Going Stir Crazy

My husband, Bob Schulenberg is a hard-working mechanic, by trade. Technically, he is retired and has been since July 1, 2016, but in true mechanic style, that hasn’t stopped him from being the main mechanic for many of his friends. I can’t imagine Bob spending his life in the absence of mechanic work, although I suppose there will come a day when he no longer can. Still, for his sake, I pray that day is a long way off. I think it would very likely drive him a bit crazy. I’ve seen winter days, when no one had work for him to do, and the weather was too cold anyway. He practically went “stir crazy” with boredom. During those days, he almost welcomed the myriad of sales texts and calls, hahaha!!

Bob doesn’t like to sit idly around…unless he is watching his favorite shows, like MASH, Andy Griffith, NCIS, Walker Texas Ranger, or Everybody Loves Raymond. Even then, if a mechanic job shows up, the television is turned off, because he is back in his element. His garage is his “man cave” and his favorite place to hang out. Personally, I don’t get it. The garage is cold in the Winter and hot in the Summer, but somehow Bob doesn’t seem to notice. He just plugs along on whatever car he is working on. The times he spends figuring out what is wrong with someone’s car are some of his happiest times. The good news is that it keeps his mind young and sharp. It can also be frustrating for him sometimes. Not every mechanical problem is as simple as an oil change.

Bob has joined the “old boys breakfast club” these days. He goes to breakfast every weekday morning with his buddies and often meets other retirees at the various restaurants he goes to. I’ve told him that is his thing. I go for a two hour walk instead. When I retired, I knew I didn’t want to spend the mornings talking politics with the old guys. Besides, that is his time with his buddies. We go to breakfast on the weekends, and that’s good enough for me. Bob needs that “guy time” with his friends. It’s important. He is a very social guy, and he needs his friends. Plus, the fact that many of his best friends are also the guys he calls on when he needs a mechanic’s helper or a consultation on a particularly difficult job. Bob’s friends have been a big help to him, and for that I am grateful. Today is Bob’s 72nd birthday!! Happy birthday to the love of my life. I have been very blessed by you!! Have a great day!! We love you!!