Good while it lasted

[fabman_52]

I've only been a member here about a month, and have loved it, but I don't think I'll be coming back. It's just to depressing, nobody's fault here. At 57 I suddenly find myself with out work, and no work to be found here. I've already sold all of my toys, and it looks like my tools are next. Just to many bills, (mostly perscriptions for my wife) and not enough loot.
So let me wish all of you the best life has to offer.
Everyone here has been great!
Best Regards,
George.

 

[sammerdog]

Hey Fabman52, check your "Private messages" area in the top right hand corner of the screen!

 

[KenS]

George, look at it another way: You might discover one idea here that you can parlay into a new career-- or at least get some cash flow going.

As far as your age, you have 57 years experience and that is invaluable, don't discount it. At our age we aren't going to be first in line to be hired, but look at the age of many successful business owners. They are often in their 50s and 60s. There's nothing to stop you from owning your own business.

When you walk down the street, look at the people who are working. What are they doing? Could you do their job just as well? Look in the Yellow Pages in the phone book and see if there are ideas there that could be a springboard for your own idea.

Many retired people have relatively secure income. Are there needs they have that you care fill? One of my sons last year made more money in a few days of cleaning gutters, and raking and blowing leaves, than in his regular business. He worked mainly for older people and from referrals and word of mouth he could have been busy for months.

Do you have a pressure washer? You would be surprised at the creative ways you can use one of them to earn income. Another of my sons pressure-washed a local motel as a side job and made more than his regular income.

What about window cleaning? Even professional window cleaners prefer commercial accounts to residential because of the hassle. That mean's there is a need for honest residential window cleaners. The overhead costs of that business are really minimal but the rewards are great.

Sorry you're discouraged and I feel your pain with your wife's medical bills. I've had to shell out my share too. But she's well worth every penny.

Take care and be happy you're alive and have a measure of good health and a wife you love. Tell her your plans and she'll encourage and help you to succeed.

Decide on a course tonight, and make six contacts tomorrow. If they don't pan out, do six more then next day and keep doing it. At some point it will pay off for you, but if you never plant the seeds, you'll never harvest the crop.

Keep track of your money and take care of the tax man. A clean conscience affords you one less thing to worry about.

There are still people in this world who do care.

 

[Tman]

Damn good ideas ken!

 

[[email protected]]

anyone get in touch with fabman yet???

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

I talked(PM'd) with him on Thursday,today I asked him to post something and let us know how he's doing!

 

[fabman_52]

Hi Guys;

WOW! Thanks for the Concern. If I sound a bit confused at times, well that's probably because I am. Just so much **** going on and it just seems like my hands are tied.
I guess my biggest concern is my wife, she's sick and getting sicker by the day, and now that I'm not working, there is no insurance. She has like 2/4 doctors appointments almost on a weekly basis.
She has been fighting for her social security disability for over two years now. Hell she's almost 60 and worked for at least 32 years of that, and still she has to fight for what the illegals get with no question asked. I just don't get it. She can't even walk half of the time. It's killing me just watching her in so much pain!

Man, I send resumes everyday, pound the pavement when I get a lead and nothing!
I've been a welder all of my life, I'd be more that happy to relocate if I could find something elsewhere. Plus it would get me out of this Getto of a city that they used to call Motown, and now call Notown!

Anyway Guy's Again thanks for the concern, it's a warm feeling inside to know that there are still folks out there that really are human and if there is anything I can ever do for you Guy's just let me know! By the way I just couldn't go away, I love this site, lots of information and great people.

And to let everyone know, I already posted on the other Garage site That I have a few old wrenches I want to give away to someone that is into old tools, just pay shipping. After I read all of my replies on both sites I'll make up my mind who I'll give them to, Hell maybe I'll give one each so everyone can have one.

Well again Much Thanks,
George.

 

[billspit]

Do like eveybody else and get out of town. Several folks on other web sites have had to do the same to find a job. It becomes difficult though if you own a home you can't sell.

 

[nadogail]

Hey Fabman, I am sure that I am not the only one who realizes that they too could easily be thrust into your shoes.

When I was laid off at your same age, I signed up with temp agencies. That led to a full time job that I later retired from.

I changed the way that I presented myself at interviews; Instead of trying to convince the interviewer that I was the smartest guy he had met, I talked about my being able to make him look good and help the company succeed.

Shipyards seem to always need welders.

Your attention is invited to: http://groups.google.co.uk/group/sci.engr.joining.welding/topics?hl=en

 

[ovilla]

fabman - You'd be surprised at just how useful your talents are to others. Being handy is really rare nowadays and a lot of folks are tired of spending big money for a so called "professional" to do something. For example, a friends father is a retired fireman who keeps busy doing a ton of different things each week. He just told folks that he was looking for any kind of side jobs that they might need done and just through word of mouth he's had a nice consistent source of income. I hired him once for a day to run some gas lines. He's also helped neighbors with light remodeling, plumbing, electrical, planting trees, dog watching/walking (which he gets a lot of requests for). He's also a back up cross walk guard for one of the local schools. He also does some mowing for folks when they go on vacation.

The main thing is to just get the word out that you're looking for work. Quite often, someone will know someone else that might have some openings. Right now might also be a perfect time to contact temp agencies to see what they have available. It might not be long term work but at least it's income until something else opens up.

Best of luck to you. Don't give up. Also, if you need to sell some of your tools, don't worry about it. You can always rebuild with better upgraded items later on.

 

[ripsnortMN]

I would love to have the welding experience you have George. I have been welding on my own at home for about four years now. I took a basic welding course that covered mig,tig,arc and oxy/acc welding. I am by no means a certified welder but i can arc weld decently and the mig is pretty easy for me. I havent been able to find a job doing it but I still love to do it at home and build things.

If I was certified or had some work experience welding, I for sure would have been offered a job here where I live. But there has been welding jobs around here lately.

 

[e-tek]

Man I keep seeing/hearing about American's that loose their jobs and get sick and can't "afford" their healthcare. It just seems so foreign to me, a Canadian. I can't beleive how you people are treated - and it's mostly because one person doesn't want to pay a little extra tax to cover everyone. I'd gladly pay HALF of my wages in tax (wait - I DO?!??! Right. I do!) so that me and EVERYONE of my Canuck bretheren are covered medically....
SORRY to rant, I just feel so bad for Fabman and the many others I see in the same situation. My sister in CO has wanted a divorce from her loser husband for 5 years now, but the stay "married" so he can access HER medical coverage. Rediculous.

 

[rsanter]

I used to manage a technical service group for a company that sold materials used in construction. their products were sold through big box stores as well as in volume to builders.
I used to always try to hire the 'older' or experienced workers because they have seen many years of how things have been done so when a customer called in they had a better idea of what the customer was dealing with.
there are certain jobs where the age is a benifit

bob

 

[Kevin54]

Fabman........just hang in there. When you start getting "down in the dumps", there will always be someone to unload on in here. Many are in the same boat and mostly all will listen. Sit back, take a few deep breaths and tackle the problems one at a time. If you have always been a welder and have your own, then start advertising in the paper for doing welding. Things break everyday, so something will always need welded. If you know anything about auto body fab work, then there are many opportunities for work on the side for welding up something for someone. We have a guy in our town that all he does is welding and he is busy all of the time. He will weld anything and everything. If you don't have a welder at home, maybe you can barter for one. Craigslist has a pretty large listing for bartering and it seems to grow everyday. But we will always be here for you and anyone else that wants to unload a problem(s). So no need to bail there. Things will turn around eventually. Just don't let it get you down. I know that no insurance is tough on everyone. A lot of doctors will work with you. Hopefully you have some in your area that will.

 

[HOTFR8]

Hi George ( Fabman 52 ), have read this thread. I have nothing to offer you but just want to know that having read it all I just want to say chin up keep going. Looks like many here are thinking of you.

I read this on another forum so to show you not all is doom and gloom ( sorry not in the USA ) -

Yes I know that the country is in Recession, but XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX have a problem that we need 1 or even 2 guys to help us out in production.
Would have to be profficient in welding MIG and TIG and have general fabrication skills, age not a restriction.
I could go on and say fantastic boss, a job you dream about, wonderful working enviroment, unreal wages, and you probably wouldn't believe me.

But it does come close

Please forward resume to XXXXXXX

 

[Shocker]

Hey Fabman. There are quite a few welding gigs here in the Seattle area. Todd Shipyards just pulled down a refurb contract for the Navy, so you can bet there will be welders needed. Give them a call!

It only rains about 9 months of the year here. Seriously, it is a good place to live...politics aside.

http://www.toddpacific.com/

 

[jkherd]

I can sympathize with fabman, I was just cut loose from my job after working 6 days a week 10 to 12 hours a day for the last six months and was told it was only business...

 

[officer]

Good luck dude,hang in there. I am 45 and lost everything I had twice. (except for my kids) The first time was 10 years ago through a divorce. The second time was 2 years ago when I lost my high paying job (Florida contractor) I spent a year with out a job and had to short sale my dream home. I now have a job and am turning this thing around on less than half of what I used to make. When the good lord closes a door he opens a window,keep looking for the window and you will make it.

 

[pickmeup]

mate,I have an illness that requires ongoing surgery,I have had to find a new job 4 times in last 2 years cos I have had so much time off and I live on the second floor of an apartment building with no garage,no custom cars and no tools left as I sold everything to pay medical bills.
I dont write this to show you or anyone that I am worse or better off just to offer an opinion to you as i hear where your coming from.
The one thing I wont do is leave this board or any of the others I am on.
Inspiration and adrenlin I get here cheers me every time and gives me hope for the future.
Look forward to what you will be able to do one day when things turn.
These guys have had some brillant ideas mate,hang in there and it will come good.

 

[RobSmith]

Have a look at the new ford plant. they will be taking on staff !

 

[arusty28]

You can make it pal! Good things happen to good people and if you are giving tools away...you fall into that category! Best regards for health and wealth!

 

[fabman_52]

Hey Fabman. There are quite a few welding gigs here in the Seattle area. Todd Shipyards just pulled down a refurb contract for the Navy, so you can bet there will be welders needed. Give them a call!

It only rains about 9 months of the year here. Seriously, it is a good place to live...politics aside.

http://www.toddpacific.com/

I would love to be in Seattle, if for no other reason at all, the old cars. I love early Ford Rangers, Geo Trackers and Geo Metro Convertibles. I get on Seattle Craigs-List all the time looking at vehicles. No money, but I still like to look.

Anyway some good news guys, unenjoyment has kicked in, 774.00 every two weeks. (About 1500.00 less than needed each month) So our meager savings will dry up real quick! and I just signed up for the discounted COBRA insurance, that was my main concern, as long as I have insurance for the wife, then life is good!
I am here day in and day out watching her in such pain, that it's killing me!
Like I said 35 years ago, Until Death Do We Part.
At least with the insurance she can get the meds she needs, (that don't do their job half the time) and keep all of her Dr. appointments. I know if it weren't for the kids and grand kids she would just call it quits. For those that have been there, I need not explain, for those that haven't, I hope you never are!
I will keep tryin to find some side work, until I can find full time somewhere. Yes I do follow up on all leads in person when possible, have contacted several companies to see if they offered any relocation assistance, with no luck. Was told the same by many, (So many local folks laid off that we will find what we need in that market). That does make sense.

I would be happy to relocate but that too takes more cash than I have.

But at the end of the day, after all is said and done. We WILL be OK!
Especially with the support that I have received here. You guy's here can sure brighten up a mans day.
Thanks for every little thing!
George & Darlene.

 

[tyrell2004]

Been there, ten years ago, lost the house, never got to build the garage or shop... divorce, kids 350 miles away..........
twenty years in one carreer and have three years now in a new job.........
renting a room, no toys, tools in storage.........but I have more than 90% percent of the folks on this planet. look to what the good lord is trying to teach you during this hard time........and look for the open doors...........don't give up..........

 

[C6mongoose]

Hang in there, my friend. My wife has medical needs, too, and even with insurance and drug coverage, it has become so expensive just with copays and deductibles, it is ridiculous.

Get an attorney to help with her disability. it is unfortunate we have to do that but sometimes it's the only way. Your wife worked for all those years, she deserves some consideration. I hope her health improves.

I have friends who are in the same situation as you and it is very hard. Best of luck.

 

[sam 8]

Fabman;

I have been there. Personally.
I have two artificial discs in my lower spine. Advanced multilevel degenerative disc disease, chronic arthritis, spinal Stensosis, sciatica in my left leg, bone spurs on my back vertebra, nerve damage in 5 disks. Several more trips under the knife ahead.
I was a cop for 25 years. Last day of work was March 4 04. Fought for two years to get the surgery I needed, and two more years to get SSD. Hired an attorney and the SD was not approved until a judge looked at the case in chambers about two weeks before we were scheduled to go to a hearing.
Push for it, expect to be denied, but do not give up. If she has it coming (and I am sure she does), she will get it. They want you to quit, go away, never mind she has worked all her life and paid into the system. They think it is their money, not hers.
Sitting there thinking of all the bums working the system while your hard workin' wife gets jerked around is enough to make blood shoot out of your eyes. I know.
I am still fighting for a settlement over 5 years after my last day of work, and I am not going to give up on that, either.
Good luck, and God Bless you and yours.

 

[fabman_52]

Man, You Guys on here are just awesome, just awesome! I'm speechless!

 

[elefan]

new account fabman?

spam bot..

 

[elefan]

Good luck to you fabman. I hope there are better times ahead for you and your family.

 

[the gypsy]

Hi Fabman.I wish you luck. But most of all I wish you don't sell yor tools just because if you will need them for some odd job, you will certainly pay a higher price to re-purchase them.
Like many posted before, let your neighbors, friends and family know that you are looking for odd jobs stipulating that you prefer welding. There is always a need for welders or a helping hand.

Don't forget, it is always darkest before the storm. But after that comes SUNSHINE.
Your day is around the corner. Just hang in there.

 

[LAROKE]

six year old thread ???

 

[TAMPAGT07]

spam bot..

Six year old thread????

 

[TAMPAGT07]

six year old thread ???

Six year old thread????

You owe me (another) beer...

 

[LAROKE]

You owe me (another) beer...

Sure, come on down and get it.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Sure, come on down and get it.

Last I heard, there was nothing available in Del Boca Vista....

 

[39Tudor]

Since somebody resurrected this thread,.....

I wonder how Fabman is doing?
A lot of water flowed under the bridge over the past 6 years.

 

[creativecars]

George, and others:

Some of the big changes about new job markets is selling your skills; AKA-a resume.

Employers are being hammered by applications and resumes. The key is to make your resume match a job listing. Use the internet, word of mouth, news papers and even Craigslist, you never know where a job lead will come from. There have been several people from Garagejournal get a job from hearing about it here.

If you would like to PM me your resume I would be glad to take a look.

Good luck, keep your head up.
Friends are everywhere

 

[Bobby Cole]

Lock it down, he hasnt logged here for over 5 years.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Yeah, IBTL, and brought back from the dead by a spambot. Zombie Thread.

 

[HOTFR8]

Resurrected by spammers (in very poor taste) and I have read the removed post. Topic closed.