598038's blog: "Personal endeavors"

January, 2000, worst year of my life. Was let go from my job after 5 years. Their reason? I supposedly did something against HIPPA regulations. This is hugely debatable but I don't dwell on it. I know it was setup by 3 specific people ans was verified by another employee from my dept that was a friend. But this was just the beginning.

My wife of 20 years, the woman who swore she loved me and would never leave me, told me she wanted a divorce. I guess the vows of 'for better or for worse' only applied to me. Destroying the family, stress of having to find a job ar the same time, took a physical toll on me. Be it Shingles or stroke, it has left the right side of my face with nerve damage.

I soon got another job but she didn't change her mind. Proves to me 20 years were a lie on her part. But I still tried to salvage it. Spent more then I should to show her I was worth the effort of marriage. Then I found out she joinef Match.com a year before her announcing she wanted a divorce. An entire year of cheating on me.

After being on this new job 6 years, the university announced there would be a 15% cut across the board due to declining enrollment. Perfect. So immediately after my carpel tunnel surgert, I was layed off. Perfect.

Being diagnosed with COPD, RA, and osteo, I only had one solution. SSD. It's not much but it's more then military pension at the time. And being permanently disabled I had to take what gave me more. Shame I couldn't get both. But I couldn't make this little bit work.

Expenses were almost exactly the same as revenue. I had to make decisions on what to pay, including Rx and food. And my pain kept getting worse.

Soon I was unable to do it alone. Became increasingly depressed and finally had Dr check me for depression. It was confirmed and was immediately put on Sertraline.

Convinced my youngest daughter to let me live there until I could get a handle on things. But she ended up demanding more and more money from me and I wasn't making any progress at all.

After 8 months she told me to get out, 30 days. It was the middle of a horrible Michigan winter and I had no place to go. After 2 days she said the sooner I leave the better. Then the next day was get out now. No place to go, got to a shelter.

I did leave but went to U-M Hospital, psych ward. It was that or just park on a train track. I thought that I would at least get my head on right. To my surprise my head eas just fine. The issue was her. She was abusing prescription drugs and mentally abusing me and her step kids. After 6 weeks, U-M Hospital ent me to a rehab place. It was horrible, but the PT and OT staffs were great. I was able to connect with my oldest daughter in SC and she said I could move there until I get financially able to get a place of my own.

Things are starting to turn around and in 1 year I have lost 80 lbs. From 307 to 220. She's hinting on me getting a place soon but I'm just not ready and my son agrees. Plus I had to sell my car so I have no transportation.

Still not ready but improving. On a side note, my youngest daughter had since wrecked he car, faces many court dates and jail, plus a battle with the kids real mother for custody.

Finally getting to put up my two restorations after a decade of working on them, and a couple years of dealing with health issues.

First, my very first car ever. A 1969 AMX 390 Go Pack. I bought this car new on my 17th birthday. Never drove it in winter, I had a beater car that I picked up afterwards for $500 for daily driving. My AMX had zero rust anywhere, not even underneath. At start of restoration (which was a pretty mild one by comparison to most others) in 2001 to help me deal with the divorce of my wife of 20 years. It lasted 5 years but only because of time issues, not money. The total restoration was only $13,000. Like I said, it was mild.

Original engine was kept with just a few additions: Added fuel injection, electronic ignition, larger aluminum radiator for cooling, headers, and 2 1/2 inch stainless exhaust with factory style chrome tips and magnaflow mufflers. Took to Milan Dragway to get a true Dyno. Factory specs: 390 c.i. with 325 hp and 425 ft lbs torque, curb weight 3135 lbs. Curb weight remained the same, but the additions brought hp to 395 and 465 ft lbs torque. Upgraded from 4 speed manual to 6 speed manual for better gas mileage. For me, that was totally acceptable. I did update suspension to 21st century technology, had one/off 18" wheels that resembled factory and put Michelin red line tires on it. The photos in my skin are prior to red line tires. Interior is factory saddle tan and gauges are Dakota. Kenwood Exelon sound system with 500 watts power and 8 speakers. When I drive this car, I honestly feel like I'm 17 again. 

I was still have some depression issues after this car was done, I guess my ex owned more of my heart then I thought. So I picked up a 1993 Mustang SVT Cobra in 2010 that resembled the one I owned in 1993. It was in pretty decent shape but definitely needed work to make it equal to my AMX. Had it painted the darkest, emptiest, wettist black possible with titanium interior and dakota gauges. Again Kenwood Exelon sound system as above because it is an awesome sound system. But I wanted more performance then factory so begins the changes.

I swapped out the 5.0 Fox engine for a 5.0 Coyote. This increased hp from 225 with 325 ft lbs torque to a hefty 465 hp and 475 ft lbs torque. Changed transmission from 5 speed manual to 6 speed manual for better gas mileage. Chrome SVT Cobra 18" wheels with Michelin V rated all season tires. I kept the shorty headers that come factory, then added 2 1/2 inch stainless steel exhaust with chrome factory style tailpipes and magnaflow mufflers. This Mustang is an absolute beast. Never could I imagine an engine put out performance like this without total rebuild. 

After I was done, I still had some depression feelings so I went to Dr and he has me on medication (I got lucky, first dosage was on the money) and I've been feelilng great since. 

This summer, moving in with daughter and son-in-law. I live so ar away from my kids it's not practable to visit as often as I'd like plus finances are now stressful since I'm on Social Security. Financially it will benefit both of us, as well as health and they'll have a built in babysitter for their 5 kids. 

If I can make it till June, things will start to look up. I'm praying. This ends my restoration projects after divorce.