When to give up or I'm to darn old

[pete42]

I worked many jobs during my childhood as I'm sure many of you have.

A paperboy, baled hay in summer, shoveled snow in winter,
worked in a service station; one where we washed the windows and checked the oil remember those?

I joined the Navy 6 days after graduation spent four years two of them going to school all electronic related.

was married two years after getting out of the Navy to a wonderful lady
who suffered illness for 30 plus years she passed in February of this year.

Wednesday I received a call from my brother seems his mower quit and ask if I could look at it
after spending way too much time I found the problem to be a micro-switch in the safety circuit.

the thing is the stooping bending and walking has left me with a very sore back I have spinal-stenosis and I need my left knee replaced.

It has made me wonder how in the world I would ever be able to convert a cargo trailer doing all it entails
Just when should one give up and realize he has reached his limits.
I think I have reached mine 69 going on 100.

pete

[nrody]

First of all let me say how sorry I am for your loss.

Every day I take my 6 year old grandson to school. I try to teach him good values and morals. As we drive to school we pass a genltlman who obviously has had some kind of brain injury. He walks with a cane the right side of his body stiff and unresponsive. We call him the walking man. No matter the weather he is out there doing mile long laps around his neighborhood. He never gives up, just keeps on walking. Every day.

I use this oppertunity to teach my grandson that no matter the obsticle, NEVER GIVE UP.

If converting a trailer is too much (and I understand what it means to have the will and not the body that will cooperate) Perhaps you can partner with a relative or friend. If that won't work maybe you could consider buying one that is already done.

Keep the dream alive, never give up. Set a pace that works for you. Best of luck.

Nancy

[Mikka]

First of all let me say how sorry I am for your loss.

Every day I take my 6 year old grandson to school. I try to teach him good values and morals. As we drive to school we pass a genltlman who obviously has had some kind of brain injury. He walks with a cane the right side of his body stiff and unresponsive. We call him the walking man. No matter the weather he is out there doing mile long laps around his neighborhood. He never gives up, just keeps on walking. Every day.

I use this oppertunity to teach my grandson that no matter the obsticle, NEVER GIVE UP.

If converting a trailer is too much (and I understand what it means to have the will and not the body that will cooperate) Perhaps you can partner with a relative or friend. If that won't work maybe you could consider buying one that is already done.

Keep the dream alive, never give up. Set a pace that works for you. Best of luck.

Nancy

I was going to reply but after the mother of all replies to that post, how can you? So well said! Myself, I am 56 going on 100. the military left me full of arthritis in all my body, specially in my legs. I can stand up but anything requiring croutching, I have to lay down on floors. Doing basebord, working on brakes etc, I do it laying on my side. Actually, I don't have to, I could have someone else do it for me for a fee. It's not the fee that stops me, it's the satisfaction to have done it. no matter how long it takes me to do it or how long it takes me to get up.

[Gage]

Well Pete, I'm 70 and have extreme emphysema with very little lung capacity and my doctor has me on oxygen 24/7. Have I given up, NO. I was told a long time ago that you give up you die. With that I try and stay very active. It just takes me a little longer to do things. So you are not alone and I hope what I have said will help some way. Oh, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. I've had to do that a lot lately.

[S. Heisley]

It just takes a lot longer and you don't push yourself as hard. Don't do the same activity every day. Do physical activity like trailer work one day and then, maybe the next (or the next after that) you do something less taxing so your body has a chance to recuperate. Also, don't be ashamed to wear a knee or ankle brace or use a cane or whatever. (I use all three at times.) If it helps you to do more and feel better, it's worth it.

The thing that ticks me off is when I have to go get my reading glasses to read something that used to be a snap to read!

With a stern, long face, my daddy would turn to me and say, "Getting old is Hell!" I used to laugh at that but I'm not laughing quite as loud anymore. I understand more now.

[PaPa Smurf]

there is not a day go by that I don't feel like a 100, yesterday, my son cut some bush for me, all I did was drive the small yard tractor and today I feel like I'm 200..I'm not able to build thing..so I'll buy...a camper as soon as I can...move slow,rest a lot...but keep moving..the day you stop....kiss that dream boat good by for your not going to be here long...Keep going, love God, and get out a RV with people that love you.....

[mikeschn]

Pete,

Hang in there! If you're no longer up to building a travel trailer, don't knock yourself out trying. Pick up a trailer from the for sale section, or pick up something in the market that you like. You've been here long enough, you know what you like.

But most importantly, get out to a gathering. Talk to people. Have fun. And yes, like the previous posters said, "keep moving". Did I say, "have fun"? I mean it.

Mike...

P.S. For the backpain, you might try Ibuprofen. Or if you're a natural person, try some Devil's Claw.

[Wolfscout]

I'm disabled and yeah I feel the years. But to not do, even on a very slow speed or scale is to feel worse over the course of the day. I find that if I push myself just little bit, I feel better in the evenings. Not to mention I fall asleep better when mentally and physically tired.
As opposed to using my disability and age as an excuse to sit and do nothing.....

[ARKPAT]

Pete; like everyone else ......do a little and rest and do a little and rest
You will get creative when it comes to getting things done. If 80 year grandmother can do it so could I.
My Dad had a sever stroke in his late forties and had to learn to walk every day. He would pull up chair along with him and do what he could and rest. I learned a lot how to break up projects into small ones and be able to finish them a little at a time. Fast forward 50 years. I'm glad I learned the lessons I did; because I need to do them also. A project that use to take 20 minutes now takes four hours
I now take my time and have a chuckle or two along the adventure. Now my trailer is still under construction ( and campable ) and getting better for me to set up knowing my limitations with work a rounds ( different way of doing things ) at the moment . As the Doc said; Push it a little each day. Gage I know the feeling the Doc wants me to sleep with O2 and carrying
If you cannot not build; like Mike said there are usually someone that has a trailer for sale after building more that one or two. A cargo trailer would be an easy start. You can place a cot , roof vent, window, heater, curtain across the back and a A/C and be camping in a short time and camp out with the group to get ideas to how to finish the insides. What ever you deside have fun and make it a good adventure along the way.



Pat

[vreihen]

My late father was the type who did *everything* for himself, and never hired professional help. Electrical work, fix the furnace, rebuild his boat engine, build a house, repair the television, paint his airplane, you name it. He would even go out and dig out the cap to his septic tank to save the $25 that the pump truck charged. I was about 25 years old before I discovered the biggest secret in life...that there were places where you could go that actually changed your oil for you!

Long story short, I credit my father's attitude in that regard for my own skills. There's very little that I don't know how to do, thanks to doing it since childhood. However, as I got into my 40's, I realized that it was sometimes worth it to just pay someone else to do something for me rather than doing it myself. It took a long time to get over the guilt, but I look at it like I'm supporting local tradespeople and small business owners now on the few occasions where I use outside help.

With that said, at least in these parts there are plenty of carpenters sitting on rusty tools since the housing bubble popped. In 2007, I couldn't get one to return my call for $10K worth of renovation work, and now they are leaving business cards every month looking for even a painting gig. I know that you're on a fixed income and want to try to maximize your money, but doing the big work on a CT conversion isn't something that a competent carpenter shouldn't be able to help you finish in a few days. You already know the procedure and required materials thanks to this site, so don't be afraid to hire a set of hands and show them what you want done.....

[TheBizMan]

Getting old is tough, but you got to be tough to get old or you die young.

[Wild Bill]

I agree with the do not give up thoughts. Buying something already built may be the way to go. I have a build started and cannot find the time to get it done. I sold my popup and bought a little standee to have something to camp in. I may or may not find the time to finish my project. With a cargo conversion, you starting with a watertight (assuming) space and then do the interior as you wish. Much less work than building from scratch, but still a lot of work for sure. Good help is hard to find. If you have to hire help, you might as well find something ready to go and get out there and enjoy the time you have left, what ever that may be. Bill

[pete42]

To all a big thanks for the support and words of wisdom.

before I go on I want to let everyone know Shirley was my ex-wife
we remained friends right up to the end 47 years.
I do miss her there is more I could say but I'll leave that for another time.

I know there are things I should be doing to make myself better
the only excuse is when it takes a major effort to walk from bedroom to bathroom I don't see myself building cabinets ect into a cargo trailer.
thanks for suggesting some other ways to have my cake and eat it too.
buy one already done, get help with build and on and on.

Mike you started a great forum thanks and thanks for all the caring men and women on here.

Pete

[jhanlon]

I have COPD with emphysema and asbestosis from 30+ years exposure to heavy amounts of asbestos. Just waiting for the 'M' word that has taken my Father, Mother, Grandmother, Uncle and Aunt, and cousin and his wife. Not to mention everyone my age group or older in the old local union.

I have 40 - 45% of lung capacity left.

I have 100% 'will try!" left.

Yes, it takes me 3 hours to do what others do in 30 minutes but until the bagpipes sound I'll give it a shot.

Social Security next April.

[Blotto Bros]

Where in SW Ohio are you? I often work all over the state of KY and many times have a weekend to kill. I would be more than happy to help out when I can!