Maybe we could call this the roller coaster forum?

[dmartin88]

I just found out this week that after 27 years with my company, they've asked me to move along- will be here for another 30 days or so and getting a great severance package. I had planned to retire in a couple of years so will just start a bit earlier than planned. After getting over the ego hit that they picked me to go, I'm getting pretty excited about the prospect of leaving. We plan to leave this area in a year or so and probably move to southern Missouri or some place like that where the cost of living is much cheaper and we can afford some property. But this isn't the roller coaster I'm talking about!

Had a few minutes and read the post from mjarrels about his daughter starting to learn to drive, was laughing out loud with tears in my eyes after reading the post from EddieWalker about his daughter and her problems with moving vehicles. The next post was the continuation from escavader about his pet Pepper- was so sorry to read the update about Pepper and had tears in my eyes again. Amazing the range of emotions in the space of 5 minutes.

My point is that I look forward to reading the posts on this site, try to contribute when I can but really just want to say thanks to all that share their stories- don't know anyone from these forums personally but it does feel like a community. I first found this site from my interest in tractors but now I find I spend most of my time in the "other" forums. Thanks again to all that post!

 

[MicroPilot]

EDS or HP?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I never did stop by to see your woodmizer, still cutting lumber?

 

[jinman]

David, I just did something similar, but resigned a year earlier than I originally planned to retire. If they gave you a good severance and "set you free," how can you complain? I would have loved to have done the same.

There are lots of beautiful places in Missouri as there are in Virginia too. You have many choices, and it seems you still have the energy to start anew. I think you are about to start having a great time of your life. Enjoy!

 

[dmartin88]

buckeyefarmer- yes, still using the sawmill, cut about 400 bf a couple of weeks ago and have a pile of logs here to cut- put together a solar kiln and have some nice dried oak now- also had some cherry through the kiln but used it all this winter on a project. I'll probably go ahead and finish sawing what I have this winter and then decide whether to sell it cheap when we move- most will only be partially air dried by that time. I have some Walnut to cut for a friend as well so this retiring thing may be coming at the right time!

jinman- thanks for the encouragement, you're right about there being some nice places here in Virgina too, we're actually looking in West Virginia as well, just know that long term, cost of living is too high here!

 

[Bird]

Dave, since my wife originally came from West Virginia and has a sister and two brothers in the south end of the state and one brother in the northwest corner of the state, we've visited there many times, including a family reunion in Princeton last month.

I don't know why, but I guess I would have expected things to be a bit cheaper in the small town like Princeton than they are here just a little north of Dallas, but I found the opposite to be true; everything from gasoline to groceries to motels was higher up there.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

dmartin
I remembered you had that sawmill. A young friend of mine has been working for a timber framer who cuts his own wood.

I still drive down thru leesburg 2 or 3 days a week for work, be heading that way tomorrow.
Every now and then I'll take a drive thru Waterford, that's a nice scenic route when 15 is stopped. Good luck on your retirement.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

yes, still using the sawmill

Which Woodmizer model do you have? I have considered one of their smaller mills, maybe a LT15 or LT28. How hard is it to learn to use?

 

[EddieWalker]

I just found out this week that after 27 years with my company, they've asked me to move along- will be here for another 30 days or so and getting a great severance package.

Congrats, but I think the real roller coaster is still at least a month away. Moving to a new area is one of those things that no amount of advice or preporation will make a difference. Just keep your sense of humor and don't rush into anything. I had a great deal worked out on a piece of land when I moved here, ony to find out after getting here they they were playing games. Five years later, that land is still for sale and I found an even better piece of land after being here for a year.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[dmartin88]

Which Woodmizer model do you have? I have considered one of their smaller mills, maybe a LT15 or LT28. How hard is it to learn to use?

I have the LT15, very easy to learn to make lumber but I'm sure there are a lot of subtleties for sawing to get the best grade, etc. that I don't know and will never know. This is for my hobby usage so no production pressures- I typically just cut the log in to 5/4 slabs, mostly oak, which means the middle third of every log is quartersawn, I then pick what i want to use for specific projects after it dries and have given away a bit as well. The LT15 is fully manual so you have to have a way to move the logs to the mill and get them on the bed. I use a Bobcat for that but once on the mill, I use cant hooks to turn them- good exercise and since I'm not in a hurry, works out great. Wet oak lumber is heavy! If you're going to want to move the mill a bit, the LT28 might be a better way to go but quite a bit more expensive but the options do open up on that mill.

I don't know if they still sell a trailer package for the LT15 but it's easy enough to move it could go on a flatbed trailer or in the back of a full size pickup, that's how mine was delivered.

Glad to answer any questions I can.