You Know You Are Old When

[Eagle1]

Looking for tools I just had and figuring out how to get back out and up after crawling under something....
My kid can't figure out why I'll spend time to rig something to lift it rather than just do it down low.

 

[JasperFrank]

You could watch the gas being metered.

 

[WinterDeere]

You could watch the gas being metered.
View attachment 875026

Okay, what's that silver doo-dad on the second hose?

 

[WinterDeere]

Then I need something, walk into another part of garage wondering what it was. Hopefully that's not the first sign of dementia!

I've been doing that since my 30's... maybe even my 20's. Working on project in the house, I need a tool. Walk out to the shop (150 feet from house), then stand in shop looking at all the tools, trying to remember why I'm out there. Head back into house, remember what I forgot, and head back out to the shop to repeat.

When the iPhone came out, I started making lists in the notepad, and trip count between house and shop went way down.

 

[chiefcook]

I'll be 72 this year. Curious what others experience about this: I can do a lot of things, but I spend most of my time looking for glasses, a part, tools. Then taking something apart no problem...but putting it back together is tough, trying to remember the order. Then I need something, walk into another part of garage wondering what it was. Hopefully that's not the first sign of dementia!

That's one good thing about smart phones. I try to take plenty of photos when taking something apart. It's especially good if it's awhile before reassembling it. I also use zip lock bags and Harbor Freight magnetic parts holders. Still, I usually end up losing something or having to redo something I messed up.

 

[Oaktree]

I've been doing that since my 30's... maybe even my 20's. Working on project in the house, I need a tool. Walk out to the shop (150 feet from house), then stand in shop looking at all the tools, trying to remember why I'm out there. Head back into house, remember what I forgot, and head back out to the shop to repeat.

What he said. Minus the I-phone part.

Biggest difference as I've gotten older is dealing with small screws in general and/or fasteners in tight quarters. Large hands to begin with, and reduced dexterity with older age.

 

[John0829]

Okay, what's that silver doo-dad on the second hose?

That was suppose to be a filter from what I was told back then but I never saw one changed or being changed so...

 

[Alan46]

I'll be 72 this year. Curious what others experience about this: I can do a lot of things, but I spend most of my time looking for glasses, a part, tools. Then taking something apart no problem...but putting it back together is tough, trying to remember the order. Then I need something, walk into another part of garage wondering what it was. Hopefully that's not the first sign of dementia!

Welcome to the club bro!
I’m 78 and have been doing that for years. The one good thing is it hasn’t gotten worse!

 

[newbury]

I'll be 72 this year. Curious what others experience about this: I can do a lot of things, but I spend most of my time looking for glasses, a part, tools. Then taking something apart no problem...but putting it back together is tough, trying to remember the order. Then I need something, walk into another part of garage wondering what it was. Hopefully that's not the first sign of dementia!

I got in a possibly bad habit years ago. Think up a project, then start wandering around looking for what resources I have on hand to accomplish my end goal.

This wasn't to bad decades ago when my workshop was limited to a 20'x20' section of my basement in Virginia and my "new" knowledge base was limited to friends at work, neighbors, the library, a few magazines etc.

Then along came the internet, knowledge base expanded, more time needed usually to research ways to "do it right".

Then we bought the future "retirement" house with ~5,000sq foot of workshops, which I've filled with "stuff".

Now it may take me months to do a project "right". I've got that dreaded disease
"paralysis of analysis".

Example - needed a small 3.5 kw dual fuel generator for house use if power goes out, either here (Va.) or at my daughters ~30 miles away. So something we could relatively easily transport and I could lift by myself.
Want to run it on only propane. And a Champion duel fuel popped up on Amazon for ~$300 (now ~ $530), bought in Dec. 2023..
Then research showed (and I may be wrong) I should buy or build a small outdoor enclosure, like the size for 2 trashcans. Thus it would be presentable in my suburb 1/4 acre environment.
Further research showed sound insulation needed, piping, etc. needed.
Looked around basement, bought some insulation, had the wood for the framing.
Still waiting for a decent shed to go on sale.
So meanwhile I've got the generator, LP gas etc., a canopy to put over it if need be. But to do it right it may take a while.

 

[not2old]

You are old when ...
"One for the road" means peeing before you leave the house.

I guess I've been old for awhile now.