Good morning!!!!

[txdon]

Don, this weekend is the Wendish fest, and I see the fish fry is next weekend.

Yes I know. But My one trip a week to Lee county this week was for Mom's birthday party. Next week we meet with the House cleaner for her.
We had a high water detour on loop 79 in Taylor going there and had to turn around on FM 112 on the way back as water was crossing the road. We saw a big wheeled hi rise pickup that make it through the water on the road but when he got to our side he motioned for us to turn around. It must have scared him even though his clearance was about a foot higher than the Subaru's. The best thing at the wendishfest is the fresh corse grind corn meal that they make on site.

 

[Buppies]

Ed I値l still bet everybody had fun

 

[mostly_gas]

Good evening all. 69F this morning, rain, calm wind. Rain gauge was full when emptied this morning( 6 1/4 in), another 5 in in gauge tonight, more heavy rain approaching on radar. 2 ft over road north of us, low water south was closed this morning, but was open at dinner time so we could go out to eat Was supposed to go for bike ride but all day rain fixed that:irked: Did spend nice day with wife :thumbsup:
Happy belated birthday Mrs Kyle :drink:
Drew, the end is in sight .
Thomas, chowder sounds good on a day like today.
Ted nice work on the sink.
Prayers for all

 

[sodamo]

As said, best laid plans.
Morning was never rainy, just misty and threatening. Enough i decided not to mow. On my todo list is the refurb of two metal patio tables. So today became the day.
Turns out they were completely rusted under the existing paint layer

Lots of wire brushing, scraping, and sanding.

The wrought iron bases were in much better shape, just wire brushing before priming. Just rattle can paint, the rust inhibitor primer then finish coat.

Happy with the results even if it too way longer than anticipated.

 

[sodamo]

Topic i’d like to throw out for discussion.
I’m sure most of us on the down slope of the age curve have had thoughts. How do I leave things for my significant other? My discussion with my financial planner last week and I’m confident that financially, we have a good plan in place regardless of who goes first. And with the planner being aware, he’ll be able to step in and assist with the financial aspects.
But what about the physical aspects? If i predecease wife will she be able to take care of the day to day requirements to live here? I’ll guess that may have been a factor in Don choosing Sun City. Funny thing is there are 3 single women of similar ages that live on the street, 1 longer and 2 about same length of time as us. And they do very well. No doubt she is aware what needs to be done, but not getting any younger either. One of my thoughts (but slow to implement) is the hiring of someone to do what I term caretaker stuff. Someone familiar with the off grid systems (catchment, PV, generator) that can perform the basics as well as some mowing/weedeating. My plan includes building a studio type residence so I that person is on site.
Just curious as to other thoughts.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Topic i’d like to throw out for discussion.
I’m sure most of us on the down slope of the age curve have had thoughts. How do I leave things for my significant other? My discussion with my financial planner last week and I’m confident that financially, we have a good plan in place regardless of who goes first. And with the planner being aware, he’ll be able to step in and assist with the financial aspects.
But what about the physical aspects? If i predecease wife will she be able to take care of the day to day requirements to live here? I’ll guess that may have been a factor in Don choosing Sun City. Funny thing is there are 3 single women of similar ages that live on the street, 1 longer and 2 about same length of time as us. And they do very well. No doubt she is aware what needs to be done, but not getting any younger either. One of my thoughts (but slow to implement) is the hiring of someone to do what I term caretaker stuff. Someone familiar with the off grid systems (catchment, PV, generator) that can perform the basics as well as some mowing/weedeating. My plan includes building a studio type residence so I that person is on site.
Just curious as to other thoughts.

We have thought of those 'physical' requirements, and wifey basically can run / troubleshoot the mechanical aspects of the house. She also knows all of the financial stuff. We have planned "who gets what" as far as stuff like jewelry, tools, and equipment.

Whether it all comes to fruition, who knows. I think a lot depends how 'old' the surviving spouse is, whether they are physically able to run the homestead. If they are 80 or 90.... Might be difficult.

 

[daugen]

Good morning all.
Drew, the end is in sight .
for me or the driveway?

miserable problems with leg cramps last night, trip to shower, then trip to hot tub, that big muscle in the very front of your leg, just knots up on me, sure gets your attention. Maybe I worked the kinks out so today won't be so bad.

watched a video of NC highway workers and firemen hosing dead fish off the main road into Wilmington. I have friends who still aren't back home there.

Emotional needs and physical needs upon passing of spouse.
Particularly women, feeling of terrible loss and insecurity, no matter how much life insurance money there is.
Having a plan for where to live is most important. Too often a distraught spouse makes decisions too quickly; i.e. I have to sell this house, too many memories, I can't afford it any more, etc. It's good to make plans while healthy, knowing that not all plans work out.
Important that spouse understand finances, knows burial wishes, knows where all legal papers are. Everything has to be in writing and legal or terrible problems can occur caused by kids not on same page.

My MIL that I'm seeing next Sunday is 93 and still living in her big house. All her friends have died and the thought of a "nursing home" is too dreadful to her, despite the fact she can afford the nicest Quaker run CCC locally. One I can't afford to get in...
Get rid of fear and worry and you give your surviving spouse a huge gift. My MIL was not taking all her prescriptions because she was worried about the drug copays being so expensive. And she sure can afford it. It was all mental. No matter how much money survivors have, they worry about it and a good plan can help reduce that worry. It seems like common sense, but having gone over all these issues with families for almost ten years, it was the exception not the rule to who had their ducks in line.
Organizing that information for remaining spouse is a great gift for them, one less thing to worry about.
Living wills super important. Will, Power of Attorney, Medical end of life instructions; if you don't have them all carefully organized for your spouse, you should really make it a priority.

Lastly, think about the support system available, where are the kids, close friends, etc. This is where being in a place like where Don moved to is wonderful. Moving in with the kids is not always such a hot idea for anyone.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Good morning all, 58 going to 61 with an 80-50% chance of rain. Already have 1.20 and still raining. Not near what other have had but that is OK by me. Plan to take it easy today, spend time with wife and boy.

Buppies, Yes it was a good time, didn't want to make it look bad in any way. The boy was very tired when we got home, after a nap wife asked it he felt better and he said yeah. That is a big thing. He only says 4 or 5 words and they don't answer questions, just words he uses. He has said 6 or 7 other words in his life that we know of and yeah is a new one. Hope that one sticks around.

Prayers for everyone with the rain and other needs. Have a great day. Ed

 

[txdon]

Topic i’d like to throw out for discussion.
I’m sure most of us on the down slope of the age curve have had thoughts. How do I leave things for my significant other? My discussion with my financial planner last week and I’m confident that financially, we have a good plan in place regardless of who goes first. And with the planner being aware, he’ll be able to step in and assist with the financial aspects.
But what about the physical aspects? If i predecease wife will she be able to take care of the day to day requirements to live here? I’ll guess that may have been a factor in Don choosing Sun City. Funny thing is there are 3 single women of similar ages that live on the street, 1 longer and 2 about same length of time as us. And they do very well. No doubt she is aware what needs to be done, but not getting any younger either. One of my thoughts (but slow to implement) is the hiring of someone to do what I term caretaker stuff. Someone familiar with the off grid systems (catchment, PV, generator) that can perform the basics as well as some mowing/weedeating. My plan includes building a studio type residence so I that person is on site.
Just curious as to other thoughts.

On the morning thread, which is like a journal of all the things we do every week, it is easy to see that to live in a remote area you have to be physically able not only to maintain your buildings and property but also maintain the equipment to do the maintenance. If you have children nearby that have the time to take over for you when you physically cannot that is great but you will have to depend on them two to three days per week. I have constructed a support group for Mom that consist of a yard person, a house person, a personal aid person, and three close relatives to take her to appointments. We have also leased out the farm work to four separate people. This does not include the other people needed - Ac repair person, septic tank plumber, small appliance repair person, etc. . I have had to turn from helping Mom, to managing the help because there is too much. David you might want to build an apartment. You have to remember that you both are working more than 40 hours a week to maintain the house, property, maintenance equipment and yourselves.

There is a point when you will have to move. If you want to stay where you are at till they carry you out start preparing your support team and someone to manage your support team. What you and your wife do cannot be done by one person especially when you add in personal care that you are providing each other now.

 

[Eric Salop]

Just curious as to other thoughts.

David, I can see the logic in having someone on site who is dependant on the same water and electricity supply as they will have a vested interest in keeping that working well. If you already have guest accommodation, would your wife want to keep that going, or could that be used for a live in caretaker without more building work ?

I'm not sure if my wife will want to still live here when I'm gone. We planned this place with a bedroom and bathroom downstairs and put enough ground source heat pump pipes in the field to be able to heat the whole house relatively efficiently with electricity, instead of having to burn wood all the time. It would certainly be possible for it to be a "forever" home, if that's what she wants.

I have started to simplify some parts of our house so that it will be much easier for her to get someone in to do any repairs come the day I'm not here. For example, up to this year I had our hot water solar panels arranged to divert any excess heat into our underfloor heating system. Now it is back to two separate systems that any good plumber or electrician can readily take on.

My hope is that she will find a caring younger lover with good DIY skills - ideally only after I am dead