Navigating senior years.

customboss · October 14

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Laying on a bit thick, aren't you?

For those that don't know us.....In a room of 'average' people I can see over the heads of most or used to. (age shrinks ya, darn gravity) and yea, I tip over 210 lbs. But standing next to the Boss, I'm kind'a small. Pretty sure he sees the top of my shinny head and casts a shadow over me. Tough? To look at maybe. To be around? Maybe. Mentally tough? Perhaps. Physically? Not in decades. I'm in no hurry to get hit by those bearpaws of his.

Not even sure I can out crawl him.

As far as smart. There is a line in Jack Reacher about training making a guy look smarter that he is. Tactical awareness I think he calls it. I have a few topics I study the daylights out of, and I enjoy writing and reading about them. On those topics and to those who don't, maybe to them, I seem smart. To an Inuit Indian, I'm an idiot that wouldn't last an hour on their turf. It's all relative, right?

Don't kick my cane you snake.......LOL

Grumpy Bear · October 15

5 hours ago, customboss said:

Don't kick my cane you snake.......LOL

As long as you don't throw a stick into the wheels of my chair. :crackup:

Donstar · October 15

When I started renovating my bathroom, I went a couple of days without shaving. I decided to extend this hiatus and see what happens. My beard is coming in white and my neighbour has already recommended I serve as a Santa this Christmas! I am noticing how common it is for senior males to be sporting facial hair. They can't all be renovating bathrooms! One of the characteristics of senior living is we are of equal rank and we usually wear the same uniform. When my wife and I go shopping in places like Costco we typically split up when we enter. I usually spend five minutes looking at the stuff I want to see and the next 45 minutes looking her! It always amazes me how many senior women with grey shoulder length hair, wearing glasses and a light blue jacket, there are in Costco at any given time!

KARNUT · October 15

My daughter a few years ago got a barber license. She has a beautician licenses and always worked in a barber shop. She now can shave and use a razor. When she went for a test I was the victim. To make things easier a mustache and the chin got hairy. Kinda like a goatee but close cut. All the attending victims had the same. The unanimous vote going forward was to keep it. It does make shaving faster.

Donstar · October 16

A cortisone shot in my left knee gave me about three weeks of reprieve from pain when standing, using stairs and walking. I am now back to hurting with every step. Yesterday my Dr. said I can't get another shot for two more months and the waitlist for surgery is about a year. In the meantime, I'm anticipating to be called in for shoulder replacement by Christmas! My surgeon believes my shoulder to be a higher priority than my knee. Nonetheless, this morning, I was excited to get my day started. These current challenges are nothing in comparison to what others face. I know that these joint replacements will soon be a memory and I'll be wrestling with physical issues that preceded these surgeries and those yet to come. Roosevelt said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are". It can be frustrating maintaining this vessel carrying my brain around but I find things to do within its limitations!

Donstar · October 17

I had a flu and a covid shot yesterday and this morning my body is reacting in an unhospitable manner! Nothing outrageous but I'm sure glad we're prepared for days when we need to rest. The meme on the joke thread about retirement planning allowing for 11 minutes at the age of 97 is funny because it hits home to many. Planning for retirement is more than saving money so that you can travel and pursue hobbies. Retirement typically comes at a time when our bodies have reached their best before date and muscling through a workday when you're not feeling well becomes impossible. If you choose, or need to, you can work in your retirement years but make it so your work is helpful but doesn't leave you feeling indispensable. Years ago my father passed on his business that he started and ran for decades. He loved the work and had several people supporting their families relying on him. He didn't need the income and wasn't dependent on the equity in his business. He simply loved his job. The day he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he gave ownership of the company to my brother, but continued showing up for work when he could to help where needed. His services were volunteer and had 13 years of picking and choosing the tasks he wanted to do, or not!

KARNUT · October 17

38 minutes ago, Donstar said:

I had a flu and a covid shot yesterday and this morning my body is reacting in an unhospitable manner! Nothing outrageous but I'm sure glad we're prepared for days when we need to rest. The meme on the joke thread about retirement planning allowing for 11 minutes at the age of 97 is funny because it hits home to many. Planning for retirement is more than saving money so that you can travel and pursue hobbies. Retirement typically comes at a time when our bodies have reached their best before date and muscling through a workday when you're not feeling well becomes impossible. If you choose, or need to, you can work in your retirement years but make it so your work is helpful but doesn't leave you feeling indispensable. Years ago my father passed on his business that he started and ran for decades. He loved the work and had several people supporting their families relying on him. He didn't need the income and wasn't dependent on the equity in his business. He simply loved his job. The day he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he gave ownership of the company to my brother, but continued showing up for work when he could to help where needed. His services were volunteer and had 13 years of picking and choosing the tasks he wanted to do, or not!

My two brothers and ex partners decided to work probably until they die. Both have sons that are easing into to the leadership roles. They are moving more into the consulting position. My son took a different path. So I left the business at 58. I don’t care how well things are going there’s stress. So I had enough of that part of the business life. I had enough to live the way I wanted to. Far better than we ever dreamed. My brother may drive a Super Snake P/U. I wouldn’t trade for that or his paycheck.

KARNUT · October 18

On 10/10/2024 at 9:46 AM, KARNUT said:

The drive home was a blast even driving an odyssey. Never thought I would say that. Amazing vehicle. I get surprised every time I drive it. The eyes can’t believe what I’m experiencing. A minivan! Good Grief. Probably why it’s hard to find a used one. My sister in law had her shoulder repaired and can drive to their new home next week. We will meet them there for the first time. I probably know more about their house than they do. He’s driving a u-haul we’ll have some unloading to do. His engineering skills are very apparent with this move. All heavy stuff is on wheels and of course dolly’s. There’s youngsters available for the required lifting. Watching him in action is a marvel. I can see why he excelled in his working life. He just a little younger than me. The genes in his family are amazing as I witnessed with his dad. I told him I can’t wait until the Firebird restoration begins. The shop will have AC, a big screen and a nice chair for me. The way my back is when it gives me a warning in most cases I just change what I’m doing and it’s fine. Even just changing a chair, or sit down. There’s not a set thing. I can function normally if I heed the warnings. I love the drive there. I work all along the area on pipelines for years. Between loving the drive and my OCD of wanting to get there, sometimes I laugh at myself. My wife who has to ride in the back on a mattress so she can move around. Botched surgery, long story. Ask me what’s so funny. I’m laughing at myself. I understand is her answer. That’s what 50 plus years gets you. We both have the older age issues. We navigate them, heed the warnings and live a normal life.

We’ve been going to Oklahoma every two weeks. I mentioned somewhere about our battle with the pool here. After the walk through and signing the seller quit maintaining the pool. Naturally when my brother in law making his first trip back discovered a green pool. He still has a couple of months until retirement so he asked if I’d mind helping by making trips to his new house. In the meantime the new hot water heater failed flooding a downstairs room. Luckily his wife has family locally that checks on the house. Then the wife injures her shoulder requiring surgery. My brother in law a perfectionist is basically remodeling the house he’s selling. So he thinks he gets a pool guy to get the pool back in shape. Several months go by and the pool gets almost back in shape the ball gets dropped. After several almost there and so called miss communication. I mean how can you not understand we want every week service? Two weeks ago the pool was perfect. This week no chlorine and algae at the bottom of the pool. My brother in law will be here today. The first time we’ll be here together. I don’t want to go to jail so he can deal with the pool people. Not to mention I’m older and could get my butt kicked. I don’t want to ruin my perfect record or reputation.

Donstar · October 18

I try to understand why people keep working into their senior years unless they need the money. I hear the love of their jobs and sense of purpose and social arguments but being retired can fulfill these desires and so much more. However, I respect their chosen paths and know they wouldn't want to trade with me! I've enjoyed 14 years of being in charge of my entire day and continue to be excited to get each day started! Yesterday my wife and I were both suffering from side affects of our influenza vaccines of the previous day. We both gave ourselves a day off and spent the day convalescing together. The last thing we said to each other last night was something like, "That was a great day" and we both meant it. We focused on caring for each other with no worries about what we missed at work or finding ways to make up for a lost day!

KARNUT · October 18

1 minute ago, Donstar said:

I try to understand why people keep working into their senior years unless they need the money. I hear the love of their jobs and sense of purpose and social arguments but being retired can fulfill these desires and so much more. However, I respect their chosen paths and know they wouldn't want to trade with me! I've enjoyed 14 years of being in charge of my entire day and continue to be excited to get each day started! Yesterday my wife and I were both suffering from side affects of our influenza vaccines of the previous day. We both gave ourselves a day off and spent the day convalescing together. The last thing we said to each other last night was something like, "That was a great day" and we both meant it. We focused on caring for each other with no worries about what we missed at work or finding ways to make up for a lost day!

I’m going on 11 years retirement. My working years were extremely busy and sometimes stressful. Our travel, yard work are about all I want to do. I’ve been the busiest making my yard easier for my advancing years. I move off the couch hourly to walk around because the experts say you should do that. I just pause the tv. My wife is more active. She visits her mom and is the church secretary. It works good though she doesn’t like my TV preferences. I go to bed fairly early. She goes back downstairs and watches her ridiculous programs. She’s a night owl. My biggest fear is I become non mobile. And she plants me in front of the TV and forces me to watch 90 day fiancé. I tease her about that show. She brings up Vice Grip Garage. I used to do that myself, not as extreme. I asked would you like me to start dragging stuff home again or watch on TV? That usually gets her to understand. Ok, where’s the next Jack Ryan movie?

Donstar · October 19

Last night a coffee table we ordered from amazon arrived. It is one with an expandible lift up top with a shelf and two drawers underneath. Of course, the size of the box it arrived in tells me my day is planned! We have purchased furniture from this manufacturer before and the assembled products are solid. Following assembly directions, in order, is the most expedient way to assemble such items. Ignoring a step or doing it your own way inevitably leads to regrets. I will not need any of the knowledge retained from my three years of high school woodwork classes. Any praise I receive for completing this task successfully will simply be in recognition of my ability to read and follow directions in the order they appear. I won't even need to use any tools from my cherished collection as disposable tools are included in the package! However, I love a challenge and this project is going to deliver! It will require physical agility that my body is currently being very stingy in providing. This became abundantly clear when my wife and I had to move this huge, heavy "brick" from our front porch to just inside the door.... On second thought... I think my "brain over brawn" mantra may have to go to the next level and use my brain to find some one else's brawn!

diyer2 · October 19

This is called RTA furniture, Ready To Assemble. I always use Gorilla wood glue when assembling, any wood glue works and it will be more solid. Put glue on all edges before assembly. Wipe glue that squeezes out with a damp sponge or rag.

Donstar · October 20

"RTA" furniture has improved over the years. This particular item is solid when assembled and I didn't need glue. I do like using glue with my woodworking projects but believed it would be unnecessary and add timing pressure to the assembly of this particular project. One reviewer of this table said it took him 45 min to assemble. I was at the 45 min mark after unpacking the box and on Step 1 of a 32 step instruction book! The finished product looks like a decent piece of furniture. However, Mr. Woodend, my high school woodwork teacher, would be rolling over in his grave at how the joints are made!

diyer2 · October 20

I will always use glue.

KARNUT · October 20

On 10/18/2024 at 7:31 AM, KARNUT said:

We’ve been going to Oklahoma every two weeks. I mentioned somewhere about our battle with the pool here. After the walk through and signing the seller quit maintaining the pool. Naturally when my brother in law making his first trip back discovered a green pool. He still has a couple of months until retirement so he asked if I’d mind helping by making trips to his new house. In the meantime the new hot water heater failed flooding a downstairs room. Luckily his wife has family locally that checks on the house. Then the wife injures her shoulder requiring surgery. My brother in law a perfectionist is basically remodeling the house he’s selling. So he thinks he gets a pool guy to get the pool back in shape. Several months go by and the pool gets almost back in shape the ball gets dropped. After several almost there and so called miss communication. I mean how can you not understand we want every week service? Two weeks ago the pool was perfect. This week no chlorine and algae at the bottom of the pool. My brother in law will be here today. The first time we’ll be here together. I don’t want to go to jail so he can deal with the pool people. Not to mention I’m older and could get my butt kicked. I don’t want to ruin my perfect record or reputation.

My brother in law must have mentioned to his local in-laws that I was going to be here this weekend. It was just him and myself unloading the 20 ft u-haul. Keep in mind I always absolutely refuse when asked to help move, anyone. I had movers last time I moved. There wasn’t just the usual moving stuff. He had lumber. They decided that they were going to redo the floors down stairs so anything that was already there was moved to the master bedroom and the two and half car garage. And the detached garage where his firebird is. 6 hours Friday, 12 hours Saturday. 12000 steps Friday 20000 steps Saturday. I insisted on being the stagers to eliminate redundancy. This was his third load and has one more once his other house is sold. And the pool they decided to drain it and start again this spring. I told them to do that originally. Thousands would have been saved. I told him make sure you have more help next time.