OT - I'm getting too old for this...

[Ysabel Kid]

... or I guess I'm still too cheap. I seldom hire anything out that I have a reasonable chance of doing myself. Especially stuff that I can do, and just don't like to do. Figure that I'm saving the family money - or at least saving for my next acquisition!

Yesterday my two neighbors and I rented a core aerator. That time of year. It rained all day Friday (finally!), so the lawn was wet. I waited until 11:00am and gave it a cut. This takes me about an hour with the push mower, and though a core (my back yard is very steep), it is some of the only regular exercise I get so I still do it.

If you've ever worked with a core aerator you know these things are a beast. I think they were actually based on some sort of medevil torture device. The thing weighs a ton and horses you around while it tears up your yard.

I was on one of the tiers we have in the back yard and the darn thing started swinging around like it was going to go over the edge. I horsed it back hard, managing to ram a bolt on the handle directly into my left knee cap. This action prevent the aerator from going over the edge - but sent me over the edge instead. Only a four foot drop at that point, but I landed on the ankle - and then the knee - of the same leg.

Sore as heck the rest of the day, and the darn thing throbbed all night long, but I'm okay. Just reinforced though that I am getting old...

[RKrodle]

yeah, but you saved core aerator. . Seriously, I know what you mean, I don't bounce as good as I used to.

[Sixgun]

Kid,
You gotta stop pushin' pencils and get out there and work those muscles! The Revolution is coming soon and we need all the guys we can get!

Anyway, as far as your first statemant is concerned, I NEVER pay anyone to do something I can do myself. Thats more money (at this stage of my life) for Winchesters & Colts. I have watched the oldtimers with keen observation during my lifetime and watched how they have done things themselves that people today pay others to do. I really gotta laugh sometimes watching all these Yuppies around here who are near helpless. God forbid if a disaster strikes---they will be way out there in left field.

Around here, I'm a carpenter, plumber, electrician, car and tractor mechanic, roofer, grass cutter, tree surgeon, horse, dog, and cat doctor, farmer, and even a half a_s gunsmith from time to time. In other words, "a jack of all trades", but "master of none". except of course, my Winchesters & Colts!

[Ysabel Kid]

Sixgun -

That's me in a nutshell. When I said "seldom" it really means "almost never". I think I've hired a few things over 20 years or so, but just because either I could not do it (special equipment or skills I didn't have), or it ended up being cheaper to pay someone. Even then I will often do it myself - I like working with my hands - but mainly because I am a picky *** and just don't like what passes for work from most people! I know I will do the job right and to my satisfactions (high standards).

My wife just says I'm complusive and cheap. She's right...AS ALWAYS!

Of course, I also like to do most things myself because it gives me an excuse to get more tools! Only downside is that my siblings thing I am the local rent-a-center, or just ask me to do the work for them!

This was more in line with Ricky's comment - I just don't move quite as fast and don't bounce back quite as well as I did 20 years ago...

[kimwcook]

Sorry about your leg kid. I too don't bounce like I used to.

My wife and I started a pasture fencing project a couple of weekends ago. We put in 15 eight foot railroad ties for the corners and gates. These go down about two and a half feet into rocky soil. We have rock, all the way from gravel to boulders and you really can't use an auger. I bought one, tried it, and still end up doing it using a post hole digger and a pry bar. Smacked a good sized rock with the pry bar and kicked the bottom out which kicked the top towards my head. Smacked me twice in the forehead before I knew what happened. First hit was on my bill cap, the second one was under the bill and cut my forehead wide open for about two inches. My head still hurts.

Getting old sucks, but beats the alternative.

[Sixgun]

Sixgun -

That's me in a nutshell. I like working with my hands - but mainly because I am a picky *** and just don't like what passes for work from most people! I know I will do the job right and to my satisfactions (high standards).

My wife just says I'm complusive and cheap. She's right...AS ALWAYS! (No, the WOMAN is wrong )

Of course, I also like to do most things myself because it gives me an excuse to get more tools!

Kid, you and I would make great neighbors!----Sixgun

[Sixgun]

Getting old sucks, but beats the alternative.

+1 Million ----------Sixgun

[gcs]

You gotta get that lawn addiction under control.

"Here" as long as it don't get over 8" high and all the weeds are green, it's good enough.
Lime and fertilizer is a no-no, and if God wants it watered, he'll let it rain.

If the neighbors don't like it, good, they don't have to talk to me, and that keeps them from borrowing "stuff",

[Ben_Rumson]

Kid...You need an easier to operate core aerator...get a class III & then a suppressed SMG & really enjoy your lawn..

[rjohns94]

I can empathize with you Jay. I turned 50 today and I am just not healing as well as I used to. I hope you heal better than I do.

[Rod WMG]

I'm so old I avoid buying green bananas.

[Andrew]

I like to talk about feeling old, but somehow it never goes over well with the guys that are old.

I have to be Mr. Fixit at my house too, 'cept nothin ever gets fixed.

[bogus bill]

I USED to try stuff myself. As I am out of shape and inept my wife either does it or we hire stuff done. My dad would turn over in his grave if he seen that!
Last december I got my nose cut off due to cancer to save my life. All of it! I have had four opperations building a new one since. They used my scalp and gristle from my rips etc. About 6 weeks ago I was doing something outside. I had a bucket in my hand and something else in the other. I turned and tangled my feet on some tools. I fell down straight on the pavement and didnt even get to turn my head. I busted my new false nose flat! Blood all over the place and another trip to emergency, and the cost! Yup, saved on a boy doing it! Now I have to get another operation too!

[geobru]

Thing about getting old is that things stop working, and what does work hurts!!!!!!!!

[Rusty]

Like they say, I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was.


A man ought to know his limitations.

[Ysabel Kid]

Kid...You need an easier to operate core aerator...get a class III & then a suppressed SMG & really enjoy your lawn..

Ben - I like the way you think - I really do!

Over 20 years ago I was home from college one weekend, trying my best to sleep in, when my Mom came into my bedroom and shook me awake. Dazed, I asked what was wrong. She replied "There's a mole in our yard!".

I rolled over trying not to swear at my Mother, but she insisted I go out to deal with it. I went outside and sure enough, there were mole trails all over the front of the yard, ending right near a tree, and you could still see the ground moving at the end of the trail where the little bugger was digging. She turned to me and asked "what are you doing to do?".

I didn't say a word, but just turned and walked back inside. I loaded up a 25-round magazine for my 10/22, and walked back outside. She gasped "what are you going to do with that?!?". I smiled and said "Kill the mole". I walked over, and squeezed off all 25 rounds into the ground as fast as I could. Wasn't fully auto of course - but darn near sounded like it. Churned up the ground pretty could. Didn't bother looking - after I ran out I just went back in side and went back to bed. Must of got him because we had no more mole trails - and my Mom didn't ask me to do anything like that again!

[Ysabel Kid]

I can empathize with you Jay. I turned 50 today and I am just not healing as well as I used to. I hope you heal better than I do.

Mike - I feel terrible I didn't notice your birthday. We spent Saturday night at my sister-in-law's, and I didn't sleep but maybe an hour the whole night. Just couldn't get comfortable with my knew throbbing. I logged on briefly in the morning, and was planning on doing so when we got back Sunday evening, but I was just beat - so went to bed last night at 8:30pm! Sounds like your birthday was a nice day - out on the sailboat. Hope it really was!

Happy Belated Birthday!!!

[AJMD429]

Sixgun -

That's me in a nutshell. When I said "seldom" it really means "almost never". I think I've hired a few things over 20 years or so, but just because either I could not do it (special equipment or skills I didn't have), or it ended up being cheaper to pay someone. Even then I will often do it myself - I like working with my hands - but mainly because I am a picky *** and just don't like what passes for work from most people! I know I will do the job right and to my satisfactions (high standards).

My wife just says I'm complusive and cheap. She's right...AS ALWAYS!

Of course, I also like to do most things myself because it gives me an excuse to get more tools!

+1 on all that! I built my house myself just because of all the shoddy and (sh!**y) work we hired done when I was a kid and I thought there's no way I'd want to PAY someone to do a lousy job. Most stuff isn't that hard to figure out, and the money you save, even if you have tools to buy, allows you to do it over again if you screw it up the first time!

Total cost as of move-in was only $14,700...



The over the years we've slowly improved things...

[model55]

I still try to do it all myself but am losing that ambition slowly.Last big project was moving Dad pretty much with only assistance from my wife!I still have a damaged thumb to show for it- just don't heal like before. Rusty that saying reminded me of a co-worker who served as a DI after vietnam.Used to tease the female office help with that-miss the old grump.Even if he was chewing you out he kept you laughing.

[Ysabel Kid]

Sixgun -

That's me in a nutshell. When I said "seldom" it really means "almost never". I think I've hired a few things over 20 years or so, but just because either I could not do it (special equipment or skills I didn't have), or it ended up being cheaper to pay someone. Even then I will often do it myself - I like working with my hands - but mainly because I am a picky *** and just don't like what passes for work from most people! I know I will do the job right and to my satisfactions (high standards).

My wife just says I'm complusive and cheap. She's right...AS ALWAYS!

Of course, I also like to do most things myself because it gives me an excuse to get more tools!

+1 on all that! I built my house myself just because of all the shoddy and (sh!**y) work we hired done when I was a kid and I thought there's no way I'd want to PAY someone to do a lousy job. Most stuff isn't that hard to figure out, and the money you save, even if you have tools to buy, allows you to do it over again if you screw it up the first time!

Total cost as of move-in was only $14,700...



The over the years we've slowly improved things...

AJ -

My BIL did much the same thing. My FIL owned a decent bit of land, and gave his son 5 acres at the front of the property. He and his family lived on it in a trailer while he built a log-cabin home - from the trees on the property. All said and done with the HVAC and other systems I think he owes less than $20K on it. Problem is his wife ran off on him, then had the gall to demand he sell the place and give her half the money. It appraised over 6 times what he had into it, but fortunately he's been able to keep the house.

Only problem was that he fell off the roof when roofing the house and broke both legs. His employer did a fundraiser for him, and also sent over a crew to finish the roof. Good people can still be found!

[EnglishBarry]

I couldn't agree more, but I try not to admit it. I have been spending a lot of time on a small island in the Philippines and last year at a party I did a little too much tequila. Instead of sleeping on the beach, brain went into homing pigeon mode, so I hopped on my small motorbike and set off for the 1.5 Kilometre ride home, knowing I would have to be careful I rode slowly, so fell over a couple of times. Then demolished a few feet of a wooden fence, taking short cuts along what I thought were paths but were actually through the dark bush, I found I don't bounce off coconut trees as well as I used to. Next day it was down to the clinic to have various cuts and things treated, lost a toenail as well, wearing flip flops. It took a couple of weeks for all the signs to vanish. Luckily it was sparrow fanny burp and the police don't patrol as they cannot afford fuel for the jeep.

This year I found out whose fence it was, a German friend, he said "I have built a stronger fence now", my retort, "I have just bought a bigger bike!"

The knees don't work and 200 rounds 45 ACP through the S&W 625 really gives my wrist some pain. !5 months to old age pension, Damm.