I'm moving.....

[John Schmidt]

Yup, sadly I'm having to move so will move to the Green Bay area(DePere) to be near my youngest daughter Toni. She wants me closer since as soon as I'm situated I have to start treatment for prostate cancer. I have no reason to stay in Florida any longer since Rita's will left the house and all the contents to her kids. After 25 years I'm coming away with nothing even though I talked to her about it numerous times. She alwys told me I could stay in the house as long as I wanted or until death, but the kids want to put the house on the market before the first of the year. So, this coming Wed. or Thurs. I'll be back in town and will start packing, hoping to be out and gone by or before the 27th of August. I don't need this at my age but will survive, even if the winters suck up there.

I was planning to hold off on this post until I knew for certain, but I've already changed my supplemental insurance to cover me up there, had my first meeting with a primary care dr., changed the location of car insurance as well which is saving me a chunk over Florida rates. Soon as I get my birth certificate I'll get the driver's license changed and the bike/car registration. Kinda sucks, my Florida license already has the star on it allowing me to travel in/out of the US, but Wisconsin doesn't recognize it. That's ridiculous. After living in Florida for almost 53 yrs. the first winter up there will be a challenge. Oh well....it is what it is I guess. It's difficult to accept these things at my age. Right now I'm headed for Cookeville, Tenn to meet up with Big Wolf tomorrow, then down to Florida. Yesterday my oldest living daughter and I spent a few hours laying some flowers on her two sisters graves. I took her weedeater along, good thing since both sites needed some attention. One daughter(my eldest) got a nice bouquet of yellow flowers....her favorite color. The other(my #3 of four) got a nice bunch with some large purple flowers in it....her favorite color. Considering all that's happening along with those visits, the day was a bit difficult.

PS: I've also had the treatment ctr. in Orlando contact their counterparts in Green Bay and will forward my records to them. Also having my Orlando primary care dr. of 30+ yrs. send my fine to the new PCP. Looks like I'll have to buy some mittens this fall. 

[cookiedough]

Never too late to become a Green Bay Packers fan....

Yah,  winters can be brutal but just stay inside on those cold, windy days.

I visited Gulf Shores Alabama about 5 years ago for a week and took some adjusting to the near 90 degree heat by 8 a.m. in the summer.  I would pick winter having to bundle up over 95+ degree heat day in and day out being too hot to do much of anything, at least for me,  anyways outdoors.   

Welcome to WI the land of beer, brats, and cheese!       The change of seasons and colors along with temps can be tolerated just will take some getting used to is all. 

Maybe you will take up a new hobby called Ice Fishing since Green Bay area up to Door County has some good areas to try out?   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Maybe after things settle down John, you can be one of them Snowbirds. Wishing the best for you 

[John Schmidt]

Maybe after things settle down John, you can be one of them Snowbirds. Wishing the best for you 

Thinking about it but won't be this winter, have to wait until I get the all clear from the dr. re. the prostate thing. I know one thing now....those hormone shots are driving me nuts. One minute I'm freezing and next one I'm sweating like a hooker in a prayer meeting. Often feel a little ill for no reason, stamina isn't what it used to be and my hair is thinning from the physical trauma. Other than that I'm feeling just lovely....NOT!    So far my chest doesn't hurt and I'm not bitchy once a month. Plus, per my daughter I still tend to leave the seat up so looks like I might make it. 

[scooperhsd]

It sucked bad enough for us moving from NC to KC last winter, but anything can be tolerated.

Good luck, and find some local friends there in Green Bay.

[f6john]

You’ll make some great lemonade from the lemons you have been handed. You are the kind of person people like to have as a friend. I’m happy you have a daughter to step up and be there for you while you fight this cancer thing off. You know all this but sometimes you need to hear it from someone else.

[Valkorado]

My advise on surviving the brutal winters, from one of the coldest spots in the lower 48.

Get into a place that handles all the snow removal for you.   Don't heat your home primarily with a wood stove unless you are up to being a 24-7 indentured servant to a smoke belching dragon six months of the year!



IF I had it to do over again, that's what I would have done.    That hindsight thing.

Welcome to the world of seasons,  John!   Fleece lined blue jeans are good.  Same with fleece sheets.   The thick ones.  

You got this!

[9Ball]

We moved from Kewaunee in 2008 when I took a job back in NJ so that my new wife could be near her family.  Our house was less than a mile from Lake Michigan.  It was the nicest house I’ve ever had and the taxes were very low compared to NJ.  She worked in Green Bay (30 mile trip) while my commute was only 15 minutes to the power plant on the lake.

I don’t miss the constant blowing wind or the near daily snow storms we had in 2007...the snowiest winter in 125 years.  The advice to live somewhere where snow removal is done for you is spot on.  Too many people die from shoveling and it’s hard on the heart.

Good luck.  Having your daughter so close by is a blessing...enjoy your time together as you get your health in order.

Good luck to you....moving sucks.

[Robert]

I have no reason to stay in Florida any longer since Rita's will left the house and all the contents to her kids. After 25 years I'm coming away with nothing even though I talked to her about it numerous times. She always told me I could stay in the house as long as I wanted or until death, but the kids want to put the house on the market before the first of the year.

Now that really stinks, Once you have built a life and lost a wife now at your age you are forced to rebuild. The good news is, its probably a better idea for you to move anyway. With the medical problems you have had in the past and the ones you are facing now at least you will have help in dealing with them.


 

[John Schmidt]

My advise on surviving the brutal winters, from one of the coldest spots in the lower 48.

Get into a place that handles all the snow removal for you.   Don't heat your home primarily with a wood stove unless you are up to being a 24-7 indentured servant to a smoke belching dragon six months of the year!

I was born and raised in Iowa, winters can be tough there as well. Plus, my last station in the USAF was northern Maine....40 miles from the end of hiway US-1. Really rough winters there. Re. living quarters, at the moment my daughter and husband are checking out a 2br, 2bath place for me with attached 2 car garage in DePere, just 3 miles from their house. It's near new, heat furnished plus lawn service in summer and snow removal in winter. Has all appliances incl. washer/dryer and the area is a quiet one so kinda hoping it works out. That means I could leave for an extended period to travel and not have to worry about anything.

[F6Dave]

There could be a bright side to those snowy months when you can't ride -- a snowmobile!  I've only ridden a few but they were a bunch of fun.

[Jess Tolbirt]

John, i really dont know what you are going through but the new place sounds like it may fit you very well. I too am going through an unknown and its scary as hell, i will send ya more prayers and hope all turns out perfect for ya. I would give anything to live near my kids but life wont let me right now..i am being forced into retirement from my job and the loss of this money is frightening.. good luck my friend..
 

[old2soon]

             Well as I guy that Has bounced around a bit besides a big truck-Il. Tx. Co. and now Finally Missouri-I ain't movin again cept to a wall in the Springfield Missouri Veterans Cemetery-I do NOT envy yer move but in a way I understand it. First time the wind chill is near -40 and yer butt freezes shut-well recontemplatin again WILL come up!  Long witten da mittens a cursed good parka long johns muk luks and do not fergit a balaclava and one of those fur lined trooper caps. And good polaroid lensed shades for sunlight reflection off that snow crapola. Oh-a cursed good and warm and wind resistant snowmobile suit. Very BRIGHTLY colored. John-I'm usually riding anywhere from a month to a month and a half before Ross is and yer further North.  Much further nawth and yer in 2 season country-winter and the 4th of July!  RIDE SAFE.

[Davemn]

Wisconsin is great except for the Packers.
Just think, you can enjoy going outside in the summer.

[98valk]

tops and bottoms will keep u very warm John. I wear them during winter riding down to 30F.

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/guide-gear-men039s-heavyweight-fleece-base-layer-top?a=2135585

[..]

Start packing NOW. Boxes from the liquor store.
Pack 2 or 3 every day. Makes it less stressful.
Seems obvious but write on each box. Kitchen, bedroom etc etc.

[da prez]

John:  Please check your email.  I have sent you a private message.  Bonnie and Ross Patterson

[cookiedough]

sounds like a very good place to live in DePere WI, hope it works out for you and you get it seems perfect and so close by your daughter as well.   

skip the snowmobile unless into it since even most years way up north,  the snow is very hit or miss not lasting lately much more than a week or two and then trails closed again open/closes all winter long.  Ice fishing is more of a relaxed sport and maybe buy a used UTV for that as well if having the room.  You will get much more use year round out of an ATV or UTV vs. a snowmobile that is a given.

I also like to wear in winter if windy out and bright sun a cheaper 20 dollar pair of tinted ski goggles blocks the suns rays and prevents your eyelashes from freezing shut when -20 below.    No shoveling or lawn mowing seems perfect to me although I need the exercise doing both.....    A 2 car garage is a must in WI winters.

[Charlie McCready]

hate you are having to deal with all this right now John. when traveling or just want to visit you're welcome here in Johnson City, TN.  like someone posted....'you got this'.

[cookiedough]

cruise through the University.  The best looking college girls, for sure. 
Pluggy

college girls?  I NEARLY stopped looking at them when I realized they are the same age as my age 21 daughter in college.  Still look, but think to myself I am too old and not like they would not think I am a perveted old timer..  which I am....