[baldeagle]

Hello Tosh,

I didn't set off to start one!!
I got made redundant six weeks before the operation, having been off sick for a year with a dicky ticker.

Having recovered, [I was 16 months on incapacity benefit], I found that the two small pensions I have, are more or less, enough to live on.

Several ladies where I go dancing were moaning that they "Can't get a Handyman to do the little jobs'".

I'd been a maintenance electrician/engineer for 40+ years, [Elec Board, NHS, BT and finally as Senior Engineer for Nat West], so I set up as a handyman, part time, just a couple of days a week to provide a local service, and to earn a small amount, although interest and enjoyment were more important than money.

Trouble was, the work's erratic, it's either 5 jobs at once, all got to be done this morning, and then nothing for 3 weeks!!

Then someone asked me to clean some windows, [something I'd done part time, many years ago, to help out a local W/C at weekends.

Love it!!

Outside in the fresh; work Tue, Wed, Thursday only, [dance Mons and Fri's].

Interesting and enjoyable.

Meet nice people, and I've built up a round from a part of the town that was "abandoned" by a local W/C who packed up last year, so I'm not treading on anyone's toes.

How do I know that? 'Cos I cleaned his windows last Thursday afternoon!!! [Whilst he was chatting to me, as it happens, and cleaned his Father-in-Laws this morning!!]

And I get to read this forum; what a lovely lot you all are, so helpful, so friendly!!

John [Baldeagle, soon to be in "The Pheasant Inn"]

[windows_chepstow]

with a thingyy ticker.

Hi John,

Thanks for a nice reply.  For what it's worth from me, welcome to this forum.  I find it's good when you've had a guts full of window cleaning; you can come here and get re-motivated!

Sorry about your 'thingyy' ticker.  This site has got a strange spelling corrector. C O C K N E Y is spelt Cockney here!

I actually took on a new clean today.  The guy who's house I started cleaning had had a triple by-pass (I haven't a clue really what that means apart from some heart operation plumbing) and he said he could get about, but window cleaning would be out of the question.

He was probably about your age; so you must be some 'lad' to do it; even if it is on a part time basis at the moment.  Where do you wish to take it?  Full time?  Employing people?

As for the several ladies who:

where I go dancing were moaning that they "Can't get a Handyman to do the little jobs'".

Sounds like you're onto a winner with them!

Regards

Tosh.

[rosskesava]

Hi John

Welcome to the forum.

What an interesting posting. How many people can say they've started something for themselves at nearing 60?

With regards health, I see an osteopath about every 6 months. About 8 or 9 years ago I broke a bone in my neck at work (the arm rest of a chair gave way as I went to sit down) and I needed proper treatment and as it did me a power of good, I go back regularly for check ups and advise.

Since window cleaning my general physical health has improved. Last year when I asked the osteopath about this he reckoned that window cleaning is one of the few proffession where, because you stretch this way and that all day long, you are unlikely to suffer any serious RSI type injuries if you excercise or do stretching excercises regularly. He also said that physically, provided you don't fall from a ladder or over strain carrying ladder incorrectly, that window cleaning is healthy work.

You do ballroom dancing also which is really good excercise.

Sounds like you have a perfect combination.

Cheers

Ross

[AuRavelling79]

Interesting re: RSI, Ross - before I got my pole I found that after a couple of long days w/c my right wrist would ache with the squeegee motion exacerbating it. As I do a lot less squeegee work now that I have a wfp I don't get the discomfort.

I now use different muscles when wfp'ing and then different again when squeegeeing  - and feel better for it.

Good huh?

[rosskesava]

Hi MalcG

I can't wait to go over to WFP's and am planning to introduce it by stealth to the other two sceptics I work with.

I've got them to agree to a small Ionics attatch to a tap type filter thing for doing consevatory roofs except I am not going to order the one they think I am I'm going to order something better by mistake as in ..............'oops silly me ........ well as we've got it we may as well try it out' type mistake.

With regards the wrist thing - I did get that untill I did wrist and arm streching things from a chart the osteopath gave to me and after a few weeks, the aches vannished.

Cheers

[texas girl]

God evening (morning) Gents,

Hope you all are having a great week.  Myself, it is great to  manage my business and not go out to do hardly any of the work, but I have to say I miss the exercise.

I am a very petite woman(5feet 2), and I fluctuate between 103-110 lbs.

I spend a lot of time in front of the computer; so I schedule work outs every day. Bike riding is the best. Also do light weight training and isometrics; stretching.

As I have said before; I began having tennis elbow very badly from window cleaning; had to give it up a bit. And once you go in that direction; gotta keep going!

Now I welcome the opportunity to clean windows; but have to keep up with the money machine because everyone wants to be paid on time!

Lately I have been shorthanded and I have had a couple of challenges; but it all worked out fine; customers happy, and my ladder guy is back in town now. I still got it!

 What motivates me is wearing bikinis! I intend to continue wearing them until things begin to look bad!

Have to admit I like turning heads. A girl thing. I love feeling beautiful.  Again, a shallow female thing.

God Bless you all!  Hope you have had a productive week!

Hugs,

Texas Girl

[Terry_Burrows]

 :DIt must be nice for you over there is the weather always warm
regards

Terry

[texas girl]

Terry;

It isn't always warm here; but almost 10 months it is pleasant or warm/ then hot.

I love the heat tho. I think it is nice here; the economy is very strong; lots of growth and hence potential.

Fort Hood is 20 miles from my house; they have recently built a new international airport.

I am thankful for the growth. I live on the  lake so I am really blessed.

I thank God for the blessings He has provided: my son,s death could prevent me from enjoying the blessings; but I know where he is, and he is in paradise.

So I am determined to be happy again and enjoy what God has provided. The enemy will not destroy my life.

Good luck

Hugs Texas Girl

[Terry_Burrows]

 ;)Yes I think someone is looking over us,I have been united with my sisters and brother just before christmas,who I never knew untill my dad died,in 1988 then the secret came out slowly over the years,october last year I had a call to tell me  had 2 sisters and a brother,we all met just before christmas,it was great!this was all ment to be,thank god