bcoke
Well-known member
Bob glad to hear you are OK...........How does a one armed man SLIT his wrist ???????????
Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Bob Heine's Auto Emporium
- Thread starter Bob Heine
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
mybigwarwagon
Well-known member
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Bob: even the new cars can't prevent some of the fatalities that are caused by texting and reading emails while driving. you can't believe some of the accidents i've seen after somebody plows into a stopped car going 60+ MPH cause they were not paying attention.
glad to hear you are on the mend, but are the doctors and that fancy equipment the cause of your improvement or just your own resting and taking care of yourself with Lianne's help?
another great day to be above dirt here and wish I had a little more of your heat and sunshine. that said the views aren't too bad up here and I took this picture last night on our 4 mile walk.
glad to hear you are on the mend, but are the doctors and that fancy equipment the cause of your improvement or just your own resting and taking care of yourself with Lianne's help?
another great day to be above dirt here and wish I had a little more of your heat and sunshine. that said the views aren't too bad up here and I took this picture last night on our 4 mile walk.
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Vladimir, I was a little worried when I first arrived but everyone looked like earthlings. That's not to say I haven't been fooled before.Is this exactly equipment on planet Earth???
I'm glad you're all right!
BobbyCoke, thanks and for the record it's the same way I put on a cuff-link.
Uncle Willie, we have an agreement. I won't go after him if he doesn't come after me.
Drives, I do my tiny part by having a sticker on one of my cars.
If you do nothing, the Atrial Flutter I had goes away when you have a stroke -- the symptom that gets most people's attention. It can be treated with blood thinners and beta blockers. In my case beta blockers are not an option because they slow the heart down and mine is already low (below 50bpm is Brachycardia). My first treatment was the TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiogram) with Cardioversion . The TEE is a sonogram to check for clots already formed in the heart that the Cardioversion might dislodge. I had none and they shocked my heart, ending the flutter. After that procedure I resumed regular activities with plenty of rest (I get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night). As predicted by my son and Craig [cbacres] the Atrial Flutter returned after about three months. Another Cardioversion settled the heart rate back down but it was performed by a heart specialist who does nothing but Cardioversions and Cardioablations. He recommended the latter procedure, which fixes the underlying problem of scar tissue in the heart that blocks the impulses controlling the heart rate. It is supposed to have a 98% success rate but is invasive. It's not open heart surgery but it does involve injecting radioactive dyes and long probes threaded through vessels in your groin going up into the heart. Thus all the fancy equipment.
I would be misleading you to describe any of this as an "improvement" because I felt fine the whole time. This is a silent killer because you don't feel weak or sick or any pain. It just felt like my heart was doing something different and the only symptom was an elevated pulse. Blood pressure was normal (123/70) but my pulse rate was in the 90s to low 100s instead of the 40s to 50s. If I had been working out or doing something strenuous the higher pulse would have been fine but I was sitting down taking my blood pressure.
If I seem like an alarmist, I have had a half-dozen relatives and friends suddenly drop dead while playing tennis, fishing and relaxing. All of them younger than me and none of them had warnings they took seriously so I have become a little more self-aware. My symptom showed up at the beginning of September 2019 and I mentioned it to my cardiologist during my annual visit in late September. He didn't detect a problem. In late October I mentioned the symptom to my PCP (primary care physician) and he immediately diagnosed AFib, gave me an EKG and called my cardiologist. My PCP gave me Eliquis samples along with a prescription and an appointment the next day with my cardiologist. A week later I was having the TEE with Cardioversion. When it came back at the end of January I saw my PCP at 8:30AM, my cardiologist at 10:00AM and was in the hospital with the specialist at 11:30AM. They take this stuff seriously.
The average life expectancy for a male in the US is 76. My next birthday I will turn 76 and I hope to boost the statistic to something higher.
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G20-Budo
Well-known member
Ric, not to worry, I'll have a lot of oranges here in the next year or so. You can get them from me now.
Bob, as for your situation with the rats, that's terrible! We have roof rats here in the area and I have them at my house. I trap them through out the year, which keeps their numbers down some. But they haven't caused too much damage in my yard (yet!).
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Bob: all that stuff you had done sounds EXPENSIVE to say the least. i'm guessing you have an added policy to your MEDICARE insurance? thanks for taking the time to write down all that stuff and whether or not i'll ever go to a doctor or do that sort of thing at least it's nice to know what they are doing to make my friends a bit healthier.
do you still put on the CPAP mask every night?
hang in there and hope you keep feeling better daily. do you walk much or just get up and keep moving during the day? instead of just walking around our neighborhood we usually drive 10 or so minutes and walk where their are sidewalks and even better views to see and i'm guessing it's not far to a beach where you live so do you venture out to the beach much?
cheers (i'm still drinking a homemade gallon of green ice tea every day)
do you still put on the CPAP mask every night?
hang in there and hope you keep feeling better daily. do you walk much or just get up and keep moving during the day? instead of just walking around our neighborhood we usually drive 10 or so minutes and walk where their are sidewalks and even better views to see and i'm guessing it's not far to a beach where you live so do you venture out to the beach much?
cheers (i'm still drinking a homemade gallon of green ice tea every day)
y'sguy
Well-known member
Glad to hear you are below average Mr. Heine! I'm also below average and seem to have been most of the time.
Seriously though glad things are better and I appreciate all the info you have shared with us. I'm slow to learn this stuff especially since I don't pay attention well. Until it becomes my problem, then often too late.
Think I'll go have myself some ruffles potato chips and sour cream dip.
thanks for all your posts, I really enjoy hearing about your adventures.
Toolfool
Well-known member
Bob, I'm glad to hear you're feeling better and staying on top of your condition. I had been feeling some irregular heart issues , along with fatigue and shortness of breath. Decided I'd better find a cardiologist here in Tallahassee (turns out he grew up in New Hyde Park). He ran an EKG and decided to order a 3-day heart monitor, nuclear stress test, and echocardiogram, and doubled my Metoprolol dosage and added Plavix . He also told me not to do anything strenuous until he clears me to (last time I heard that I ended up with a quadruple bypass). I completed all the tests and was scheduled to go in for consult today (a little nervous). His office called last night to re-schedule me to March 3rd because the hospital hasn't supplied all the results yet. So I'll be sitting on my hands for a while longer, hoping for good news.
Kyle, I have a poison feeder under the Christmas Palms for my little gray friends. When the fruit is gone they like the juice from the baby palm fronds (kinda like the Hearts of Palm Liane and I like on our salads. Ever since the state took our orange tree (citrus canker) there are fewer rats in our yard but they feed on the neighbors' mango trees, some of them falling in our yard. I scatter poison cubes in the attic as well. My yard snake (black racer) helps keep their population down so I don't put out poison where it lives.Ric, not to worry, I'll have a lot of oranges here in the next year or so. You can get them from me now.
Bob, as for your situation with the rats, that's terrible! We have roof rats here in the area and I have them at my house. I trap them through out the year, which keeps their numbers down some. But they haven't caused too much damage in my yard (yet!).
Drives, I checked MyMedicare.gov and the most recent procedure hasn't been posted but I suspect it was an expensive visit. My 1965 accident taught me the value of good medical insurance. Back then IBM's plan covered 50% Hospital, 50% Surgical, and 50% Major Medical with a $400 deductible. The first day operating room charge was $7,000 so I owed $3,500 out of pocket. My annual salary was $5,400 so I was in big trouble financially. As their only surviving child, my parents bailed me out. Less than four months later and because of my accident, IBM changed the medical plan to 100%, 100% and 80% on those same categories.
Liane and I have a $0 deductible, $0 co-pay Medicare Supplement insurance plan because of that experience. Yes, I pay almost $10,000 a year for our plan but 20% of my monthly Xolair shots would cost me $6,300 a year and Liane's doctors would cost more than that if we didn't have the high-end Supplement insurance.
Everyone ends up being seen by a doctor. The choice is yours to see one for a diagnosis or wait until it's a medical examiner's signature on your death certificate. As I understand it you saw one when your gall bladder had to come out. They gave my grandfather last rites when his burst and went untreated for three days. He might have lived longer if he went to the doctor when his prostate cancer symptoms first appeared. By the time he saw the doctor about his pain it was too late.
I wear the CPAP mask every time I go to sleep, for the night or for a nap. It's how I get eight interrupted hours of sleep every night.
I gave up walking when a driver took out six palm trees -- four on our side of the street and two on the other side. She then took out our mailbox and three more further down the street. Florida has the highest number of pedestrian (and cyclist) deaths in the United States and not by a little.
"In Florida, there were 5,433 pedestrian deaths in the 10-year span [2008-2017], which is an annual average of 2.73 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people, or a Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) calculated in the report as 182.0. Compare that to the national figures of 1.55 average annual deaths per 100,000 and a 55.3 PDI. Compare the Sunshine State’s dreadful PDI to that of Texas (111.9), California (68.2), Ohio (39.6), New York (24.6) and the safest state, Vermont (13.8)."
Y'sguy, salty is my downfall. For a while I tried salt-free potato chips but I'd rather eat salt-free dirt. I do make my own low-salt onion dip with sour cream and dried onion chips from Costco. Have to plan ahead because the onion chips don't hydrate real fast.Glad to hear you are below average Mr. Heine! I'm also below average and seem to have been most of the time.
Seriously though glad things are better and I appreciate all the info you have shared with us. I'm slow to learn this stuff especially since I don't pay attention well. Until it becomes my problem, then often too late.
Think I'll go have myself some ruffles potato chips and sour cream dip.
thanks for all your posts, I really enjoy hearing about your adventures.
Thank you for the kind words.
John, welcome to the hand-sitting club. Your path has been a lot tougher than mine and I'm glad to hear you are being proactive. Nobody wants to go to the doctor but you did the right thing to get one locally. The ER is not a great place to meet your doctor for the first time. You might check with the hospital to see if they have your information in their portal. I like to get the news, good or bad, as soon as possible. I was not thrilled with the specialist waiting five weeks for my follow-up visit so I went to the website and read his post-op report. Didn't understand all the detailed clinical stuff but I found this at the end:
"CONCLUSION-
Successful atrial flutter ablation. No complications."
John, I hope you have the same luck.
wasfast
Well-known member
I started working for Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1981. A co-worker (and good friend) got married to another coworker in 1983. They had their first baby a year later. The baby was born prematurely and spent a huge amount of time in incubated care, ultimately passing away. The stress and emotion was huge for them and so difficult to watch over 6 weeks.
HP's medical insurance had a lifetime maximum $300K limit. The total bill for the baby was $550K and only added fuel to the emotional anger and fire they were facing. HP stepped in and paid the difference which I thought was a really great thing to do. They also raised the maximum to $1M because of the incident. Like in your case, one person can make a difference, even in severe trauma.
Wasfast, those were the days. You joined companies like IBM and HP to spend your working career there. They invested in your education and made sure you stayed with them. Then companies like Microsoft gave stock option and profit sharing plans but not pensions or incentives to stay. They were fine with people leaving after a few years.
When IBM changed their medical plans after my accident, I wasn't aware they did it because of me. In June 1968 a young man joined a department in my group and wanted to succeed and be a good employee. At the time IBM gave you 26 weeks sick leave every year but you couldn't carry over or cash them in. They also had a $1M cap on a person's medical expenses and $4M for the family. This young man got sick but wouldn't stay home. Eventually he had to see a doctor for the cough, which turned out to be pneumonia. He was hospitalized at the end of June and it was discovered his heart was severely damaged. He was too weak for open heart surgery so he went home to regain his strength. He got strong enough to make his wife pregnant but had a relapse of the pneumonia. He went back in the hospital and remained there through Christmas 1968. He had gone through more than $1M in medical expenses and was at the end of his 26 weeks paid sick leave. Before announcing it to everyone, his manager told him and his wife the plan was being changed to give 52 weeks sick leave and a $5M cap for the individual and family (it was decided it was silly to expect families to get sick together). He passed away before his child was born but IBM moved his wife and child back to Philadelphia and his wife had a job waiting for her at the Scientific Center whenever she was ready. His life insurance (5x his annual salary) carried her through the following year. No one but the people in our organization knew about the events leading to the plan changes. His manager, a friend of mine, was briefing IBM executives and they told him about my role in the earlier changes.
IBM has long since terminated the pension plan and the health insurance is just like everyone else's with big contributions from the employee for anything beyond catastrophic care. The "no layoff" tradition ended the year I retired in 1994. Even in the depths of the Great Depression, IBM never laid anyone off. Reduced hours yes but layoffs no.
cbacres
Well-known member
Bob, glad to hear all went good with the procedure. It’s a fairly routine thing these days but at the same time invasive. Can’t get much more invasive than having things shoved up into your heart.
Mine was very successful, I was in normal rhythm before then completely pulled out.
You’ve done a good job describing it and potential dangers. I had no signs whatsoever, went to primary doc with what I thought a chest infection or something, as I was short of breath during strenuous activities. He took a couple of listens to me, ordered a immediate EKG and informed me of my condition. Straight to hospital I went.
I was down to 16%, pretty damn low. Had they not caught, who knows?
Anyway, it’s serious guys, pay attention.
Glad you’re good Bob, look forward to my next visit whenever that’ll be.
Mine was very successful, I was in normal rhythm before then completely pulled out.
You’ve done a good job describing it and potential dangers. I had no signs whatsoever, went to primary doc with what I thought a chest infection or something, as I was short of breath during strenuous activities. He took a couple of listens to me, ordered a immediate EKG and informed me of my condition. Straight to hospital I went.
I was down to 16%, pretty damn low. Had they not caught, who knows?
Anyway, it’s serious guys, pay attention.
Glad you’re good Bob, look forward to my next visit whenever that’ll be.
Craig, I can't thank you enough. You told me what to expect after the first episode and your warning that it might come back and need a different procedure was outstanding.
I felt fine and wasn't having any symptoms other than a high pulse rate and even that only showed up when I used my $49 machine to check my blood pressure. My cardiologist missed it so I had the problem for at least two months before being treated. I had a little fainting spell in August, resulting in a brain scan. It may have been caused by a clot and mini-stroke but the diagnosis "normal for age" was neither encouraging nor frightening.
Guys, if you're over 40 and feel fine you don't have to go to the doctor but if you never see a doctor, an easily treatable condition could become serious without warning. A stroke, heart attack or late stage cancer doesn't have to be the event that gets your attention. Annual checkups and blood tests is all it takes If you don't have insurance, there are Doc-in-a-Box clinics that don't charge an arm and a leg (at least I hope they don't).
bolensboneyard
Well-known member
Bob. I worked for the Federal Government twice for a total of twenty years and never got a pension; just my money back without interest. My career changed with each new administration riding in on the coattails of votes for free stuff. Those who were in charge saw to it that no creative thinkers with time in upset the balance of power. Now a Quality Assurance Specialist has to have a degree in QA (bean counter.) It's like being in collage. A major aircraft company turned me down for hire, a QA spec. with 16 years experience and an AP license just because my degree was not in QA. Age was not mentioned as a problem and this was years ago. Apparently, computers will replace brains. What will replace common sense and virtues?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Bob: I know you praise doctors and the medical business and with the train adventure you had almost 50 years ago you sir are a walking miracle. that said not all of the doctors or medical practices are great or even good.
I DROPPED IN as you say at our local Quick stop medical clinic (can't recall actual name) cause I have a Ganglion Cyst on my middle left finger that was bothering me and with me poking at it with a needle that i'd fire up before poking it I got it infected. my portion of the bill (yes we have good medical insurance) for the hour visit was close to $300. i had to ask 3 times for the doctor to give me a prescription for the infection that I knew I had and the doctor said if it got any worse I should go to the emergency room at our local hospital.
Another example about 3 years ago was when my mom had been moving my 6'5" dad around after he had his hip replacement and suddenly started upchucking at a moments notice so my sister and her waited in an EMERGENCY ROOM for 8+ hours before a doctor saw her and she had a hernia that had tied a knot in her intestines and then had an emergency surgery.
these are just a few examples of the medical community if you don't have GREAT DOCTORS or have a system that treats welfare patients scratches before a real emergency.
I thank you for your concern with my medical issues and sure I eat a lot of sweets and fatty foods so i'm probably not going to live a lot longer, but I was shooting for just making 40 years old before I met my dream girl at 30. So I wasn't really taking care of myself very well before I was 30 and i'll pay for that eventually. we do have a new primary care Dr. that I heard good things about, but the first thing he wanted to do before taking any blood or having much information was to have me get a colonoscopy (I'm 64) since i haven't had one so I have my doubts about him and maybe i'll find a doctor that doesn't run everyone thru his office like lemmings.
i'm glad you are feeling much better and looking forward to you working again and Lianne letting you loose in your almost new shed.
cheers
I DROPPED IN as you say at our local Quick stop medical clinic (can't recall actual name) cause I have a Ganglion Cyst on my middle left finger that was bothering me and with me poking at it with a needle that i'd fire up before poking it I got it infected. my portion of the bill (yes we have good medical insurance) for the hour visit was close to $300. i had to ask 3 times for the doctor to give me a prescription for the infection that I knew I had and the doctor said if it got any worse I should go to the emergency room at our local hospital.
Another example about 3 years ago was when my mom had been moving my 6'5" dad around after he had his hip replacement and suddenly started upchucking at a moments notice so my sister and her waited in an EMERGENCY ROOM for 8+ hours before a doctor saw her and she had a hernia that had tied a knot in her intestines and then had an emergency surgery.
these are just a few examples of the medical community if you don't have GREAT DOCTORS or have a system that treats welfare patients scratches before a real emergency.
I thank you for your concern with my medical issues and sure I eat a lot of sweets and fatty foods so i'm probably not going to live a lot longer, but I was shooting for just making 40 years old before I met my dream girl at 30. So I wasn't really taking care of myself very well before I was 30 and i'll pay for that eventually. we do have a new primary care Dr. that I heard good things about, but the first thing he wanted to do before taking any blood or having much information was to have me get a colonoscopy (I'm 64) since i haven't had one so I have my doubts about him and maybe i'll find a doctor that doesn't run everyone thru his office like lemmings.
i'm glad you are feeling much better and looking forward to you working again and Lianne letting you loose in your almost new shed.
cheers
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mybigwarwagon
Well-known member
Seems like finding a good doctor is one of the hardest things to do. I had a great doc. And she was cute as s button. Evidently her husband thought so too, because she got pregnant - twice - and decided to stay home with the kids. I couldn't fault her.
She was going to schedule an MRI for my back on my next appointment with her, then went into early labor. So when I showed up for the next appointment the doctor I met was the head of the practice. I told him about the MRI. He said no I needed physical therapy. I told him I had been to PT 5 times, and it didn't help. This went on for some time. Finally I told him he could schedule an MRI, or I could put him in the floor and show him what back pain really felt like ( I am 6'4" 300 pound - not a lot of which is fat) and he scheduled it immediately. I had back surgery 3 days later.
Then began a revolving door of doctors. I only saw the same doctor twice. I finally had enough, and found another doc.
He said the new policies at the other place were really making his business boom. I have only seen him once, so we will see how that goes.
She was going to schedule an MRI for my back on my next appointment with her, then went into early labor. So when I showed up for the next appointment the doctor I met was the head of the practice. I told him about the MRI. He said no I needed physical therapy. I told him I had been to PT 5 times, and it didn't help. This went on for some time. Finally I told him he could schedule an MRI, or I could put him in the floor and show him what back pain really felt like ( I am 6'4" 300 pound - not a lot of which is fat) and he scheduled it immediately. I had back surgery 3 days later.
Then began a revolving door of doctors. I only saw the same doctor twice. I finally had enough, and found another doc.
He said the new policies at the other place were really making his business boom. I have only seen him once, so we will see how that goes.
Bobby, I only worked for the Federal Government for a year and that was the US Postal Service before it was reorganized out of the Executive Branch Cabinet. The size of your title indicated how high you ranked with the shortest (Postmaster General) being the highest. I was a Temporary Indefinite Substitute Clerk/Carrier, which meant I could legally work long hours every day with a 4-hour break every 24 hours and for an unlimited number of days without a day off (worked from September 1 to November 22, 1963 -- my first day off they assassinated the President). I don't think the government has a monopoly on stupid procedures and practices but they do elevate them to a stunning level. I was a terrible manager at IBM because I didn't ask about the rules and begged for forgiveness when I broke them. Most times it worked out well but when it didn't my punishment was often a promotion to a higher level of incompetence or exile to a faraway place like Australia.
I believe common sense and virtue have become so rare their absence is hardly noticed. I retired for exactly that reason.
Drives, I'm feeling better than a 75-year old should but I'm on desk jockey duty for another month. My view of health-care is the same as my view of car-care. I try to be pro-active and not wait for the idiot light to tell me to check the oil. I also try to find mechanics and doctors who aren't adding unnecessary tests and replacing good parts so they can afford a better ride. Pretty sure 'cleaning' the A/C ducts in Mom's car for $200 falls into that category but sending you elsewhere to have a colonoscopy doesn't (unless it's his wife or brother doing it). Maybe I'm wrong and it's no big deal to have a section of my colon or ****** surgically removed. I kinda like them the way they are and where they are.
I do disagree about me being a walking miracle. Liane is the miracle. She still smokes and her lungs are clear. She has cholesterol off the charts and yet shows no sign of plaque in her arteries -- I mean ZERO plaque. We're all different and if your way of dealing with health issues is working for you, carry on.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
BOB: thanks for taking the time to write those good words and yes i'm listening. if you or anybody has a good DR. to recommend that works in the PNW i'm all ears.
we actually took our youngest daughter out of the local children's hospital's care when she was a year old cause some of their care tactics didn't make sense and we ended up driving her to Portland to Shriners (3 hours each way if traffic was light) where the doctor that had common sense and would think more about the patient instead of trying to make her walk or make his house payments.
I hope we are chatting here or in person 20 years from now so hang in there and keep doing what you think is best for you. AND yes your wife might be amazing, but sir you have a great attitude and your life didn't skip a beat it seems since you lost the race with the train.
take care and hope it's not too cold down in your piece of paradise. we walked our dog tonight for 3 miles in pouring rain and 40's, but it wasn't all bad.
cheers
we actually took our youngest daughter out of the local children's hospital's care when she was a year old cause some of their care tactics didn't make sense and we ended up driving her to Portland to Shriners (3 hours each way if traffic was light) where the doctor that had common sense and would think more about the patient instead of trying to make her walk or make his house payments.
I hope we are chatting here or in person 20 years from now so hang in there and keep doing what you think is best for you. AND yes your wife might be amazing, but sir you have a great attitude and your life didn't skip a beat it seems since you lost the race with the train.
take care and hope it's not too cold down in your piece of paradise. we walked our dog tonight for 3 miles in pouring rain and 40's, but it wasn't all bad.
cheers
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
"Maybe I'm wrong and it's no big deal to have a section of my colon or ****** surgically removed. I kinda like them the way they are and where they are."
Bob, I couldn't agree more. Besides if they did that we could no longer be considered "perfect a**holes"
Bob, I couldn't agree more. Besides if they did that we could no longer be considered "perfect a**holes"
Dan, someone close to me makes that observation way too often. It's nice to have you posting again! We missed you, your wisdom and your sense of humor."Maybe I'm wrong and it's no big deal to have a section of my colon or ****** surgically removed. I kinda like them the way they are and where they are."
Bob, I couldn't agree more. Besides if they did that we could no longer be considered "perfect a**holes"
How is Lisa doing?
Drives, I read your post but forgot to respond. Liane has gone to doctors who predicted her health issues before getting her test results. We don't see those doctors any more. We have been fortunate to find excellent doctors. We are also fortunate to live near the community hospital that is surrounded by medical centers and doctor's offices. When I tried to poke my eye out with a stick Liane drive the mile to Eye Associates and the first of four doctors saw me within minutes of my arrival. If we didn't already have experience with that group practice, a competent eye specialist being at the emergency room was a slim to none chance.BOB: thanks for taking the time to write those good words and yes i'm listening. if you or anybody has a good DR. to recommend that works in the PNW i'm all ears.
we actually took our youngest daughter out of the local children's hospital's care when she was a year old cause some of their care tactics didn't make sense and we ended up driving her to Portland to Shriners (3 hours each way if traffic was light) where the doctor that had common sense and would think more about the patient instead of trying to make her walk or make his house payments.
I hope we are chatting here or in person 20 years from now so hang in there and keep doing what you think is best for you. AND yes your wife might be amazing, but sir you have a great attitude and your life didn't skip a beat it seems since you lost the race with the train.
take care and hope it's not too cold down in your piece of paradise. we walked our dog tonight for 3 miles in pouring rain and 40's, but it wasn't all bad.
cheers
Let's see, in 20 years I'll by 95 and you'll be 84 so there's a good chance I'll be napping while you're chatting.
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
She's hanging in there. After the initial shock wore off she got it together and I believe she'll be able to handle whatever is dealt to her. Or she's a fantastic actress and should be nominated for an Oscar for having me believe it.
Or there's the likely possibility she's is counting down the days to rid herself of me.
Or there's the likely possibility she's is counting down the days to rid herself of me.
Dan, it's my experience that all three are happening to different degrees. About 75% of the time she'll have it together. Then 20% of the time she'll be telling you what you want to hear and you can thank Cecil B. DeMille for the acting lessons. Then there's the 5% when she'll catch you jogging out to the brown, gray or white truck and sneaking that part/tool into the garage [unless of course you never do that].She's hanging in there. After the initial shock wore off she got it together and I believe she'll be able to handle whatever is dealt to her. Or she's a fantastic actress and should be nominated for an Oscar for having me believe it.
Or there's the likely possibility she's is counting down the days to rid herself of me.
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driftpin
Well-known member
You wimps! I bring home any tool, I walk in the front door, boldly brandishing my new expensive acquisition, or throw-open the garage OH door and proudly wheel-in the bulky tool addition. "Look-what I've got!" I call-out.
Oops, wife's calling, gotta-go....
where can I hide this?
stillp
Well-known member
sawduststeve
Well-known member
Ha, I do that, ^^^ luckily the workshop is three miles from home
I do have the feeling that I’m being watched though, or is it guilt.
Bob, I trust you’re still under orders and still taking it easy, no point in rushing anywhere. Take care fella.
Steve
mybigwarwagon
Well-known member
Gee you guys have it easy. I get a new tool and my wife wants to use it. I got a dewalt Sawzall she claimed as her own
rixtrix1
Well-known member
Cool, bmww. Since I'm a mechanic, my wife knows tools pay the bill, "saying "if you need it to work, then get it!"
Didn't really happen that way when I got the TIG, tho...
Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
mybigwarwagon
Well-known member
Mine understands that too. Now when I drag home another truck....
Philip, I absolutely believe that's what you do. I just wonder if your wife is home when you do it.You wimps! I bring home any tool, I walk in the front door, boldly brandishing my new expensive acquisition, or throw-open the garage OH door and proudly wheel-in the bulky tool addition. "Look-what I've got!" I call-out.
Oops, wife's calling, gotta-go....
where can I hide this?
Pete, I assume your wife knows what she's doing and never leaves bruises where they can be seen.
Steve, you have found the perfect solution. I would have my stuff shipped to my workplace but that would mean going back to work. I'll stick with the occasional flogging (I'm used to it and she's not as good with the whip as she once was).Ha, I do that, ^^^ luckily the workshop is three miles from home
I do have the feeling that I’m being watched though, or is it guilt.
Bob, I trust you’re still under orders and still taking it easy, no point in rushing anywhere. Take care fella.
Steve
I'm still following orders but I have been doing a few chores.
Uncle Willie, most of my tools are safe but my small dead-blow hammers frequently go missing. Technically they aren't gone, just returned to the last place I would think to look (think linen closet).
Daniel, it's getting scary. Liane's favorite shows are the "How I got away with murder" ones. I once heard her comment to another wife: "I know a good place where no one will ever find them." I'm hoping she was talking about chocolates.
Ric, I do get a lot of slack. Anything that helps me fix things around the house is OK with her. The only grief I get is when a better model of a tool I already have shows up. It starts with "Don't you already have..." and ends with "...that's gonna cost you...."
She scared the **** out of me the other day when she expressed interest in a Dyson hair curler. She has naturally curly red hair and used to spend hours trying to straighten it. I told her Dyson stamped on anything is code for $$$$$$ and she replied "You mean more than $29.99?" and refused to believe it was $499.00 to $549.00 until I showed her the ad. I paid $499.00 for my Eastwood DC TIG.
Uncle Willie, I have yet to find a way to hide a vehicle so I always get Liane involved. The day after our son was born in 1963 I took a little side trip from the hospital to show Liane a car. It was a bone stock 1929 Model A tudor sedan with all new or rebuilt mechanicals including brakes, wheels and tires. It needed some minor body work, less foggy set of windows and a little interior work. The guy was desperate and needed $225. All Liane said was "So why did you pay the $180 hospital bill? It wasn't like they were going to keep him!" It was a tough choice but no way that Model A would help me repair the shed.
A few years ago a neighbor was selling his Silverado SS454. It had 140K miles on the odometer with 14K on a 'new' engine. He was asking $3,500, including the original hood if I wanted to get rid of the cowl induction one. She was fine with it as long as I got rid of the '72 454 Corvette. Got me again!
stillp
Well-known member
She doesn't care Bob, anywhere will do.
Pete
stillp
Well-known member
Mine keeps picking up one of those when we pass them in a department store. They're a similar price over here, about £400. Then she'd need the hair dryer to match, another £400.
I used to know a chap who was a design engineer for Dyson. I asked him why our Dyson vacuum cleaner was so noisy, he told me that was deliberate, since most of their customers judge the suction power of a cleaner by how much noise it makes.
Pete
The cars reminded me they need attention in a very dramatic way. A few weeks ago I discovered a small oil puddle in the driveway in front of the Cadillac garage bay. I thought it might be from the lawn spray guy's truck but I checked under the Cadillac to be sure. No sign of a leak but I didn't jack the car up. Then we took a 60-mile drive to check out some dogs at a shelter. Came home and there were a string of oil drops going down the driveway. The Cadillac didn't give any sign, like an oil warning light or message but I checked the oil level - it's A QUART LOW. Jacked the car up to get a better look and the oil filter is covered with oil.
I am taking it easy because a floor jack is a push-down rather than a lift up process so I'm pretty sure I didn't exceed my 5-pound lifting limit.
Supplies arrived Last Tuesday. For the Cadillac, six quarts of Mobil 1 with dexos approved-gen 2 rating and a K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter. Same stuff for the PT Cruiser but a 5-quart jug. Already had a 5-quart jug of 10w-30 Mobil 1 and K&N filter for the Corvette so I was ready for a slippery day with lots of paper towels and a cloth rag or two.
The '87 Corvette has been hinting it's time for a change by leaving an oil spot on the garage floor. The Last time I changed the oil was May 2018 but only drove the car 190 miles in that time, with weeks passing between uses. When I got the Corvette a foot or so off the ground and on jack-stands, I could see a sheen on the oil filter and it even had a drop of oil hanging on the bottom. I grabbed the filter and it was way too easy to unscrew. It was a K&N (black) Performance Silver Oil Filter so it was hard to see the oil. Now I'm second-guessing myself -- did I not install it hand-tight? And am I really that weak? Drained the oil and filter, waited about a half-hour and after wiping everything clean three or four times, put in fresh oil and filter.
The '87 Corvette is the only car I own that has grease fittings so I got out the big grease gun. OK, maybe it's 'one of' the big grease guns. I have both a hand pump and a pneumatic pump grease gun as well as a mini hand pump gun. I have had problems greasing the Corvette in the past so I swapped out the little coupler on the big gun for a locking coupler.
I bought a locking coupler a while back and never installed it. After seeing a better one, I ordered two of those to convert all three guns.
First fitting is a piece of cake, out in the open and pointing straight up.
Moving on to the lower ball joints I have a problem. The the big locking coupler won't lock on the right angle ball joint zerk fitting. It also won't go on the right-angle tie rod end zerk fitting.
No problem, I'll remove the wheel. Now I can get a good look at the ball joint and it appears it needs to be replaced. The lower ball joints have a tell-tale wear indicator. When the grease fitting boss is even with or lower than the surrounding plate, the ball joint is worn and needs to be replaced. I don't have the parts for a front end rebuild so I'm just going to use the mini-gun with a small coupler to get some fresh grease in the ball joint. Looks like a fun project is waiting for me to get the all-clear. The grease guns went back in their holders, waiting for the next chapter
Moving on to the Cadillac, a little jacking and a couple of jack stands and I could reach the filter. It's hard to get a grip on it because the oil pan surrounds half the filter. Turns out to be quite tight so I don't understand the leaking oil. Maybe I over-tightened it last time. I used 10w-30 oil so maybe it blew the gasket. This oil change is at 13 months and 790 miles so the oil shouldn't have gone south.
Did the change and decided to check the filter more closely. The rubber ring/gasket is locked in place so I use my exhaust pipe cutter to open up the filter case. I could use a Sawzall but then I'd have all kinds of steel chips in the filter.
Once I'm able to take the filter apart, everything looks fine. This is really strange and I don't understand what went wrong.
Looks like I'll be doing regular visual inspections with my mirror on a stick and a light for at least the coming year.
I am taking it easy because a floor jack is a push-down rather than a lift up process so I'm pretty sure I didn't exceed my 5-pound lifting limit.
Supplies arrived Last Tuesday. For the Cadillac, six quarts of Mobil 1 with dexos approved-gen 2 rating and a K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter. Same stuff for the PT Cruiser but a 5-quart jug. Already had a 5-quart jug of 10w-30 Mobil 1 and K&N filter for the Corvette so I was ready for a slippery day with lots of paper towels and a cloth rag or two.
The '87 Corvette has been hinting it's time for a change by leaving an oil spot on the garage floor. The Last time I changed the oil was May 2018 but only drove the car 190 miles in that time, with weeks passing between uses. When I got the Corvette a foot or so off the ground and on jack-stands, I could see a sheen on the oil filter and it even had a drop of oil hanging on the bottom. I grabbed the filter and it was way too easy to unscrew. It was a K&N (black) Performance Silver Oil Filter so it was hard to see the oil. Now I'm second-guessing myself -- did I not install it hand-tight? And am I really that weak? Drained the oil and filter, waited about a half-hour and after wiping everything clean three or four times, put in fresh oil and filter.
The '87 Corvette is the only car I own that has grease fittings so I got out the big grease gun. OK, maybe it's 'one of' the big grease guns. I have both a hand pump and a pneumatic pump grease gun as well as a mini hand pump gun. I have had problems greasing the Corvette in the past so I swapped out the little coupler on the big gun for a locking coupler.
I bought a locking coupler a while back and never installed it. After seeing a better one, I ordered two of those to convert all three guns.
First fitting is a piece of cake, out in the open and pointing straight up.
Moving on to the lower ball joints I have a problem. The the big locking coupler won't lock on the right angle ball joint zerk fitting. It also won't go on the right-angle tie rod end zerk fitting.
No problem, I'll remove the wheel. Now I can get a good look at the ball joint and it appears it needs to be replaced. The lower ball joints have a tell-tale wear indicator. When the grease fitting boss is even with or lower than the surrounding plate, the ball joint is worn and needs to be replaced. I don't have the parts for a front end rebuild so I'm just going to use the mini-gun with a small coupler to get some fresh grease in the ball joint. Looks like a fun project is waiting for me to get the all-clear. The grease guns went back in their holders, waiting for the next chapter
Moving on to the Cadillac, a little jacking and a couple of jack stands and I could reach the filter. It's hard to get a grip on it because the oil pan surrounds half the filter. Turns out to be quite tight so I don't understand the leaking oil. Maybe I over-tightened it last time. I used 10w-30 oil so maybe it blew the gasket. This oil change is at 13 months and 790 miles so the oil shouldn't have gone south.
Did the change and decided to check the filter more closely. The rubber ring/gasket is locked in place so I use my exhaust pipe cutter to open up the filter case. I could use a Sawzall but then I'd have all kinds of steel chips in the filter.
Once I'm able to take the filter apart, everything looks fine. This is really strange and I don't understand what went wrong.
Looks like I'll be doing regular visual inspections with my mirror on a stick and a light for at least the coming year.
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Pete, they blame it on us for being clumsy.
Pete, so the noise is not from gold coins rattling around inside. Good to know the noise is a feature and not a bug. For as much as they cost, you would think the blowing and sucking would take care of more than just hair and dirt.
stillp
Well-known member
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
patlun
Well-known member
Good you are taking it easy taking care of your cars while you recover.
All fun surprises you get when maintaining old cars. Thinking "I will only change this", ending up rebuilding the whole car, including new paint and upholstery. And of course buying new tools to be able to do the rebuild.
Greetings from a warmer and brighter Stockholm. ( 9C and the sun set at 17:38, almost three hours later than at the winter solstice (14:45)
All fun surprises you get when maintaining old cars. Thinking "I will only change this", ending up rebuilding the whole car, including new paint and upholstery. And of course buying new tools to be able to do the rebuild.
Greetings from a warmer and brighter Stockholm. ( 9C and the sun set at 17:38, almost three hours later than at the winter solstice (14:45)
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The cars reminded me they need attention in a very dramatic way.
Once I'm able to take the filter apart, everything looks fine. This is really strange and I don't understand what went wrong.
Looks like I'll be doing regular visual inspections with my mirror on a stick and a light for at least the coming year.
Might have been a defective seal sometimes they dry out with age or temp exposure. The other thing that sometimes happen is **** is left on motor side. This causes slight leaks.
On race cars I would run sedans check for leaks and when it cooled to touch retighten oil filter, on formula cars the oil filters are in line cartridges.
But a common problem is over tightening this will often distort the seal, but usually it remains in that position after removal.
Pipe cutters are the only way to open a filter otherwise it is hard to tell where the chips came from.
When you doing an oil change on the Porsche?
Pete, if we're not talking about Dyson, I've just passed my 'best by' date.Are we talking wives now or vacuum cleaners?
Pete
Dan, more like where'd Bob go
Patrik, now that I don't drive the Corvette every day, repairs get spread out over a longer time. I bought and installed new injectors and leather upholstery for the seats 25 years ago and had it repainted 12 years ago. Did valve guide seals 8 years ago and "while I had the valve covers off," replaced the valve springs and rocker arms. Four years ago a bad catalytic converter made me buy and install long tube stainless headers (and a new MIG set up for stainless steel). Yes, it's a nightmare, a terrible nightmare. Wakes me up early so I can get back to work on the car.
We're still having winter weather (cloudy with rain and 21-25C [70-77F]) but passed 12 hours of daylight a few days ago. Daylight Saving Time means sunset at 19:27 (but our longest day ends at 20:16).
Pi_guy, I suspected over-tightening but it didn't feel like it. The oil on the filter and the oil pan shrouding it made it impossible to unscrew by hand but a socket on a stubby took very little effort. I try hard to avoid over-tightening and that's one reason I don't take my cars in for service -- had to punch a big screwdriver through a filter many years ago to break it free after a "professional" oil change.
I always wipe the filter mating surface three or four times until the rag shows no dirt or oil coming off and the o-ring gets a coat of fresh oil applied with a q-tip. Seems odd that it started seeping oil after 11 months and 700 miles. All I can think is the viscosity rating and cold weather -- I ran 10w-30 oil instead of 5w-30 and it was in the low 40s one morning. Now I have something new to worry about.
I will be changing the oil on the Porsche the day I buy it, which will happen in my dreams.