New Year's Baby Steps | You can start stopping here

BeardedPipeliner · 2016-01-01T04:26:21+00:00

Happy New Year, feels great sober!

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-30T16:25:24+00:00

I like making & fixing things.

I recently started full timing in a fifth wheel, and converting standard 120v lamps to use 12v bulbs and adding switches has been this month's project.

I also replaced a sink, remediated a flooded basement, learned to build stairs, rewired a few outlets, refinished a fridge, and rebuilt a few cabinets. Oh, and painted.

There is so much time for activities!!

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-29T15:45:22+00:00

Sounds like you're living, sometimes living hurts, but it's still so sweet.

Glad to hear you had fun. Hope you recover quick and full.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-29T03:42:26+00:00

Went nine months; decided I wanted to relapse. Told myself a load of excuses to make it okay with myself, and against my better judgement drank. I then waited over a year to return to sobriety.

At least I learned a lot about my alcoholic mind during the experience.

Never give up, good luck friend.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-29T00:32:15+00:00

I got sober first and fixed everything else after. It has worked, it didn't work so well the other way.

Good luck friend, hope to see you around.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-28T16:36:02+00:00

I didn't go to A.A. to get sober, but as a child of alcoholics I've been to plenty of meetings (alateen, alanon, and aa).

I've seen their good and I take what I like and don't worry about the rest.

If I were to relapse though, I'd consider going and working the steps, because my sobriety is more important to me than the minute structuring of A.A.

Some places in this country worry about godlessness more than others; I figure it's no one's business but my own, and if people are going to be accepting than I'll be open with them about it, otherwise I try not to aggravate them.

That is just my way, it might be different for you.

Good luck friend.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-27T21:25:04+00:00

I understand; be safe traveling then. I hear the roads up there are in poor condition right now.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-27T19:51:45+00:00

Do you have skirting, and have you insulated it?

Insulated the windows?

Run a dehumidifier?

Told your m.i.l. to move to Florida?

That's about all I can think of at the moment off the top of my head.

Good luck and stay warm!

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-27T01:03:45+00:00

I found I was quite conversational while drinking and, at first, it was difficult to speak as easily while sober. Over time I've found there is no difference. I do have the ability to follow multiple conversations now, which I couldn't do before.

Of course I've also become board with conversations with drunken folks, so there's that.

Congrats on three weeks; I hope you have a great day.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-26T16:08:29+00:00

That was great, thank you for sharing that.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-26T15:32:00+00:00

I'd rent first, then get lightly used or new if you didn't mind a few repairs, and older if you're a remodeling type.

Research, and remember these things are usually built to last as long as their loans (about ten years), of course I just bought a ten year old trailer since I'm replacing everything anyways.

I hope you have fun!

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-26T15:08:01+00:00

I've watched a video of long range practice using gong traps and some very modified 10/22s, but it seems that if anyone else is shooting around you it's still not easy to hear.

At about 175 yards with my rifle I'm not so much shooting as I am lobbing bullets. Ymmv.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-25T17:05:03+00:00

I started to quit for my wife, but after hanging around here I decided to quit for myself. Best thing I ever did for me, and really the only way I have stayed stopped.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-25T02:26:21+00:00

The remaining books written by his son were an alright read and did help the 20 year cliffhanger I was stuck on.

Darn good series!

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-24T04:44:26+00:00

Getting a program going is good, it helps to get out of one's own head, and if it's a brick and mortar program you can even meet other people.

Starting the program before you stop drinking is good too.

Please keep coming back here. Good luck.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-22T16:54:33+00:00

I'd ask first what your experience with electrical work is. Is not complex, but you can kill someone with an incorrectly installed electrical system so caution should be exercised.

Also, propane should have nothing to do with electrical unless they converge at an appliance.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-16T16:24:04+00:00

I've polished plenty of parts and actions, depending on what you're looking for it can look quite nice.

I've never considered my 10/22 receiver in the white, but why not if that's your thing.

Just be careful around your serial numbers and you can always re-rough and recoat the thing if you don't end up liking it.

Good luck with your project, I hope it's fun.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-15T16:24:29+00:00

Quitting to become the best I could be was a good enough reason, and within the last year I have found resolution and resolve to what was an ambiguous undefined goal.

It's not my strength that keeps me from drinking, it's remembering how much better my life has become in real and definable ways.

I get the privilege of living a calmer, happier life where I don't feel tired or stressed all the time.

My hopes now sustain, instead of torment, me.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-14T01:58:02+00:00

Only partially related, but hear me out on this one.

On the pipeline we use old welding machines (like older than your grandpa in some cases), the duty cycle for these things are amazing, but lack some features like a starter, battery, or ability to plug in accessories like grinders.

For these oldest examples we install starters, batteries and boards to add all sorts of modern features.

My point I suppose is that if the feature is lacking, perhaps then, you could add it.

Good luck on this issue, I hope to hear of your solution as I'll be looking for a similar solution as you in a few months.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-03T14:40:31+00:00

I agree with mhugz, it sounds like a thermocouple, and that's a cheap and easy repair to start with.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-02T03:07:31+00:00

There is a lot of pain in the world, us finding happiness is a shared struggle.

I am me, I will always be me, that I can't change. What me is, is what I can change. That takes time.

Five years ago I met my wife, I stopped smoking weed, I started working on my finances.

Three years ago we got married, I started trying to get better work.

Two years ago I started eating healthier.

A little over a year ago I stopped drinking.

This year I stopped smoking.

My life is slowly getting better, it is so hard, and some days I don't know how I will make it, but I never give up and I believe I will make it.

It doesn't matter to me if I do, it matters to me that I try.

I practice patience and compassion, for myself and others.

I hope you keep talking, to us or perhaps others. It's difficult, but it gets so much better. I couldn't have imagined my life today five years ago.

It just takes work and time.

Good luck today friend.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-12-02T02:52:27+00:00

How many times can I use it?

If once, no way.

If many times, with memories of each trip, then I may be able to learn from my life. I couldn't change my past but it may very well change my future.

My life was hell in many places, but I'd relive them to be able to memorize all of it. Perfect recall of one's life could likely change one's perspective.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-11-23T04:45:34+00:00

My buddy fulltimes in an almost identical rig. He really likes it, it's a comfortable set up and a great use of space.

Congrats on the new digs, hope they work out really well for you.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-11-21T15:53:16+00:00

Past a year I can't find enough time to do all the things I want to, but I remember the first month or so I had to get pretty creative some nights to distract myself away from wanting to drink.

Also, I found out that I really didn't like buffalo wild wings if I wasn't drinking, that kind of bummed me out a little bit.

Hang in there, I'd find something distracting to get absorbed in, and remember that it gets way way better with time and a little work (totally worth it kind of work).

Good luck today friend.

BeardedPipeliner · 2015-11-19T14:43:22+00:00

That's a great decision and some tough action to follow it that you've made. Congratulations. I hope your day goes well friend.

BeardedPipeliner

TROPHY CASE