Navigating senior years.

customboss · November 21, 2025

1 minute ago, KARNUT said:

I’ve seen neighbors with very nice lightning on their houses. It doesn’t hamper the night sky and the houses are a work of art with the lighting. I have low dust to dawn lighting on my detached garage it doesn’t hamper my ability to see absolutely nothing in the dark. Unless I look at the night sky. People who are worried about safety lights. Motion lights take care of that.

Stay there then. God made these mountains perfect lighted by moon and twinkling stars.

KARNUT · November 21, 2025

19 minutes ago, customboss said:

Stay there then. God made these mountains perfect lighted by moon and twinkling stars.

I didn’t say that was my area where I live. That’s my brother in law’s neighborhood. I live in an acre neighborhood that’s unincorporated. We don’t even have street lights. I can even burn my brush. We have choices. It’s like that in Texas. You can be totally isolated or lit up like a landing strip. My brother in law lives in a very nice neighborhood without street lights. Each house has low impact lighting. And a deer herd that roams the neighborhood.

Donstar · November 22, 2025

On 11/20/2025 at 7:42 AM, diyer2 said:

Thanks for asking Don. Left hand has limited dexterity, shoulder surgery this side, still some pain in my shoulder. September 6th 2024 surgery date for shoulder.

Right hand after carpal tunnel surgery, thumb, index finger and middle finger numb, hard to use.

Wife has to help me sometimes, hands just don't cooperate.

It can definitely be a challenge keeping these older models running smoothly! My shoulder surgery last June served well to distract me from all of the other attention seeking antics of my body! My shoulder still has some healing to do but I am back to being reminded that it is surrounded and supported by old parts! Recently, I was telling a friend about me having to use a cpap machine and a wrist brace when sleeping. She responded that she also uses a cpap machine but puts braces on both wrists! There is some comfort and appreciation found in sharing our challenges with others. Thank you for sharing your story.

Donstar · November 25, 2025

To be or not to be Santa - that is the question! I was approached again in our local mall (by Santa himself) and asked to consider being a substitute in case any of our city's Mall Santa's are unable to work. I currently have a full white beard which does attract the occasional Santa reference. I have already turned down the opportunity to be full time for this Christmas season but maybe an occasional shift would be ok. However, Santa has pretty big boots to fill and I wouldn't want to sign up and then let him down! I don't know anyone who has actually done this specific job and the advice I get from the people in my life is not helpful. I don't need the work but looking at it as possibly being a fulfilling / fun Christmas experience. Anyone here have experience impersonating the jolly man in the red suit?

KARNUT · November 25, 2025

2 hours ago, Donstar said:

To be or not to be Santa - that is the question! I was approached again in our local mall (by Santa himself) and asked to consider being a substitute in case any of our city's Mall Santa's are unable to work. I currently have a full white beard which does attract the occasional Santa reference. I have already turned down the opportunity to be full time for this Christmas season but maybe an occasional shift would be ok. However, Santa has pretty big boots to fill and I wouldn't want to sign up and then let him down! I don't know anyone who has actually done this specific job and the advice I get from the people in my life is not helpful. I don't need the work but looking at it as possibly being a fulfilling / fun Christmas experience. Anyone here have experience impersonating the jolly man in the red suit?

Sure if you want the risk of spending part of your holiday with a cold or worse. I remember a 1/3 of the time after our holiday meals sick for half of the holiday season growing up. Just wanted to remind you of that little tidbit in case it didn’t enter your mind.

customboss · November 25, 2025

Was able to go to aqua aerobics first time in 7 weeks yesterday and it went well. Very sore afterwards this am. Hip replacement has gone so well it’s stabilizing the spine and right hip so ortho surgeon says if I can restore muscles that have atrophied over the past 15-20 years I might avoid RH hip surgery. 3 months to reevaluate. I’m all for staying away from knife.

Donstar · November 26, 2025

20 hours ago, customboss said:

Was able to go to aqua aerobics first time in 7 weeks yesterday and it went well. Very sore afterwards this am. Hip replacement has gone so well it’s stabilizing the spine and right hip so ortho surgeon says if I can restore muscles that have atrophied over the past 15-20 years I might avoid RH hip surgery. 3 months to reevaluate. I’m all for staying away from knife.

The option of having a joint replaced isn't always an easy one. The pros and cons list can be pretty close. I find that the decision depends on the day. (Some say the weather) My left knee is up for replacement. Some days, like today, it is pain free. Other days, it's like sticking my finger in a light socket every time I bend my knee. This unpredictability was my deciding factor in not taking a fulltime Santa job this Christmas! Karnut now has helped convince me not to sign up to be a substitute Santa! I forgot the risks of increased close proximity to others. Santa's personal bubble is not nearly large enough to protect him from coughing and sneezing excited kids!

KARNUT · November 26, 2025

I’m about to change decades. Seventy is still considered young elderly. It’s hard to get the brain to understand we need to slow down. My latest project sound deadening the Odyssey is quite challenging considering mind over matter. My zeal for the project is hampered by the willingness of the body. I don’t have a particular joint problem or muscle weakness. It’s like there’s a meeting in the morning. Then a decision of body of payback of the abuse I inflicted during my invincible years. If only I was warned. Maybe I would have been more kind. Navigating the demands of my aging body is enhanced by how easily fatigue rears its ugly head. Pacing myself is hard for the let’s do in mentally. It could always be worse. I still can do everything I want. The brain just has to make allowance for the aging body.

customboss · November 26, 2025

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

The option of having a joint replaced isn't always an easy one. The pros and cons list can be pretty close. I find that the decision depends on the day. (Some say the weather) My left knee is up for replacement. Some days, like today, it is pain free. Other days, it's like sticking my finger in a light socket every time I bend my knee. This unpredictability was my deciding factor in not taking a fulltime Santa job this Christmas! Karnut now has helped convince me not to sign up to be a substitute Santa! I forgot the risks of increased close proximity to others. Santa's personal bubble is not nearly large enough to protect him from coughing and sneezing excited kids!

Knee replacement is painful. Is there something Drs can do without full replacement? There are options

customboss · November 26, 2025

3 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I’m about to change decades. Seventy is still considered young elderly. It’s hard to get the brain to understand we need to slow down. My latest project sound deadening the Odyssey is quite challenging considering mind over matter. My zeal for the project is hampered by the willingness of the body. I don’t have a particular joint problem or muscle weakness. It’s like there’s a meeting in the morning. Then a decision of body of payback of the abuse I inflicted during my invincible years. If only I was warned. Maybe I would have been more kind. Navigating the demands of my aging body is enhanced by how easily fatigue rears its ugly head. Pacing myself is hard for the let’s do in mentally. It could always be worse. I still can do everything I want. The brain just has to make allowance for the aging body.

I hear you Stan.

You beat up those Studly legs and frame up over many years of HD equipment operation and service! Salute to you being vertical at 70!
I lasted 3 years here on our roads maintenance crew and have had 5 surgeries since that!

Salonpas has become my muscles tendons ligaments best sticky friend. Un repaired joints get diclofenac cream.

Removed bench seat from old truck, tuning 345 V8 and getting to PCV valve at back of engine in aft of lifter valley cover was a MOFO! I climbed up and my partner Jeannie steadied my legs while I made love to top of engine. All went well but I’m sore this am

diyer2 · November 26, 2025

I'm still personally dealing with my back surgery on Dec. 8th. This will be my 3rd surgery, the left shoulder surgery and right carpal tunnel. Both have not healed 100% and I'm going to get another major surgery. This has been hard for me to deal with.

KARNUT · November 26, 2025

1 hour ago, customboss said:

I hear you Stan.

You beat up those Studly legs and frame up over many years of HD equipment operation and service! Salute to you being vertical at 70!
I lasted 3 years here on our roads maintenance crew and have had 5 surgeries since that!

Salonpas has become my muscles tendons ligaments best sticky friend. Un repaired joints get diclofenac cream.

Removed bench seat from old truck, tuning 345 V8 and getting to PCV valve at back of engine in aft of lifter valley cover was a MOFO! I climbed up and my partner Jeannie steadied my legs while I made love to top of engine. All went well but I’m sore this am

When we sold our clearing business in 1999 I already had enough of bouncing across pipeline ROWs. Transiting to just sales and training for our equipment business was a godsend. I did miss the serenity of the pipelines. The back was happy. Being able to drive hopped up 1/2 tons instead of modified diesel’s trucks loaded with equipment was easy on the back too. I laugh when people talk about good riding 3/4 - 1 ton trucks. Mine were loaded with fuel tanks, toolboxes, air compressors etc. I couldn’t transition fast enough. I can’t imagine what my body would have felt if I operated equipment another 15 years.

Donstar · December 1, 2025

On 11/26/2025 at 5:45 AM, customboss said:

Knee replacement is painful. Is there something Drs can do without full replacement? There are options

I have found that my Doctors only offer surgery after I've exhausted other options. I spent a lot of time in my 50's & 60's targeting the most arthritic joints with exercises and non-surgical treatments. My 70's began with having my name put on waitlists for shoulder and knee replacements. On Friday my Doctor suggested we X-ray my right hip as it is calling for attention. My knee surgery is imminent so we we decided to wait until that is done before we move ahead on exploring the hip. I am not excited about having artificial joints but they're better than non-functioning oem joints! I know two seniors in their 80's who refused joint replacement when it was recommended in their 70's and both now vehemently regret their choices. Now, their Doctor's are discouraging them due to their age and overall health.

customboss · December 1, 2025

CHECK YOUR 6 boys.

https://www.sciencealert.com/your-poop-schedule-says-a-lot-about-your-overall-health-study-shows#

Edited December 1, 2025 by customboss

Donstar · December 3, 2025

Definitely check your six! Crohns, colitis, colorectal cancer have all impacted close family members. I have a FIT test every two years. If you are unfamiliar with the term, then you should ask your Doctor for one. Many people have too high of a level of acceptance for irregular or unusual bowel movements. Some find discussion too personal yet its something familiar to all! Early detection can save you from major life altering surgery or worse.