Now what's broke?

[Oaktree]

What are you fixing now?

Heh. My reply whenever anyone asks me what I do in my spare time is that I have 16 acres and a 200 year old house. There's always something to do. Fortunately, our vehicles are new enough that they don't need much work (and other than basic maintenance...brakes, oil changes, etc. I just let the pros do it).
I live far enough away from any family members that I don't get stuck fixing their stuff.

 

[Oaktree]

Dropping it on your big toe -especially wearing sneakers instead of the steel toed boots I should have worn makes it hard to walk or sleep.

I hear ya. For some reason, it's always my left one. Nail on that toe has gotten smashed so many times it's grown back really funky.

 

[bdhsfz6]

As has already been said, land & home ownership maintenance is a never ending battle.

I look at it this way: As long as the time it takes doesn't exceed the time I'm able to work, I'm good.

 

[ultrarunner]

It requires more and more time because of increasing compliance work… plus property is the easiest to fine or lien… in other words sitting ducks.

Commercial property I manage was tagged and received notice of blight violation with corresponding $3800 admin fee if not corrected by reinspection plus a $100 dollar a day escalating fine.

This is a picture of the tag which was no problem to address.

All well and good except city, county, utility and Post Office on the same city block get a pass claiming lack of resources claiming not much they can do.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Currently everything I own is fully operational.

Currently.

 

[Engineer42]

Last parents passed away in 2021. My mother and my wife's father. We sold FIL's 29 acre place early in 2022. Sold my mother's house and 69 acres mid year 2022. Sold her other 80 acre farm later in 2022. I thought I would have nothing to do.

Wrong!

Youngest daughter had a surprise child. Well, a surprise to us, planned by them. Now we are babysitting two to four days a week. Not quite a year and a half old but has to have a 'granddaddy adventure' every day. Different job but still enjoyable.

There is always something to do. And I cannot get caught up.

RSKY

But those 'adventures' are priceless memories for both of you. Enjoy them while you can.

 

[Eagle1]

I was down to a single project ATV (bought cheap will take some work) and rigging up a hood latch for the BX. That was a week ago. Since then youngest hit a deer, damage mostly fixed, now that car is missing on 4 out 6 cylinders. So I had to un mothball the 1997 Dakota that has not been run in years for her to use, while I get some part and prayers for the Mazda. New oil, gas, inspection and registration coming right up and the Dakota will on the road again. Hope she does not hit another Caddy
I did get the hood latch mounted on the BX today. The recoil parts for the wood splitter just showed up so that will be tomorrow start then cover everything since we actually get some rain.

 

[TractorTYMe]

What is this "free time" people keep referring to?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I'm retired. So all of my time is free

 

[sd455dan]

About to start work on re- modifying my Leinbach 3 point post hole digger to drill 2' diameter holes for four ground mount solar panel support posts. Probably a different model or unit from the last time, since it has been over a decade.
Every problem is an Opportunity... or something like that.

 

[garry1p]

About to start work on re- modifying my Leinbach 3 point post hole digger to drill 2' diameter holes for four ground mount solar panel support posts. Probably a different model or unit from the last time, since it has been over a decade.
Every problem is an Opportunity... or something like that.

If every problem is an opportunity, then I have a never ending list of opportunities waiting for me.

How in the heck did I ever have time to work for a real paying job.

 

[Eagle1]

I was down to a single project ATV (bought cheap will take some work) and rigging up a hood latch for the BX. That was a week ago. Since then youngest hit a deer, damage mostly fixed, now that car is missing on 4 out 6 cylinders. So I had to un mothball the 1997 Dakota that has not been run in years for her to use, while I get some part and prayers for the Mazda. New oil, gas, inspection and registration coming right up and the Dakota will on the road again. Hope she does not hit another Caddy
I did get the hood latch mounted on the BX today. The recoil parts for the wood splitter just showed up so that will be tomorrow start then cover everything since we actually get some rain.

Yeah. Dakota overheated on the wife.... top of rad hot bottom cold. I'd say thermostat, water pump or clogged rad. Joy guess the wood splitter will wait.... Too hot to work on it until after dark so not happening.
Got a spare rad (in a Durango of that vintage.) and Thermostat. That should guarantee it's the water pump right?

 

[Yander]

Currently everything I own is fully operational.

Currently.

of course it is! You are "that guy!"

 

[Locoweed]

IMHO, the OP needs to learn the difference between helping & being used.

 

[RSKY]

About to start work on re- modifying my Leinbach 3 point post hole digger to drill 2' diameter holes for four ground mount solar panel support posts. Probably a different model or unit from the last time, since it has been over a decade.
Every problem is an Opportunity... or something like that.

Sometimes it's 'Every Opportunity is a problem (waiting to happen)'!

After waking up yesterday with water all over the kitchen counter and an earache today's opportunity will be replacing the kitchen sink faucet. And doing this while every single movement causes ear pain.

RSKY

 

[bdhsfz6]

Sometimes, I think my brother has the right idea. He lives in an apartment and just picks up the phone whenever there's a problem and it costs nothing.

Sure, he pays rent, but I pay taxes & insurance, as well as the cost of anything that needs replacing.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't really change places with him for the world. I like rural living too much. It comes at a cost though.

 

[ultrarunner]

I think everyone should experience ownership at least once...

Can't tell you how many I know without even a screwdriver...

 

[2manyrocks]

I wonder about even being able to repair some of the current vehicles outside of a dealership that have so much electronics integrated into them like the cars that apply the brakes if they sense being too close to another vehicle.

When my daughter's Honda 2010 insight hybrid recently started giving warning lights on the dash, her regular mechanic wouldn't touch it. $1308.48 later at the Honda dealer, still showed a code in the hybrid system. Dealer said the car needed a $2200 intelligent control module plus another $600 to install. Since the hybrid system charges the 12v battery and there is no alternator on the car, there's no way to disable the hybrid system and just drive on the gas engine. I said tow to the auction yard.

 

[ultrarunner]

Experienced similar with older high end import cars and California emission equipment...

Some very nice/maintained BMW/Mercedes/ALFA, etc off the road because the fix exceed value even being rust free and drove well.

Several of our surgeons say they will never own a car again... they lease and any problem bring me another... not going to deal with it other than monthly fee...

 

[2manyrocks]

Given the high voltage, I'm not too keen on the idea of poking around in there myself, either. What's sad is the car is otherwise great and the gas side of it probably has another 60-80K of life, but the lack of a simple alternator system means having to keep the electric hybrid charging system functional, and the parts/labor repair cost for that system was too much, IMO, especially compared to what a normal alternator replacement would have cost.