So I don’t know how long, but it’s been a while. So I’m gonna kinda just fill in what’s been happening. The Missus fell down the stairs end of June, broke a bone in her foot, wasn’t a straight break, hasn’t healed yet, been on a bone stimulator for the last 3 months, we go back to the orthopediatric doctor Jan 2. She’s a type 1 diabetic, and they have said they really don’t want to do surgery on the foot unless they have to. It’s her right foot, couldn’t drive till mid October, and I’m still doing all the laundry/cleaning/shopping. Starting in May they diagnosed her with bronchitis, 4 different times, till they figgered out it was asthma. Our FSA ran out in May, we had the max amount. My V.A. Physical in April showed an A1C of 6.8, I had a physical with my civilian PCP iNovember 6, and had gotten it down to 6.1, gotta keep working on it (I know it’s gone up the last 4 weeks of the holiday season ) Had an echocardiogram June 6, it didn’t go well, but the earliest they could set me up with a cardiologist was Oct 28. I have a stenodic aortal heart valve, but the Doc says it’s not time to worry yet, but get the darn numbers where they need to be! The kid and his fiancée are planning a wedding Nov 2026, and passed papers on a house in the town next door the Friday before Thanksgiving. A friend at work , and his wife,had bought a house in August, and I had been working there with my limited free time, now he’s on hold and I’m at Trevor and Kays house weekends. On October 9, while at work I was right behind a woman at a RR crossing who for some reason after stopping, with the gates coming down, pulled onto the tracks. Vehicle was struck by a freight train. Which caught it and dragged it into some steel bollards that were there, and SHREDDED the car. I was pretty convinced I had just watched somebody get killed in front of me. Somehow she was alright! They medflighted her into Boston and she was released on the 11’th. She was 84 tears old. Al mighta saw it, it made some of the news stations, the pizza place had security cameras which recorded the event. They sent me home from work, I was that shook up. I’m 65 and have never seen anyone get killed right in front of me. In the last 5 weeks I have made 3 Kissmas Trees,and 8 shelves for the kids two bathroom closets. The shelves were made from 3/4 Walnut veneered plywood, and I edge banded for the first time. Was pretty cool. That’s pretty much been all the time I’ve had in the shop this year. Doesn’t look like my time is gonna free up too much for the next couple months, anyways. So I hope everyone’s turkey day was good, Merry Christmas to everyone, and Happy New Years to all.

Edited December 27, 2025Dec 27 by Artie

Jeez, Artie, what do you do in your spare time!

 

so glad to know you are still above ground and taking nourishment. Hope the Mrs. Can get healed up. 

57 minutes ago, lew said:

Jeez, Artie, what do you do in your spare time!

 

so glad to know you are still above ground and taking nourishment. Hope the Mrs. Can get healed up. 

I mean it’s nothing of a major life event, but I’ve just run out of leisure time for a while. But I GOTTA make sure I find the time to be here on a regular basis, too many great people here for me not to. Just looked out the door, we got maybe an inch.

1 hour ago, lew said:

Jeez, Artie, what do you do in your spare time!

 

so glad to know you are still above ground and taking nourishment. Hope the Mrs. Can get healed up. 

I mean it’s nothing of a major life event, but I’ve just run out of leisure time for a while. But I GOTTA make sure I find the time to be here on a regular basis, too many great people here for me not to. Just looked out the door, we got maybe an inch. The snowman next to the Kissmas tree was made by me Missus.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2025Dec 27 by Artie
Wrong picture

Wow, Artie. When it rains it pours. I'm glad to see you back but it's easily understandable why you were away. I'm hoping all the health stuff gets better in the New year.

Edited December 27, 2025Dec 27 by Fred W. Hargis Jr

After all that I'm glad you had the time to let us know.  Good to hear from you.

Well so long as you've been keeping busy we'll excuse your absence Artie however we would appreciate a note for our files.

 

Prayers for you and the Mrs that your health challenges improve for 2026. We're here when you need us.

Glad to see you back . Sorry your year turned so into problems. Beautiful ply, have never seen walnut veneer. Hopeful that the new year brings better days.

Artie... I'm sitting here after reading your intro and really moved about all of life's issues you have. I prayed for you and yours. I would encourage you to do the same!

Hi Artie! Great to see you back on the forums. Seems like a lot has happened since we last met, and it seems like most of it was not good for you. Hope your wife heals that broken bone in her foot and you get well too. If you don't have much leisure time, maybe you can take some of mine. Leisure time is what I have most of these days. I'm still somewhat mobile but I use the walker when I go out, for safety. There are times when my daughter uses the wheelchair if it means I have to walk a long distance.  I definitely miss my woodworking days. I still have most of my hand power tools and hands tools in the shop.

I did sell all my clamps. With no clamps I am not tempted to try to do anything in the shop. I did hear about the woman in the train crash, but I didn't know you were a witness to it. Must have been a scary moment for you. Wishing you a Happy New Year.

Wow, Artiest, your life is sounding like my last 4. You are working hard and developing new talents. For my sugar reduction, I stopped drinking Boost and Ensure, eat whole unprocessed fruit at least with 2 meals daily.  It is difficult to get regular exercise when you have irregular work. Blessings to you and praying that it all improves for you very soon.

12 hours ago, MrRick said:

Artie... I'm sitting here after reading your intro and really moved about all of life's issues you have. I prayed for you and yours. I would encourage you to do the same!

We have, and I’m not trying to portray life as up against it. Just lots of things I had to do each day. It did feel very nice to get back in the shop and make some sawdust!

10 hours ago, Al B said:

Hi Artie! Great to see you back on the forums. Seems like a lot has happened since we last met, and it seems like most of it was not good for you. Hope your wife heals that broken bone in her foot and you get well too. If you don't have much leisure time, maybe you can take some of mine. Leisure time is what I have most of these days. I'm still somewhat mobile but I use the walker when I go out, for safety. There are times when my daughter uses the wheelchair if it means I have to walk a long distance.  I definitely miss my woodworking days. I still have most of my hand power tools and hands tools in the shop.

I did sell all my clamps. With no clamps I am not tempted to try to do anything in the shop. I did hear about the woman in the train crash, but I didn't know you were a witness to it. Must have been a scary moment for you. Wishing you a Happy New Year.

 

 

 

 

Al it  always makes me happy (as opposed to the other 6 dwarfs LOL), to hear from you. You can always borrow clamps from me, if you need to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

h

 

11 hours ago, Artie said:

We have, and I’m not trying to portray life as up against it. Just lots of things I had to do each day. It did feel very nice to get back in the shop and make some sawdust!

 

Good on you Artie! I know you're being genuine. If being in the shop felt nice then you know it was right. Make it a habit even if it's actually a few minutes each day or only a few times or once a week. It's the joy in the journey. Good for your outlook and a healthy disposition.