My hats off to all builders

[pete42]

some of you may know I had to take a disability retirement in 2005 plus I just turned 70.
now not having to work is great, being unable to do the most simplest of things sucks.

I am in the process of having a lot of things done to my home, shower, water heater, 2 toilets, new clothes washer faucets, dryer vent
things I use to be able to do now I have to hire someone which is a chore in it's self.
I won't bore you with the troubles it takes to find competent people.

Having just gone through all the above makes me appreciate all of your builds, remodels and conversions.

way to go and thanks for sharing

pete

[Mightydog]

Congratulations to you for making it to 70!

Thanks for your ideas and suggestions, Pete. You're a real value to this forum.

[48Rob]

Pete,

My dad went through something similar.
He was able to "do it all" through most of his life.
Then suddenly, things changed, and he was not able.
It bothered him a lot.
I'm the same way, though just 52, I can begin to see what a shock it might be to me, to no longer be able.

I can tell you though, it brought me joy, and made me proud to be able to help him, and though he couldn't do it himself anymore, he was still able to teach me something I didn't know!

Rob

[Treeview]

If you ever need any tree care work, let me know. I can hook you, or anyone, up with competent skilled arborists.

My brother and I try to take care of the things that Mom needs done. If not the actual work at least finding mechanics/trades people. I can't imagine not being able to do that for myself.

Tom

[David S]

Wish I was closer,I'd come help you out.I've done several handicap bathrooms this year.

[pete42]

Thanks for all the kind offers I'll survive just getting old well you know what it does.........

I made it to Lowes yesterday on the way out I ran into a fellow worker one I have known for 40+ years
he retired last year.
He ask how I was and after telling him my troubles bad knee, bad back he said he
found out he has Liver cancer and just had his first treatment,
I said I guess I really don't have anything to complain about.

I do like watching you guys and gals build your trailers.

pete

[bobhenry]

It's never so bad that it couldn't be worse! Huh Pete?

I sat at the side of both of my grandfathers many summers and marvled at what they were capable of.

My maternal grandpa was a ship's master carpenter in the navy and after a career retirement he continued in the trade in the private sector. I watched as the man single handedly built a beautiful 3 bedroom home just before he laid down his tools. My dad's dad was just a well rounded jack of all trades. In my early teens I spent several summers as his assistant. He had lost his right hand to just below the elbow in a farming accident and never let it be an excuse. I guess you could say I was his "right hand man" .

I am stareing at 62 coming up and last night I was on a ladder tightening up the flapping steel roof on my little carriage house. I am so glad I am still able to do what I can and hope my luck and health continues.

[mckenney56]

Maybe what you need is an apprentice. Someone that wants to learn and can do all the heavy lifting for you. You still get the satisfaction of watching whatever the two of you build come to life. Sounds like you are already doing some of that now with all those contractors.

[Senior Ninja]

Could I give you a teacher's slant on this?
With the unrelenting pressure for our
students to become like the Japanese
students and score even higher than they
do; we've eliminated many if not most shop
classes. Is it any wonder we have difficulty
finding competent people to fix or build
things?
I saw students, who couldn't express them-
selves on a piece of paper, craft museum
quality furniture in the school's wood shop.
I saw brand new welding trucks sitting at
the curb at graduation where a diploma
was exchanged for a set of keys. The very
next day a young man was beginning a
career and earning an honest living. No
more, by God, he's going to score high on
the test if it takes him two years to learn
Algebra one. Art, music, and even recess
forget it!
Steve

[mckenney56]

Could I give you a teacher's slant on this?
With the unrelenting pressure for our
students to become like the Japanese
students and score even higher than they
do; we've eliminated many if not most shop
classes. Is it any wonder we have difficulty
finding competent people to fix or build
things?
I saw students, who couldn't express them-
selves on a piece of paper, craft museum
quality furniture in the school's wood shop.
I saw brand new welding trucks sitting at
the curb at graduation where a diploma
was exchanged for a set of keys. The very
next day a young man was beginning a
career and earning an honest living. No
more, by God, he's going to score high on
the test if it takes him two years to learn
Algebra one. Art, music, and even recess
forget it!
Steve

I know what you mean. I've met 20 somethings that can't name 5 of the 50 or 60 tools in my hand tool box, much less know how to use them.

[nrody]

I spent many hours by my dads side as a child while he tinkered. He could build and fix anything. Thank goodness I did not p!$$ him off enough to kick me out of the garage. I can now fix most things around the house although heavy lifting is a challenge. I can't tell you how many people I work with that are 50ish that could not turn a screwdriver to save their lives. They all come to my cubicle for the minimal tools I keep in my desk. Just want to let everyone know how much I appreciate my dad teaching me without knowing he was doing it. Hopefully my grandson will learn from our build. Maybe not he likes legos too much. At least he is building.

[pete42]

Greg said "Maybe what you need is an apprentice." funny you should mention that I called my grandniece the other day
her son 12 going on 13 needs some money he and his sisters are headed to florida for month or so this summer,
anyway I had him come down, he only lives a mile away,
together we cleaned my kitchen of boxes and crates of "stuff"
took us less than half an hour he did all the lifting and carrying to the front garage
went so fast we had time to cleaned out the sink cabinet in what was my mothers bathroom.
boxes and boxes and one trash can full. don't know how long he will last, doesn't concentrate very well
but he is only 12.

[Senior Ninja]

Pete 42,
If he's anything at all he will remember this as a life changing moment. Hopefully he will come back and you two will have something special.
Steve