Helping You Define Your Lifestyle

“Old Folks” Hobbies That Are Fun For Everyone

When you think back to visits at your grandparents’ house or even your elderly neighbors down the street, you may have thought that older people were boring. Think again about some of their favorite hobbies, they might be kind of fun now, right?

Here are some things that are often viewed as “old people” things but are fun for anyone; your grandparents were probably a lot cooler than you give them credit:

Knitting, Crocheting, and Needlepoint

These hobbies have been trendy for awhile, but for decades they seemed to be solely reserved for older women. Today, you can visit an Etsy store or Pinterest and find thousands of items and images of knitting projects or needlepoint designs with bold statements (i.e. swear words).

Depending on where you live, your local breweries or bars may even host a knitting event where you can learn how to knit and drink a pint of craft beer. Don’t drink alcohol, if you stop by any independent coffee shop you’re likely to run into at least one person with a pair of knitting needles.

B-I-N-G-O

When was the last time you played Bingo? In grade school or with your grandma? Bingo is a popular game with the over 50 crowd but it’s fun for everyone. Learning how to play bingo is one of the easiest, but fun, games to play.

Grab your lucky dauber and hit the nearest Bingo game with your friends. Don’t have a Bingo Hall nearby? You can always try your luck online.

Other games to check out are Bridge and other card games.

Going to Auctions and Estate Sales

Auctions and estate sales seem to draw crowds of older folks. Maybe it’s the nostalgia, or maybe it’s just finding something for a great price. If you’ve never gone to an auction or an estate sale, it’s time you check one out.

If you appreciate vintage stuff and have an eclectic style, you can find some real treasures for a low price. Some people have turned their auction and estate sale hobby into a side business by restoring or reselling items online.

Pickleball

If you head to a retirement community, you may see some residents playing pickleball. What’s pickleball? It combines tennis, badminton, and ping-pong and can be played inside or outdoors. Next time you see someone playing, stop and ask for a quick tutorial.

Having Coffee With Friends

With technology taking over our lives, the art of a face to face conversation seems to be dying. If you stop at a diner or even a coffee shop, you’re likely to see a group of older people sitting around and talking. You don’t see anyone on their phone the whole time; you just see that they are sitting, drinking coffee, and having a good time chatting.

The concept of a simple “hangout” is so simple, but many people of other generations fail to do it or see the fun of sitting around without a smartphone. Give it a try; you might make it a daily habit.

How to Restore Antique Glassware

Getting your old antique glasses to look like new ones can be complicated. It involves many steps, from cleaning and resilvering to analyzing the refractive index and displaying the glasses.

Cleaning

Knowing how to clean your ancient glass is essential for preserving its beauty, whether you are a collector or want to exhibit your prized glassware. However, the process can be difficult and cause damage. If there are any damages, you should get them fixed right away by glass repairs Houston, TX specialist.

The correct way to clean glass is to use a soft, non-abrasive cleaner. For example, dish soap, distilled water, and dishwashing liquid can be used. These ingredients are gentle on metals and are effective at breaking up dirt and grease.

The best way to clean antique glass is to use a soft, lint-free cloth. Dip it into a bowl of distilled water and gently wipe down the surface. You can also soak a glass in warm water and dish soap solution.

If the dirt is stuck on the glass, you can use mild acid or vinegar to break it up. You can also use chamois leather or well-rung-out chamois to remove stubborn stains.

Analysis of Refractive Index

During the past centuries, many useful articles were produced from glasses. Besides the standard measurements of the density and bending strength, the analysis of the refractive index of a glass sample is also important. This information helps determine if the material is suitable for the intended use.

Several methods are available in the market which provides indirect measurements of the refractive index. Some of them require the sample to be immersed in liquid before measurement. Others are based on the structural parameters of the sample. However, these methods limit the accuracy of the samples’ refractive index. Therefore, the proposed method aims to directly measure glasses’ refractive index without requiring structural parameters.

This method has two advantages over traditional methods: measurement accuracy and environmental vibrations robustness. The accuracy of refractive index measurement can reach 5 x 10-4.

Removal of Old Silver

A cleaning solution can be a good way to remove old silver from antique glasses. The solution works quickly and doesn’t harm the environment.

A good solution is made of food-grade ingredients. You can find this product at many fabric stores. It would help to have a large container to soak your silver in.

You can also apply a baking soda bath to soften the tarnish. Again, it would help if you used aluminum foil to make this work. You can then polish the silver with a soft cloth.

Some people also use toothpaste. If you do, use a microfiber cloth to rub it onto the silver. Once the tarnish has been removed, rinse the silver with clean water. If the tarnish is still stubborn, you may need to apply more baking soda.

Resilvering

Whether you have an antique mirror or a glass piece, try resilvering it. Silvering is a chemical process that applies a thin layer of silver to the surface of a glass. It is a technique that has been used for centuries.

You should be aware that resilvering your mirror can be expensive. It is common for mirror resilvering to cost around $15 per square foot.

This process is a complicated one and requires the use of toxic chemicals. However, resilvering a mirror is well worth it.

The first step to resilvering your mirror is to clean it carefully. You should also remove the protective silver backing. This will allow you to reapply the silver layer.

Next, you need to apply the silver leaf. You can apply it in several places on the mirror. This will help to cover any scratches or cracks in the silver layer. You should use a soft felt cloth to smooth out any wrinkles.

5 Tips for Investing in Fixer-Upper Properties

Fixer-upper properties can be a great way to get into the real estate market. They can be purchased for much less than their full market value, and the profit potential is huge. 

However, investing in fixer-upper properties can also be tricky. There are many costs that you may not be aware of, and there are a lot of hidden problems that could arise. 

Fortunately, today’s guide is here to help. We’re now going to look at some of the best tips for investing in fixer-upper properties. 

Know what you’re getting into 

The first and most important tip is to make sure that you know what you’re getting into. Investing in a fixer-upper property is a big commitment, and it’s important to understand all the risks and rewards that come with the process. 

This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the property before you make a purchase. You should also factor in the potential costs of renovations, materials, and labour. 

Get a professional inspection 

Before making a purchase, it’s important to get a professional inspection. This will help identify any potential issues with the property and ensure it’s a worthwhile investment. 

It’s also a good idea to get a contractor to look over the property as well. This will give you a better idea of the costs associated with the renovations and help identify any potential issues before you make a purchase. 

Budget for hidden costs 

The next tip is to budget for hidden costs. This means taking into account all of the potential costs that may arise during the renovation process. 

This could range from the cost of materials and labour to any permits or even landlord insurance that may be required if you are letting in the interim. It’s crucial to factor in any potential hidden costs before making a purchase, so you’re not caught off guard later. 

Secure financing

It should also go without saying that you will need to secure financing before you make the purchase. This will ensure you have the money you need to complete the project and make a profit. 

There are several different financing options available, so make sure you research and find the best one for your situation. 

Be prepared for the market

Finally, it’s important to be prepared for the market. Once you’ve completed the renovations, you will need to find a buyer for the property. This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the market to get the best price for your property. On some occasions, this may even involve holding tight for a few months – just so the market can settle and you can get the best price for all the renovations you have invested in. A quick look at the recent sold prices in the area and conversations with local estate agents will help you no end.