January 29, 2026 A Year of Lasts

Here we are, the 45th day of January. Funny how some months are gone in a blink and the one we need to pass by in a similar fashion just drags on forever!  February will likely be the same. We don't let a day pass without being grateful for a warm, fully functional home.

A decision has been made that Randy's Repair will be officially closed by April 1.  Why that date? That is the renewal date for the shop insurance that we can no longer afford, or should I say, we refuse to pay. It went up $1000 last year and I've no doubt it will have another substantial increase again. Randy isn't busy enough to justify it. So, we will add the building to our homeowners policy and call it good.

 Randy has been cutting back for about 2 years in anticipation of being able to close one day; partly to ease the customers into not having certain services available, and to give Randy time to adjust.  The newer equipment is largely computerized and he's not equipped to service that. That allowed him let his diagnostic equipment updates cease, which was also a pretty big expense each month. His wheelhouse is the old classics that the dealerships won't work on. He may be convinced to pull an old beauty in from time to time. 

The main factor for wanting to close is it's darned hard work and it's taken its toll. That, and being expected to be on call 24/7.  He began taking Fridays off, posted those hours, and yet, calls came anyway, not taking no for an answer.  Even last spring, when we were out of the country. He even went so far as to call some of his "repeat offenders" that he would be closed and not available by phone,, we came home to several rude messages because he wasn't open.

A very wise man once told Randy (it was Jack Kibbie) that if he ever wanted to close, we'd have to move. Jack was right.

We've had people at our door, with a lawnmower, on Easter Sunday.  We've had calls for an oil change on Christmas Day because a college kid was home.  There was a call at 8:30 p.m. on a Saturday, demanding he drive out in the country to get a tractor running so it could be moved into a building (it was out of gas). Just a sampling of 44 years. This is the part neither of us will miss.

Our loyal customers are too numerous to list and we appreciate them more than words can say.

While I'd love to whip up several pans of rolls and put on a big pot of coffee for a final farewell, the doors will be locked and we'll go quietly into mutual retirement without any fanfare. There have been too many that are pretty vocal about "what am I supposed to do now?!", instead of celebrating the fact that he's able to enjoy some well-earned time off.    

Both of our dads died at 59. My dad never had the opportunity to retire.  Now 72, I think Randy should be shown enough respect that he is still able and healthy to really relish our time together, doing what we choose.  Everyone knows things can chance in the blink of an eye. We are not waiting for that.

He'll still be found in the shop, tinkering on one thing or another, only now it will be on his time and by his choice. Plus, I have a monstrous honey-do list... ☘

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