Good morning all, looks like we are going to be in for a soggy Christmas week upcoming. Predictions are for at least some rain almost every day next week. Well, at least we don't have to shovel it.
Chief, I agree that church and Christ should be more than a building or place to meet. Applause for your plans to help the needy kids. "If you did it to the least of these etc, etc."
Dbaker, it is a hard time to let people go both for the employer and the employee. Once in a while it has some good in it though like in my own case. I got layed off in 1979 after 17 years with a company but that led to my employment by the Southern Pacific Railroad and a 21 year career ending as a locomotive engineer. My old job was just a way to make a living. The railroad job was the fulfillment of what I really wanted to do. It was an answer to prayer and the best thing that ever happened to me.
Ray
SPMan
Howdy Boyz & Girlz,
Had a great club Christmas party last thursday nite, didn't win any of the really good door prizes(re trains) but I did pick a photoframe that looks like the front of a 19th century steamer. Now I just need to get the rite gear and the munchkin's photo will go in it, want to get one of our club's patches and have it put on a ball cap for him.
Friday was a good day at the museum, we had our "unofficial Christmas Train " run. I took two so I could rest one while the other ran, try to save on some of the wear-n-tear. Have seen busier days but also have seen slower days, enuff to keep you busy passing out the candy. Better they eat it than me.
Time for some more coffee.
p.s. Someome tell Kevin to close that dang door, we've been hitting the 20's at nite and that is just to cold for SoCal !
Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.
www.sd3r.org
Proud New Member Of The NRA
Afternoon all [unless you are just getting up in CA]. Sunny and cooler by the minute as winds blow. Now, I can not think of anyone who I would rather have snow, cold and high winds than YANKEES.
Doug M, hat off to you and your wife did to make those kids a great life. Same for Dennis and Kim who really saved a little lady from China.
Discussed in SS about needy families and especially at Chirstmas. The Church and the Chamber sponsors Backpack Buddies. Each Friday, needy kids are given a backpack with food in it. This is so those kids will have food for the weekend. I and going to meet with both and see if we can start a fund to accumilate funds to help those kids [and others that meet the requirements] to start back to school with clothes and supplies, food for Thanksgiving and Santa for Chirstmas. I think that is what Chirst and Church is all about. Not just a place to go and meet. May not get any cooperation. We'll see. Town Employees, Commissioners and other citizens have helped me do a fine Santa for one family. There are others that will be missed this year.
Now for some "me time". No Town or other things.
Later.
PS: where is Jack [RockIsland] ??????
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Good Morning
Dennis I feel sad about the pastors baby, I was hopeing he would make it.
Cold 18 going to 8 by this afternoon. Winds are up to 30 MPH. its blowing our winter wonderland all over the place. I don't know what my wifes plans are but I'm staying in. I think she will too. Sometimes we just have to pretend that we are the boss. Chief, the snow machine is for the skiers for some reason they seem to like flying down a hill without brakes. Have a good day....S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Prayers for your Grandad too, Colin
Wife said "What's this" last night as we were getting ready for bed. Hmmm - one of the boxes that came yesterday was not what she expected... It was a 1668E! Hmmm, you remember that I won that on Ebay, don't you dear?" I didn't mention two cars I won, hope they arrive soon! Need to clean this thing, it's got some oil or something gummed up on it in a few places. Need to give it some oil and a run, too!
Biscuits ready, come and get 'em while they iz hot!
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Good morning everyone,
Dennis, sorry to hear about the pastor's child. I can't imagine the pain that goes along with that.
Thanks again for all the compliments guys.
Don, I hate to see GM in this place. I see that they decided to Red Tag Cadillac, which is something I never thought wold happen. The $17 Billion won't get them through March. I just hope that the government decides to save them.
Well seeing as this morning is a complete waste, (the whole road system around here is covered in ice) I have to wait a couple hours to print a bunch of pictures and pick up my laptop.
Good Morning from Blueberryhill....
It is a clear and sunny 30 degrees. Going DOWN to 18, by this afternoon. It will be cold tonite. 10 degrees.
Today is busy. Wife is doing better. I have a few things to do around the house and then I will relax.
Dining car was here and we had the usual for breakfast.
Y'all have a great Sunday.
Chuck
HI GYZ,
26 and a little snow falling, they got this doom and gloom forcast wrong again. Not going to add up to much. Oh well keep the snowblower in, thats a good thing. Hope all is well.
Stay Frosty,
laz57
I feel very very fortunate we were able to adopt three of those 'unwanted' to build our family. Not looking down the tracks for the dining car this morning - it's too cold
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Colin glad to see you back on the pot . Sorry I get to thinking to write it then get another thought in my mind and I forget guess it comes with age lol.
Morning all not to much happening here this am. Just got up as stayed up late last night as wanted to watch a Grampa for Christmas good show on the hallmark channel.
Fife I agree about the baby factories you see around. I sometimes say I 'm glad we were never blessed at least we never had to worry of being hurt because of a injury or worst yet a loss. But then we were never blessed with a child either and I feel I have missed out on one of the lords greatest miracles.
Well guess its time to go get on the dinning car and see what I'm having for breakfast this am
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Mornin' boys. Mornin' English. 28 here in Iceland. Was hoping to take the kids down to the B&O roundhouse for Christmas display, but "dicey" weather/roads will probably put DA KEEBOSH to that...
Wow, whatta game in the BIG D last night! (4 paws up! WOOF!WOOF!WOOF!)
tmcc-nowa-man ..."and a lot of other stuff." (READ: gals & gas)
dwiemer - It has always tormented me why wonderful couples (with so much love and promise to give) are denied the joy of parenthood, while absolute bottom-feeder-cockroaches-of-human-scum never fail to push out crum-snatchers... I hope to take this up with the management one day...
Thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers guys. They have a web site at the Caring Bridge which I read this morning. They are celebrating his short life and also the comforting thoughts of seeing him in heaven. The services will be tomorrow. I am on call, but if nothing is going on, I'll be there.
Don, yeah, you were right to do things the way you did. We just recently lost many jobs in the area, but think of how bad it would have been if they waited. One thing about our area is that they are resourceful and very community oriented. We help each other. In the case of manufacturers, if you lose a large contract and have to lay some off, your management team beats the bushes and refines methods/processes, etc. in the hope that you can land more contracts to hire the folks back as soon as possible. We have some good technical colleges around so folks can learn other trades when the contracts don't come. So far, we have lost Cooper tire, Proctor and Gamble has cut way back, Merk has gone, Bob's Candies....gone to Mexico, and others that make a sizeable work force. And no, we are not getting bailed out.
Well, bride is making breakfast for a housefull. Later we are heading upto Pine Mountain to FIL's for Christmas with them. After this weekend, it will be all done with family. I will be on call, but hopefully get to spend lots of time with the wife and kids. I am getting anxious to open that Southern Mikado
TCA#09-63805
Good morning all. So sorry for the pastor and his wife - Jim is right about the importance of their faith community - I hope they allow themselves to be comforted. Don, that's a good story - reminder of how tough things can be and are again. Ridiculously cold here: 7 below zero - with the wind gusts, it's more like 20-30 below. Supposed to be like this for the next two days. It's times like this makes the house feel like a sieve. Ah well. I'll just close my eyes and keep cranking up the thermostat. Safe journeys to those like Rich who are traveling. As much as I'll miss them, I am so happy to not be trying to drive 900 miles east this year. Guests coming over later. Gotta go move snow in this weather - brrrr.
Good Morning all
Pretty short night. I got off at 2300, home by midnight and up at 0445. to go to work.
Dennis - Prayers of consolation for you and the parents of the baby. The death of kids and especilly babies are one of the hardest to deal with. It helps (as always) if the parents have a strong faith and a support community to help them grieve.
May God bless
Jim
Colin - Really great to hear from you!! Chief your a 100% right, he sure sounds like a heck of a good kid, with his head on straight. I'm sure your parents are very proud of you, Colin. But, I have to say it doesn't really surprise me a lot. A couple of years ago I had a hard time reminding myself that Colin was as young as he was. Hope you have time to frequent the forum frequently, certainly want to know what's happening in your life!!!
Lots of grief going around, death is never welcome, and certainly is very difficult at this time of the year and especially when the very young are involved. Hope all the blessed and fun memories are able to prevail and help everyone, at this sensitive time of the year.
Speaking of sensitivity. With the job cutbacks and impacts it reminds me of a verrry difficult time I had.
In the mid 90's I was a General Manager of a manufacturing plant, we had over 300 hundred people in production. Unfortunatly we had lost a major contract with a large company right after Thanksgiving. The result was imminent there were going to have to be cutbacks, but everyone was trying to do EVERYTHING possible to avoid it. After about 3 weeks it was just getting unbearable, employees new something had to happen, there wasn't enough work. Morale was begining to really fall, and rumors were rampant. As the days ticked on, the financials and decisions were getting worse. It then became obvious, and a lot of soul searching was going on. "Do I try to protect everyone's job for as long as possible, hoping for a Hail Mary to bail us out?? If I'm wrong I could cause the whole factory to close in 6 weeks. Or do I lay some people off immediately, buying us 3 or 4 additional weeks later? With the possibility of a 2nd reduction in another 2 weeks? Or, wait until right after the holidays and do it then? Possibly cause a 2nd reduction at that time of more people?
I had opted for the latter, I didn't want to ruin holidays for these people and their families, let them have that before the bad news. As the days were ticking by, I soon realized, What am I doing? Am I doing what is best for them ? Or ME ? As I heard people talking about their plans for the holidays and what they were going to buy, and I KNEW that they would be having a tough time after the NEW YEAR. I soon realized I needed to take action as soon as possible to provide those that were directly affected the most advanced notice I could, so they could plan BEST for their family. And, also minimize the number of people affected by doing the cutback ONCE. A verry had decision, but necessary!! I decided on that plan and implemented it, it was done 8 days before Christmas.
Ended up it was one of the worst Christmas's I ever had! Firing someone has never bothered me, there has always reason, and I felt justified. Laying someone off is very difficult, because it is not the employees fault, but the companies failure, or maybe your own as management. Anyway, after the initial shock, and horror was over. I will never forget a Christmas Card I received from one of those I layed off. That they were so appreciative that I did that when I did, rather than wait until after the holidays, so they could better prepare.
Sorry for the long rambling, maybe I've been watching too much Hallmark with the wife.
Don
Colin,
Sorry to hear about your Grandfather.
Consider adding an insurance rider for your photo equipment onto your parent's home or auto insurance policy. It don't cost much (maybe $25 a year, or less). Then your equipment is covered for the full replacement value and you can go out and photograph with peace of mind.
Enjoy.
Thanks guys.
Chief, yes I'm starting to like the NS more and more.
Evening all. Back from two Chirstmas parties. FULL. Have to eat at both. Prayers for Dennis's ast. pastor and his family.
COLIN, you Yankee!!!!!!
Glad you dropped back by. We miss you. All grown up now. Have you now learned that CSX is the short line pits and NS is the best?
Raining and warm [50's]. Suppose to fair off tomorrow afternoon and turn cold. Later
I found out that Sir J has a snow machine is the one making all that snow you Yanks are getting. Shh, its a secret.
Cold one here today we did not break 27 today for a high, tommorrow lots o stuff falling from da sky again. Don't know what it will be stay tuned?
Ran trains tonite NO PILE UPs!!! All ran great and had fun with my UP FEF tooting DA WHISTLE.
I also tried Lionel Rotary coal tipple out, worked great!!!! Going to start bench work on Monday? I have cool visions on this baby.
COLLIN, glad to hear from you again, hope your GrandDAD is ok. I'll keep him in my prayers.
Rich, Merry Christmas to you and have a safe trip.
S.J
Dennis prayers out for your youth minister and family and your whole congregation as I know its a big hurt to all
Good Evening All!
Colin - Welcome Back
Dennis - prayers for pastor wife and baby
I'll say a prayer for those who have lost thier jobs, lost a job this time a few years back and this is a rotten time to have something like that happen. I call SCROOGE!
Well, tomorrow at 6:50, we take the silver bird North. This maybe the only time I get on for a while
so :
Merry Christmas to all my forum friends.
May you all have a wonderful and blessed time. Enjoy your families. It's been like forever since I have had a Christmas with my parents and 2 of the 4 siblings. Be safe and be well and I'll get back as soon as I can get to a computer!
I'll be in NYC Monday and Tuesday and hope to get pictures of the Macys and GCT layouts.
Until Later!Rich
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Kurt, we posted over each other I guess Ok guys, gotta go to RT's to get my coupon, but otherwise up for anything tonight - let's go!
Dennis - sad news. Prayers for the pastor and his bride.... :(
Colin, good to hear from you. Good luck with school. Community college is a good choice. It is especially good to work on getting some core classes out of the way.
Had the pleasure of chatting with a southern gentleman this morning. Chief, always good to hear from you.
Well, it was about 80 today which made hunting limited. Didn't see a thing. Nice place though, plantation is 9,000 acres.
Just as we were finishing the hunt, got news that the baby of our youth pastor passed away. He was born on Thanksgiving day. Sad case as this couple has been trying for years to have a baby. After several miscarriages, they finall had a baby. He ended up having heart surgery and extended stay in ICU. Finally, his kidneys shut down and that was it.
Have a house full of guests. Enjoyed a good meal and the deserts were delicious. Had an interesting conversation with my brother in law and niece tonight. They were discussing some drummers and how great they are ( I didn't know who they were). I did tell them about Buddy Rich and they didn't know who he was. Fortunately, I found some videos on "YouTube" and they conceded to the master.
Well, it will be a busy weekend, and then I'm on call for the next three weeks, so I will say good night. Hope everyone has a blessed weekend.
Dennis
PS Welcome back TMCC Man! Your absence has been noted on more than one occasion.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Good evening all,
It was a cloudy day in SE Indiana with temps in the 30s. It was a good day and last evening. I went last night to watch a high school girls' game as some of "my" soccer girls were on the team, I had an all sports pass, and it was a local rival that was scheduled. The home town won in a barn-burner 55-50. Today was oldest grandchild's fourth birthday and we celebrated the day at her folks' house. Afterwards the wife and I did some Christmas shopping and some miscellaneous shopping as well. The malls were packed. I did score a Fasttrack switch for 40% off at Hobby Lobby and (Chief will like this) an O.Winston Link book (originally $50) at Waldenbooks for $5. We ate supper at Steak'n'Shake and filled the minivan for 1.43 a gallon. Prayers and thoughts going out to all those who are looking for a job. Been there, done that too many times. I had bran muffins fixed by the "saucy wench" this morning on the dining car for breakfast. A whole carload is headed to "Points East" with the intent of being a source of comfort. I hope everyone has a good day. The beacon is lit for the Tardis, and there is plenty of room on board for everybody.
Good Evenin All
Talked to oldest son this afternoon, he is getting his layoff notice on monday. His wife still has her job so far. Another couple we know have both worked at the same place for thirty years, layed off,fifty years old so to young for retirement. Yep senater Shelby lets let them all fail.
I got my last BCR2 today, no more to do. And nothing else I buy is going to need one. Snowplow came by just after dark tonite so I cleared it out of the drive approach before it turns to chunks of ice. More snow tonite, couple inchs and down to 7 degrees tomorrow nite. Sounds like toy train weather to me.
Brutus me and the banilla are waiting.
Thanks for the advice on the lenses. I don't have much money to spend, but when I do it's ging to be split for hobbies and gas money for when I use my parents cars. And thanks for the welcome back wishes, I really appreciate it. Brutus, my dad is doing well, but it's my grandfather we're worrying about right now. He had a stroke about a month ago, but he still seems out of it. We're keeping a close eye on him.
Evening all beacon on retook over the putor. Hey Brutus if you can use it befor the 29th I have $10.00 off of $50.00 at Lowe's. Let me know will send asap to you like Monday morning.
Just looking at the NYC caboose got with train set it has frosted windows but not illuminated I was thinking of putting a middle pickup on one axle and running wires to a light in it as it actually has a spot for a light fixture and bulb. even has hole to run wire.
Been looking at 3 log dump cars but not sure if I want to get them there at a great price ( ones from the cascade train set) but shipping a little high but the deal as a hole is good ( $46.00 for all including shipping) and they have more than 1 set for that price. Also have the engine for like $76.00 including shipping. Guess I need to be Good and hold off I really need to look at new putor first but geese the deals are there.
Oh well thats that.
Hey TMCCMAN - Hows' your Dad doing?
DougM, yeah - I'd say it's her turn if she wants a new color
JimSP - Ever seen Dr. Who? The little blue box is just the small part that exists in our dimension or something, it's like a giant building in there and I think the size changes too?
RT! There you are! Sorry the wife stole the 'puter! We don't have public access in the area where I work and stuff has disappeared from desks before Good idea to keep it secure. I agree, I wonder how long FT would last if you kept rearranging it over the years?
Buckeye - that was the funniest thing I've read in a good long time!
TSchmidt - good find on the beer car
No trains today, but there are some boxes inside the door. I think the wife doesn't want to open them while the kiddos are up, in case it is stuff she ordered for them? I'm dying to see if some of my train stuff came in, but laying low out of respect.
Stopped at Sears on the way home - bad idea to go to the mall this time of year, yikes! Found what I wanted. They have an auto-switch. It is like a 3 outlet plug thingie that when you power up the device plugged into outlet A, power is relayed to outlets B and C. I'm going to use this to control a shopvac with a special filter on it with a tube taped to my drywall cutter tool so I can control the amount of dust spraying up in the air at least a little.
Then, I had a coupon for Home Depot for $10 if I spent $100 on a single ticket. Well, I thought I'd get drywall, but realized I could not take them all at once like that - it would take about 2 or 3 trips with my little truck. So, instead I bought the ducting, diffusers, etc for the basement. I need to decide where I want the air ducts - I guess out near the farthest (back of the house) wall, away from the furnace room. I have a return vent to the furnace already, down near the floor to give cross ventilation. I'll need to pick up more drywall in a week or so anyway, but this was stuff we also needed and I hit the $100 mark about right on, giving me about 9.95 percent off, which isn't bad for HD shopping.
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