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Post by martywny on Nov 21, 2023 5:45:39 GMT -5
martywny , sounds like you’ve been extra busy but I’m ready to see this new tractor….. It's an oldie, a Simplicity garden tractor. I've been looking for one of these or a JD 400 series and this one came up at auction. It has a 39" snowblower, leaf vacuum, 48" deck, and is pretty much built like the proverbial tank. I also have a JD 1025R with a tiller, middle buster, loader, back blade, drag, and 60" mower. I am also looking at a JD 855 with heated cab for those winter storms, waiting to hear back from the shop to see if it's a good deal. The beast...  |
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Post by martywny on Nov 21, 2023 5:48:55 GMT -5
I have been waiting for sweetheart’s blessing to get back to getting on our tractor I got on the tractor too soon after surgery and wound up back in the operating room for an emergency surgery. Take it easy! |
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Post by centralilrookie on Nov 21, 2023 6:31:01 GMT -5
martywny , you say “beast”, I say Cadillac even by today’s standards. Look at the capacity/depth of the deck, rollers( for yard stripping), hydrostatic drive ( I’m sure) and leaf vac system that produces the finest shredded grass/leaves for in your gardens. Yes sir, you’ve got a real gem!! We too have a leaf vac sitting in the barn but no attachment to hook the hose to the deck. So I’m faced with having to modify a plastic one from some other mower or have a very talented friend of the FIL fabricate one or wait till this summer and see if we get the zero turn mower that I’ve had my eye on……
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Post by gardendmpls on Nov 21, 2023 7:03:21 GMT -5
Debating about taking retirement Never regretted taking mine. Because my pension is not taxable by the state, I have Social security and other factors (don't drive up and back every day- less gas and lower insurance) among other things, I am doing better financially than I was while working. I also can spend more time on things that I enjoy and my days are less stressful. |
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Post by martywny on Nov 21, 2023 10:43:19 GMT -5
"RIFed" last week...reduction in force, which is a PC way of saying laid off. Debating about taking retirement, wondering if I truly need to work full time, do my own thing, or just take a couple weeks to think things through. Bit of a shock. Give yourself some think time, run the numbers, look at options and alternatives. Retirement is good, although I have not been able to get myself completely away from it because I still have some customers and help my son with his business. |
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Post by pondgardener on Nov 21, 2023 10:45:14 GMT -5
Latitude33 Depending on what your income would be, you should consider retirement, possibly after any unemployment benefits runs out. After my mom died in 2017, I retired at 62, taking early SS benefits. I did have to find health insurance using COBRA and another insurance until I was eligible for Medicare, as my wife has leukemia and other health issues. I saw too many former friends and co-workers put off retirement and then die a year or two later after retiring. I have become more of a relaxed person and have enjoyed every day so far in retirement. There are many things to consider, but know this...we all have a limited time on this earth and you want to enjoy the time you have left, while you can.
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Post by desertwoman on Nov 21, 2023 12:30:38 GMT -5
Wow, Latitude33 It is a shock and unexpected but it can also be a wonderful unexpected creative opportunity to change course. Can't wait to hear what you hatch. |
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Post by claude on Nov 21, 2023 19:11:21 GMT -5
An accident placed me on disability which became permanent…for 5 yrs and then I retired. I had a real hard time dealing with the situation initially. I’m busier now than I was working doing what I want to do and that spells BLESSINGS in my book. Lucky to be alive and living my best life. I wish you the same Latitude33.
Desertwoman, indeed!
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Post by breezygardener on Nov 21, 2023 22:41:19 GMT -5
Spent the morning doing all our last-minute Thanksgiving Day shopping, plus dropped off ten pies to the local Presbyterian church for their Thanksgiving Pie donation day. Then went to the local farm & picked up our turkey. Long day, early night, early morning tomorrow to start prepping/cooking/baking etc. for Thursday.
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Post by Latitude33 on Nov 21, 2023 23:12:23 GMT -5
Thank y'all for your perspectives.
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Post by desertwoman on Nov 22, 2023 2:17:01 GMT -5
After breakfast we did another 3.5 mile walk to the beach and back, via another trail from sis' house. Then did the last shopping for our Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. After a light lunch, we drove over to her old homestead that was sold last year. She has become friends with the new owners and I wanted to see the landscaping they have done since becoming the new custodians. Dinner out at a Mexican restaurant (my nephew's choice- he arrived from his home in DC late last night).
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Post by emmsmommy on Nov 22, 2023 6:23:30 GMT -5
martywny, my Dad has owned two Simplicity tractors during my lifetime and both used. My first attempt at mowing the yard with the first one didn't go so great as my ten-year old muscles just weren't strong enough to lift the mower deck. When I pushed the button on the end of the lever the deck immediately went to the lowest position and the yard I did scalp.  His first came with a roller, blade and a dump cart, the last with a tiller attachment. All except the roller have gotten quite a workout over the years
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Post by emmsmommy on Nov 22, 2023 6:35:26 GMT -5
My Saturday excursion was solo as Mom really didn't want to go and suggested keeping kiddo for a few hours. Got what groceries we needed and have the majority of Christmas store shopping finished. There's some tool purchases to be made for men some dog toys but that's it! Finally got the first half of our fundraiser order placed but the second half was declined. Did confirm our PTO card has a daily transaction limit and since we only have this fundraiser every two years, I declined to raise the limit.
Kiddo was to have a cardiology appointment today but her cardiologist called yesterday and said he was off on medical leave and had to cancel. Two hours later I get a notification that kiddo still has an appointment tomorrow but they changed the provider. Called back and rescheduled as I don't want to drive two hours only to have her encounter a stranger and not cooperate with her testing. There was an internet snafu last night and it meant that the router would need to be reset. Shouldn't be a big deal except hubby has put all of his "I'll take that to the shop tomorrow" stuff in that corner and stacked more on top of it. So I handed him a garbage bag, grinned, and walked away. Two hours later we had Internet.
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Post by martywny on Nov 22, 2023 6:44:40 GMT -5
martywny, my Dad has owned two Simplicity tractors during my lifetime and both used These tractors take some getting used to and they require a lot of effort changing implements because of the weight. My tractor with the snowblower attached comes in at over 1100 lbs. Fortunately, this one has power steering and a hydraulic lift for the deck and snowblower. |
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Post by datgirl on Nov 22, 2023 9:11:08 GMT -5
martywny,I showed hubby the picture of the Simplicity, and his comment was wow, I had one like that, I should have kept it. All his tractors and lawn mowers look alike to me except for his zero turn. Boys and their toys. 
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His first came with a roller, blade and a dump cart, the last with a tiller attachment. All except the roller have gotten quite a workout over the years 
