Out of the loop for awhile

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
9,437
Hi Folks

Just wanted to post a heads up that I have been, and will be for awhile, "out of the loop around here." I'm sure many would be asking themselves, "Why would I give a crap???" And most wouldn't... But I get a lot of emails and pm's with questions generated from this place, and I wanted to let those guys know I'll be away from the computer for awhile.

My parents' home caught fire on Christmas morning. They got out, safe and sound. But other than the outer structure, the house is a loss. Their insurance company has been great so far, and they are doing well. They are staying with my Grandma 3 houses away. So they have food and shelter. :)

Angi and I hadn't had internet access at home, so when ever I got online before, it was at the folks' place. We finally got tv/phone/internet hooked up today... but not being able to be online has been a good lesson in just how much time I could waste when I was getting online. I've put quite a bit of "this is how I do it" type of crap online this past year.... and while it was fun and hopefully helped some guys out... I don't get paid for it. I get paid for PRODUCING work from the shop. ;) :) So the time needed to do that stuff, was time that had to get cut out of my family time.

The fire just reminded us all how fragile life is... and has pushed me to spend even more time with family (we were already very close), more time in the shop, and less sitting in front of a computer.

So if you try to get ahold of me on here or through email, please just don't be surprised if it takes me awhile to see it. :)

THANKS! :)
 
Sure glad everyone is ok Nick. Prayers sent for you and your family so that everything continues to go as smooth as they can in a situation like this.
 
Glad to hear the folks are ok Nick:thumbup: I'll miss ya round here, but it's good to know you'll be productive for once!! :D:p

Seriously, hope everything goes smooth for mom and pop trying to get back to normal. It has to be tough.
 
Happy that your family is safe AND insured!
I'll say that your WIP's and how to's are greatly appreciated. It sure does take away from the time you can spend turning out work.
Have you moved to your shop yet? Offer still stands to come help!
 
Sorry to hear about your folks place. Hope everything gets situated...If i need to fly out there and do some work in your shop, let me know :D
 
Glad to hear your parents are safe! I have learned alot from your posts in the past, but understand your situation. Family time is important as well as shop time to bring in the cash.
 
Oh wow, sorry to hear that Nick! And at one of the worst possible times :(

The fire just reminded us all how fragile life is... and has pushed me to spend even more time with family (we were already very close), more time in the shop, and less sitting in front of a computer.
Click to expand...

Wise words.
 
Sorry, to hear about this Nick. Your parents are great people. I know a fire takes more that just stuff and the house. Its the little things and memories.
 
Sorry to hear about the fire. Fire is my worst nightmare.

You're right. The internet is a major time drain, and dangerous to have around a self employed individual. Particularly one with ADD. That it wasn't actually in your house was probably a good thing.

I might offer a couple "rules" that have helped me.

I set my computer to go into energy saver mode after a certain amount of time. So, I don't get back onto the computer to check email or whatever if it hasn't gotten into that mode because it means I was just on it. (Hell, somebody like you could rig a timer on the monitor power cable or something.)

I procrastinate. So, If I'm going to procrastinate, it will be by doing something else that needs to be done. For example, if I'm tired of programming for the day, I'll maintenance the sumps or clean instead.

And lastly, no beer before 5:00. I can drink beer and work if I want (hell, my CNCs have cup holders), but not before 5:00.
 
Hate to hear of the fire Nick. I can't internet nearly as much as when I worked for other folks. Its hard because I think it makes me come off as snippy at times. In reality, I know I shouldn't be interneting in the first place, and I'm trying to rush back to the shop...
 
Nick, thanks for all you have done for us. As helpful as it has been for me personally, I will say I totally respect the fact that you're focusing on family and what's REALLY important. All the best wishes for you and your family.

- Greg
 
Be there for your family Nick and real glad everyone is OK. You will find that they really need family now as their will come a time when the fire really hits home. I spend too much time on these sites. I seem to get a lot more done when I get up and go straight to the shop in the morning!
 
Nick,
I noticed you had been missing in action. Good luck with everything, and I am happy none were hurt.

I will keep you and yours in my thoughts. I hope that they can reset to life easily after the loses to the fire.

-Ron
 
Glad your folks are alright. Thanks for letting us know... sucks about the fire though.
 
Definitely glad everyone is ok up there. I haven't spent nearly as much time here as in the past, but I spend entirely too much time browsing news and sports websites which is a fruitless endeavor. Hope things speed along for your folks in getting a new place. Take care and enjoy the shop time!

--nathan
 
Thanks for the well wishes guys, it is much appreciated! :)

Nathan, great ideas... THANK YOU for sharing them. :)

Just on an interesting note... It is amazing how much damage smoke really does inside a home. The back bedroom in my folk's home which was nowhere near the flames, has to be gutted to studs because of smoke damage. Well, that and radiant heat flowing through the home caused the window blinds in that room to curl like ribbon. Just crazy stuff.

My old shop was right outside their back door. The smoke boiled out that door... ALL of my fluroescent ceiling lights are toast. I had went up to take down my 8' high output lights (about $90 a pop counting the two bulbs) but the insurance guy said they are one of the worst things for "holding" the smoke smell, so I had to leave them all.

I wasn't really ready to move ALL of my shop at the point of the fire. I was trying to take care of things like putting a urethane coating down on the concrete in the machine shop area.... so I had to put all of my tools into slightly less than 1/2 of the new shop (the hot shop side). It's crazy that I'm using about 700 sq ft of the new shop, and it's almost twice the room I had in the old one. I am feeling extremely fortunate in many aspects of my life right now!!! :)
 
Good to hear the folks made it out safe. Even without much time you can still post up pictures for us new guys to gawk at. It only takes a few minutes. ;)

And since the house went up on Christmas, don't forget to get together for a Christmas like day. Nothing like lots and lots of food, and hanging out with family all day.

EDIT: Oh and BTW I made one of your hand sanders, and I love it. Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:
 
Just glad everybody is ok, Nick. You get on here when you can; we'll understand.
 
Nick, I'm glad to hear that your grandparents are ok and everyone got out safely.

You give so much to the forum out of your own time, and we can't express our appreciation for your contributions enough. Thanks so much nick!

Now go knock out some more stellar knives!
 
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