Entry 102:July 27, 1998 my only child was paralyzed while playing Lacrosse in a Men's league in Delaware, he was 21 and turned 22 in September while in rehabilitation. Needless to say this catastrophic accident has changed our lives. Eric is a c-5/6 quad and will only have the use of his wrists and will be in a wheelchair. At the present time he does not have use of his hands or fingers and is concerned on how he will manage in our home with the different appliances. After being hospitalized and in rehab since July 27 he is scheduled to be discharged about one week before Christmas. Thanks to "ActiveHome" and X10 we will have installed appliances, TV, VCR, stero (which he can't live with out. Our Christmas tree which is usually set up in our living room will be in his room and when he enters his new handicap accessable room for the first time, the tree will light, his stero which will be playing Christmas music will turn on, and later the TV and lights will turn on all without his intervention. Then we will show him how it all works without him have the use of his hands.  Having the "ActiveHome" technology from X10 will make his holidays brighter, because this product will allow my son to be more independent. All of our Christmas have been joyous but this Christmas just for him to be able to be independent in our home is the best Christmas present I can ever receive and it is because of the "ActiveHome" product.--Marie Potts

Entry 90:Using ActiveHome controllers and modules make saves time during the busy holiday season. Imagine having to manually plug in candles in 18 windows. Plugging in the christmas tree, dickens village, outside lights, and other christmas decorations as well as later unplugging them, let alone remember to unplug them all. Manual stand alone timers could be used but are not very flexible and have fixed on/off times. With ActiveHome products, You can have groups of candles turn on or off with one press of a button. The downstairs candles can be controlled as one group, most of the upstairs can be controlled by  another group, each of the childrens rooms can be controlled independently so that thier candles can be turned off if they have trouble getting  to sleep. The Christmas tree, Dickens village and other inside decorations can be treated as another group. All outside lights can be treated as a group of its own. You can thus control each group by an independent button or, by using the macro feature turn all groups off or on by the press of one button. You also have the option of turning the lights on or off at time automatically by using the X10 timer feature which allows you to set different times for every day of the week. The timer feature is very handy to ensure that all lights are turned off by a certain time of night so that you never have to worry about forgetting to turn off the lights! The X10 system also promotes security during the busy Holiday season by Turning   on your holiday lights while you are shopping or visiting as well as controlling non holiday flood lights and inside lights to give your house a lived in look  while you are not home.--Andre Charpentier

Entry 66:I wake up on Christmas morning. Active Home technology has already turned on the coffee so their is a hot cup of joe waiting for me.The Christmas tree lights up because an Active home module has been programmed to turn them on just as I sit down in the living roomThe living room lights come at low creating a cozy early morning atmosphere. Later when the kids wake up, Active Home turns them on at full brightness.When guests arrive later, Active Home turns on the microwave to re-heat the gravy for the turkey, and lights the dining room lights at medium to show off the candles on the table.

At dusk, Active Home turns on the outside decorations and we all sit down to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" on the DVD just as Active Home strts it. Later when all the guests leave, Active Home shuts the house lights down as my wife and I sit down for a nightcap and watch the blinking tree. As we head for bed, Active Home shuts out the house lights, turns on the the outside security lights, sets the burglar alarm, turns on the bedroom lights at low and starts the CD with our favorite song as we settle down and enjoy the glow of a wonderful day.--Thomas  Sobieski

Entry 59:We live next door to a church, so the ActiveHome system can be put to especially good use during the Christmas Season. Dusk-activated photocell sensors would power and light up the life-size Manger Scene figures in a progressive manner. The Three Kings and their camels would be bordering the driveway nearest the road, following the shepherds making their way to Bethlehem. Next would come lighted angel figures suspended from tree branches, heralding the birth of the Christ child. All these life-size figures would illuminate from within when activated by 10X motion sensors as the cars slowly come up the driveway, so that they would seem to lead the cars and light the way up the drive. At the end of the driveway, leading up to the side of the church, would be the motion detector-activated Manger Scene, with cows & sheep moving their heads and softly welcoming the guests driving into the parking area with "ba-a-a's" and low "moo-o-o's." As a car enters the driveway!

, the same ActiveHome sensors that progressively illuminate each life-size figure would also start a sound track recording appropriate for each figure. For example, when approaching the Three Kings, the sounds of the camels' walking will be heard, along with the jingle of harness bells and ornaments. A speaker will play the song, "we Three Kings," and the Kings will be heard singing their way to see the Baby King. As the Three Kings are passed, ActiveHome motion sensors would start the sound track of the shepherds making their way to see the babe the angels told them about. The angels would next be lighted up, singing praises to God and pointing the way to the Manger Scene. As people drive away from the parking lot, their paths would be similarly illuminated by Frosty the Snowman, St. Nick, and other Christmas Season figures, progressively leading the people with light and song out the other end of the semi-circular drive, back to the road, with the last figures being a group !of Christmas Carollers singing, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." --Paul Steinke

Entry 49:I am a Sabath observant Jew. As part of my religion I am prohibited from turning on and off electricity on the sabath or holidays. I have hooked up my bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room and even bathroom lights to the Active Home system. Lights are programmed to go on and off as I plan on needing them. As the time of year changes and needs in certain rooms varies, changing the program from the pc is simple.--Arnold Spier

Entry 52:I'm trying to save Santa Claus. I hope by writing this that the word will get to him in time to save him and all the Christmas presents for the good little boys and girls of the world. Let me start at the beginning:

One night last year my next door neighbor, S. Crew Ooge, saw my ActiveHome in its full glory when he came over to try to collect some money from me for the apples that fell off of his apple tree into my yard. He's currently suing me for stealing fertilizer from him. (His dog had dropped its "do-do" on my lawn and my grass was greenest at these spots, so obviously to him it was used as fertilizer.) When we didn't answer the door (since we had Active Home, he thought we were home because the lights in certain rooms would go on and off as if we were home and moving about the house), he sneaked around to the back of our house. He was going to knock on the window and yell, "Aha!! I caught ya' hiding from me!" and then demand his money as soon as he spied one of us. But.... he was the one who got the surprise! As he turned the corner of our house! He got SCARED OUT OF HIS WITS by the monstrously frightening sound of a ferocious dog. He was so frightened that he got his chubby butt !

out of there as fast as his stubby little legs could carry him.

This really infuriated him, as he thought he knew everything and yet, had never seen a dog at our place. He demanded the answer from me the next time he saw me. Finally I gave in and told him how I had motion detectors hooked up to my ActiveHome system which was also attached to the ReX10 Barking Dog Alarm. That was the dog that he heard when he triggered the motion detector by going back there. That was what petrified him.

I wish this story had a happy ending, but alas it doesn't. S. Crew Ooge bought himself an ActiveHome system, ReX10 Barking Dog Alarm and all the trimmings. He plans to use it to kidnap Santa Claus next Christmas Eve. I'll tell you how.

He is going to put a Motion Detector on his roof by the Chimney along with the ReX10 Barking Dog Alarm. That way he will detect when Santa and the sleigh arrive.

He will also put a Motion Detector right by his fireplace so he'll know when Santa has come down the chimney and is in his living room. He has programmed the ActiveHome to drop a net on Santa (to capture him) and then make the ReX10 Barking Dog alarm bark at the reindeer who will be terrified by the dog and then zoom away (back home to the North Pole).

Then S. Crew Ooge will have Santa and all of his toys. He plans to sell the toys after Christmas to the disappointed parents of all the little boys and girls who Santa didn't visit and make tons of money. This is so sad! The police won't believe me. The FBI won't believe me! The CIA won't believe me! I don't know what else to do. I really do hope that by telling this story that the word will get out in time to Santa or Mrs. Claus and Santa will be saved.--Alex Vance

Entry 53:The night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for myself setting up various ActiveHome modules for very early rising children.

Children are allways very early risers in my house on Christmas day (4-5 a.m.) So to give them a feeling that santa has been there, I would do the following.

First I would set up a motion detector in the door of the children's bedroom that would activate a tape recorder with sounds of hooves pattering about the roof. This would also turn on the Christmas tree lights in the living room and start the train set that rolls around the tree. This will bring the children running down the stairs to see what the commotion is about. When they get to the doorway of the living room, a motion detector will set off a winch that has been set up on the top of the chimney which will pull up the pair of black boots peeking through the fireplace. A player will also go off that "ho ho ho's" and again sounds of hooves will come from the roof. Meanwhile, the video camera that has been setup to go off a minute after the first motion detector sent it's signal will and all of this will be captured on tape so we can all see the children just missing santa when we get up. --Christopher Racich

Entry 27:ActiveHome technologies bring about marvelous opportunities for the average guy (or gal) to create sophisticated effects of home automation. Take a look at my very "active" home as it is normally and also how it is enhanced during the Christmas season:

The first place I used Activehome modules was in the garage. We have 2 single garage doors, both with older model openers (fixed frequency). We began finding the right side garage door open after coming home from work. The older radio frequency used for the opener were obviously conflicting with nearby transitting devices... not safe!

So I plugged in 2 Universal Modules, pulled the transistors from the openers, and used 2 keychain remotes to control each door. Haven't had a problem since. We feel relieved our home is safer. Also, the second button on the remotes is used to trigger a "coming home" macro: the lights go on in the hallway, stairway, and living room.

The convenience of central control of lights & appliances is amazing:

In our new baby son's room, in the wee hours of the morning, my wife goes to change his diapers. She doesn't have to reach for a light switch - a motion sensor brings up the lights to 28%: preset by us to provide just the right amount of light. The lights go out 6 minutes after she leaves the room.

In ours and our 6yr old son's bathrooms, motion sensors bring up the lights when we enter. If we're going to be a while (shower, etc.), THEN we tap the light switch on. Otherwise, I don't have to worry about my son leaving the lights on (or me for that matter).

In the living room, as a clear reminder of "parent's bedtime", one of the halo lamps turns off at 10:40pm every weeknight... and 20 minutes later the TV and cable box turn off, too. It used to be hard for us to stick to our nightly schedules, but automation has helped greatly with that. (Sometimes we fudge & turn the TV back on, at our discretion, but not often).

Downstairs in the family room, I wanted to have a lamp turn on when I hit the light switch (for the overhead light). Normally I would have had to re-do the electrical wiring - something I'm only a novice at. Instead, I used an ActiveHome Lamp Module and WallSwitch Module to achieve the goal.

The laundry room is also covered by a motion sensor & WallSwitch module. When your hands are full with a basket, it's very nice not to fuss over the lights.

Security-wise, the ActiveHome/X10 system is great. Door and window sensors, inside and outside motion detectors and the macros all combine to create a customized security blanket for my home and property. When I leave for the day & when I lay down to sleep at night, I'm 300% more confident than before ActiveHome/X10. If someone comes a'prowlin', I'll be notified and be prepared early on to deal with it.

The same modules help me be prepared for when our first guests arrive for the Christmas party. From the driveway to the stairs to the deck outside our front door, their movements are heralded by ActiveHome sensors and my macros. At the stairs, their movement causes our 3' Santa to begin his song and motion. If it's evening, the front deck becomes illuminated as they reach the top stair sensor.

Inside, an Appliance Module is signaled by their arrival on the deck and provides power to a tape deck stored from view in the living room: 'Play' is always depressed so it plays my customized "digital doorbell" sound on a 5 minute endless loop tape... until I press the ActiveHome wall button near the door that silences it. Oh, the on/off control of the variety of christmas lights and lighted figurines is a snap with ActiveHome. I used to bend, crawl and twist to turn them all off at night... now it's done from my Ultimate remote. Most excellent.

Our guests have been amazed at the way the bathrooms and hallways seem "smart": turning on when they enter, or as they approach for the hallways. They express wonder at the control available at touch of a button... and at the "advanced" and "high tech" security system in place. Sometimes I tell them how easy it was for me to put it together, other times I leave them to imagine.

ActiveHome enhances my guests' holiday experience by the sheer inventiveness it allows me to express! I consider my now "active" home one of my best investments!--Michael Parks

Entry 13:I use ActiveHome and X10 modules to turn my Christmas tree lights, decorative lights, porch lights and other lights around the house with just one single click on my X10 remote control. The added functionality of the X10 also allowed me to dim these lights which I was not able to do before. I also programmed all lights to turn on at a preset time just before dusk when I am away from home during the holidays for security reasons. I never have to get up to turn off my bedroom lights any more! As a nightly routine, I can now stay in my warm bed after reading my bible -- I simply reach for my X10 remote control to turn off all lights in my house just before dozing off. I can now save more electricity with X10 got rid of all the night lights in my house. When I need to get up in the middle of the night to visit the "john", I simply reach for my X10 remote again. I love my ActiveHome! Don't Stay Home or Leave Home without it!--Don Lee

Entry 6: Its great that X10 agrees the holiday season has begun. Especially if you use X10 and ActiveHome For the holidays like we do. Lets start as you approach our home as a holiday guest. The outdoor displays have been turned on for you by ActiveHome and the dusk settings on the outdoor motion sensors. The X10 floodlights have come on at your presence, lighting your way and helping you avoid the extension cords which crisscross the yard to the decorations. They have also set off the indoor chime telling us we have guests. We then prepare for you by using the X10 universal remote to set holiday music and videos to play in various rooms. We decorate very very extensively indoors and on the patio, much more than what you've seen out front. Every room has a six foot tree and has been redone in Christmas decorations from floor to ceiling. Thousands of lights, light-up houses etc. There is not an inch that has not been decked out hardly. The Christmas lights come on at a touch of an X10 controller (there are so many, you can only turn them on when you are there to enjoy them - too much heat!). The regular house lights were turned on and dimmed to 25% by ActiveHome to illuminate but not overpower the Xmas lights. A winter/Xmas scene schedules this for every evening during November and December. When you enter, a motion sensor starts a macro that turns on the appliance modules for the family room. These power the animated figures. As you approach a tree, I'll use the X10 palm pad to turn on other appliance modules that power motion ornaments. When you move on, I'll turn them off to save power, prolong their life and cut down on the motor noise that these generate. My wife may lead you throughout the house where her remote control and motion sensors will repeat the sequence. It takes dozens of light and appliance units, since each animated item comes on by itself for your enjoyment and then off to let you enjoy the next without distraction. As the evening progresses, random macros run to mystify the kids at the magic of Christmas. Not to mention on Christmas eve, when strategically placed recorders and X10 modules can convince even the most jaded child that Santa and the sleigh are up on the roof while all the parents are in plain sight. The holidays were the reason I started with X10. Using it for the rest of the year came later. The remote controls and motion sensors and macros create some holiday magic, desperately needed during Xmas in Florida! The one button on and off saves having to run around and climb under tables turning on countless decorations. Its a life saver and a decoration unto itself. We wouldn't and couldn't do the display we do without X10 and ActiveHome! Thanks and Happy Holidays! - Harry Wilson

Entry 9: For all out Holiday fun and security too, ActiveHome™ Kit (CK11A) means fun for you! I start with my normal outdoor lighted figures, but add a dynamic twist. Since our house is down a lane, I position an Outdoor Motion Detector - (DM10A) unit every 30 feet or so. Each is coded to a different lamp or appliance module which is in-turn connected to one or more of the lighted figures placed in the woods along  side the lane. Smart RF Repeaters - (SR731) insure that the signals all reach the Wireless Remote Control System - (RC5000) installed in our garage at the end of the lane. As guests arrive and drive down the lane,  they are treated to a moving light show as each scene lights in sequence timed to their travel. As they round the drive, another detector triggers a short endless-loop tape which launches a trumpet fanfare followed by seasonal music and a jolly ol' welcome message inviting them in to enjoy the fun! Background to this active scene are the many electric candles set in windows throughout the front of the house. Each room's candles are connected to a Wall Receptacle Module - (SR227). These,  along with modules connected to spotlights trained on my poinsettias growing in the front planting area are triggered to light at dusk after the ActiveHome™ control module receives a signal from an Outdoor Motion Monitor (PR511). The PR511 also lights the parking area "on command" as our guests arrive! The candles and floods lights are extinguished at midnight via a pre-programmed signal from the ActiveHome controller which also moves into the "security mode". Now if movements in the lane trigger the light show, they are also treated to a "word" from my ReX10™ Barking Dog Alarm - (PK9). This "late-nite greeter" is  on unblinking duty until dawn.  Throughout the house, there are various mechanical displays, Toyland, model trains and other animated objects connected to appliance modules which when triggered by a command from the indoor version Motion Sensor (MS12A), provide my guests with a brief "show". Our home is truly an ActiveHome™!!!!! -- Keith Cheshire