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leonk
Member
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2017 08:05pm
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Hi all,
As I get older and continue to dream about my future cabin (life gets in the way) I can't help but wonder - will I be physically capable..?
It's clear to me I can't work sunrise to sunset as in my younger days...
How do you manage?
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frankpaige
Member
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2017 08:57pm
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First, do not wait. Me, I started at the age of 67. Foundation, deck I did myself. Walls built at home and trailered to the site. Family assisted in raising walls. I did the rafters and sheeting myself. Metal roof, I paid for that. At 70, not sure if I could do it.
Sure wish I had done it earlier. More peace and quiet.
Good Luck
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2017 09:13pm
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I know 55 year olds who are in sad enough shape that they are hard pressed to walk a mile. I have a friend who is 89 and still climbing scaffolding as he remodels his home interior. I'm 71 and am a little slower than I used to be, have a shoulder that aches a bit if I do the wrong thing with it and I take an afternoon nap when the morning has been busy. However I still fell trees, haul, cut and split my own firewood, and am building a small snow shed for a snow plow. Eat more veggies, less meat, don't use tobacco, keep active and don't fall off ladders.
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dmanley
Member
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2017 09:29pm
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Don't try to do it all at one time. Do a little at a time and you will be surprised how much you get done. It may not look like it during the process, but it will add up and you will get it done. At 74 I love to spend just a couple hours on cabin projects. To me it's the journey, not the destination.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 30 Nov 2017 11:19pm - Edited by: Gary O
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I’m approaching 70
When we moved out here, almost three years ago, I felt more like hanging on at 80
Chopping wood, with a maul, has added 20 years to the back end of my life
It’s aerobic
Has some heft to it
Not that much impact
And
Makes firewood
Sure, it takes a bit of self psych to get started
But once in the swing
Everthing chimes in
Aches go to the back burner
The mind thinks on things pleasant
Bottom line
Move whatcha got
Or die not tryin’
Y'all keep a fire
winter is upon us
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 2 Dec 2017 09:17am
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I see somebody got some groovy new filters for his camera. 
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 2 Dec 2017 09:46am - Edited by: Gary O
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Nada
photomania
google it
I can't leave it alone (this may be obvious)
now, you young folk best be git'n along
this 'older folk' has work to do
a bear messed with me once
....once
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2017 05:55pm
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Gary O: yer gettin' younger, not older, since you retired.
 
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2017 07:38pm
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Quoting: bobrok yer gettin' younger, not older, since you retired
fact
at 265 lbs it was like carrying around a sack of spuds
Now?
50 lbs lighter, I traipse the property somewhat gazelle like
rabbits ands squirrels have come to fear me
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leonk
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2017 07:43pm
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Thanks all for the input.
Great pics Gary.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2017 07:49pm
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Quoting: leonk Thanks all for the input.
Truth be told, Leon, clearing the land, building the cabins, and shop were godsends in the age/health dept
I've written reams on this elsewhere
(it's become my religion)
Thank YOU for this thread
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2017 01:17am
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Quoting: Gary O Nada photomania google it
Well I could have used this tip earlier today. I spent all afternoon making an email Christmas card for a non-profit group I volunteer with. It would have saved me a ton of time and aggravation. Thanks for the tip Gary O. I've never heard of photomania but it sure looks good. I've got it bookmarked... for next year.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2017 08:13am
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Quoting: hattie I've got it bookmarked... for next year
oh, you still have a couple hours left, I believe...
it helped my old Willys look even older
....have we gone far enough off topic yet?
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2017 10:14am
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We bought our land at age 55, I built the cabin myself over the next several years....now at 64, I am glad I did it when I did, lots more aches and pains nowadays 
Not that I'm done, just hauled a water heater up over the rocks to the far side of the cabin, have a stove coming in next week and it'll be me and the missus hauling that baby up the stairs......it never ends...but it sure helps to get as much done as you can whilst young (er)
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leonk
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2017 01:42pm
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Most answers are what I expected, but it is still helpful and now I realize I may have to re-think carefully how much I can do on my own realistically.
I am used to doing everything myself, but I have to account for reality.
And it's one thing to tinker around the existing cabin and it's completely another to rush to get the roof over one's head before it starts snowing
Thanks again, all.
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2017 09:51pm
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Do it now Bro.... We ain't getting any younger...
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Rys
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2017 12:36pm
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This is a great thread! Sometimes I worry that my husband and I are getting to old to start on this journey. The perspective you all have shared has me looking foward to the next chapter in our lives!
Thanks for sharing the Photmania link Gary O. I can see already that it could get quite addictive!
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bldginsp
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2017 03:17pm
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Quoting: dmanley Don't try to do it all at one time. Do a little at a time and you will be surprised how much you get done.
Absolutely. You need to gauge how much you can take and not over-do it.
I saw an article once that said that people who hire others to do work for them are generally happier people. I’m not rich but I have hired people to do various tasks and it helps A LOT when there is so much to do. Relieves the stress of having so much on your shoulders. Once you find a reasonably priced worker who is reliable and useful, USE THEM!
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2017 05:31pm - Edited by: bobrok
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I've said this before but it's probably worth repeating.
Know and understand the principles of things like lift, balance, weight shift and the like.
You can move a mountain by yourself if you know how to do it and not injure yourself in the process.
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Smawgunner
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2017 05:33pm
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I got a side by side Polaris and take a lot of Advil ;)
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neckless
Member
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# Posted: 5 Dec 2017 07:43pm
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thats why when your in your fifties u be nice to the younger kids maybe can get one to help out in you 70s...lol
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Moomps
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 09:30am
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I bought my cabin about 4 years ago. It hadn't been used for about 7 years before that and was a real mess. The land - which is leased, was very overgrown and needed a lot of clearing and mowing. The inside was a real dump - old furniture, appliances, leftover food and general junk.
My first job was to clean the place out and make big run to the dump. Since then, I've tackled lots of littler jobs and it's actually livable now.
I'm now 65 and sometimes feeling every year of that - but, My answer to the question is to take it slow and not over do it too much. It'll all get done eventually so why hurry. I know my wife could NEVER do it that way, but it works for me and my dog.
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 11:25am
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Pace yourself.
Try to make everything as easy as possible so you can stay at your cottage in your older age.
This means using a pump instead of carrying water, a wagon to cart things around instead of carrying everything, ramps instead of stairs, propane appliances with propane delivery.
Hire out high work. If you lose you balance and break a hip that will be the end of your cabin days.
I'm not elderly but my husband is at a age that is considered that, he's still in great shape.
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morock
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 12:07pm
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I bought some used scaffolding for one particular job at the cabin, the plan was to sell it once completed but I find I use it for any type of job I can now.
You can buy used, complete your job and sell for the same price. I think I will just keep mine, sure beats being on a ladder all afternoon.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 12:12pm
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Quoting: silverwaterlady Pace yourself. Try to make everything as easy as possible so you can stay at your cottage in your older age. This means using a pump instead of carrying water, a wagon to cart things around instead of carrying everything, ramps instead of stairs, propane appliances with propane delivery. Hire out high work. If you lose you balance and break a hip that will be the end of your cabin days.
....I'm taking notes
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jjlrrw
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 12:21pm
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The same way you eat an elephant... one bite at a time
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Rys
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 01:40pm
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Looking foward to the day I can do my County plan jig Gary O!
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 06:09pm
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Gary O, You are a inspiration to us all.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 7 Dec 2017 07:54pm
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Quoting: Rys Looking foward to the day I can do my County plan jig Gary O!
I need to revisit those mighty fine folk over there. Been awhile
Quoting: silverwaterlady Gary O, You are a inspiration to us all.
Y'all started it, I'm jus' tryin' to keep up
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ILFE
Member
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2018 09:02am
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Quoting: Gary O rabbits ands squirrels have come to fear me
Gary, Lord in Heaven! What do they feed the squirrels in your part of the country!?
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