Covid19 Spare time

Donstar · January 8, 2022

Part of my emergency preparedness plan is to make sure I have an easily accessible fully fueled vehicle. My time is never so rushed that I arrive home with low fuel. I think having the ability to charge my vehicle at home will help guarantee a fully "fueled" vehicle in case of emergency. Also, both the Silverado and F150's EV's boast the ability to give back power to your home or another vehicle if needed. Right now I keep a full gas can in my garage for my small engines but would also serve my vehicles in case of emergency. I believe the electric alternative to gasoline storage will soon become a reasonably priced option.

KARNUT · January 8, 2022

5 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Part of my emergency preparedness plan is to make sure I have an easily accessible fully fueled vehicle. My time is never so rushed that I arrive home with low fuel. I think having the ability to charge my vehicle at home will help guarantee a fully "fueled" vehicle in case of emergency. Also, both the Silverado and F150's EV's boast the ability to give back power to your home or another vehicle if needed. Right now I keep a full gas can in my garage for my small engines but would also serve my vehicles in case of emergency. I believe the electric alternative to gasoline storage will soon become a reasonably priced option.

I’m probably going to age out of the possibility of a full electric vehicle. In ten years I’ll be 76. I’ll probably be living in my little house I built on the back of my property, now a rental. Probably only one vehicle. I now have four. Unless I can still easily climb stairs, master is up. The back house it is. I imagine electric vehicles will be more cost effective in ten years and have better range. I’ll probably have a generator in the back house to keep my medical devices working in case of a black out. If nothing else old people need to stay comfortable. It gets hot here. So I guess it’s a possibility, anything is. The future is going to be interesting for sure.

Donstar · January 9, 2022

20 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I’m probably going to age out of the possibility of a full electric vehicle. In ten years I’ll be 76. I’ll probably be living in my little house I built on the back of my property, now a rental. Probably only one vehicle. I now have four. Unless I can still easily climb stairs, master is up. The back house it is. I imagine electric vehicles will be more cost effective in ten years and have better range. I’ll probably have a generator in the back house to keep my medical devices working in case of a black out. If nothing else old people need to stay comfortable. It gets hot here. So I guess it’s a possibility, anything is. The future is going to be interesting for sure.

Covid shook up a lot our routines and plans. You have spent considerable time planning for your future and I know your future plans, like mine, matured long before the pandemic. However, the extra time has allowed us to map out plans A,B & C and fill in the blanks. As an example, my workshop has been refined often but is getting very little use. I thought I'd like to spend my senior years getting my hands dirty. The reality is that If something needs repair, we hire a professional or buy new! I now plan to downsize to basic hand tools. I'm about the same age as you and also think of what I'll be doing in 10 years. The annoying part of this is at 76 I will have outlived my father, sister and a brother. I don't plan to join them at such a young age but I'm less inclined to delay getting or doing something I want!

KARNUT · January 9, 2022

4 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Covid shook up a lot our routines and plans. You have spent considerable time planning for your future and I know your future plans, like mine, matured long before the pandemic. However, the extra time has allowed us to map out plans A,B & C and fill in the blanks. As an example, my workshop has been refined often but is getting very little use. I thought I'd like to spend my senior years getting my hands dirty. The reality is that If something needs repair, we hire a professional or buy new! I now plan to downsize to basic hand tools. I'm about the same age as you and also think of what I'll be doing in 10 years. The annoying part of this is at 76 I will have outlived my father, sister and a brother. I don't plan to join them at such a young age but I'm less inclined to delay getting or doing something I want!

I thought I’d be tooling away in the garage on classic cars. I had them all my life. My wife still has hers. I still appreciate them, but have no interest anymore. Road trips are my preference. It’s funny all I did was travel for my business. Working on cars, no thanks.

diyer2 · January 9, 2022

I'm not looking forward to the day I can no longer repair or maintain our stuff. Having to pay for something I used to do and than the trust, quality of work factor doesn't set well with me. A friend and his wife just moved into an apartment/retirement facility with prepared meals and cleaning because of aging problems. He lived in the mountains by us and couldn't keep up their home anymore. The wife was tired of cooking and cleaning. They are in their 80's.

KARNUT · January 9, 2022

5 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

I'm not looking forward to the day I can no longer repair or maintain our stuff. Having to pay for something I used to do and than the trust, quality of work factor doesn't set well with me. A friend and his wife just moved into an apartment/retirement facility with prepared meals and cleaning because of aging problems. He lived in the mountains by us and couldn't keep up their home anymore. The wife was tired of cooking and cleaning. They are in their 80's.

My wife and I did some checking on those retirement communities. My property takes a little work to maintain. Our house is a little large for two. The fees to live in those communities are far more than a cleaning service or lawn care service would cost. You can even get an elevator if climbing stairs is a problem. Food delivery, car services are cheaper overall than those communities. I may rethink at 80.

diyer2 · January 9, 2022

I think they are paying $5k a month, no contract. I agree with you Karnut.

garagerog · January 9, 2022

2 hours ago, diyer2 said:

I'm not looking forward to the day I can no longer repair or maintain our stuff. Having to pay for something I used to do and than the trust, quality of work factor doesn't set well with me. A friend and his wife just moved into an apartment/retirement facility with prepared meals and cleaning because of aging problems. He lived in the mountains by us and couldn't keep up their home anymore. The wife was tired of cooking and cleaning. They are in their 80's.

Diyer, I'm there now and I wish I had better news for you, but after a lifetime of being a DIYer, it is hard on the psyche to lose that ability due to the aging process. Even a simple under the sink plumbing repair that leaves your knees barking at you for days will have you calling a plumber next time. Last November I performed probably the last oil change I will ever personally do on my wife's Equinox, it took my old bones 2 days to recover from crawling beneath the car. And yes trusting the lube jockey at the dealer to get it done right will probably be an ongoing issue with me. If you have the where with all to afford a shop and install a lift, you can probably postpone the inevitable for awhile and continue with basic maintenance and less physically challenging repairs.

Grumpy Bear · January 10, 2022

7 hours ago, garagerog said:

Diyer, I'm there now and I wish I had better news for you, but after a lifetime of being a DIYer, it is hard on the psyche to lose that ability due to the aging process. Even a simple under the sink plumbing repair that leaves your knees barking at you for days will have you calling a plumber next time. Last November I performed probably the last oil change I will ever personally do on my wife's Equinox, it took my old bones 2 days to recover from crawling beneath the car. And yes trusting the lube jockey at the dealer to get it done right will probably be an ongoing issue with me. If you have the where with all to afford a shop and install a lift, you can probably postpone the inevitable for awhile and continue with basic maintenance and less physically challenging repairs.

Last two winters by mid December I was crawling on hands and knees for that 3 AM bathroom call spending hours each morning loosening up. Summer was better but not by much. Then in March 2021 wife said we are going on a diet. Yea....not a diet guy, but...she knows how I like stats so she puts an app on my phone and we dive in. I can measure nearly everything and track and graph.... There was allot to learn. I had no idea how poorly I ate thinking I was actually doing bettr than most. Humbling experience.

So along with loosing about 25 pounds in forty some weeks my back no longer is an issue and a crazy amount of strength has returned. Range of motion has improved allot. I'd list all the physical pluses I've experienced but......... Public board and all.

Bottom line. Diet made a huge difference in my comfort level, my general health and physical ability. Yes I eat less but more importantly I eat more balanced. I think that made the biggest difference. I had no idea how much saturated fat I ate being already 'careful' about fat intake. I eat as much fat as ever but the types have changed allot. My fiber intake was silly low that than makes a huge difference. I also thought I was getting more than enough. Tracking it and measuring it I found out how wrong I was.

Oddly enough. I'm enjoying eating more than I ever have. I've done more work on my machines in the last six months than the last twenty years and I'm having fun.

customboss · January 10, 2022

23 hours ago, diyer2 said:

I'm not looking forward to the day I can no longer repair or maintain our stuff. Having to pay for something I used to do and than the trust, quality of work factor doesn't set well with me. A friend and his wife just moved into an apartment/retirement facility with prepared meals and cleaning because of aging problems. He lived in the mountains by us and couldn't keep up their home anymore. The wife was tired of cooking and cleaning. They are in their 80's.

Page 1 : I hear you all.. I was living in a RV in Ignacio after being forced into retirement from a real career AT AGE 54!!! I went from a good paycheck to 60% VA disability. Combat years ago caught up to me. Only people who would hire me were drug cartels because I can do chemistry and fly ( anything ), provide some of my own security too. Problem was my body said screw you Bro. My PTSd got worse and I learned that drinking for pain relief was not good so a local Sheriff said leave after a few casualties in a nearby bar. I wasn't harmed but did lose a good set of glasses informing mean people that old trained people can still minimize their cruelty.......wink wink.

Page 2 : VA has helped some as long as I engage them. My medical insurance from a previous employer was worthless so I am dependent on VA. I am now 90% disabled but in reality 100%+ ( remember VA wants us to die). VA and USAA helped me get this house in mountains of CO ( no $ down) about a year and half ago and its remote but great neighbors and some road care. So I can relate to DIYER2. I know of one guy who passed and his wife just buried him in a ditch on their property here. LOL I am planning on one of my hop along gimp snow/cold hikes to meet a bear or mountain lion to come to my end and would actually welcome it. I do NOT take strong pain meds, just periodic nerve ablations and blocks and meloxicam like candy.

I am still trying to find one or two who can help me fix things where my body won't go. Out here they are usually ex cons and frauds but I found a retired sheriff and a native american ex con who have helped and charge an honest price. They both don't like coming up in here 100MPH winds or snow...go figure.

I can't walk right, I feel ya Grumpy crawling because of being stiff and locked. I can't sit, I can't stand, or drive very long without urinating in places I will get arrested . I stopped drinking mostly, even for pain relief. I eat as well as I can focusing on vegetables. I try to help other veterans to take my mind off my issues.

The selfish bully politics of being mean to anyone we disagree with makes me really angry inside because of the sacrifices my comrades and friends made for THE US CONSTITUTION. I am one of two left from my USN unit so the grim reaper is still there like I knew he was from my intro to death at age 19. I also flew for Army helo units that went after the drug dudes in mid 80's. What a twist life gives us.

I stretch, roll, flex, and try to move and being a former USN swimmer I will to the day I croak.

The 2022 LTD Trail Boss Custom is comfortable, simple, and big enough my body can relax in it to a degree so theres that.

The younger folks here must love reading this thread! LOL OK BOOMER!!! LOL

Edited January 10, 2022 by customboss

KARNUT · January 10, 2022

29 minutes ago, customboss said:

Page 1 : I hear you all.. I was living in a RV in Ignacio after being forced into retirement from a real career AT AGE 54!!! I went from a good paycheck to 60% VA disability. Combat years ago caught up to me. Only people who would hire me were drug cartels because I can do chemistry and fly ( anything ), provide some of my own security too. Problem was my body said screw you Bro. My PTSd got worse and I learned that drinking for pain relief was not good so a local Sheriff said leave after a few casualties in a nearby bar. I wasn't harmed but did lose a good set of glasses informing mean people that old trained people can still minimize their cruelty.......wink wink.

Page 2 : VA has helped some as long as I engage them. My medical insurance from a previous employer was worthless so I am dependent on VA. I am now 90% disabled but in reality 100%+ ( remember VA wants us to die). VA and USAA helped me get this house in mountains of CO ( no $ down) about a year and half ago and its remote but great neighbors and some road care. So I can relate to DIYER2. I know of one guy who passed and his wife just buried him in a ditch on their property here. LOL I am planning on one of my hop along gimp snow/cold hikes to meet a bear or mountain lion to come to my end and would actually welcome it. I do NOT take strong pain meds, just periodic nerve ablations and blocks and meloxicam like candy.

I am still trying to find one or two who can help me fix things where my body won't go. Out here they are usually ex cons and frauds but I found a retired sheriff and a native american ex con who have helped and charge an honest price. They both don't like coming up in here 100MPH winds or snow...go figure.

I can't walk right, I feel ya Grumpy crawling because of being stiff and locked. I can't sit, I can't stand, or drive very long without urinating in places I will get arrested . I stopped drinking mostly, even for pain relief. I eat as well as I can focusing on vegetables. I try to help other veterans to take my mind off my issues.

The selfish bully politics of being mean to anyone we disagree with makes me really angry inside because of the sacrifices my comrades and friends made for THE US CONSTITUTION. I am one of two left from my USN unit so the grim reaper is still there like I knew he was from my intro to death at age 19. I also flew for Army helo units that went after the drug dudes in mid 80's. What a twist life gives us.

I stretch, roll, flex, and try to move and being a former USN swimmer I will to the day I croak.

The 2022 LTD Trail Boss Custom is comfortable, simple, and big enough my body can relax in it to a degree so theres that.

The younger folks her must love reading this thread! LOL

Thank you for your service! My abusing my body started at 12-16 driving farm tractors bailing hay in the summer. 17-early 20s on a TS-24 earth mover dark to dark 7 days. Dad’s business in NJ. Migrating to Texas eventually operating self built tree clearing equipment on ROWs, lots and ranches in south Texas. Mid 20s to my 40s weather permitting dark to dark 7 days. Sold the clearing business in 99. Focused on the other equipment sales business sales, demos, shows, training. Back started in my 40s. Knees hips wrist, shoulders, muscles late 50s. Bouncing around running equipment took its toll. Most pipeline jobs bid by the mile. More miles more money as dad would say. The goal always beat yesterday’s mileage. Always a contest between brothers. I can still do most everything, in smaller doses. Back braces and wraps and bio-freeze.

garagerog · January 10, 2022

Thank you for your service customboss!

customboss · January 10, 2022

Thank Judge Todd in Bloomington, Indiana who gave me the option of USMC or USN vs Indiana State Boys school..... after I decked a fat pig of an abusive LEO.... his partner showed me the baton way to the Judge. 17 years old what did I know? Look closely at my member pic. That was a follow up from 1977 since USN was delaying my entry.

Donstar · January 10, 2022

The aging stuff is not always pretty but it's a hell of a lot better than the alternative. Exercise and proper diet will definitely improve your quality of life in an aging body. There are many maladies that are beyond your control and/or a result of what you did in earlier years. Embrace old age and appreciate how lucky you are to achieve seniority! I am anxious everyday to get out of bed and get my day started. This is often wrought with extreme pain or assistance being required but my love of living is worth the effort! Most of us see little change in our minds. Thank you, Customboss, for sharing highlights of your life's story!

customboss · January 10, 2022

43 minutes ago, Donstar said:

The aging stuff is not always pretty but it's a hell of a lot better than the alternative. Exercise and proper diet will definitely improve your quality of life in an aging body. There are many maladies that are beyond your control and/or a result of what you did in earlier years. Embrace old age and appreciate how lucky you are to achieve seniority! I am anxious everyday to get out of bed and get my day started. This is often wrought with extreme pain or assistance being required but my love of living is worth the effort! Most of us see little change in our minds. Thank you, Customboss, for sharing highlights of your life's story!

Donstar absolutely! BTW I served with CANUCK Warriors and your Canadian Diplomats saved many of our hostages in 1980 we tried/failed to rescue. Lost 8 of my friends in April of 1980 but totally screwed up the Iranian navy afterward.

Edited January 10, 2022 by customboss
load a pic of yesteryear