Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

TV's, PC's and phones have considerable overlap in uses and all three have eliminated the need for other household basics.  I keep all three but never unpacked my stereo after our last move, 14 years ago.  All three of my devices are used to keep me listening to Paul and Ringo.    Remember stopping for gas and picking up a map of the area?   One of my adult children decided to save money by meeting all of his screentime needs with just his phone.  He manages fine with a decent data plan.  I prefer a large screen for viewing and a traditional keyboard for writing.  Of course I have a landline!  Unlike my grandchildren, I can manage periods of time untethered to any device.  However, I have a friend who lives with only mid-century technology in her home.  I could survive in her environment but not by choice!  I will also the following in the Joke thread:

 

Medical sensation:
Californian surgeons successfully separate teenager from smartphone for the first time.

 

 

[KARNUT]

6 minutes ago, Donstar said:

TV's, PC's and phones have considerable overlap in uses and all three have eliminated the need for other household basics.  I keep all three but never unpacked my stereo after our last move, 14 years ago.  All three of my devices are used to keep me listening to Paul and Ringo.    Remember stopping for gas and picking up a map of the area?   One of my adult children decided to save money by meeting all of his screentime needs with just his phone.  He manages fine with a decent data plan.  I prefer a large screen for viewing and a traditional keyboard for writing.  Of course I have a landline!  Unlike my grandchildren, I can manage periods of time untethered to any device.  However, I have a friend who lives with only mid-century technology in her home.  I could survive in her environment but not by choice!  I will also the following in the Joke thread:

 

Medical sensation:
Californian surgeons successfully separate teenager from smartphone for the first time.

 

 

As I sit here answering your post on my phone. Im getting ready to type in the address to my mother’s doctor appointment Im taking her to this morning. Just to make sure Im going the best way without traffic problems. While waiting for my wife and mother in the minivan. I’ll be watching TV on my same phone. Yea I’m hooked on the device as a life enhancement. For me it is.

[KARNUT]

2 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

As I sit here answering your post on my phone. Im getting ready to type in the address to my mother’s doctor appointment Im taking her to this morning. Just to make sure Im going the best way without traffic problems. While waiting for my wife and mother in the minivan. I’ll be watching TV on my same phone. Yea I’m hooked on the device as a life enhancement. For me it is.

I’ve had this same mobile phone number since 1994, starting with a bag phone. You only use it sparingly it was very expensive to use.

[Donstar]

I've had my cell # since '99.  Boomers have witnessed tremendous growth in technology in their lifetime.  It boggles my mind to think what my grandchildren will have to reflect on when they are in their senior years!  Up until yesterday, my phone plan included 1GB of data per month.  It wasn't that long ago when only a small faction of this limit would be used by the end of the month but is now inadequate.   I added 10GB and am confident this will be insufficient in a short period of time.  I suspect that soon free, unlimited connectivity will available for those of us fortunate enough to have such a luxury as a personal phone.  People unable to afford one are at a disadvantage as a personal phone is close to a basic necessity, imo.

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

I've had my cell # since '99.  Boomers have witnessed tremendous growth in technology in their lifetime.  It boggles my mind to think what my grandchildren will have to reflect on when they are in their senior years!  Up until yesterday, my phone plan included 1GB of data per month.  It wasn't that long ago when only a small faction of this limit would be used by the end of the month but is now inadequate.   I added 10GB and am confident this will be insufficient in a short period of time.  I suspect that soon free, unlimited connectivity will available for those of us fortunate enough to have such a luxury as a personal phone.  People unable to afford one are at a disadvantage as a personal phone is close to a basic necessity, imo.

We don’t have a landline anymore. Nothing but sales calls. Phone plans can be cheap. My brother has kept me on the business plan unlimited. I suspect he has so many business phones me being on it adds no cost. I bought me last phone for the first time. My iPhone 3 got unsupported. It worked fine. I’ll keep my 13 until it’s unsupported. My wife has an 11 and is on pure talk very inexpensive.

[Donstar]

Yesterday I received an email from a close relative that was not intended for me.  I read some of it before realizing the mistake.  It was a nasty letter from a man responding to a an ex spouse.  Once I realized that it wasn't me under attack,  I felt sick that two people I loved would treat each other with such disrespect.   Except for a couple of high-school upsets, I've never had an "ex" but understand separation/divorce is  an exceptionally emotional event.  But, I don't believe I'd ever put such dirty laundry in writing.  We all say things verbally in the heat of the moment that later we regret and try to diminish.  Good luck when your partner has it in writing!  My wife and I have a relationship spanning over half a century and we have pictures and letters reminding us of highlights we've shared.  I admit we've had some heated verbal exchanges over this span of time but we certainly don't have memorabilia of such events!  

[KARNUT]

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

Yesterday I received an email from a close relative that was not intended for me.  I read some of it before realizing the mistake.  It was a nasty letter from a man responding to a an ex spouse.  Once I realized that it wasn't me under attack,  I felt sick that two people I loved would treat each other with such disrespect.   Except for a couple of high-school upsets, I've never had an "ex" but understand separation/divorce is  an exceptionally emotional event.  But, I don't believe I'd ever put such dirty laundry in writing.  We all say things verbally in the heat of the moment that later we regret and try to diminish.  Good luck when your partner has it in writing!  My wife and I have a relationship spanning over half a century and we have pictures and letters reminding us of highlights we've shared.  I admit we've had some heated verbal exchanges over this span of time but we certainly don't have memorabilia of such events!  

I’ve been writing my wife hand written valentines cards for many years. I asked her if I could recycle some. I got her powdered sugar jelly donuts for Valentine’s Day. I do something a little different every year. One year I planted roses everywhere. Save me a ton of money. She loves it. She’s cheaper than me. Today I’m going to Walmart to get some 50 percent off valentines candy. My mother is the queen of miss sending texts. She will text good morning to all her kids. Who ever gets the last one will usually get some more later ment for someone else. At least we get the latest news about each sibling. Nothing juicy. We’re a pretty boring bunch. We all have original spouses. Can’t say that about some of our kids. 

[Donstar]

We recently had an old couple move out of our neighbourhood into a seniors' home.  They had an adult 40 or 50 year old son living with them. She (the mum) passed a week after the move.   Rumor has it that this offspring was not nice to his parents and was a major financial burden on them throughout their senior years. I know of two other similar situations where middle aged children are living in mum & dad's spare room.   I also suspect we have a middle aged child who would like to move in and be taken care of by  mummy and daddy but this will never happen.  I understand why and how parents succumb to this pressure.  We hate to hear/see our children suffer and we have all seen disturbing images of homeless people.  However, such arrangements do nothing to motivate the "child" to succeed. At best, success/failure of your child will be postponed.  BTW  We met our new neighbours who moved into the house vacated by the old couple.  They are a recently retired couple in their 60's as well as their 34 year old son......

[KARNUT]

I’m constantly amazed by people lack of knowledge with the internet at their fingertips. My latest renters from Portland life time renters are an example. She hit us with two unbelievable statements last week. First she said our house she’s renting has mold. WHAT? So we walk back to the house. She leads us to the master bathroom sink. It’s dirty. I say you need to wipe out your sink. Maybe use a sink cleaner. Then she complains that the house is humid. It’s always humid in Texas. Sometimes when it cool and humid you need to lower your AC to run long enough to remove the humidity. Turns out her son is suffering from allergies. It’s the beginning of allergy season. She was trying to blame the house. That’s just a sample of her Stu…. lack of knowledge. While she’s complaining her husband with his head down is shaking his head. I think he’s learned to just keep his mouth shut.

[diyer2]

I see the lady's problem...........

 

[customboss]

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

I’m constantly amazed by people lack of knowledge with the internet at their fingertips. My latest renters from Portland life time renters are an example. She hit us with two unbelievable statements last week. First she said our house she’s renting has mold. WHAT? So we walk back to the house. She leads us to the master bathroom sink. It’s dirty. I say you need to wipe out your sink. Maybe use a sink cleaner. Then she complains that the house is humid. It’s always humid in Texas. Sometimes when it cool and humid you need to lower your AC to run long enough to remove the humidity. Turns out her son is suffering from allergies. It’s the beginning of allergy season. She was trying to blame the house. That’s just a sample of her Stu…. lack of knowledge. While she’s complaining her husband with his head down is shaking his head. I think he’s learned to just keep his mouth shut.

Run the ceiling fans 24/7 just like Florida. Being from NW they don’t get it. 

[KARNUT]

17 minutes ago, customboss said:

Run the ceiling fans 24/7 just like Florida. Being from NW they don’t get it. 

She said she was running the AC-heat unit on instead of Auto. I explained to her not to do that. That’s what ceiling fans are for. There’s one in every room. Another annoying thing the do is they leave the storm door open. After awhile it stresses the door frame to where you have to put in screws. It’s funny that people who have owned homes. Who have rented from us while they’re build a house. Treat our house differently than lifetime renters. Simply things like shutting the storm door. And leaving the house better than they found it. 

[Donstar]

Being a landlord is tough.  I rented out houses and rooms over the years with varied success.  Most will vacate leaving the place as good as expected but some will leave you with a disgusting mess or with significant remediation costs.  "Damage deposits" don't always cover the cleanup costs.  The two middle aged children mentioned above living with their parents are slobs.  Even sharing DNA with the landlords doesn't guarantee a good tenant!

[Donstar]

21 hours ago, customboss said:

Run the ceiling fans 24/7 just like Florida. Being from NW they don’t get it. 

"Keep the air moving," is often heard from me even living in the PNW.

[KARNUT]

19 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Being a landlord is tough.  I rented out houses and rooms over the years with varied success.  Most will vacate leaving the place as good as expected but some will leave you with a disgusting mess or with significant remediation costs.  "Damage deposits" don't always cover the cleanup costs.  The two middle aged children mentioned above living with their parents are slobs.  Even sharing DNA with the landlords doesn't guarantee a good tenant!

The most damage so far was 15 years ago renting to my daughter and her new husband. And it was half rent. I told her then husband the gravy train was over buy a house after just 6 months. He did. He was upset then, glad now. My wife wanted more rent houses years ago. I didn’t want the aggravation. We even had a condo in Myrtle Beach. We did vacation rentals with that. Covid came. We decided to sell, made a bundle people fleeing the north. Ones enough it gives us play money. It’s at the back of the property. Behind a 1/2 acre of trees with its own driveway. It was supposed to be our retirement house. Rent the front house. We don’t want to move.