Hi everyone!
Firstly...my apologies for being off-forum for so long. I think about it often. Hard not to since I go into my little shop often and must endure my machines looking accusingly at me.
For those of you who care (I think there's one or two) here's what's been happening...
I haven't machined since early last year. Some of you know I ran into some medical issues. Short story...I have a stricture in a bile duct of my liver. Can be very painful when it gets blocked. Many trips to doctor. Had a stent put in with the hope that the stricture would open up. Had the stent taken out. Talked with some surgeons. No issues since but the expectation is it will come back and I'll have surgery to remove the tip of the liver where the stricture is. Not worried about that. Very happy with the information I got about the procedure if/when it happens. I feel something like a time bomb...especially when traveling.
Some of you also know my work rev'd up to the point I was working long hours and most weekends to make a show in January. Also made near monthly trips to our development team in Mexico. Made the show and got a bit of a bonus (not enough!). The show coincided with Cabin Fever so I missed that too.
Everyone was impressed with the product that they've moved up the dates for release and production. Looks like another year of long hours and weekends. But it's work and I do enjoy it (luckily).
Some of you also know I lost my brother later in the year. Bit of a hiccup and much time spent with the folks and his family.
Some of you also know I got into this hobby when my wife, T, got transferred to Belgium for a year. Well she's been back now for a while. Our routine is a good 1 1/2 to 2 hours a night conversing over dinner. Leaves little time. Even less since I'm the dishwasher.
I've tried to start a couple of other hobbies. One is a model of an airplane. Haven't worked on that for months.
The other is some woodworking. Did I hear a gasp? Did one of you gasp? Yeah...T has a bunch of pictures she wants framed as well as a couple of things made for the house. I figured it was far cheaper to buy the equipment and materials and do it myself. You know how it is...an opportunity to get some new toys - legitimately
But the tools, like my machines, sit unused.
I fool myself into thinking I have some choices. I could retire now or ignore T. But I want to continue the pursuit of this hobby in retirement...so I must work. And I want to live to retirement...so I must attend to T.
One of you mentioned a 65 beetle. Yes that's a dream of mine but it will likely remain a dream. I have neither the tools nor skills (and no time!). But it's good to have dreams.
The last machining project I had started was a model of a spinning wheel. That's still at top of project stack. I just have no idea when I can work on it.
I will try to pop in more often than I have. This is the greatest forum I've ever come across and you can't find a better bunch of people.
Thanks again for everyone's thoughts...be they good or ill
Don't leave the 'happy dance' to me.
Try on a tu-tu. Give it a whirl.
It would do everyone some good.
Keep it clean.
