Still Tough...

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richlife

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Rich
Less than a year ago I opened a question about a "Tough Decision". https://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/showthread.php?t=63155 It SEEMS as if years have passed since then and re-reading that thread brings new appreciation for all the thoughts offered, however, another knee replacement/recovery and steadily increasing issues with my mobility has changed my perspective.

While I'm still reasonably healthy, it's also these limitations that are part of what brings LOML (50th comes up next Spring) and I to "move on". Not sure when or where yet, but we've agreed to begin the preparations. That includes selling off my major tools and the stock that have not been touched now for too long. I'll keep what I need for carving as well as the smaller tools that I started with to help me to still be able to accomplish things. (Looking back, it truly surprises me what I produced without the heavy tools!)

As it happens, with the decision to divest comes recognition that I actually may feel better with the idea of someone getting good use out of the tools that were of such value to me rather than having them continue to gather dust. Fortunately the A/C in my shop still runs and so do the bandsaw, table saw, jointer, band sander, compound miter saw and bench drill set I will be offering up in the next week.

So thanks -- I do appreciate the thoughts offered. It's tough, but it's an action I feel is needed. Move forward.
 

Jeff

New User
Jeff
I'm also 70 and read your previous thread on this topic. You're making the right decision although it's a painful one. Are you folks looking to downsize and/or move to a retirement community maybe with a few hand tools in tow (just in case)?

Maybe Ed Lebetkin will be interested in your hand tools. :dontknow:
 
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richlife

New User
Rich
I'm also 70 and read your previous thread on this topic. You're making the right decision although it's a painful one. Are you folks looking to downsize and/or move to a retirement community maybe with a few hand tools in tow (just in case)?

Maybe Ed Lebetkin will be interested in your hand tools. :dontknow:

That's practically on the nose, Jeff. We've spent years traveling and researching options, but have only recently agreed on just how completely we intend to divest (pretty much totally). So, similar to what Tom indicated above, we may be a year, two or even more from finalizing, but we know for sure we will not stay here. Way more house than needed and way more upkeep than really able. Health is ok, but I'm already years past the oldest male ever in my line. Fortunately, we're coming from a position of goodness and not feeling hurried -- but it's time. "Where" is not really a matter of indecisiveness so much as just picking and choosing. We could be quite happy staying in the area (probable), we could select one of several places in the Southeast so long as it's WARM (Jimmy Buffett, "Boat Drinks"), or we could "snowbird" as we choose. It's nice to have the options and to be comfortable with the choices. After 50 years, we're sure we will have more "discussions" about those options. :D The fun is in the finding.

Danny, I hear you. But my teeth are my gouges/chisels/etc. Those stay with me and fit in relatively small carriers -- easy to move. The rest is sort of a surfeit of woodworking riches. I think what I dislike most is having stock left over that I won't use. :p Obviously someone will be able to use it.

My plan for all these many years was to go out feet first, but my feet just are no longer up to the task. For my wife, she has the alpha-gal allergy and truly wants to get out of these tick-infested woods. Somewhat "mental" for both, but it is time.
 

ScottM

Scott
Staff member
Corporate Member
Glad you are not getting out of wood working. It is really hard when you have so much sawdust in your blood. Sounds like you are being practical and realistic. Not a knee jerk. Good luck. I am sure which ever way you go it will work our for you guys.

Remember wherever you land you will always be a NCWW family member.
 

Jim M.

Woody
Corporate Member
Good luck on your new journey Rich. I remember when my Grandfather went into a retirement community, he kept his carving tools and I'd bring him what he needed to continue woodworking small scale. I still have his unfinished Wren he was carving when he past.
 
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sawman101

Bruce Swanson
Corporate Member
I can empathize with you Rich, I'll be 75 this year and I've had right hip and left knee replaced. Unfortunately the left knee hurts almost as much as it did before replacement almost 2 years ago, and the left hip is really bad followed by the back, which I'm being treated for by Spinal Specialists. I haven't as yet considered downsizing as I still have quite a number of projects needing completion for others, and of course all are free gratis requests. I've got to learn to say no. Eventually I'll probably settle with 1 Hawk scroll saw, Jet mini lathe, and smaller power tools. Gonna be awhile yet though, I'm not 95 like my mother who still works 2 days per week and drives. Meanwhile, I'm still kicking, just not making as much dust. Good wishes to you for your downsizing my friend.
 

junquecol

Bruce
Senior User
I feel your pain. Wife and I just had a conversation about what to do with our estate (5 acres with two houses.) She doesn't want to live in a new subdivision, with houses touching each other and very steep stairs. So that leaves finding a place in an established neighborhood. Unfortunately those type houses are sold almost the instant they hit the market, and for a lot more than their appraised value. I told her to look see what she can find for what ours is worth. She keeps telling me she wants to live closer to town, then I remind her that Holly Springs town limits are just on other side of the creek at bottom of the hill, less than a half mile away. Can't get much closer, without being in town.
 

tdukes

New User
Eddie
Will turn 62 this October. Its been a tough 5 years since I was rear ended at a stop light in 2013. The person was on her cell phone and never slowed down. I'm a lot better know but age is taking its toll.
 

Charles Lent

Charley
Corporate Member
Don't be so quick to give up and get rid of everything. I had both knees replaced, one seven and one eight years ago, and I now do most everything that I did before both knees began failing. Yes, the recovery from this surgery is long and tough, but it's worth it. Now, my only significant limit is that I can no longer squat down or kneel. Kneeling on soft carpet now feels like I'm kneeling on road gravel....very painful. I no longer have the strength to get up from the floor or ground without pulling myself up by grabbing onto something and pulling myself up. Otherwise, I work in my shop frequently (don't know what I would do without it), stand, and walk without knee pain. MY heart is now my weak spot and limits me more than any other part of me. I'm 76 now. I too, was about to sell off everything before getting my knees replaced, but very glad that I didn't.

Charley
 

richlife

New User
Rich
Charley, there's a lot more to the story, but no need to dump it all here -- suffice to say "quick" is not part of the equation. I've been fortunate to recover well and quickly and successfully from all my surgeries of the past 5 years (same as yours). If you haven't tried good knee pads for kneeling, it's could be worthwhile.

Continuing thanks to all for the well-wishes and good thoughts. Life has been good to me for which I'm thankful -- this is just part of moving on.
 

JimD

Jim
Senior User
I'm not sure where Pittsboro is but you don't have to go far south from NC to essentially have no winter. In central SC, there is effectively no snow and it barely goes below freezing in the winter.

My late wife's parents moved to a nice facility in another part of the country (Kansas City area) when they reached their 70s and didn't want to maintain the house she grew up in. They bought a condo but once they got in, they were guaranteed to never have to leave. He got dimentia and had to move to a different unit but she stayed in their condo and just walked over to see him. Then he got worse and moved to the hospice part but still within the same community. When they moved into this place, both were still active they played tennis and traveled as far as Australia. But it was a good decision when his health failed that they were where they went. She is still doing OK at 90.

I'm 62 and still feeling invincible but I know I will have to think about things like this before too many more years. There is one of these places like my late wife's mother lives in near me. They aren't cheap but there is a range of prices.
 

Jeff

New User
Jeff
Here's a comprehensive listing of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) in NC from the NC Department of Insurance. Entrance fees, monthly fees, and living options from condos to assisted living to medical facilities and hospice care.

http://www.ncdoi.com/SE/Documents/CCRC/CCRC_Guide_2017.pdf









I'm not sure where Pittsboro is but you don't have to go far south from NC to essentially have no winter. In central SC, there is effectively no snow and it barely goes below freezing in the winter.

My late wife's parents moved to a nice facility in another part of the country (Kansas City area) when they reached their 70s and didn't want to maintain the house she grew up in. They bought a condo but once they got in, they were guaranteed to never have to leave. He got dimentia and had to move to a different unit but she stayed in their condo and just walked over to see him. Then he got worse and moved to the hospice part but still within the same community. When they moved into this place, both were still active they played tennis and traveled as far as Australia. But it was a good decision when his health failed that they were where they went. She is still doing OK at 90.

I'm 62 and still feeling invincible but I know I will have to think about things like this before too many more years. There is one of these places like my late wife's mother lives in near me. They aren't cheap but there is a range of prices.
 

richlife

New User
Rich
I'm not sure where Pittsboro is but you don't have to go far south from NC to essentially have no winter. In central SC, there is effectively no snow and it barely goes below freezing in the winter.

My late wife's parents moved to a nice facility in another part of the country (Kansas City area) when they reached their 70s and didn't want to maintain the house she grew up in. They bought a condo but once they got in, they were guaranteed to never have to leave. He got dimentia and had to move to a different unit but she stayed in their condo and just walked over to see him. Then he got worse and moved to the hospice part but still within the same community. When they moved into this place, both were still active they played tennis and traveled as far as Australia. But it was a good decision when his health failed that they were where they went. She is still doing OK at 90.

I'm 62 and still feeling invincible but I know I will have to think about things like this before too many more years. There is one of these places like my late wife's mother lives in near me. They aren't cheap but there is a range of prices.

Thanks Jim. We have/are also considering SC possibilities. Hadn't thought about it being just farther enough south to be essentially out of "winter issues" yet very similar to NC in many ways. Good to have it pointed out.

As far as the CCRCs, we have long considered that (and have a nice one just minutes away at Galloway Ridge), but expense is a factor (though as you stated -- can be well worthwhile) as well as it not really appealing to us. Frankly, it may be time for my wife and I to consider it again. It's hard to think that way when you still feel that "invincible". At 62, we totally discarded the idea. Much has changed and while the invincible feeling may never go away, reality has smacked us both quite nastily in the intervening years.

Jeff, timely link -- much appreciated.
 
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