Projects Ever feel like you are running out of time?

I'm flirting with 40, and I know I have at least double that to go but so much of my adult life has been one let down after another. So now this is kind of my way of making up for lost time before I get to old, and my wife's health gets any worse to enjoy it.

 

I’m 76 and still trying to finish my 1949 Chevy PU before the big one gets me. I’m in good health but I sure don’t like crawling under the truck. Actually, getting under is not the problem getting back up is.

 

Last year toward the end of summer I felt like I didn't get anything done so I made a list of accomplishments over the past year instead of a to-do list. Was nice to revisit that list when I felt like time was slipping away. I really did accomplish a lot, but it's easy to lose sight of that once stuff is done. Still have the list, will do it again this year, with some extra big entries this time I'm proud to say.

 

When my dad died he was 71 years old and he had several unfinished projects going on.....he worked until he died...I am 60 now and I plan to keep planning stuff to keep me out in the shop creating stuff...

Keep on keeping on...

MikeC

 

never put off till tomorrow to do what you want to do , for tomorrow may never come ,

 

Walked away from a massive stroke at 37, and I will be 56 this weekend. Specialist in Boston looked at the MRI's and said for the amount of brain damage I suffered, I shouldn't even be alive, or even functional. But I still run, mountain bike, and work on an exponentially-growing list of projects. Even went back to college and earned a couple degrees. Starting to downshift with my career and looking ahead to retiring in a few years. I KNOW I'm living on borrowed time (Styx anyone?), so I try to do fun stuff and avoid the stuff that doesn't add value or joy to my life.

 

That's one of my favorites also....

 

I had one removed also about 20 years ago... That's something I wouldn't want anybody to deal with...

 

I hear ya brother. There are sometimes I walk into my garage and let out a sigh. Between getting older and the heat bothering me more I sometimes wonder about how much time there is left as opposed to how much is there I want to do. I think all of us come to this point in life at one point or another.

 

I think about it. I'm 58 and have 2 major projects in the garage, a '32 Ford pickup and a '51 F1. I'm telling myself those two are the last major projects. When I was 18 I LOVED wrenching in the garage. Forty years later I want to spend more time enjoying the ride and less time sweating (or freezing) in the garage. I still want a '40 Ford and a '57 Chevy but if I'm lucky enough to own either I'll buy them, not build them.
As others have pointed out this life is temporary and our circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Enjoy the time you have, find happiness, live with integrity, give back.

 

At 82, with TIA's, (mini strokes with no lasting affects), on occasion, new aches and pains constantly? Your damned rights I do. But my new cartologist ran a complete rundown on everything that makes me tick and her report was something to behold. Of 32 different lab checks ran, only one is of small concern, and that was and is blood sugar, but I am diabetic but that is is mostly under control.
I have a pact with her. She keeps me around to take care of my wife with dementia, my two Bichon's, and to love my only brother, my daughters and my 34 three window, and I'll follow her instructions to the letter.
However I get very tired when doing something very strenuous like building the new hundred foot eight foot fence between me my neighbors. Went salmon fishing yesterday, limited by 9AM, home by noon and after no nights sleep and not eating like a diabetic has to, I slept from noon to three, got up ate and went back to bed until six, got up watched the tube until eight and crashed for the rest of the night.
As far as projects go, I'd love to take on one but the old body just has not got what it takes for that. So
tomorrow is one of two shows I do with the 34, so after getting the weeks groceries this morning it was time to go over the little jewel, tweak it with loving care here and there, shine the chrome, vacuum the small carpet there is, clean the leather upholstery, clean the wires.
I am very lucky. I just lost one of the greatest friends a man can have at 78, to cancer. It tares me to pieces every time I think of Chuck, and give thanks to the man for the time I have enjoyed at this age. I just keep on, keep'n on hoping for the best and giving thanks for what is given me, even with all the aches and pains and the TIA's. I know there is a time that will come, hope it is quick, not a lot of pain, and that my daughters will accept it without to much grief, and that my two little white Bichion's
are cared for. My wife's great grand daughter is promised to take them in, she loves them, and them her to the max. I cherish those two little treasures and am so happy that when inevitable takes place they will be loved and well cared for.
Well I cook for us, as Jan get to confused to do so, and its that time to get into the kitchen and get crackin, so here I go. My best to everyone chiming in on this thread. Hope it all goes well for you, what ever transpires as time goes by.

 

@34Larry , you are one hell of a good man and husband. May all the strength and courage you need come your way.

 

I hope you have at least double that to go, you can plan for it but in reality it’s out of our hands. Here’s hoping you and your wife have many years of happiness together into the future.

 

I'm 72, been working on the same '29AA since 1974, but last year I began losing weight and growing weak. Cancer of the esophagus. Surgery to remove it all in July. September chemo and radiation. November had two massive kidney stones removed, then while recovering, flareup of shingles, and of course, hunkering down to avoid COVID for the last 18 months. Cancer free the last two scans, with a semi-annual scan next Tuesday. This summer I decided that finishing the hotrod is a priority, so I sent the engine to the machinist and am awaiting his next steps. Whether or not next Tuesday's news is good or bad, I'm committed to getting the AA on the road by this time next year, somehow, some way. Meanwhile, I feel better than I have for the past five years, putting a new rack & pinion, and ABS and O2 sensors in my son's OTDD, repairing an old Gravely lawn mower, using a push mower to mow an acre of lawn in the meantime. Instead of slowing down, I'm speeding up, making use of every moment because a year ago, I didn't think I'd be here today.

 

I plan on just finishing my projects after I am dead. I can haunt who ever tries to get my projects and work on them all the time. Nothing like multi tasking

 

I am not physically able to do all of the fun stuff I did in my younger years. My last HALO was in 2016 for a memorial WWII D Day jump. Both knees get regular shots from the VA and are not ready for replacement yet. I still have my old stuff to drive around and fix. '55 T Bird has a leaking power steering hose to fix and I plan on looking at it one day this week.

 

There has been a lot of wisdom, great advice, and experience shared on this thread. Being honest, reading through all the posts has brought a tear to my eye a couple different times.

I want to thank Root for his post and for everyone that contributed - I really appreciate all of the insight that you guys have offered up.

 

At 71 I'm just lowering my expectations or goals, Roadster and Fordor bodies finished and ready to paint primer is the goal. Stopped by to see an old friend two weeks ago, he is 93 now, hope I get another 20. Bob

 

I am 78 yrs plus & still trying to finish a 33 Willys Coupe that I bought in 2003. Its coming
but not as fast as I would like. I think I will finish it & hope I will sound enough body wise
to push in the clutch ,find first gear & take it on the road. I do know that when I sit in my
5 window, Fire it up, I feel 25 years old again!!! Old cars give me a great feeling & I am
not ready to give up on them.

 

When I was young, I was a line mechanic, then I worked in a factory and became a heavy machine repair guy. I did major repairs to 100 ton forge presses.
In my early 30s, I woke up one morning and could hardly move! I couldn't lift my arms, sit up in bed, or move my legs. That was the point we discovered my body didn't retain potassium on a cellular level. When too many cells were too low on potassium, I couldn't move some part of my body, I was temporarily paralyzed or extremely weak. An instant intake of potassium would solve the issue in about 4-6 hours but would leave me with sore muscles that had been weak before. The result was that I never have any ides what level my strength is at at any given minute. I know when I'm very weak, but beyond that, I have no idea. Through good Doctors, we have gained control over the highs and lows most of the time, but the illness will always be with me.

This was a life changing event in my life. I could no longer earn a living doing the stuff I knew and loved to do. Through the process, I learned what I could do, and what the signs were to stop doing whatever I was involved with until a crises passed. That brought me to owning my own welding shop where I could work around my weak strength times and still earn a living. It did put a hamper on working on cars, because of my varying strength, I could never tell if a bolt was tight or not, everything had to be torqued, every time. When my son was old enough I taught him how to work on cars, and I would have him check the bolts after I tightened them. Together, we have build nearly two dozen vehicles.

Aging has taken its tole on my ability to do the hard work involved with a car build. With my son busy with his life, my building days are numbered. When I built the coupe 10 years ago, it was going to be my final build. Since then, my son has recruited me to assist him in building a few of his projects. Its the best of both worlds, I'm not spending my money, I get to do the parts I love, and he does the other stuff.
About 4 years ago, I pretty much had a 39 Dodge truck project dumped in my hand. I resisted as long as I could, but when my wife told me I needed a new "shop" truck, the resistance was doomed. That was my 2nd "last build". I got it built, and discovered it was a bit too small for my large, and not so movable self.
Then I stumbles across a 49 Dodge truck project that got drug home (my 3rd final project). The 39 sold and funded the 49 build. The 49 is road worthy, but not quite done. There are a few changes that need to be made.

I will be 65 in a few weeks. I used to love building cars, but between the potassium thing and its effects on my health, and the fact I have very few car parts left here, I really do not have a desire to build another vehicle. A couple years ago I retired from welding full time. Some minor health issues have turned up, and I took it as a sign that it was time to start enjoying life rather then work all the time.. Over the last couple of years I've sold off or junked several project vehicles from my yard, there is nothing left in the storage area now, and I don't even miss it! I've spent the nicer days this summer cleaning up piles of metal and small parts and have scrapped it. I'm going to get 2 cars in my 2 car garage this winter that has been my work shop for the last 20 years. I do enjoy driving these old cars and trucks, but not so much working on them any more.

30 years ago, I had a life changing event in my life. I believe this coming birthday will be another life changing event. I'm in a much different place this time then I was the last time. I can't wait to see what the Lord has for me now! Gene

 

Only time I feel like time is running out is when I smell dinner. I take it a day at a time, what I'm going to get done tomorrow.

 

I had a couple good friends pass early this year. Both old hot rodders. I got to talk with both before passing. Both in poor health but still dreaming about builds.
Both collections of cars and parts got dispersed. I stayed out of everything. The parts we verbally traded for over the phone are hopefully being enjoyed by someone else.
This is a past time for most. It’s like a sport we can play way past our prime. And you can play this game with the people you love the most.
It’s a door for meeting more people and an opportunity to help someone else.
Enjoy it for what it is.

 

i’m looking at 72 next year. i’ve never finished a project… done just enough to get it useable… my 41 cad is presently in that condition… perfection is not my goal. but enjoying life is. so i’m trying to clean up my act…leave my kids some things they would like and for me some memories that bring a smile to my face…

 

73 Still getting lost in the garage. 3 projects, one major overhaul. DESPITE 7 years of in and out of hosp.
I have decided to piss off everyone and live to 101 years. Don't try to stop me...

 

If you don't feel you are running out of time you don't have a good grip on reality. Memento mori.

 

That's one of the problems.
You don't know how long you have.
You probably have another 40 years or more, but you may not...

 

I’m now 61 , I was 32 when I can remember as if it was this morning the Dr ., walking into my room saying “ I not going to sugar coat a thing you have a 20 % survival rate for 5 years . Cancer is in your Lymph nodes . “ That was a really tough back against the wall in the corner position to be in. 3 surgeries , a full year of chemo , 30 straight days of radiation , I’m still pushing forward . I worked 35 years manual labor in the pipeline business , tough hard work daily . I now have Congestive Heart Failure damages from taking long term chemo , 3 defined types of arthritis , 2 herniated discs in lower back and 4 fused in my neck .
Say your prayers , give thanks and treat everyone with respect , make the best of each moment you have on this green earth , it very well could be the last you are granted .

I don’t want anymore projects myself , I keep my old Shovel going , the 32 is as good as it was when I finished it 25 plus years ago , my old Power Wagon is a fun daily driver , there are 4 OT cars here for me to maintain and , my parents are still living 4 miles away from me at 80 and 82 with 2 autos , 2 tractors to maintain . My hobbies have changed a bit , I’m into long range shooting in the last few years . Way less abusive on the broken body . I can go to the private club property and do nothing but sit and view nature if I need a break .
Enough , life history on me , live everyday to the fullest , gave thanks for the gifts we were given .
Look around this world we are living in the greatest free country in the world at the moment . You could be in a compound building AK47s , where your were born into and will die there never leaving the compound .

 

78 last Wednesday working on 56 willys wagon still loving my old cars

 

No projects for me at (soon to be) 73. Projects now are maintaining and driving my '51, along with whatever needs to be done around the house. My goal now is to have my shit together enough so that when the time comes (hopefully a ways down the road) my wife and daughter don't have too much of a mess to deal with.
I have health issues, but with a couple of exceptions, it's sometimes hard to determine which are age related, and which are not. There's no manual on getting old, so you gotta roll with the punches and try to figure it out (with the help of a damned good doctor). In the meantime, I just keep on truckin' and enjoying what I can.
Hug your wife and kids, and let them know they are loved and appreciated.

 

At 73 I Just Drive And Maintain My Bombs With A Easy Project Time To Time..