Hello from Australia

@sticks

Welcome. As your bio says you are a B Double driver along the Eastern seaboard I think one useful project would be a camera that monitors your state of awareness?

That is a great idea @robotBuilder. As with most great ideas... someone else had it first.

My employer puts Guardian Cameras in all his trucks. If my eyes close for more than 1.5 seconds, the driver seat vibrates along with an audible alarm. It also beeps at me if I spend too long not looking straight ahead.

Sometimes the system can be annoying with false alerts... but all in all the safety benefits outweigh the occasional inconvenience. 

My immediate work project is rebuilding my 12v kettle for my 2am cup of tea. I have a basic DC kettle that was designed without a thermostat. I enhanced it by adding a digital thermostat, a 10a DC circuit breaker and replacing the fixed power cable with a removable one for easier storage. I did the same with my 12v DC oven so that I can use the same power cord on both.

My problem is that the digital thermostat is not dealing with the heat at all. I've purchased some MH Live ATTiny88 boards with the view to using a relay and thermistor to build my own tiny thermostat... if I can reduce the footprint I can put it in the handle to reduce the overheating. 

Total overkill I know... but fun nevertheless. 

@sticks

Welcome to the forum.

Your approach and interests strike a chord! Looking forward to reading about your kettle project.

Cheers

Ron B

(Stafford UK)

I just wanted to post a personal update. My personal situation has changed drastically recently due to my gorgeous wife receiving a cancer diagnosis late last year. Naturally it has flipped our lives completely upside down. 

I'm happy to say that her treatment has progressed to a point where the Doctors are extremely happy and see no reason for a positive outcome. I cannot tell you hoe relieved we both are.

As for my many, many projects... they have all been forgotten about for the time being for obvious reasons. I do intend to return to them as soon as possible and have recently been getting back into the design of my Rolltop Desk Workbench project. So I hope to be posting updates again soon.

I hope everyone here on the forum is well... and is finding the time to hug a loved one each day. 

@sticks I understand what you are going through but from the other side. I am personally battling a few health issues but at almost 81 that's not too surprising. I am thinking good thoughts for your wife and peace of mind for you. We know how much a positive outlook helps and it helps her when you are positive about her. My wife has been there every minute of my journey as I am sure you are for your wife. All the best my fellow colonist and electronics fan boy.

I just wanted to add how much I appreciate all the support some members of the forum have offered even when I am being a grouchy old man.

@sticks 

I wish you and your wife the best. Cancer treatments have improved greatly. I have family members who have been facing the same battle for some time and are doing ok so far, including myself, so I have some idea what you must be going through. We can only deal with our health issues the best we can and then get on with enjoying our lives, perhaps with a more balanced view of what is important and what is not.

Thanks for the well wishes, guys. We appreciate it.

@zander 

I'm sorry to hear that you are also going through similar health issues. I am gladdened to know that you have a loving wife with you. 

You are also correct, @robotBuilder. These things definitely tend to sharpen one's focus on what truly matters in life.

Hence, all my projects being pushed to the back burner. lol

I am finally returning to the forum after a long break... for the reason previously stated. Unfortunately my wife's courageous struggle ended with her passing back in September.

While I will be mourning her for the rest of my days, I am trying to return to some sort of normal life. With that in mind I am hoping to return to my electronics projects (all of which have stood still for a really long time now). My goal is to try and provide productive distractions so that I can get my backside off the couch and do something. I know Janice would not have wanted me to fall into despair.

So hopefully I will be around more from now on. 

@sticks I am so sorry to hear about your wife passing. If your wife was anything like mine she will want you to continue. My wife does everything she can to encourage me.

May I offer my condolences for the loss of your wife. I hope you have other people to support you. Talking with others who have gone through the same loss may help you work through the grief. Knowing what Janice would want you to do gives you something to hold onto. 

@sticks So very sorry to hear about your wife Janice.  I know it must be tough to lose ones spouse.  How long were you two married?  My beautiful wife, Puddin, and I celebrated our 58th anniversary yesterday.  I can almost imagine your grief thinking about how I would react if my wife was to pass before I do.  I have been suffering some health issue myself this past year, but now seem to be somewhat on the mend. Don't get around much anymore and use a cane or one of those walkers with wheels, brakes, and a seat so I can rest if needed.  I'll be 78 in May and if I had known I was going to live this long when I was younger, maybe I would have taken better care of myself.

Best wishes for the New Year and hope to hear more about your projects.

SteveG aka Codecage

Thank you for the condolences, guys... I appreciate it. 

I do have my family around me for support. In the end though, this is a road one has to travel alone. 

We were together for 25 years... our 19th Wedding Anniversary would have been in November. 

@sticks I am so sorry to hear such tragic news, please accept my condolences as well. It's good to hear that you have family to help you through these dark times. 

Take good care of yourself, that's really important right now.

Bill

Hi @sticks, I wanted to pass on my condolences for the loss of your wife. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you. I hope you can find peace with family, friends and hobbies.