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Dear Abby today, someone's wife is upset...not sure I agree with Dear Abby's advice, think she should have told the wife to buy her own Corvette, but that's just me.
DEAR ABBY: My husband retired four years ago. At first he seemed to enjoy not having to go to work. Then he got bored and needed something to do. For some reason, he bought an old Corvette to restore. I was supportive, until I found out it's an expensive hobby. Finding and buying all the replacement parts costs money.
He has been working on that car for 3 1/2 years now. As soon as he gets it ready to drive, something else breaks. Meanwhile, he has bought four more old Corvettes "to work on." Our backyard looks like a junkyard.
We haven't had a vacation trip since he retired, not even a weekend to the mountains. He argues that we can't afford it, but he spends thousands on those old cars. It has become an obsession for him, and it's "driving" ME crazy. Any suggestions? -- CORVETTE WIDOW IN THE SOUTH
DEAR WIDOW: Healthy couples discuss large purchases before making them. What your husband is doing is destructive to your relationship. It almost seems as though he is using his hobby as a way of avoiding spending time with you. My suggestion is that you and your husband find the money to consult a marriage counselor because what's going on is unfair to you. And if you need a vacation, consider taking one by yourself or with a friend.
DEAR WIDOW: You didn't tell me the years of the Corvettes or what options or engines they have. Do you even care about your husband? Have you thought about joining your husband - not all day, but when he needs someone to fetch him something like when he's under the car. Maybe he would appreciate a cold beer being brought out to him 9 or 10 times a day? Did you ever hear of "killing with kindness" rather than "complaining to a newspaper"? By the way, this letter is useless without pictures!
Just the answer you would expect from Abby! I will admit, hubby may have a "problem" buying four more project cars before the first one is finished. Of course WIDOW should be thankful, at least he is at home where she can keep an eye on him. His "hobby" could be chasing women in strip clubs.
DEAR WIDOW: You didn't tell me the years of the Corvettes or what options or engines they have. Do you even care about your husband? Have you thought about joining your husband - not all day, but when he needs someone to fetch him something like when he's under the car. Maybe he would appreciate a cold beer being brought out to him 9 or 10 times a day? Did you ever hear of "killing with kindness" rather than "complaining to a newspaper"? By the way, this letter is useless without pictures!
For a few seconds I thought the letter was written by my lovely Wife! I only have one Corvette, although there are “other” cars in my possession. They are parked in the garage or front driveway (probably should be in the back yard). They certainly keep me busy and I enjoy taking care of them, plus it’s always fun to get them on the road. Life is way to short, and everyone deserves some happiness. Every time I bring home another car, my Wife, makes a weird face .... then says “if it makes you happy.” I guess I am pretty lucky guy.
How come Abby never suggests that the wife find a hobby to occupy her time while the husband is working on his hobby?
Of course, he could take a weekend off once a month to do what she wants, but then maybe she will get tired of him being underfoot and tell him to go back to his cars.
DEAR WIDOW: You didn't tell me the years of the Corvettes or what options or engines they have. Do you even care about your husband? Have you thought about joining your husband - not all day, but when he needs someone to fetch him something like when he's under the car. Maybe he would appreciate a cold beer being brought out to him 9 or 10 times a day? Did you ever hear of "killing with kindness" rather than "complaining to a newspaper"? By the way, this letter is useless without pictures!
DEAR WIDOW: You didn't tell me the years of the Corvettes or what options or engines they have. Do you even care about your husband? Have you thought about joining your husband - not all day, but when he needs someone to fetch him something like when he's under the car. Maybe he would appreciate a cold beer being brought out to him 9 or 10 times a day? Did you ever hear of "killing with kindness" rather than "complaining to a newspaper"? By the way, this letter is useless without pictures!
Black & Tan. That was hilarious. Maybe if wifey would bring him the beers wearing the tiniest of bikinis or her favorite thong that would help.
Well evidently, he is still cutting the grass or she would be complaining about that too so I would say he is leading a more balanced life than some of us.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Dear Abby Thanks or the advice, My husband has sold all of his Corvettes and now with all the extra money he spends alot of time at the local golf course taking lessons from a nice YOUNG lady. I dont Understand his fascination with golf because he never golfed before. But when he comes home he if very relaxed and has a nice glow about him. He says he LOVES his New hobby but calls his golf bag Brenda. And talks about how Brenda satisfies his every need. He says he is learning and that hes getting better and his stamina is coming back but his ***** are always in the rough, what ever that means..
He even insists I take those long vacations with my friends. He is so sweet.
Abby you are the greatest
ps I enclosed a picture of his new golf pro. I dont know how she could be so good at teaching golf for being so young. Must be one of those natural athetes.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Mar 27, 2020 at 06:49 AM.
I always try to justify the analysis..
I could spend thousands a year on golf, or camping, or hunting, or fishing.. that is money down the drain..all away from home.... seen the depreciation rates on a RV? and what it costs to park one in a campground?
some people make money, or break even on the classic car hobby.. it is usually not money down the drain. you are at least getting some kind of value appreciation
.. maybe not dollar for dollar...
sure I have more money into my car than it is worth, but stretch that over 10 years it's much less costly than those other hobbies.
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
About once a month or so I take the time to take my wife to several of the nearby wineries in our convertible. Car never fails to get lots of attention and the wine is so good around here....she's happy and I'm happy!
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Originally Posted by joewill
I always try to justify the analysis..
I could spend thousands a year on golf, or camping, or hunting, or fishing.. that is money down the drain..all away from home.... seen the depreciation rates on a RV? and what it costs to park one in a campground?
some people make money, or break even on the classic car hobby.. it is usually not money down the drain. you are at least getting some kind of value appreciation
.. maybe not dollar for dollar...
sure I have more money into my car than it is worth, but stretch that over 10 years it's much less costly than those other hobbies.
Thanks for the insight...also we tend to keep the classic cars longer vs. trade for a newer one more frequently. Once you get the big stuff out of the way the curve starts looking much better. I see some cars and SUV's that cost $60K+ new and five years later are worth $15K. That kind of deprecation is less than what I have in my car and I have some significant value still.
Dear Abby
