Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Bob Heine's Auto Emporium
- Thread starter Bob Heine
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
LeonardY
Well-known member
Bob,
I sort of remember you liking Stag Horn ferns.
My brother been doing a great job with dad's. He's started splitting it too.
Hope the garage organizing is going well.
I sort of remember you liking Stag Horn ferns.
My brother been doing a great job with dad's. He's started splitting it too.
Hope the garage organizing is going well.
Darn...I thought I was "THEE" special customer and only "I" received emails like that from them... All kidding aside, I really like shopping there, and can see that they have really stepped up their game over the past few years.
As I clean up the house, and get rid of some "extra" stuff, I ran across this ultrasonic jewelery cleaner. I told Brittney (my son's fiance') that I'm going to bring it out to the shop and I can clean wrenches in it. She was amazed that I could use it for that. I says, sure... It has a small bottle of cleaner with it, so would like to try that first. I can always replace the fluid with evapororust later, but wanted to try its special sauce first. Granted, I can only fit something like ignition sized wrenches in it, but am anxious to try it out.
As I clean up the house, and get rid of some "extra" stuff, I ran across this ultrasonic jewelery cleaner. I told Brittney (my son's fiance') that I'm going to bring it out to the shop and I can clean wrenches in it. She was amazed that I could use it for that. I says, sure... It has a small bottle of cleaner with it, so would like to try that first. I can always replace the fluid with evapororust later, but wanted to try its special sauce first. Granted, I can only fit something like ignition sized wrenches in it, but am anxious to try it out.
Grizz1963
Well-known member
Terrick down Under
Well-known member
HEY, THERE ARE SO MANY VARIATIONS OF PT CRUISERS ADD-ONS AROUND THE WORLD.
kaymccampbell
Well-known member
YOU CAN TURN OFF SHIFT LOCK NOW!
He is from down under maybe the key is stuck....
Red Leader
Well-known member
@gman007, I apologize for not responding sooner -- I discovered your post snuck past me when I was scrolling back a page, I click on the 'Like' button after I read a post so I can tell I've read it and this post didn't have one.
Twelve years ago I cleaned up a couple of old Craftsman tools I inherited from my father: a quarter-inch single speed non-reversible drill and a 1/3 sheet sander. I didn't take any 'after' pictures but here's a 'before' of the drill.
Both tools were made in the early 1950s and had two-prong plugs with a pigtail wire with a spade connector (you were supposed to loosen the screw on the wall plate to ground the tool). I replaced the wires in the 1960s but stopped using the tools when I acquired a 3/8 reversible drill with variable speed. I also stopped using the sander because it weighed a ton and was deafeningly loud.
Here's someone else's photo of the sander/polisher[?] (Craftsman 110.7800) with its case...
...and a view of the sander showing the speed adjustment. You turned the huge screw to adjust the vibration (and sound) for coarse or fine sanding. The sander came with a wool 1/3 sheet to turn it into a polisher but I never used it for that purpose.
I sent the two tools to @Red Leader to add to his vintage Craftsman tool collection. His "1950s Craftsman Garage retro remodel" thread was very active back in 2012*2020:
1950s Craftsman Garage retro remodel
The trim on #2 looks great and the edge banding on the shelves is coming along. For tool panel #1, which Weldwood did you use? They offer many varieties. My first thought would be for the contact adhesive, coat both sides and wait till dry to the touch and the two pieces should not come...www.garagejournal.com
How cool to find this old post from a while back!
I might still have both! Thank you so much for both of them. I definitely still have the (Syncro?) sander, and it is a gem of a tool…there is no smoother sander out there!
I do recall the drill gave up the ghost, so I’d have to check if I still have it. Right now the garage is going through a major overhaul, so I will look for it. I’m going to be organizing my hand power tools and getting them together in the same cabinet - soon.
@Squankum, that brought back a memory from 50 or so years ago. As I've mentioned before, when we lived in Wappingers Falls we would drive down to Croton on Hudson to catch a New York Central train into Manhattan for weekends. Years before Donald Trump bought the Plaza, the hotel had $50 family deals on weekends. My mother treated us so there were five in the room. In today's money, that's $425 but two nights for five now costs $4,411.00 (plus $207 for breakfast).
My mother thought it would be nice to have Sunday lunch at The Russian Tea Room. We sat down and everyone picked something reasonably priced ($$) except for our son. His rule for ordering food was to look for the most expensive item on the menu and assume it would be good. When the waiter took our order he said: "I'll have the Beef Stroganoff" and Liane interrupted with: "He'll have the Hamburger!"
Leonard, I do like them because they take very little work once established. When our banana plants fruit, I put a couple in each staghorn and they thrive (apparently they like lots of potassium). The two big ones in the front yard and a small one in the back yard are the same variety but a different one latched onto our Maple tree in the back yard.Bob,
I sort of remember you liking Stag Horn ferns.
My brother been doing a great job with dad's. He's started splitting it too.
Hope the garage organizing is going well.
2011
2026
Rick, I am truly disappointed that I'm not the only person who receives personalized e-mails from HF.
My ultrasonic cleaner is a bit larger but it won't help de-rusting a big block Chevy cylinder head.
Rian, when the PT Cruiser came out in 2001 a whole industry sprang up that offered modifications of all kinds for the PT Cruiser. When Chevrolet introduced the HHR in 2006 (with help from the PT Cruiser designer who jumped ship from Chrysler) the market for old people cars was saturated and died a quiet death.
Terrick, the add-ons and accessories are getting harder to find since they quit making them in 2010. I remember one company producing panel vans to compete with Chevy's HHR.
Kay, I didn't know that was a thing. Another thing to worry about.
Michael, they sold 1.35 million PT Cruisers worldwide but only 7,000 down under. The Chevrolet sold 526,000 HHRs.
Dave, I'm so glad those treasures went to a good home. Even glader to see you back posting.
Higgins
Well-known member
Ditto!
I have an opinion! Several, actually. About car names.
Hondas:
CR-V? I shall call it "the crave."
HR-V? Harvey.
CR-Z? Crazy.
Chevrolet HHR? Huhuhurr.
As in:
What? Trump bought The Plaza? OK, I really haven't kept up with things Manhattan in... quite some time. To the Wikipedia!
Well, that rates one tired Mike Ehrmantraut.
Now where am I supposed to go to spot werewolves?! Or get shoestring potatoes?
Coolabah
Well-known member
Ahh ! Not so simple grasshopper !
Yeh , well Bob spent some time downunder so ( for sure!) he will back me up on this one.
Off topic but I am surprised Bob hasn't yet recounted his close brush with one of the Drop Bears that used to live in Coonara Avenue at IBM where he worked. They've moved on now as the area is being redeveloped for housing and their favourite gum trees habitat have been cut down..
The problem is , a lot of us are used to the old dial up internet. Before they fixed it , nothing would go through to the Northern Hemisphere unless , you guessed it , you were upside down. We all used to use those moon boots so you could hang upside down from your wardrobe, and type away but you had to hold onto the keyboard with your left hand , and it was too easy to activate the shift key or caps lock as this is where you were gripping the keyboard. But if you weren't holding on tightly , you could drop your keyboard and not be able to reach it. This is why most Aussies still hold their keybOARD ABOVE THe desk with their left hand and type with their right hand. OOps sorry about that, keyboard slipped.
So , that's the explanation folks. its not that complicated
I don't think this relates to my stuck key comment. I think most of the cars I worked on you could count the total on two maybe 3 hands. And I don't think any were exactly the same.
My impression of a PT cruiser is with a little work on the suburban I could fit one in the back. I think they did a roundy round race series with them but we never really crossed paths
Yup that was my line of thinking. My button quail are from that part of the world and they do some interesting upside down things.Ahh ! Not so simple grasshopper !
Yeh , well Bob spent some time downunder so ( for sure!) he will back me up on this one.
Off topic but I am surprised Bob hasn't yet recounted his close brush with one of the Drop Bears that used to live in Coonara Avenue at IBM where he worked. They've moved on now as the area is being redeveloped for housing and their favourite gum trees habitat have been cut down..
The problem is , a lot of us are used to the old dial up internet. Before they fixed it , nothing would go through to the Northern Hemisphere unless , you guessed it , you were upside down. We all used to use those moon boots so you could hang upside down from your wardrobe, and type away but you had to hold onto the keyboard with your left hand , and it was too easy to activate the shift key or caps lock as this is where you were gripping the keyboard. But if you weren't holding on tightly , you could drop your keyboard and not be able to reach it. This is why most Aussies still hold their keybOARD ABOVE THe desk with their left hand and type with their right hand. OOps sorry about that, keyboard slipped.
So , that's the explanation folks. its not that complicated
Coolabah
Well-known member
Not a lot of PT cruisers anymore around my neck of the woods, but I do indeed still like the look of them !
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Bob, I think often about my chances of taking Cheryl abroad, to go see Paris, France. You tried to talk me out of getting the tractor, instead. I really like the tractor, and now that Cheryl has passed, I really think about my decisions. After her passing, I really don't feel like going anywhere, she did all of the planning, things like that. I'm not much of a leader in life, much more of a follower. ( Follow the Leader) type of thing. So, I don't see myself traveling much past my mailbox at this point. I love to travel, don't get me wrong, but think I'd like to travel with a group of people. A bus ride to a different state, something like that.
@Higgins, the whole reason for wanting a three car garage was tied to the Corvettes. The mess is tied to me.
@Squankum, the car names that mean something in another language intrigued me.
Nova is Latin for 'New,' as in a type of bright star but most like to split it into 'No Va,' meaning 'Doesn't Go' in Spanish.
Vega is a Meadow in Spanish.
Sometimes, like Camaro, it's just a made-up name that starts with 'C.'
The NYC Plaza is nowhere near as good as the Plaza Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte, NC, for spotting werewolves. I think most Walmart stores can provide you with shoestring potatoes for a whole lot less than the Plaza. On the other hand, you can have afternoon tea at the Plaza's Palm Court for $125 per person ($95 per child).What? Trump bought The Plaza? OK, I really haven't kept up with things Manhattan in... quite some time. To the Wikipedia!
Well, that rates one tired Mike Ehrmantraut.
Now where am I supposed to go to spot werewolves?! Or get shoestring potatoes?
Greg, watching for Drop Bears is almost as dangerous as the bears themselves. Many a near-death trip walking from the parking garage to the main entrance because I was afraid to look down. Those bears were actually cute as a [Tasmanian] Devil.Ahh ! Not so simple grasshopper !
Yeh , well Bob spent some time downunder so ( for sure!) he will back me up on this one.
Off topic but I am surprised Bob hasn't yet recounted his close brush with one of the Drop Bears that used to live in Coonara Avenue at IBM where he worked. They've moved on now as the area is being redeveloped for housing and their favourite gum trees habitat have been cut down..
The problem is , a lot of us are used to the old dial up internet. Before they fixed it , nothing would go through to the Northern Hemisphere unless , you guessed it , you were upside down. We all used to use those moon boots so you could hang upside down from your wardrobe, and type away but you had to hold onto the keyboard with your left hand , and it was too easy to activate the shift key or caps lock as this is where you were gripping the keyboard. But if you weren't holding on tightly , you could drop your keyboard and not be able to reach it. This is why most Aussies still hold their keybOARD ABOVE THe desk with their left hand and type with their right hand. OOps sorry about that, keyboard slipped.
So , that's the explanation folks. its not that complicated
Hardest part for me was holding the keyboard with my stump while hanging. I had to type everything twice: first pass typing the letters on the right side of the keyboard and then turning the keyboard over and typing the letters on the right side, trying to keep the very confusing upside down/downside up arrangement of the QWERTY - MNBVC keyboard.
Michael, I tend to keep my vehicles for a very long time so I'm in the same boat, with a total of fewer than 20 cars. Only work I farmed out was some A/C stuff and one transmission job I just didn't have time to do myself.
The PT Cruiser is quite short but probably too wide and tall to fit in the Suburban. I have avoided racing mine anywhere but the short bursts from stoplight to stoplight (never exceeding the speed limit) but I understand there's quite the following in Rallycross:
https://www.jalopnik.com/turns-out-pt-cruisers-were-made-for-rallycross-1848142976/
At least they are small and don't have huge beaks. Maybe those are what I was tripping over on my walks at Coonara.
Gregg, based on my experience, their rarity down under would make parts procurement a nightmare.
Rick, I do understand. Much of my traveling as a youngster was in the backseat of the car and visiting places my parents chose. As a young adult I took the family on camping trips, first with the car (and utility trailer) to state parks and then with the boat and living on islands with a tent and dining fly. When we moved to Florida we joined a Corvette Club and the club arranged trips, including cruises to the Caribbean. At the same time, the IBM and AOL sent me on business trips and I brought Liane along. IBM also arranged my two year assignment in Australia so we saw places in the South Pacific that would have been difficult to do from Florida (at our expense). The memories you acquire from traveling are priceless.
I would suggest joining a group that you share interests with and see if that group is interested in group travel. Then the arrangements will be shared rather than you doing it alone.
Just stumbled across this -- famous American novelist Zane Grey thought Arizona was getting too crowded with tourists and land speculators in the 1920's and started traveling overseas, including some trips to Australia in the 1930's. The drop bear got him! It's about to plunge its fangs into his neck!
He was wealthy, so maybe there were some flying boat trips with commercial airlines involved, but still, that had to have been a long, long trip.
He was wealthy, so maybe there were some flying boat trips with commercial airlines involved, but still, that had to have been a long, long trip.
Just like the Killer Rabbit in the Holy Grail....Just stumbled across this -- famous American novelist Zane Grey thought Arizona was getting too crowded with tourists and land speculators in the 1920's and started traveling overseas, including some trips to Australia in the 1930's. The drop bear got him! It's about to plunge its fangs into his neck!
He was wealthy, so maybe there were some flying boat trips with commercial airlines involved, but still, that had to have been a long, long trip.
Coolabah
Well-known member
Good eye for detail there ! However , as most kids are taught at school from an early age , the best way to disorientate a Drop Bear is to stick a finger in its ear. Note the handler has complete control of the situation. But you're - literally - dead right , this technique is not 100% effective even though this is a juvenile. Anyway , enough about Drop Bears - my nightmares are starting to come back
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Bob, that's a great idea, joining a group to go traveling. Mom did just that after Dad's passing. I should ask her about it. She was still living in Duluth, and the group made plans for a smaller bus ride to St. Paul, to the Greyhound Bus depot, then she went on from there. They went to Branson, Missouri one time, and another time as far as Florida. I can imagine that's a long time to sit on a bus, but I'd rather do that than to go alone and drive myself that far.
Denwood
Well-known member
Projected temps overnight of -2C and I come over here to see the botanical conservatory in your back yard…sheesh!@Squankum, that brought back a memory from 50 or so years ago. As I've mentioned before, when we lived in Wappingers Falls we would drive down to Croton on Hudson to catch a New York Central train into Manhattan for weekends. Years before Donald Trump bought the Plaza, the hotel had $50 family deals on weekends. My mother treated us so there were five in the room. In today's money, that's $425 but two nights for five now costs $4,411.00 (plus $207 for breakfast).
My mother thought it would be nice to have Sunday lunch at The Russian Tea Room. We sat down and everyone picked something reasonably priced ($$) except for our son. His rule for ordering food was to look for the most expensive item on the menu and assume it would be good. When the waiter took our order he said: "I'll have the Beef Stroganoff" and Liane interrupted with: "He'll have the Hamburger!"
Leonard, I do like them because they take very little work once established. When our banana plants fruit, I put a couple in each staghorn and they thrive (apparently they like lots of potassium). The two big ones in the front yard and a small one in the back yard are the same variety but a different one latched onto our Maple tree in the back yard.
2011
2026
Rick, I am truly disappointed that I'm not the only person who receives personalized e-mails from HF.
My ultrasonic cleaner is a bit larger but it won't help de-rusting a big block Chevy cylinder head.
Rian, when the PT Cruiser came out in 2001 a whole industry sprang up that offered modifications of all kinds for the PT Cruiser. When Chevrolet introduced the HHR in 2006 (with help from the PT Cruiser designer who jumped ship from Chrysler) the market for old people cars was saturated and died a quiet death.
Terrick, the add-ons and accessories are getting harder to find since they quit making them in 2010. I remember one company producing panel vans to compete with Chevy's HHR.
Kay, I didn't know that was a thing. Another thing to worry about.
Michael, they sold 1.35 million PT Cruisers worldwide but only 7,000 down under. The Chevrolet sold 526,000 HHRs.
Dave, I'm so glad those treasures went to a good home. Even glader to see you back posting.
Not to sink the thread in depression have had a great life and shocked as **** that I lasted this long.
Growths getting larger chemo not working doctors at a loss of what to do.
So the focus is on making me comfortable they stopped chemo. I have the next level of pain killers but I need to do some things before I start on that. I have to give up driving.
Could be years or could be less I am just aiming for this years harvest in October
Growths getting larger chemo not working doctors at a loss of what to do.
So the focus is on making me comfortable they stopped chemo. I have the next level of pain killers but I need to do some things before I start on that. I have to give up driving.
Could be years or could be less I am just aiming for this years harvest in October
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sorry to hear this. I have two good friends battling cancer now, the medical community really needs to find a cure for it.
Maybe what they learn from me will help someone else. They have cured many people some are more difficult than others. The kidney cancer is not what is killing me the prostrate cancer got in the bone 75% sure of that. The bone biopsy 3rd one might give definitive answer.
But at this point it is a **** shoot I am gonna boogie till I drop. 2nd week in June we are going to Hull Mass for two days with the gang that has been my caretakers and my son. We are going to have a nerf battle at Fort Revere, did you know they make a claymoore that shoots out nerf bullets. Eat at Jake's hang out at beach just take a few days and just have fun with the guys.
Have my bodyshop friend taking care of my Quail when I am away they will all be outside soon.
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bob, hope you're doing ok with your issues. See what I did there? I just called you Bob Hope... That comma becomes somewhat important in my story... Sorry about that.
I've been reading Squankums "Underground Lair" and am on about the 24th page of about 80 pages or so. What an incredible read, pretty cool stuff he talks about. He's all over the map, quite literally, with the stuff he talks about. I'm learning so much from him... So, Squanky, if you're listening with your eyeballs, kudos to you. I plan to write something on your thread, but won't until I finish reading through it all.
I've been reading Squankums "Underground Lair" and am on about the 24th page of about 80 pages or so. What an incredible read, pretty cool stuff he talks about. He's all over the map, quite literally, with the stuff he talks about. I'm learning so much from him... So, Squanky, if you're listening with your eyeballs, kudos to you. I plan to write something on your thread, but won't until I finish reading through it all.
Thanks! Now I'm under pressure to write something for you, something I meant to do a few months ago!
@Squankum, I feel a connection to Zane. I left Arizona in 1945 but not because it was too crowded (Douglas had between eight and nine thousand residents) or land speculators (Phelps Dodge and the US Government owned most of Douglas). I left because I was too young to take care of myself (6-months old) and my father got assigned to a new station in the Army Air Corps. Like Zane, I left for Australia 45 years later because I didn't get along with my new boss.Just stumbled across this -- famous American novelist Zane Grey thought Arizona was getting too crowded with tourists and land speculators in the 1920's and started traveling overseas, including some trips to Australia in the 1930's. The drop bear got him! It's about to plunge its fangs into his neck!
He was wealthy, so maybe there were some flying boat trips with commercial airlines involved, but still, that had to have been a long, long trip.
I used to tell people I lost my arm in a Coyote Ugly episode. For those who don't know, Coyote Ugly refers to getting really drunk and inviting the last woman at the bar to a nearby motel. Upon waking up the next morning and seeing the woman lying next to you with your arm underneath, you chew your arm off rather than wake her up.
From now on it's a Drop Bear incident from my time Down Under.
Michael, a Killer Rabbit attack while visiting Great Britain would be an excellent alternative. Then again, I could claim I'm a distant relative of the Black Knight...
Gregg, once again, us Yanks don't get the inside scoop. No one told me about the finger in the ear trick but that would have been difficult while holding one with my good arm. I suspect sticking a stump in their ear would just annoy them (or lead them to believe my whole arm was in their ear and give up any further attack),Good eye for detail there ! However , as most kids are taught at school from an early age , the best way to disorientate a Drop Bear is to stick a finger in its ear. Note the handler has complete control of the situation. But you're - literally - dead right , this technique is not 100% effective even though this is a juvenile. Anyway , enough about Drop Bears - my nightmares are starting to come back
Rick, in our early 40s we took a couple of bus tours. One was a week long tour of Greece and the other was a two week tour of Spain. The tour buses are pretty comfortable but I would definitely avoid the tours that involve repurposed school buses.
Dennis, every location has its drawbacks and bonuses. You have the bonus of four distinct seasons while we have only two: Summer and Tourist.
Michael, no depression here. I firmly believe every day we are alive is a gift. The flaming bag of dog **** days may not be the best but they are still gifts. My prostate cancer was discovered five years ago and after having it and some nearby lymph nodes removed, I thought all was well. The four-point-something PSA was the hint that led to the surgery. Two years later I scored a seven-point-something PSA and it turned out to be a tumor in my pelvic bone. Three months on Testosterone-blocking shots and pills allowed the tumor to be radiated using a machine left behind by an alien invasion.
Three years of hormone treatment has my PSA below 1.0 so they took me off the hormones. I was gifted with a case of lymphedema that comes with some cancer treatments. Resumed the taking the Prednisone and spent time with a young woman who massaged my calves and feet, Every doctor I see has to have a look at my groin to be sure the presumably missing lymph nodes have not returned as zombie nodes. No one has given me a time frame but I suspect being an 81-year-old former heavy drinker and smoker shouldn't ask.
Mathias, I prefer to beat it with a stick (obviously running it over with a train doesn't work).
Scott, I feel blessed each day I keep it at bay. Just celebrated our youngest great granddaughter's third birthday so I take each of the milestones of our two children, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren as another special, sweet smelling and not flaming gift. Every one I get to celebrate is wonderful.
This was definitely a testosterone-free event and rightfully so because it was Mother's Day as well as Liane Roberta's birthday.
Michael, none of us know for sure when our last day will come. Maybe it's nine days before our 21st birthday on the way to work or maybe 60 years later. Make the best of the ones we get and spen every moment like it's our last.
Joel, I agree with your sentiment 100%,
Rick, I have been following @Squankum's threads for years. Good thing I'm retired because he sure knows how to find and share rabbit holes.
@Squankum, just share a link to some antique and unique CNC machine.Thanks! Now I'm under pressure to write something for you, something I meant to do a few months ago!
We didn't have a lot of April Showers and we have flowers all year round but I'm glad April is over.
The Phone
Vonage has been our home phone (VOIP) provider since April of last year. A couple of times their box has acted up and we lost our dial tone. When it happened at the end of March, I couldn't get it working so I called for assistance. This involves calling Vonage with my Ting cell phone and telling them what's wrong. An hour later the dial tone is back but with no hint what was done or what to do next time. Next morning dial tone is gone again. An hour later, without doing anything or calling Vonage, the dial tone is back. Two evenings later and our son calls us on my cell phone to tell us our land line isn't working.
Our new Voice Over Internet Protocol phone provider is Ooma and it has worked perfectly for the first month. I have called most of our relatives and doctors and have changed the number at most of the companies we do business with. Had I been smart, I would have kept track of which ones I called. Some places, like Walgreens, allow me to change the phone number myself but they don't let me delete the previous one. When you are at the counter picking up prescriptions, best not request a phone change when there are ten cranky (probably sick) people behind you. Especially in Florida, where you don't need a permit to conceal carry a gun.
TurboTax and the IRS
I didn't wait for the last minute to prepare my taxes but changing a mutual fund resulted in an unexpected windfall. Suddenly I was not in a huge hurry to file early, knowing I would be paying a large (to me) amount for 2025 and a large first (of four) estimated tax payment for 2026. I decided to e-file on April 13 and that included providing the IP PIN (Identity Protection PIN) the IRS sends me each year. I failed to notice I had two of these notices in my tax folder and provided my 2024 IP PIN (dated January 2025). Pressed the SEND button and went to bed.
Next morning I check my e-mail and TurboTax has notified me my return has been rejected. Instruction says to just fix the IP PIN issue but it doesn't work and I have to mail my return. Hey, it's still the 14th so I go home and print out the return, stuff it in a large envelope and drop it off at the local post office after paying the proper postage.
I assummed the payment I made through the e-file process had been accepted but NOOO, I have to go online and make the payment directly from my checking account to the IRS. I posted it on 4/15/2026 but the IRS dated it as 4/16/2026 so I'm waiting for a letter telling me I owe half my life savings in late fees and penalties.
PT Cruiser
Oh, this is one of those Shaggy Dog stories that will take some time to type up. Murphy's Laws were heavily involved.
The Phone
Vonage has been our home phone (VOIP) provider since April of last year. A couple of times their box has acted up and we lost our dial tone. When it happened at the end of March, I couldn't get it working so I called for assistance. This involves calling Vonage with my Ting cell phone and telling them what's wrong. An hour later the dial tone is back but with no hint what was done or what to do next time. Next morning dial tone is gone again. An hour later, without doing anything or calling Vonage, the dial tone is back. Two evenings later and our son calls us on my cell phone to tell us our land line isn't working.
Our new Voice Over Internet Protocol phone provider is Ooma and it has worked perfectly for the first month. I have called most of our relatives and doctors and have changed the number at most of the companies we do business with. Had I been smart, I would have kept track of which ones I called. Some places, like Walgreens, allow me to change the phone number myself but they don't let me delete the previous one. When you are at the counter picking up prescriptions, best not request a phone change when there are ten cranky (probably sick) people behind you. Especially in Florida, where you don't need a permit to conceal carry a gun.
TurboTax and the IRS
I didn't wait for the last minute to prepare my taxes but changing a mutual fund resulted in an unexpected windfall. Suddenly I was not in a huge hurry to file early, knowing I would be paying a large (to me) amount for 2025 and a large first (of four) estimated tax payment for 2026. I decided to e-file on April 13 and that included providing the IP PIN (Identity Protection PIN) the IRS sends me each year. I failed to notice I had two of these notices in my tax folder and provided my 2024 IP PIN (dated January 2025). Pressed the SEND button and went to bed.
Next morning I check my e-mail and TurboTax has notified me my return has been rejected. Instruction says to just fix the IP PIN issue but it doesn't work and I have to mail my return. Hey, it's still the 14th so I go home and print out the return, stuff it in a large envelope and drop it off at the local post office after paying the proper postage.
I assummed the payment I made through the e-file process had been accepted but NOOO, I have to go online and make the payment directly from my checking account to the IRS. I posted it on 4/15/2026 but the IRS dated it as 4/16/2026 so I'm waiting for a letter telling me I owe half my life savings in late fees and penalties.
PT Cruiser
Oh, this is one of those Shaggy Dog stories that will take some time to type up. Murphy's Laws were heavily involved.
The strange part is I am best looking dead guy you will ever see. Every friend says how good I look. I don't feel really bad my leg hurts when I lay down other than that no balance or strength issues. Today's doctor was surprised about the strength in my legs.
The whole thing is weird Sloan is known not to give up but they seem to with me. So the thought of me being on my deadbed is depressing and not letting me get things done. Even my regular form of motivation is not working
. Spent most of my life figuring it would just happen not be sitting at the end waiting for it.
The whole thing is weird Sloan is known not to give up but they seem to with me. So the thought of me being on my deadbed is depressing and not letting me get things done. Even my regular form of motivation is not working
. Spent most of my life figuring it would just happen not be sitting at the end waiting for it.gman007
Well-known member
@pi_guy
I am so incredibly sorry to hear about what you are going through physically, but even more so for the heavy heart and mental anguish you are carrying right now. Please know that everything you are feeling mentally is completely valid, understandable, and deeply normal.
I don’t want to minimize the weight of your situation at all, but I noticed you mentioned that—aside from your legs hurting when you lie down—you still feel fairly okay for the most part. Because of that, maybe it’s okay to focus on how your body actually feels right now, day by day, rather than getting overwhelmed by what the medical charts say you "should" be feeling. Honestly, sometimes it is a form of self-care to step back, protect your peace, and focus only on the good moments. Try to give yourself permission to step away from the worry and just lean into the small things that bring you comfort and joy.
I know it is so much easier for someone else to say this than it is to live it. Building that kind of mindset takes time, but it really is worth trying. I actually watched someone close to our family navigate a very similar path years ago.
About 35 years ago, a dear friend of my parents was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors told him that he only had a short time left to live.
To everyone’s amazement, he chose to meet that news with an incredible spirit of freedom. He decided, "If my time is limited, I am going to make the absolute most of every single day and do whatever brings me true happiness."
One of his greatest joys in life was food. He decided to eat exactly what his heart desired and simply enjoy his life.
I fondly remember him sitting at a picnic, telling my dad, "Joe, last night I had a beautiful 16 oz ribeye steak, mashed potatoes, and a few glasses of red wine—followed by a huge piece of tiramisu. And wouldn't you know it, early this morning I woke up with my stomach growling! I went straight to the fridge, grabbed all my favorite cold cuts and a 12-inch sub roll, and built the most incredible sandwich. It was so delicious I wouldn't have sold it to my own brother for $1,000! I paired it with a cold beer and went right back to sleep with a massive smile on my face."
Astonishingly, he went on to live for another 10 years. When he did pass away, it was actually from an unrelated heart issue, not the cancer.
My reason for sharing this isn't about his diet, but rather how beautifully he chose to live the chapters he had left. He chose joy, comfort, and peace over fear. These health challenges are here whether we spend our time worrying about them or not, so maybe the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to focus your energy on whatever makes you smile.
Everyone processes things differently, and some days will naturally be harder than others, but I truly believe that looking for those moments of happiness is so worth it.
All of your friends here at GJ are holding you in our thoughts.
I am so incredibly sorry to hear about what you are going through physically, but even more so for the heavy heart and mental anguish you are carrying right now. Please know that everything you are feeling mentally is completely valid, understandable, and deeply normal.
I don’t want to minimize the weight of your situation at all, but I noticed you mentioned that—aside from your legs hurting when you lie down—you still feel fairly okay for the most part. Because of that, maybe it’s okay to focus on how your body actually feels right now, day by day, rather than getting overwhelmed by what the medical charts say you "should" be feeling. Honestly, sometimes it is a form of self-care to step back, protect your peace, and focus only on the good moments. Try to give yourself permission to step away from the worry and just lean into the small things that bring you comfort and joy.
I know it is so much easier for someone else to say this than it is to live it. Building that kind of mindset takes time, but it really is worth trying. I actually watched someone close to our family navigate a very similar path years ago.
About 35 years ago, a dear friend of my parents was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The doctors told him that he only had a short time left to live.
To everyone’s amazement, he chose to meet that news with an incredible spirit of freedom. He decided, "If my time is limited, I am going to make the absolute most of every single day and do whatever brings me true happiness."
One of his greatest joys in life was food. He decided to eat exactly what his heart desired and simply enjoy his life.
I fondly remember him sitting at a picnic, telling my dad, "Joe, last night I had a beautiful 16 oz ribeye steak, mashed potatoes, and a few glasses of red wine—followed by a huge piece of tiramisu. And wouldn't you know it, early this morning I woke up with my stomach growling! I went straight to the fridge, grabbed all my favorite cold cuts and a 12-inch sub roll, and built the most incredible sandwich. It was so delicious I wouldn't have sold it to my own brother for $1,000! I paired it with a cold beer and went right back to sleep with a massive smile on my face."
Astonishingly, he went on to live for another 10 years. When he did pass away, it was actually from an unrelated heart issue, not the cancer.
My reason for sharing this isn't about his diet, but rather how beautifully he chose to live the chapters he had left. He chose joy, comfort, and peace over fear. These health challenges are here whether we spend our time worrying about them or not, so maybe the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to focus your energy on whatever makes you smile.
Everyone processes things differently, and some days will naturally be harder than others, but I truly believe that looking for those moments of happiness is so worth it.
All of your friends here at GJ are holding you in our thoughts.
Just_Steve
Well-known member
Very thoughtful post.
Thank you
I am doing as much as I can. Just getting the news set me back a few days.
As I have mumbled a few times it not so bad here it is what my wife is going through with it. I can medicate myself to happiness.
We are gathering in Hull Mass to eat at Jake's and have a nerf gun fight at a fort.
I would be outside working on my coop for the birds but the rain screwed that up I am soaked worse than my hot flashes.
So I guess some one might learn from what I am going through because we are all gonna do it.
My 21 year old son has spent a month in Japan he comes home on Sunday I need to keep my head in a good place to show him you need to boogie till the end. I spent much of my life doing thing that if you screwed up it was not gonna be pretty or in the case of being a corner worker racing accidents happen wrong time wrong place.
Most likely I will boogie till I drop, the appointment the other day the doctor was impressed with my leg strength.
My Pain Management approved smoking medication is working again helping with motivation and some pain.
The next visit is a review with prostrate doctor think I am going to phase the question this way. Should I buy seeds for next years spring planting?
thanks again
michael
gman007
Well-known member
Michael
True, such situations are always very hard for loved ones, but this in itself is a major reason to keep your spirits up.
Looking forward to your son’s return is a good start, and please do buy the 'seeds'.
True, such situations are always very hard for loved ones, but this in itself is a major reason to keep your spirits up.
Looking forward to your son’s return is a good start, and please do buy the 'seeds'.
The seeds are not cheap, not like a pack of a 100 for 2.49. They come in lots of 3 or 5 and about 10 dollars a seed. Some packs are in the 100 and up mostly based on hype. The price of plants like anything else is out of control. A mini Lotus was 99 at Hick's.
I do have a seed project in one of my tents 3 females two males when I open the tent to water so much of a white cloud comes out. I can confirm pollen has little or no effect on me.
Made a run to HD 320 lbs of sand for the coop 80lbs of composted manure. Have my apprentice coming in morning to move **** and help me finish the quail coop.
Told me not to buy the seeds.
They have given me 9 months to a year the last three months I will not be gardening.
Started making arrangements to sell some my tools. My suitcase Miller TIG for 500$ and 100 hours of labor, I have to give up driving when I go on the patch.
Having lunch today with a famous racing driver.
My plan is to boogie till I drop.