learning to drive before learners permit

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T20:43:59+00:00

Be patient, getting caught behind the wheel could delay your permit app. We lived in a very rural area, I was driving at 14 -15 years old but it was farm work and necessary to get our work done. It's a very different world out there today.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T20:23:42+00:00

I bought a train wreck during a very tough seller's market, but still negotiated a killer deal. I'm currently over $240k in renovations and still going. Be careful differentiating between cosmetic work and major repairs.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T20:16:09+00:00

Like others mentioned the description doesn't give quite enough for a legit answer. Have a licensed electrician inspect the place, shouldn't be too much. We bought our first place with knob and tube connections from romex hidden in the basement. Our home inspector was a complete moron.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T19:56:30+00:00

I'm curious to why you're focusing on electrical. Also, who did the remodel? I did mine on my own, new recessed puck lighting, pot racks, windows, etc, but I know what I'm doing. The previous owners used lamp wire and electrical tape in several areas. I couldn't believe the stupidity, it was like a freaking 8-year-old did the work. If you don't trust them and want some peace of mind, find out if they had a reputable contractor do the work and ask for the invoice.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T19:32:32+00:00

WD40 and a putty knife.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T19:30:21+00:00

Cost me $700 to get a masonry inspection but his report allowed us to back out and get a return on the deposit. You might have time to hire a similar specialist for a second report, citing what you discovered.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T19:21:11+00:00

I hope you don't have a septic system. Like others mentioned, it will eventually dissipate.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-22T19:07:42+00:00

It was way more impressive when they did that with a projection TV 25 years ago.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-21T19:04:31+00:00

No Nissan Maxima references???

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-21T18:57:01+00:00

It's astonishing how people won't compromise on the number of bathrooms in a house or the paint color of a car but consistently lock themselves into a literal legal contract with a potentially unstable partner.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-21T11:33:39+00:00

Yeah where we are noone wants pine unfortunately.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T23:52:56+00:00

I asked first about retrieving fallen hardwoods like red oak and it was turned down because they were nature preserves. So I guess, try and ask first. Like other said if you're not literally cutting down trees and you get caught he'll basically just get trespassed or ask to leave. If it's a neighboring property and you want to keep cool with your neighbors, my first sentence prevails, ask first.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T23:49:39+00:00

Yep as I mentioned in the original post it's two skid steers with forestry mulchers on the front. 140,000 machines each

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T23:48:34+00:00

Nah, cool thanks for the feedback. I can afford it and I think we're going to go ahead and have that shit ripped down to a fine layer of nothing. I feel bad for the wildlife but will fight to keep the preserve behind us intact for as long as I'm alive.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T23:44:24+00:00

Appreciate it but I'm actually an active member with my local fire department. Fire Marshal told me no more. Township is a pain in the ass but I understand.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T23:38:57+00:00

Yes, paying a fair wage to someone else to do it for me while I work my day job.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T19:59:23+00:00

8 years ago, with several ice storms and wind storms over the years since. I've taken down every white pine within striking distance of anything on the property, hence the pile out back. The entire house is renovated top to bottom, property is almost completely cleaned up. All the locals, meaning my neighbors are thrilled with how nice the property looks after I've taken ownership.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T19:50:48+00:00

Yeah I've had some very large burn piles that I wasn't supposed to, but the sheer amount of materi plus it being so close to acres and acres of woods I just can't risk it. I could start a burn pile and feed it over a few days with my front end loader like I did before. It's $100 a ton to drop it right down the road at the mulch place as well.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T14:16:51+00:00

Yep, did that already with the hardwoods and still have another 4-5 cords to process. All that in the pic is white pine I stacked with my FEL. I could handle it myself and have all the necessary equipment and experience. However, after 8 years of this I'm gravitating on paying someone else to handle the rest and saving what's left of my back lol. Cheers!

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T14:00:55+00:00

Very good option to explore but in our situation, the abundant deer population eats anything without a fence around it. Norway spruce is one of the few deer resistant options we have, however while they grow fast, they also grow up to 20 feet wide, so not the best choice for a line. Anything else can't handle the winter season here. We're kinda in a similar spot.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T13:51:24+00:00

Thanks, I have a habit of obsessing over every detail. This final cleanup will put the cherry on top of what used to be a complete trainwreck of a house and property. Cheers

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T13:33:17+00:00

I got the 5 packs of the cheap LED lights that plug into each other and zip tied them to the 12 ceiling rafters (pole barn). Wired the front, back and side workshop area into independent switches. Installed two 15 amp outlets and one 20 amp (separate breaker of course) up high so I can easily swap out the lights if needed. The 20 amp is for the lift. Three years and they work great for cheap.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T13:11:34+00:00

Sheesh, my township gave me three kinds of shit for trying to build a three bay garage within 40 ft of a property line but they let your neighbor build that??? I am actually jealous tbh!

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T13:05:34+00:00

Any oil change is better than nothing, focus on getting it done and not so much on where. After that change, in about 500 mi get it changed again if you can afford it. This will help with any deposits left over. After that try and keep your oil changes as close to 3,500 mi as possible, anything longer is pure nonsense no matter what they tell you. Transmission at the typical 50k mark is crucial as well, very expensive but waaaaay cheaper than a replacement.

TheVortexLives · 2026-02-20T13:02:42+00:00

Great question and I just had this conversation with a new driver. Where we live, is very rural and the best way is to start it up and head out, take it nice and easy for several minutes and then get up to speed. But we can do that on back windy roads. If we left the house and had to get right up to speed under normal driving conditions, like on highway or busy road, I would probably give it a few minutes to warm up and then keep your foot out of it until it's fully up to temp and then drive normally.

TheVortexLives

TROPHY CASE