I am just not a fan of playin' outside in the snow any more. Gettin' too old for that kind of behavior.

It's all about layers, man. And work gloves. And I don't/can't wait for Spring or Summer. I have a nice wood burning stove in my shop too, but the outside stuff does suck in the winter. We moved here 5 years ago, and New Year eve we got 12" of snow overnight - the most we have ever seen. Neighbors are telling us this was a 20 year winter. Last Monday we hit -1 degrees at 7 am. Yeah, those days I don't go outside unless really necessary!

I am 62 years old, with MS.... so, cold really does a number on me. It was in the teens/20's yesterday, and I could be outside for about 15 minutes before I had to come back in and warm up. Doesn't matter how many layers I have on. And I can't really wear gloves while wrenchin', as my hands don't work that well to begin with.... adding gloves to the mix, makes sure I am dropping tools frequently. Nope. Just ain't for me any more. Gotten to the point that I would rather pay someone else to do the work..... I am just not capable any more. Depressing as it is, that's the reality.

Oh well. Life goes on.

We all have to face our limits as we age. I turn 65 this month. I do have bad knees, and my back is easily overworked. But wrenching is what I have always planned to do in retirement. Having my shop is my happy place. My wife knows if I don't have something to tinker on, I become unlivable. I pray I never lose the use of my hands. The older I get, the smarter I try to work. We had a vinyl fence installed and paid a fence company to do it. Man, that wasn't cheap! But I realized homey don't dig no holes no more!!! This truck body swap is the biggest project I have ever attempted. I won't try this again.

Hey, I am still on this side of the grass, and can spoil my grandchildren, so it's all good.

I have a nice barn out there, but, I don't see myself doing any improvements on it. I just can't do much of the wrench turnin' thing any more. It sucks, but, there it is. I can still move around under my own power, running is just out of the question. I still do a bit of tinkering when the weather is a bit more reasonable.... but, nothin' like what I used to do. Done some cool projects in my time. None of which I owned, but, fun none the less. 72 Challenger 440 4-spd, 75 CJ-7 with a 401, and a 73 vette that the owner had just spent 5 grand on a paint job.... (that one was fun..... I don't think I even let folks into the garage while that one was there.) First two were ground up restorations. If it came off with bolts, it came off. (and some welded parts too....) Everything got cleaned, painted, and rebuilt. The Jeep was the most fun though. Takin' that out on the trails was just SOOooo much fun.

If I could still do it, I would be.

I just hired a mechanic to change out the two idler pullies in my wife's Jeep. I didn't want to do it. They're hard to get to with no room to work and you gotta put the drive belt back on which is a royal pain on that car. I would have done that job even a year or two ago without a second thought and it wouldn't be that hard. But I have limitations now making the job harder and I hit a wall and just don't want to do jobs like that anymore.

Yeah, MS is a real challenge. My buddy's wife has MS. Had it at a younger age. Pretty bad case of it too. But she has a good attitude and deals with it. Not much of a choice, huh?

I remember a line in M*A*S*H. Hawkeye just saved a patient's life but it appeared they would be paralyzed and Hawk was disappointed. BJ told Hawkeye, "But you saved his life Hawkeye!" Hawk said, "Well I guess that's something". BJ replied sternly, "It's everything!" Your body might not work well anymore (we all get our turn if we're fortunate to live long enough), but if your mind is intact there is a whole lot to live for. Besides, it a good excuse for not taking the garbage out.

Yeah, I've been dealing with the MS since about 2005. Thought it was just a pinched nerve, and it would get better. (and, I didn't have insurance.....) Well, two years later, and it had gotten WORSE, not better.... So, applied for my VA benefits (Air Force, Security Police) got 'em, and spent another year being poked, prodded, and various other indignities before I got a real diagnosis in 2008. Given some of the other folks I have seen/talked to with MS, I got it easy. I can still walk without assistance, still have use of all of my limbs, but, my right side is only about 60% or so... Running is simply out of the question. I will be sprawled on my face in short order. (discovered that the hard way a few years back.....) I have no stamina, my endurance doesn't exist, and temperature extremes are no fun at all. Too hot, and I can't think.... too cold, and I can't move... The pain is just incredible...... And I live in Michigan.... Being the supposedly intelligent guy that I am, you would think I would be smart enough to move to a better climate... But, nope. Guess I ain't that smart.

For the most part, I have adjusted to my 'new' reality. I can still do most things I like, just takes me longer. I don't ride bikes anymore, as my balance/coordination makes that WAY too dangerous... for me, and anyone else in the vicinity. But, for some obscure reason, I just don't seem able to give up the cycle endorsement on my license. Stubborn? Me?? Oh heck no.......

Jeeps are fun, but too slow for my taste. I raced with the SCCA for 8 years, and was one of those knee draggers before I switched to fenders, a cage, and a 5 point harness. So my off road toy is build to go much faster than a Jeep! 2.5L SOHC Suby with 220 hp, 13" of suspension travel all around. This baby runs like a scalded cat!!

Is that turbocharged?

My brother had a WRX, blew the motor, and got a JDM motor as a replacement... (japanese domestic market) They were higher horseys than the american version. It was also cheaper than finding an engine locally... which REALLY surprised me.