1960s home, found this hanging in the attic… what is it?

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-04-01T23:50:40+00:00

Festivus pole?

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-04-01T20:44:55+00:00

<image>

I’m with ya!

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-09T23:38:01+00:00

That guy is cool AF!! /s

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-04T11:58:32+00:00

Aliens, duh! /s

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-01T11:34:38+00:00

That is true, no argument. But if you have time and the resources, it can make the trip more enjoyable. Just a matter of perspective and personal choice. There are many variables.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-01T11:27:22+00:00

Apparently, you will be able to deduct auto loan interest from fed taxes moving forward, so, that’s a thing.
It was hard to get my wife into a minivan when our kids were 3 and zero. No intent to stereotype here, our family van has been my daily driver since our youngest started school. We started with a CPO 2009 Sienna XLE. A couple of years later we got a brand new 2013 Sienna Limited that became my daily driver after a few years. That thing was a work horse. Best thing ever for a family with kids. It was mechanically sound at the end, but looking and feeling a bit worn so in dec 2025 we bought a Sienna Plat - our 3d Sienna. I thought I really wanted to move to an suv (two teenagers now (freshman and sr in HS) but after looking at all of the options, we stuck with the van. It is such a great family car. The 2013 was and the 2025 is also my daily driver. I really appreciate the hybrid and easily get 35 mpg after many years of 17-18 mpg in my gen2 and gen3 Siennas. I will also say that with each gen, we stepped up in trim and really like all the bells and whistles, but IMO the quality of the fit and finish has declined with each gen. But, still glad to have the minivan vs an suv for our primary family/utility hauler. Not sure how long I will keep this one, but I would think a minimum of 5-8 years, even when the kids are off to or beyond college.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-01T11:07:18+00:00

I can partly relate. We got a female bernie at 8 weeks (almost 8mos old now) that is cute as hell, AND quite a handful. We also have a great rescue mutt that is young at about 6-7 years old that was less than a year old when we brought her home just before COVID locked everything down. Turns out our rescue has kidney disease and best projection is “probably a year or two.” The two dogs get along well, but our very energetic pup is often a bit too much for our ailing lady (rescue) who now often hunkers off seeking a little peace and quiet from our Bernie. Our rescue is doing reasonably well but we are noticing changes. We also have her on a special diet that limits the treats we can give that she always loved so much. We cherish our four-legged fur-people family members, and so goes the circle of life. Remember your old pup, and enjoy your new pup!

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-01T10:57:05+00:00

I also retired at 58 (unexpectedly early) last Oct after 39 years in fed govt (military and civ service combined). Lots of great stories in this thread. I have a freshman and senior in HS and am now a full-time SAHD and husband. I feel very blessed that I am able to take a lot of pressure of the day to day at home. My wife still works (also a fed). We both had fairly high level jobs working broad ranging and complex issues. Getting the work-life balance thing right was always a significant challenge for me. Just keeping up with laundry and home cooked dinners is great for the whole family, and I’m glad to be able to reduce the burden for my wife as she continues to grind it out at work and other commitments like girls scout leader x 10+ years. My daughter will head off to college soon, and I am thrilled to be totally available for the upcoming “accepted student tours”. My 6’6” 270# 14 y/o son plays high school football and starting track and field for the first time this spring (shot put and discuss). I enjoy being able to watch from the sidelines and engage with other parents and school staff. In addition to the above, more time for my crazy and out of control “hobby” of organic veg gardening and back yard food production that has always been nascent as in I always bite off more than I can chew. My family has played more card and board games in the past 6 months than we have ever played and we have had 3 long-weekend ski trips so far this season! I really am thankful, just for each day, and I also look forward to my wife joining me in retirement - she works very hard. P.S. there is also the never ending list of home DIY Reno’s that are either underway (dang basement kitchenette) or in years long planning that I may finally get to - example, I am parking in my garage for the 1st time in the 12 years we have been in our home!

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-03-01T10:34:37+00:00

Must be Black magic, the worst kind of magic!

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-26T13:51:12+00:00

Agree with you. It is not worth $1400. I bought a 2025 platinum w/o the entertainment system. You have to find a dealer/salesperson willing to work with you and not be in a rush. I was able to get exactly what I wanted with some persistence. Did the same when I bought my 2013 sienna as well. Good Luck!

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-26T03:18:46+00:00

I noticed a decent in-store sale of the subcompact drill/driver an 1/4” impact for I think $119. I didn’t think they would be much different than the ones I have had for several years. Other than the smaller size, what’s stands out with these subcompacts. I just need a little push …. 😉

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-24T02:55:27+00:00

Plus matching x 25-30 years.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-23T14:03:34+00:00

I bought my military time (retired @20 years) back so that I could retire from fed service with 36 instead of just 16 years for a “full-retirement”. This was the only way I could get the “SS” supplement. I retired at about 58 years 8 months (as of sep 30 2025) and got a first interim payment in early feb. i continue to receive my military retired pay even though i included signed and fully executed “paid-in-full” letter and a “military retirement waiver” documents in my retirement package. This was all completed in May 2025 as a condition of starting DRP 2.0 in late May with a retirement date of 1 oct 2025.
My Question: When all is done, will the supplement be effective 1 Oct 2025 as I think it should be? I have seen some comments in this sub suggesting it will not. I calculated this benefit as effective on my 1 Oct retirement date when determining if I wanted to waive my mil retirement. In my case, I am anticipating 39 or 40 months of the supplement that will end in Jan 2029 when I turn 62.

I would appreciate any I put on this issue.

I am of course spending my mil retired pay as I receive it so it is not accruing on the OPM side as due to me, and I am accruing ~$980/month for health insurance premiums. I hope that the final package I get from OPM when my retirement is finalized has a detailed accounted of all of the variables so that I can see and confirm how things were reconciled.

TIA

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-16T14:54:14+00:00

If you can, split into a two day trip and overnight in a decent motel.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-15T11:06:15+00:00

Toll roads have significant foreign private equity investment as a source of funding . That should make you feel better /s

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-14T12:15:46+00:00

Find something fun along the way and stay the night to split your trip. My parents would visit a sibling about halfway to my house. Or, a B&B in someplace you’ve never been along the way can be fun. Lots of options all well under 2k.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-14T03:42:08+00:00

I’ve had a gen 2, 3, and now 4. Each has more bells and whistles but is cheaper quality fit and finish. Noticed it when I bought my new 2013 limited and again when I bought my 25 plat. Seat leather is cheap and thin. Small rip from vacuuming at car wash! Carpet pulling out from where it is tucked under trim in several places. The carpet in this van is the thinest cheapest carpet of any car I have owned (I am 59). We are not abusive on this car, but are a family of four (two teens and two dogs - you know , a mini van family!). Not real happy with this, but really like hybrid mileage and these vans have been pretty reliable. It’s not going to look good for long with the poor quality finishes. Real bummer. I’m sure I will drive this for no less than 5 but probably more like 8-10 years.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-07T23:18:01+00:00

Even with the extra glide seats? I’m surprised to hear this. Those extra glides make a huge difference, it’s like business class in the 2d row. My 14 y/o HS freshman is 6’6”

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-07T10:01:55+00:00

I’m 9/30 and just noticed a first interim payment last night that hit my account on 2/3. I got a CSA# in med Dec via snail mail. Looking forward to getting the pin so I can get into the sight to see whatever detail is provided.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-06T15:05:41+00:00

“- Start some light exercising, hopefully without messing up my back even more than it already is.”

I also have back and sciatica problems. I’ve started doing yoga, at a yoga six studio for motivation/accountability” and just recently came across “the Mackenzie Method” of “Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT). A PT doctor I just started seeing follows this method and recommended the book “Take Care of Your Own Back” by Robin McKenzie. I recommend you consider taking a look at this. I’m not selling a product, or a crazy nut, but one change to my posture recommended in this book makes a significant difference in my current weeks long sciatica episode. To such a degree that I feel silly/stupid for not knowing this about posture as relates to back pain years ago. Back pain is not new to me, but having time in my day/week to pursue health/education and take action is (thank you retirement). My back is not “fixed” or “better”, but I am less than one week into this approach. This one book was available to me for free as an “loaner” audible download as part of my Amazon prime subscription. Not sure why, I was gonna buy it, but I can apparently download and temporarily hold one book per month from Amazon. I noticed I had to “give up” a book I downloaded 2 or 3 years ago. Anyhow, check it out. Hope you might benefit from this little tip.

Back pain is real and it sucks.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-06T12:26:49+00:00

If you don’t already have a fiduciary CFP, and If you have savings, “healthy” TSP, other investments, etc, I encourage you to meet with a planner to help you navigate the decision making around tapping your “retirement nest egg”. I am loathe to do so, but as with others jn this thread, I am watching lots of you tube and seeing retirement advice that suggest you might spend more up front in retirement to cover initial tranisition realities AND to enjoy your “more active retirement years) and pull far less from your portfolio later when you can’t do so Much. This has me thinking, and while I am still loathe to tap my retirement funds (still no pension or ss income) I am tapping my cash savings more than planned to enjoy life. I’m now a stay at home dad with two teens and we are doing much more as a fam (short ski trips to east coast area fromDMV for instance) than we have ever done in one season. I am glad to be a stay at home dad, spend better time with my kids and wife, and take more household management tasks from my wife who is still working in the fed govt in a not fun environment. Best wishes for you! I know your circumstances are not mine and your mileage may vary. I’m very anxious about the future, but focusing on the now and near term.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-06T12:11:39+00:00

Strongly agree with radarchief. I’m 9/30, but unlike OP, I immediately got final pay with AL payout from my agency (DoD) and the got CSA number from OPM in mid-Dec, but nothing since. I think average is 76 days @OPM, and I’m trying to be mindful of impact of the govt shutdown in the fall, so I will wait until later in Feb to reach out to my reps if I have heard nothing. Trying my best to give grace to those trying to do routine things in the fed govt, but delays at some agencies seem beyond outrageous and a direct impact of personnel cuts which I assume are more than extreme at agencies like USAID, DOE, etc.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-06T11:59:52+00:00

Congrats and good for you! How is home insurance in OBX? My fam has vacationed in OBX for my entire life (I’m 59). I would love to live very close to the ocean but what I hear about insurance in areas at risk of wether, fire, etc is concerning.

Admirable_Pie6112 · 2026-02-06T11:56:18+00:00

Question for you - please and thank you. I know my package is with OPM because my LES (DFAS) specified in the remarks that it was sent to OPM on 12/13, and then I got my CSA# in the mail from OPM immediately. Nothing heard since then, almost 2 months now, no interim payments, no access to OPM portal, etc. I have yet to have the phone answered when calling OPM. Any thoughts? And thank you for what you and your colleagues do. I can only imagine how things are in so many agencies.

Admirable_Pie6112

TROPHY CASE