squonk 38,916 #76 Posted December 16, 2017 7 hours ago, Big_Red_Fred said: You better watch out for my Bear hug at BIG SHOW Jim LOL NO NO NO, Don't do that! You'll get all tangled up in Jim's suspenders and end up in the middle of the road during the cruise. We'll have to shut the whole show down and all the little kids there will be scarred for life! 1 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,113 #77 Posted December 16, 2017 10 hours ago, stevasaurus said: and all the girls hanging around at the pool. I should end Chapter 2 here. 3 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,113 #78 Posted December 16, 2017 What a GREAT thread!! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,916 #79 Posted December 16, 2017 11 hours ago, stevasaurus said: Chapter 2: Life Guard at the near by city pool. What a great summer that was...all the pizza I wanted and all the girls hanging around at the pool. Looks like too much pizza and not enough girls! 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #80 Posted December 16, 2017 He typed Pizza, but maybe a Code ? Piza of her azzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, Sorry Square, i'm flying on ether today, hard time starting a few trucks Now on another Note, what feeds my Son Alex the Farmers addiction ? Your Chatting with him, but im done buying for him, Now i Picked Jim @elcamino/wheelhorse to start filling his Stable, Then Eric in Maine is next @ebinmaine hahahaha FEL Heavan 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #81 Posted December 16, 2017 Jim Ride 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,043 #82 Posted December 16, 2017 1@Big_Red_Fred Since I am retired and living off Social Security and other small pensions increasing the herd is not going to happen for a the following reasons: 1. I plan on living a long time. 2. I don't have funds to build a garage or move to a house with major storage . 3. in Virginia are few and high priced. 4. I don't like sleeping with one eye open. ( I might get smothered with a pillow ) { Also have been told : divorce no ,murder yes} 3 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #83 Posted December 16, 2017 Hell im buyn LOL 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,229 #84 Posted December 16, 2017 No need to buy BRF...I'm bringing...see you guys at the show. That's something I learned in the Navy. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,916 #85 Posted December 17, 2017 I learned that if you are in the Navy and are on a sub, you can't sleep with the window open. If you try, they send you to the Coast Guard! 1 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB ELLISON 2,976 #86 Posted December 17, 2017 I have read some good story's here about your personal lives. Mine is condensed. 1962 worked in a car wash for 2 weeks Liked to froze to death in winter. 1965 Joined the Navy was an ASSAULT BOAT COXSWAIN and cargo handler Which means mop here, paint there. Also I was the ships driver ( a 1965 Volkswagen bus) 1969 discharged from Navy (O HAPPY DAYS) 1970 worked for Paper Factory making. $2.35 an hour. 1971 started working for Chrysler Corp $3.35 an hour worked in Quility control and making brake linings for cars and trucks. 1997 transfered to engine plant into inspection, timing auditor, tool crib parts auditor. 1971 Got married 2006 retired from Chrysler $32.35 an hour after 36 years. As far as money I buy what ever I want My wife never says anything about my hobby except (you got another one ) And I have piles and piles of money.(So my kids think.) But the best things can't be bought with money. I have 4 wonderful children and 10 grand children and 2 great grandchildren . And I have been married to the same woman for 47 years. We started going to Church the first year we were married and GOD has made it a wonderful life for us. I truly thank JESUS for all I have. My health is good even though I was diagnosed with asbestosis a few years ago. It has slowed me down to a slower pace. But I will push on till I can't go any further. I'm hoping I'll be able to put the 1054 together in spring. And strip and repaint my 67 lawn ranger. I can no longer breath the paint fumes or dust from sanding so that creates a new problem for me.But this is my life's story. And it been a great one. 6 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #87 Posted December 17, 2017 2 hours ago, squonk said: I learned that if you are in the Navy and are on a sub, you can't sleep with the window open. If you try, they send you to the Coast Guard! You wasn't listening to the Village People back then were ya ? Oop's thats 19Richie66 band, sorry ole buddy hahaha, In The Navy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cleat 4,983 #88 Posted December 17, 2017 4 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: 1@Big_Red_Fred Since I am retired and living off Social Security and other small pensions increasing the herd is not going to happen for a the following reasons: 1. I plan on living a long time. 2. I don't have funds to build a garage or move to a house with major storage . 3. in Virginia are few and high priced. 4. I don't like sleeping with one eye open. ( I might get smothered with a pillow ) { Also have been told : divorce no ,murder yes} Well, actually when it really gets down to it, it is really not my job that pays for the Wheel horses as much as buying and selling. I buy lots of Wheel Horse tractors and attachments and rebuild them and when a better one comes along I sell one and buy another. I have had 3 416's, 1 two stage snow blower, 2 single stage blowers, 2 tillers, 2 42" decks, 2 48" decks, a C160, a 111-6, a 210-5 that have been sold. I also do work on some other people's Wheel Horses on the side. This financed 4 520's, 2 48" decks, a 60" deck, a tiller, a two stage blower, a blade, a mid mount grader blade, a bagger, and a 17-44 which I have kept and restored. This is an old picture. The 2 little ones have since been sold and a 17-44 added to the herd. Last 520 in the picture is all restored except for the painting and decals on the hood and rear fender (decals are here, just awaiting paint). I figure I am either slightly ahead or just even so all I now have cost me nothing but time (lots of it but it is what I enjoy). Wife thinks I am crazy but when she knows that in the end they don't really cost me anything and she knows where I am all the time (out in the garage), it is fine with her. She even drives them sometimes. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,942 #89 Posted December 17, 2017 5 hours ago, Big_Red_Fred said: You wasn't listening to the Village People back then were ya ? Oop's thats 19Richie66 band, sorry ole buddy hahaha, In The Navy I wasn't even around then. Hadn't been made yet 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,767 #90 Posted December 17, 2017 13 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: Since I am retired and living off Social Security But Jim, we just got a $3.00 increase in our Social Security......Oh wait, Medicare went up $10.000. I guess that could be called a -$7.00 increase. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ericj 1,576 #91 Posted December 17, 2017 10 hours ago, cleat said: Well, actually when it really gets down to it, it is really not my job that pays for the Wheel horses as much as buying and selling. Now that you mention it I very rarely ever use household money to pay for my tractors, maybe gas in the car or truck but not the actual purchase, It comes from like cleat says buying and selling or doing side jobs in HVAC work,and most of the time that money goes into the household money to keep it afloat. but my jobs at work give me the skills to do the side jobs. that is also why my wife doesn't say a whole lot about my hobbies, becuase she knows it help, every little bit helps eric j 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big_Red_Fred 1,547 #92 Posted December 17, 2017 I'm Moving in with Ed in 4 years & eating at Ericj's place for home cooked BRF meals if any one wants me, call either 1 hahaha 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,435 #93 Posted December 17, 2017 Started out at 15 as a janitor through high school. Was accepted in 1982 to vo tech in the carpenter/cabinetmaker program. Never went as a I got a job in a factory for pretty good pay in 1982 so I stayed on for 23 years as a Die Casting machine operator, we had machines from 40 ton up to 600 ton. Left that job went to Lowes as a kitchen cabinet specialist, liked the customer service part of that job, was trying to get into management. Didn't really care for retail hours so I went back to my old job. Within 2 months of coming back I was hired into management, that lasted 8 years before being moved back to an hourly employee. Currently running a 300 ton stamping press. I see the light at the end of the tunnel although it is dim I can see it. On the side my son @prondzy and we do buy and sell Horses and parts, build K series Kohlers. 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,739 #94 Posted December 17, 2017 Most of my horse money comes from HVAC side jobs which I promptly turn over to the Missus. Must be something about when the preacher mumbled something about for richer or poorer! If I come across a horse I think is worth wrangling she gives me back whatever I need because she knows that that money also pays for our vacations and the occasional supper out. Resto & motor build dollars come out of my pocket tho which is ok since I am in leave orginal mode these days. Works out well for us. 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,435 #95 Posted December 17, 2017 7 minutes ago, WHX12 said: HVAC side jobs which I promptly turn over to the Missus 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,276 #96 Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) I finally had a chance to read through this thread and I love it. My life story certainly isn’t as colorful as some but, now retired, I don’t think I’d change a thing. As a senior in high school in 1973 I was a salesman in the Sears auto parts dept. One evening a friend was meeting me at closing time with his girlfriend and another gal who was a blind date for me. Turns out the girl they intended to bring couldn’t make it so a different girl took her place. I’d have to say that something was meant to be because some of you know who that girl, Nancy. I skipped the first opportunity after graduating to take the test for acceptance into the IBEW apprenticeship because I thought I could make a fortune selling on commission. The following year I took the test, made it and started my electrical career. In 1984 the contractor I was working for started playing games and wanted to switch to a merit shop. He thought I would come along with him and after sparring back and forth with him I opened my own business and immediately pulled his ‘cash cow’ client, the largest orthopedic company in the world from him. I had never planned on starting my own business but things went extremely well. After four years my wife and I were realizing that our two young girls were being negatively affected by our all work and no play life. We had a decision to make and we sided with family. I ended up working for one of the largest electrical contractors in northern Indiana. They wanted me to immediately come in as an estimator/project manager but I told them I just wanted a service truck. I did that for some months, maybe a year and then told them I’d come in the office. One of the best decisions I ever made. That company must still be doing well based on all the brown service trucks I see around. In 2000 we were in a position to retire and decided to sell everything and travel in our motor home in a warm climate. The Florida move. That was fun for a while but it probably wasn’t a year before we realized we both still had way too much go, go, go in us to live that lifestyle. We decided to buy a house and get back into the real working world. I really never had a resume nor had I done interviews for a job so I didn’t know how to do it. My MO was to observe the other employees and try to get a feel for what it was like to work there. I interviewed with a contractor (not electrical) and after the first interview I told Nancy that I think I liked the ‘feel’ in that office. They called me in for a second interview. Still no job offer but I knew I wanted to work for them after that. The third interview did the trick. Two brothers owned that business and it didn’t take long before I would tell people that everybody should have the privilege of working for them at least once in their life. I’ve been fortunate during my working years with excellent companies but that place raised the bar to new levels. I was there 5 or 6 years when I was approached by probably the largest HVAC contractor in Florida. They had started a residential electrical division and wanted to start a industrial/commercial division. They asked me to develop and run it. Already knowing that electrical work in Florida was worlds apart from the Midwest it was a challenge I had to take. It didn’t take long for me to realize my mistake. The first week was spent by me explaining how it should be done while they kept telling me this wasn’t the midwest anymore. I HAD to do it their way. They wanted me to toss out my nearly 5 decades of doing it right and with integrity in order for them to have a competitive advantage. I got home the following Monday physically sick and Nancy told me that, while she didn’t like me being gone so much she would rather have me doing that than to be like this. I contacted the brothers and was immediately back with them. I didn’t realize how long winded this would get….sorry guys. Just under 5 years ago the decision was made to officially retire. A week in the hospital played a part but was not the deciding factor. The doctor told me that I needed to slow down from my warp speed. No need for creeper gear but just let high gear be the limit. I’d like to say that I’m doing the retired thing quite well now but with the move back to Indiana and the massive undertaking with this house sometimes I wonder. Unlike before though, if I feel the need to get off my legs for a spell I’ll do that now. My Wheel Horse income? Well, we have been lucky. Rich? No. Our investment incomes, three pensions and SS has allowed us to make the transition from working our jobs to retirement seamless. Can’t ask for much more than that. Now, I better get back to work on the remodel. Edited December 17, 2017 by Racinbob 9 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ztnoo 2,298 #97 Posted December 17, 2017 Racinbob, Interesting life story.......really.......you sound very fortunate to have had some great employment situations. Everyone should be so lucky. Being a Hoosier myself, and the son of a physician, I'm well acquainted with and aware of the enormous orthopedic manufacturing experience and capabilities in Warsaw, IN, over the years. I'm curious if your reference related to one of three companies in Warsaw, "Orthopedic Capital of the World" , i.e. : Zimmer, DePuy, or BioMet? What say you, Sir? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,276 #98 Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) It was Zimmer. I had electricians working in there on a T&M basis year round for a while. Sometimes 10-12. Some Zimmer employees actually thought we were part of their maintenance department. I estimated and was the project manager on their executive office building in the center of town. I did a little bit of work at Biomet and DePuy. That came about mainly from Zimmer 'defectors' knowing me and wanted me to consider some work. With the competition being so fierce I talked to a couple of key Zimmer execs to see if it would be ok. Fortunately they trusted me to maintain 100% confidentiality. I only let work at those two places come to me. I didn't want to take any risk in messing up the Zimmer account that every contractor in northern Indiana dreamed of having. Edited December 17, 2017 by Racinbob 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites