Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
How long has this been going on?
Just one day, apparently.
Thanks for the video. Out to the farm this afternoon to set up winter bedding area for the goats. Much later in the season than usual this year.
The cycle begins again....
Catching up
Out at the lake Wednesday, power had been off according to flashing clocks, but water still running! A different kind of test passed.
Finished painting the porch floor, the brick under the porch, and the 3 doors. Washed the bannisters and put them back. Decided to do all the woodwork in gray to match the brick. Looks much better than white. Paint looks blue in the shade and gray in the sun.
You'd think I'd know how many windows are in the basement by now, but forgot to count one below the porch. There are 12. Did a terrible job re-glazing it, but it's better than it was. That's how bad it was. Those little holes on the edges bother me now after seeing this picture. In fairness the smears on the glass were left by the last guy and won't clean up. It's like cement.
The bottom of the door with bad lower panel, halfway through repair. Decided just to put a cover over it using treated wood slats. Makes a good kick panel.
The doors are on their last legs anyway, another "got nothing to lose" repair job.
Yesterday I didn't do anything productive.
Out at the lake Wednesday, power had been off according to flashing clocks, but water still running! A different kind of test passed.
Finished painting the porch floor, the brick under the porch, and the 3 doors. Washed the bannisters and put them back. Decided to do all the woodwork in gray to match the brick. Looks much better than white. Paint looks blue in the shade and gray in the sun.
You'd think I'd know how many windows are in the basement by now, but forgot to count one below the porch. There are 12.
Did a terrible job re-glazing it, but it's better than it was. That's how bad it was. Those little holes on the edges bother me now after seeing this picture. In fairness the smears on the glass were left by the last guy and won't clean up. It's like cement.
The bottom of the door with bad lower panel, halfway through repair. Decided just to put a cover over it using treated wood slats. Makes a good kick panel.
The doors are on their last legs anyway, another "got nothing to lose" repair job.
Yesterday I didn't do anything productive.
Meanderer, if you want a MUCH sadder story, IMO, read this one. It is fiction, but not that uncommon. Has to do with perfectly healthy goats, and why these last 4 goats are going to die on my property, and why we never bred the females. [Btw, I've been to two goat auctions here in town, just out of curiosity.]
Whatever Happened to Elmer? by Pat Hollister, Dairy Goat Guide, 1979
So far I've mentioned one basement window. That leaves eleven. Here is what 5 of them look like. All the same (standard, 28"x48" ) size.
This should be embarrassing but I have no shame... The worst one. Didn't realize it was that far gone until today. Completely rotten.
This is just a basement. I do not want to spend a lot of money on these windows right now. Don't want wood, don't want vinyl, aluminum windows would be special order and I doubt I would be able to put them in myself anyway.
So here's a plan: Patch them together with glue, duct tape, paint, spit, whatever it takes, enough to put storm windows on top of them on the outside. Leaves me the option of doing something else later. The wood surrounding the windows (jambs and sill?) is in excellent shape.
I'm rather excited about this, plus overloaded with caffeine. Here on break to calm down and come up with a step by step plan, rather than run around like a headless chicken, racing to finish something before dark, which comes an hour earlier now.
I don't have anyone around to bounce ideas off of right now, and sometimes I don't see the forest for the trees when that happens, so I'm putting it out here.
) size.
This should be embarrassing but I have no shame...
The worst one. Didn't realize it was that far gone until today. Completely rotten.
This is just a basement. I do not want to spend a lot of money on these windows right now. Don't want wood, don't want vinyl, aluminum windows would be special order and I doubt I would be able to put them in myself anyway.
So here's a plan: Patch them together with glue, duct tape, paint, spit, whatever it takes, enough to put storm windows on top of them on the outside. Leaves me the option of doing something else later. The wood surrounding the windows (jambs and sill?) is in excellent shape.
I'm rather excited about this, plus overloaded with caffeine. Here on break to calm down and come up with a step by step plan, rather than run around like a headless chicken, racing to finish something before dark, which comes an hour earlier now.
I don't have anyone around to bounce ideas off of right now, and sometimes I don't see the forest for the trees when that happens, so I'm putting it out here.
Meanderer, my philosophy is usually, if something works, and is better than it was, then don't mess with it. If this works, maybe spring, 2020?
The *good* news is that the final 6 windows are already done and almost new.
Lucked out and got a real bargain on these. They are aluminum replacement windows, double-pane with grid-in-glass and tilt-out. Didn't need tilt-out, but that's fine. I think they were only $69 each, a cancelled special order at Home Depot.
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This afternoon...
Got all 5 windows scraped. Need to secure the glass panes, because almost all the glazing is loose. Storm windows may need some "adjusting"
, because it's an old house, but I'm used to that. If I can lift them in place, I think I can do a halfway decent job. It will be a fun challenge. Storm windows are relatively cheap. Not much to lose.I'm too talkative today (or is it type-ative
) Must be the caffeine. 
Like your coffee ring, Meanderer.
A 28" wide storm window at Lowes is really only 27" wide. Next size up is too big. Other places don't carry any that narrow. Looks like storm windows are going out of favor. Will ask about special order next time. There is a Surplus Building Supply place in town. Probably a wild goose chase to look there but worth a try.
I sort of knew this was going to happen. Think I can figure something out, but it will take a lot more work than I wanted, and the results may not look pretty. Need to stop and think about it.
Meanwhile tried oil base putty style glazing compound this time. Much easier to work with and make look neat, but I can't get it to stick to the wood. Apparently a common problem. Will try some tips next time.
Ordered 24 bags of alfalfa pellets. Means I got to take the junk in the back of the truck to the landfill before it comes in. Schedule is tightening up and closing in on me. Ha!
A 28" wide storm window at Lowes is really only 27" wide.
Next size up is too big. Other places don't carry any that narrow. Looks like storm windows are going out of favor. Will ask about special order next time. There is a Surplus Building Supply place in town. Probably a wild goose chase to look there but worth a try.I sort of knew this was going to happen. Think I can figure something out, but it will take a lot more work than I wanted, and the results may not look pretty. Need to stop and think about it.
Meanwhile tried oil base putty style glazing compound this time. Much easier to work with and make look neat, but I can't get it to stick to the wood. Apparently a common problem. Will try some tips next time.
Ordered 24 bags of alfalfa pellets. Means I got to take the junk in the back of the truck to the landfill before it comes in. Schedule is tightening up and closing in on me. Ha!
Meanderer, that is true. And a goal without a plan can be like running around in circles. Caffeine not so good in that case. Old Crow might be better.
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Hey I really go for this time change thing this year! I can get up at my usual sun dial time, and feel almost respectable now. [What? There is no emoticon for proud?layful:] Never cared until I started hanging around with early bird "seniors."
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Hey I really go for this time change thing this year! I can get up at my usual sun dial time, and feel almost respectable now. [What? There is no emoticon for proud?
layful:] Never cared until I started hanging around with early bird "seniors." 
:yeah:
Perfect, Meanderer! "...and warm Coke to wash it down. Ahh! ... In a pinch cold spaghetti'll do..."
Been there, done that. Could be my song. Just finished a cold hotdog, right out of the package, no bun even. :eewwk: Frightening, huh?
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Got up at 7am, voted at 10, then out to check on the goats, some grocery shopping, home and measuring windows (again). Think I have a plan.
Should really take a nap now,fftobed:, but time is running out. It may be a long night. zzz....
Perfect, Meanderer! "...and warm Coke to wash it down. Ahh! ... In a pinch cold spaghetti'll do..."
Been there, done that. Could be my song. Just finished a cold hotdog, right out of the package, no bun even. :eewwk: Frightening, huh?
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.
.
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Got up at 7am, voted at 10, then out to check on the goats, some grocery shopping, home and measuring windows (again). Think I have a plan.
Should really take a nap now,
fftobed:, but time is running out. It may be a long night. zzz....
Meanderer, one time my mother came up with an idea of making alfalfa cookies for the goats. At the bottom of every bag of alfalfa pellets is a lot of crumbs/dust from shipping the bags across the country and breaking the pellets. The goats don't like the dust because it gets in their noses and makes them sneeze. She sifted it out, used it like flour and made cookies out of it. The goats liked them. It was a lot of work, so she finally gave it up, but it was a fun thing to try.
Lost in retirement
New Member
I have only been retired for a less than 3 years and I hate it. I regret retiring and miss what I left. Yes, my job defined me and I retired from something instead of to something. Unfortunately, there are no do-overs. I f I could, I would sell my soul to go back in time and not make the decision to retire.Since my job defined me, I really don't have any hobbies. I read various blogs and most have the same suggestions--volunteer (all that is available in my area are menial tasks), learn to play an instrument, get a hobby, etc. I am looking for for feedback about what you do in retirement. And I went back to work at a job far below what my "career job" was. I don't enjoy and hate when Sunday night comes. Looking toward your feedback. Thanks
Lost in retirement, I'm going to provide a link to your other thread on this topic, because it might be better to have all responses in one place. Don't think you'll get much more here. Hope that's OK with you.
I myself keep busy with do-it-yourself projects. They never end. Thing is, I really enjoy them. I find every one a challenge. Clearly not for everyone. Good luck. You will work it out, I think. Be patient! ~Nhttps://www.seniorforums.com/showth...nt-if-you-are-not-a-hobby-or-volunteer-person
Lost in retirement
New Member
Not a problem--all response in one spot makes sense.