E
EddieM
Are they Hibiscus not hollyhocks?
DIY and getting older
- Thread starter diy_fun_uk
- Start date
Are they Hibiscus not hollyhocks?
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The blue one certainly is. "Blue Bird"
Also called a Tree Hollyhock by some.
Most common variety round me though I have some white and some red and white self-seedlings.
I give them away as saplings on Freegle.
Yeah I'm starting to notice this. Have got to 48 without the need for glasses, however when looking at things with small print I'm starting to do that squint thing. I was installing a new dimmer switch x weeks back and I think for the first time in my life I couldn't read the (very small print) instructions properly!
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I started noticing changes mid 60's but in my late teens I could do 100 press ups and etc with ease even though I'm not a lightweight. The ability to do 100 probably dropped off a lot earlier. I did a number of things from time to time to keep reasonably fit until early 40's but things wear out so did less 
lot less, for instance I used do 5min or so every day on a pneumatic rowing machine hitting it as hard as I could.
DIY - depends. Strength can be a problem when things feel heavy now that didn't not all that long ago but the other problem is drive and back trouble can be a hindrance. I can't get the mental attitude back to do long winded jobs continuously. Eg new fitted kitchen, wall removed, floor levelled, some electrics, rerooting services, suspended ceiling and etc. There has been problems which has slowed things down, worst people who call themselves plasterers and time spent trying not to get one in. I paid a builder to add a new wall and a gas person to reroute the gas and disconnect a 2nd meter we had. 2 spinsters used to own the place and wanted separate bills.
So 2years later and it's still not finished but very little to do now - getting myself to do it is another matter. Having to keep the kitchen usable doesn't help. Sometime shortly I will finish off piping in a replaced and moved radiator. As that means some time on knees hunched up I might make the final parts of the runs 1 at a time. Depends on how my back behaves. Some wall cupboards need moving a bit to centralise on the stove but wife has stuffed them full of things. Then comes tiling ............... Also fit the extractor - she's put stuff in the cupboard it's going in and just about all of them are jam packed full. She has loads more storage space than she had.
One satisfactory aspect is some one at Ikea told me that it isn't that unusual for people to take a year plus to do a kitchen. Given some of the problems such as levelling the floor in sections my 2 years ain't too bad but it should have been completely finished at least 6 months ago.
lot less, for instance I used do 5min or so every day on a pneumatic rowing machine hitting it as hard as I could.DIY - depends. Strength can be a problem when things feel heavy now that didn't not all that long ago but the other problem is drive and back trouble can be a hindrance. I can't get the mental attitude back to do long winded jobs continuously. Eg new fitted kitchen, wall removed, floor levelled, some electrics, rerooting services, suspended ceiling and etc. There has been problems which has slowed things down, worst people who call themselves plasterers and time spent trying not to get one in. I paid a builder to add a new wall and a gas person to reroute the gas and disconnect a 2nd meter we had. 2 spinsters used to own the place and wanted separate bills.
So 2years later and it's still not finished but very little to do now - getting myself to do it is another matter. Having to keep the kitchen usable doesn't help. Sometime shortly I will finish off piping in a replaced and moved radiator. As that means some time on knees hunched up I might make the final parts of the runs 1 at a time.
Depends on how my back behaves. Some wall cupboards need moving a bit to centralise on the stove but wife has stuffed them full of things. Then comes tiling ............... Also fit the extractor - she's put stuff in the cupboard it's going in and just about all of them are jam packed full. She has loads more storage space than she had. One satisfactory aspect is some one at Ikea told me that it isn't that unusual for people to take a year plus to do a kitchen. Given some of the problems such as levelling the floor in sections my 2 years ain't too bad but it should have been completely finished at least 6 months ago.And, although not necessarily an age related thing, don't get me started on floaters! And I don't mean the kind you find in the toilet Looking at light coloured plain surfaces isn't fun, especially on a sunny day!
Looking at light coloured plain surfaces isn't fun, especially on a sunny day!I started noticing changes mid 60's but in my late teens I could do 100 press ups and etc with ease even though I'm not a lightweight. The ability to do 100 probably dropped off a lot earlier. I did a number of things from time to time to keep reasonably fit until early 40's but things wear out so did less
DIY - depends. Strength can be a problem when things feel heavy now that didn't not all that long ago but the other problem is drive and back trouble can be a hindrance. I can't get the mental attitude back to do long winded jobs continuously. Eg new fitted kitchen, wall removed, floor levelled, some electrics, rerooting services, suspended ceiling and etc. There has been problems which has slowed things down, worst people who call themselves plasterers and time spent trying not to get one in. I paid a builder to add a new wall and a gas person to reroute the gas and disconnect a 2nd meter we had. 2 spinsters used to own the place and wanted separate bills.
So 2years later and it's still not finished but very little to do now - getting myself to do it is another matter. Having to keep the kitchen usable doesn't help. Sometime shortly I will finish off piping in a replaced and moved radiator. As that means some time on knees hunched up I might make the final parts of the runs 1 at a time.
Yeah I get where you're coming from. When I was in my early 20's (lived at home with mum) we moved house. Needed gutted. This was pre-internet and I had limited diy experience up until then. I can remember the very first weekend in that house. Mum went out for the day and I thought 'right I'll start with the kitchen.' Hammer in hand, away I went! Bought myself a massive diy book/bible (no Google to look things up on kids!) and over the following months I gutted the place. Fitted new kitchen, staircase (not the actual stairs but the newels, handrail, spindles etc) internals doors, trims, skirtings, laminate flooring, wallpapering etc. I just kind of 'went for it' and was proud of the results I achieved.
However, fast forward 20 odd years and I reckon I've lost that diy spark to an extent. Never thought I'd see the day, however next time I need a kitchen done, I might consider getting someone else to do it! There again when the quotes come in knowing me I'd change my mind
I'm 73 and have a few health issues ganging up on me. For the first time ever in my life, I engaged someone to carry out work on my car - an a/c specialist to fit a replacement condenser and recharge it. He didn't quite get the bumper back in place correctly, so I will have to struggle on my own with that when the weather warms up. I was also looking for someone to replace some brake pipes for me, because I'm really not up to crawling about under it now, I have all that I need to do the job here, but I failed to find a garage I trusted to make a tidy job of it - so left it. It passed the MOT just fine a couple of weeks ago.
When it comes to technically involved stuff, I find I now struggle and tend to put it off if I can. I set up several Smart Plugs with Alexa and my router's wifi, had to install a wifi repeater to reach some of them, so they had to be re-registered to the repeater. ONce the repeater had been delivered, by which time I had completely forgotten how I had set them up in the first place, so I delayed for several weeks. I finally worked out how and got them re-registered yesterday. It took me a while originally to work out how to set up Alexa Routines to control the Smart Plugs, yesterday I needed to set up some more for controlling Christmas lights, but I had completely forgotten how.
I got there in the end though - lucky I have plenty of time to play
I'm involved as a user, with an Open Source gadget iSpindel to remotely measure Specific Gravity in my wine and beer brews, so I can check its progress without opening it up. Every time I start a brew I have to struggle to remember how to set it up and how to operate the software.
I used to be a very prolific hardware and software developer in a small none commercial way.
This is the guy who was building computers, programming in machine code in the mid 70's, wrote the very first word processor for a desktop computer, worked out how the amateur could receive and display NASA weather satellite images on a PC and could write programs for PLC's and robotics and the first to decode MSF time code using a computer.
When it comes to technically involved stuff, I find I now struggle and tend to put it off if I can. I set up several Smart Plugs with Alexa and my router's wifi, had to install a wifi repeater to reach some of them, so they had to be re-registered to the repeater. ONce the repeater had been delivered, by which time I had completely forgotten how I had set them up in the first place, so I delayed for several weeks. I finally worked out how and got them re-registered yesterday. It took me a while originally to work out how to set up Alexa Routines to control the Smart Plugs, yesterday I needed to set up some more for controlling Christmas lights, but I had completely forgotten how.
I got there in the end though - lucky I have plenty of time to play
I'm involved as a user, with an Open Source gadget iSpindel to remotely measure Specific Gravity in my wine and beer brews, so I can check its progress without opening it up. Every time I start a brew I have to struggle to remember how to set it up and how to operate the software.
I used to be a very prolific hardware and software developer in a small none commercial way.
This is the guy who was building computers, programming in machine code in the mid 70's, wrote the very first word processor for a desktop computer, worked out how the amateur could receive and display NASA weather satellite images on a PC and could write programs for PLC's and robotics and the first to decode MSF time code using a computer.
I was reminded just how young I was in 1980 by this picture of me doing DIY
And, although not necessarily an age related thing, don't get me started on floaters! And I don't mean the kind you find in the toilet
Everyone has those bubbles in the eyes, your brain is supposed to ignore them and fill in the blanks. I used to see them as a kid and if I really try and still see them now. Ignore them and I simply don't see them.
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EddieM
Very common as you age. Usually caused by your eye lenses stiffening, which doesn't allow you to accommodate at close distances.
Still, if you're very brave, you can have it fixed, by having the lenses in your eyes replaced, similar op to having cataracts removed. But it is certainly not recommended below the age of 60 and unless there was another medical reason for doing it, you would be strongly discouraged from having the procedure.
Prices put me off. Not so much as when I was working as I'd work out my hourly rate if I did it myself. Also I found that I could buy power tools to help get the job done more easily. Problem with the kitchen is I decided it was time to upgrade some of my stuff so along came a Maketa router and plunge saw. Both corded, they have other jobs to do as well but cost not justified this time really as a kitchen fitter would have them and the stuff I had would do in the future. Corded so that they will always work when plugged in. They wont be used often. But I needed other trades as well. Builder not too bad as I know I can trust him and he could fit me in for small jobs. He suggested who I should use for gas. Also a plasterer but the guy was too busy. A suspended ceiling needed replacing so bought a board lift and later sold it. I used metal furling as much cheaper than timber. Too many trades really to get the job done quickly and keep the kitchen usable.
The house was built in 1911 and much of the plastering was fine but hopelessly wavy where work had been done. Plasters can't usually flatten walls these days. What I should have done is ripped all of the bad stuff off and boarded it. The house is in an area that has few DIYers around so £ note eye rollers are inclined to quote. I just wont used them. Not all but that can be another problem and more often than not is.
I did get some one in to fit a kitchen years ago and started talking to them about what we wanted. No said them, we will send a designer to talk to you. You wouldn't believe how they were going to suspend ceiling. This was before a wall came out. We had talked about doing it and went away for 2 weeks and lo when we came back my son had removed it. I had mixed feelings as knew the floors wouldn't line up plus no dpc and etc. Walls at different levels as well due to work done badly on one side years ago. There are ways around the no dpc and we have never had damp problems. My brother moved recently, same problem, wife heard that there should be one so the lot was ripped up and replaced.
So wall out and no plans with what to do with what that left. Sorting that out is part of the 2 years. It's not a quick job.
These days I'd say I am still ok for a couple of days work that can finish once I get myself started that can be a problem. The kitchen has been going on for too long. I need breaks.
And son provides muscle if mine can't cope.
Not so much as when I was working as I'd work out my hourly rate if I did it myself. Also I found that I could buy power tools to help get the job done more easily. Problem with the kitchen is I decided it was time to upgrade some of my stuff so along came a Maketa router and plunge saw. Both corded, they have other jobs to do as well but cost not justified this time really as a kitchen fitter would have them and the stuff I had would do in the future. Corded so that they will always work when plugged in. They wont be used often. But I needed other trades as well. Builder not too bad as I know I can trust him and he could fit me in for small jobs. He suggested who I should use for gas. Also a plasterer but the guy was too busy. A suspended ceiling needed replacing so bought a board lift and later sold it. I used metal furling as much cheaper than timber. Too many trades really to get the job done quickly and keep the kitchen usable.The house was built in 1911 and much of the plastering was fine but hopelessly wavy where work had been done. Plasters can't usually flatten walls these days. What I should have done is ripped all of the bad stuff off and boarded it. The house is in an area that has few DIYers around so £ note eye rollers are inclined to quote. I just wont used them. Not all but that can be another problem and more often than not is.
I did get some one in to fit a kitchen years ago and started talking to them about what we wanted. No said them, we will send a designer to talk to you. You wouldn't believe how they were going to suspend ceiling. This was before a wall came out. We had talked about doing it and went away for 2 weeks and lo when we came back my son had removed it. I had mixed feelings as knew the floors wouldn't line up plus no dpc and etc. Walls at different levels as well due to work done badly on one side years ago. There are ways around the no dpc and we have never had damp problems.
My brother moved recently, same problem, wife heard that there should be one so the lot was ripped up and replaced.So wall out and no plans with what to do with what that left. Sorting that out is part of the 2 years. It's not a quick job.
These days I'd say I am still ok for a couple of days work that can finish once I get myself started
that can be a problem. The kitchen has been going on for too long. I need breaks.And son provides muscle if mine can't cope.
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