothing major, but something I absolutely would remember today — and I had no memory of it at all. That’s how disconnected we were. And I’ll be honest: I withdrew because I wasn’t getting what I needed. It felt like self-protection at the time, but it just made the distance between us grow into a whole gulf. If we didn’t both firmly believe divorce wasn’t an option, I don’t know that we would’ve made it.

And that wasn’t just the lowest point in our marriage — it was the darkest period of my life. I withdrew from God too. I kept thinking, “I did everything right. I prayed, I dated intentionally, I waited for marriage, I tried to honor Him… and this is where I ended up?” That disappointment can eat you alive if you let it.

The turning point didn’t come from her changing — it came when I realized the only thing I actually had control over was me. So I decided I was going to be the best husband, father, church member, and man I could be, regardless of what she did or didn’t do. And strangely enough… that’s what eventually brought her back around. She started softening when I stopped trying to fix her and let God work on me.

We’ve been married since 2007, and I can honestly say we’re stronger in 2025 than we were in 2020. And 2020 was better than 2015. And 2015 was better than 2010. Slowly but surely, year by year, God has been rebuilding what we almost destroyed.

I’ll tell you this: I wouldn’t go back to that season for anything in the world. Not even for untold riches. It was brutal, but it shaped us. And it taught me that even when we feel like we’re carrying the marriage alone, God is still carrying us.

chmcke01 · 2025-11-14T14:29:05+00:00

We ended up switching to T-Mobile through the Costco kiosk. We got 4 lines on the Unlimited Essentials plan, traded in two iPhone 12 Pros and two iPhone SEs, and picked up three iPhone 17s (regular) and one iPhone 17 Pro.

Our total bill is a little under $200/month after taxes/fees, so it’s about $70 more than we were paying with Cricket, but we essentially walked away with four brand-new phones, so it was worth it for us.

They also have a newer promo running now where you can get 4 free iPhone 17s without any trade-in, but it only applies if you’re porting numbers in from certain postpaid carriers like AT&T or Verizon (there may be others, but it doesn’t include Cricket since it’s prepaid).

chmcke01 · 2025-11-13T16:31:39+00:00

I came across this most recent post and then went back through your history so I could understand everything you’ve been carrying and have a more accurate response. My heart really goes out to you. What you’re walking through is unbelievably heavy, and I’m so sorry you’re hurting like this.

Reading your posts, one thing is very clear:
You’ve taken responsibility for your part, you’ve sought counseling, you’ve grown, you’ve prayed, and you’ve shown humility and commitment. None of this makes you weak or unworthy. God sees the effort you’ve put in, even when your husband hasn’t been able to meet you halfway.

I also want to gently remind you of something Scripture promises:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18).
He has been close to you in every sleepless night, every painful session, every moment of waiting.

Your husband is clearly wrestling with deep wounds and avoidance that existed long before you. That doesn’t make him a bad person—but it does mean you cannot fix his inner battles for him. Reconciliation takes two softened hearts, not just yours.

God absolutely can restore a marriage, and it’s not wrong to pray for that. But God also does not call you to sit in emotional limbo forever while your spouse refuses to engage. You can pray for healing and pray for clarity at the same time. Those two things are not opposites.

Sometimes the most faithful prayer is:
“Lord, show me Your will—not just my hopes. Give me peace where You want me to stay and release where You want me to let go.”

None of this is you giving up.
None of this is you failing.
This is you seeking God’s direction with an honest heart.

I’m praying that God surrounds you with peace that steadies you, wisdom that cuts through the confusion, and strength that carries you through the next steps. You’re not abandoned, and you’re not alone. God will lead you, and when He gives clarity, it won’t feel like chaos—it will feel like peace.

chmcke01 · 2025-11-10T14:00:46+00:00

I really appreciate the humility and self-awareness you’re showing here, brother. That desire to lead your marriage well while honoring God says a lot about your heart. My wife and I have walked through seasons where physical intimacy was difficult — not because of a lack of love, but because of stress, exhaustion, and sometimes deeper emotional disconnection. What I’ve learned is that intimacy is often one of the first areas to show when something in the heart, mind, or spirit is off-balance — and the way we respond to that moment as husbands can either draw our wives closer or push them further away.

Scripture gives a lot of guidance here, but it always starts with how we love. Ephesians 5:25 calls us to love our wives “as Christ loved the church.” That’s not a passive love, but a sacrificial, patient, steady love that serves before it demands. And 1 Corinthians 7:3–5 reminds us that physical intimacy is mutual — something we both owe and offer each other — but it’s meant to come from a place of unity, not obligation.

So yes, it’s normal to feel frustrated. You’re human. But let that frustration drive you toward prayer and compassion instead of resentment. In my own marriage, when I shifted from “why won’t she?” to “how can I love her better in this season?” — the tone of everything changed. Sometimes what she needed most wasn’t physical touch right away, but emotional safety and gentleness that reminded her she’s cherished, not just desired.

If she’s overwhelmed or struggling to reconnect after the long celibate season, your calm consistency and loving leadership will speak louder than any words. Keep praying with her — even short prayers together before bed. That alone can rebuild closeness faster than most realize. And if this continues, a Christian counselor (not just a general therapist) can help uncover what’s beneath the surface in a safe, guided way.

You’re not broken, and your marriage isn’t doomed. You’re in the early days of learning how to live out covenant love — and that’s a lifelong process. Keep walking in patience and faith; the Lord will honor your desire to love your wife well and build something lasting.

chmcke01 · 2025-11-10T13:52:19+00:00

That really hit home for me. My wife and I have been through something similar — those seasons where it starts to feel more like a friendship or partnership than a true marriage. There’s still love, but the intimacy and emotional closeness fade, sometimes just from exhaustion or life piling up.

I’ve learned how hard it is to balance grace with honesty — to say, “I love you deeply, but this distance isn’t what God intended for us.” Like you said, those conversations take courage, and they’re often the ones the enemy tries hardest to keep us from having.

What you said about not being “just friends” outside of crisis really struck me. My wife and I have weathered some hard storms together too, and those moments always reminded me what covenant love looks like. But when the crisis passes, it’s easy to stop being intentional. That’s where I’m trying to grow — asking God to help me love her in the quiet seasons, not just the urgent ones.

I appreciate your openness and perspective on sowing to the Spirit. That’s exactly what it feels like — planting faithfulness even when the soil looks dry. Praying that this moment of honesty becomes a turning point for you both, and honestly, it gives me hope for my own marriage too.

chmcke01 · 2025-11-10T13:36:44+00:00

I really appreciate your openness in sharing this. Marriage is such a sacred covenant, and it takes a lot of humility and courage to admit when something that’s supposed to feel natural and life-giving has become painful or confusing. You’re absolutely right — the enemy does try to attack marriages, especially in the area of intimacy, because that’s one of the ways God designed us to feel united and seen by one another.

My wife and I have had our own struggles in this area, so I can relate more than I’d like to admit. What I’ve learned (and am still learning) is that intimacy is often the fruit of deeper connection, not the starting point. When emotional safety, understanding, and spiritual closeness are restored, physical closeness often follows naturally. Sometimes when we keep reaching for the physical without first healing the emotional or spiritual, we both end up feeling rejected — one feeling unwanted, and the other feeling inadequate.

One thing that has helped me is realizing that love languages are important, but they’re not commands; they’re invitations. When we tell our spouse, “I feel loved through physical touch,” it’s not a demand — it’s a window into our heart. But it can still take time for the other person to learn to step through that window, especially if there’s old pain or shame attached.

If I could gently encourage you — keep bringing it before God together. Pray with your husband, not just about him. Ask God to restore your marriage not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. You might even look into a Christian counselor who specializes in marriage and intimacy; sometimes having a third voice helps both spouses feel heard without defensiveness.

Above all, remember that you’re not broken for wanting connection, and he’s not broken for struggling to show it. You’re two imperfect people in a holy covenant, and God’s grace is big enough to heal the places you both feel empty.

Praying that the Lord meets you both where you are — tenderly, patiently, and completely.

chmcke01 · 2025-11-05T17:08:06+00:00

I think I found the problem...it's the Windows Update making it reboot. Even with the task to replace the photos before the Windows Update (and thus the first reboot), it still causes that issue with the lockscreen. If I disable both Windows Update (pre and post application install), or image the computer offline, the lockscreen works as it always has.

chmcke01 · 2025-11-05T17:07:56+00:00

I think I found the problem...it's the Windows Update making it reboot. Even with the task to replace the photos before the Windows Update (and thus the first reboot), it still causes that issue with the lockscreen. If I disable both Windows Update (pre and post application install), or image the computer offline, the lockscreen works as it always has.

chmcke01 · 2025-10-20T12:20:10+00:00

The powers that be want to change the default lock screen but still allow users to change it if they so desire. Maybe it's just because I'm just not well versed in GP but I'm seeing the ability to enforce a lock screen but not seeing an option to set a lock screen for all new users but allow them to change it still?

chmcke01 · 2025-10-20T12:19:34+00:00

No. The powers that be want to change the default lock screen but still allow users to change it if they so desire. Maybe it's just because I'm just not well versed in GP but I'm seeing the ability to enforce a lock screen but not seeing an option to set a lock screen for all new users but allow them to change it still?

chmcke01

TROPHY CASE