COFFEE POT #3, March 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 4 yrs old and still going. Sweet ice tea too.

[anjdevil2]

Afternoon, guys...

Was a long day yesterday, got to bed about 1200 Midnight after running through NE Florida AND South Georgia.  Still more sites to hit, will do 4-5 more tonight.  Should be another 11-12 Midnight bed time then up again at 630.  It pays 2X my regular job, so I gotta do it...or Uncle Obammer will stick me in the SLAMMER!

 

Got another piece to my Chessie Super Steam set a baggage car.  just need a couple more cars for the set!

 

Bought some track at the Trainz SUPER sale (Atlas), will start planning with the Atlas and see where it goes.

 

VERY windy and in the 60’s now, raining off and on

 

JimPhish – Happy 5 Years!

 

– for us all, Char & Chief included...

 

Rock Island – welcome back from your New England walkabout!

 

Bob – Good Luck on #2

 

Man I’m tired... ok back to work!

 

Rich

 

 

[SPMan]

Pat, I grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia but I have never been to that part of the state where Lexington is.  I know that Washington and Lee University is there where General Lee's tomb is also.  I went to Roanoke a couple of times but that is about my only trip to the Western part of the state.  I have a brother in Bristol but have'nt seen that yet either.

Ray

[Anonymous]

Today has been an interesting day so far.  I moved some MTH boxes from the basement back to the attic, then proceeded to wash the insulation and dust from my hands.  As I was washing my hands, I happened to look out the kitchen window.  Here is what I saw:

 

After going outside and taking a closer look, I decide to walk around the pool to check the rest of it out.  What I saw on the other end left me speechless.  Here it is:

I never thought some snow and freezing temps could cause this much damage. 

[LawsonFarmsRR]

SPMan

Pat, I grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia but I have never been to that part of the state where Lexington is.  I know that Washington and Lee University is there where General Lee's tomb is also.  I went to Roanoke a couple of times but that is about my only trip to the Western part of the state.  I have a brother in Bristol but have'nt seen that yet either.

Ray

 

Having grown up in Portsmouth and visited Roanoke, you have seen the extremes of our state, from the shore to the mountains. You were close to Lexington, about 60 miles from Roanoke.

Pat

[LawsonFarmsRR]

DJSpanky

By the way, it's snowing pretty good here in Ruckersville, Virginia right now.  You seeing this Pat?

 

Spank, you must be on the northern edge of the storm. We are only getting a little light rain. Shows you how a storm can be tightly defined. What are we, about 15 miles apart? I wander if the southern edge reaches down to the Chief?

Pat

[rtraincollector]

LawsonFarmsRR

DJSpanky

By the way, it's snowing pretty good here in Ruckersville, Virginia right now.  You seeing this Pat?

 

Spank, you must be on the northern edge of the storm. We are only getting a little light rain. Shows you how a storm can be tightly defined. What are we, about 15 miles apart? I wander if the southern edge reaches down to the Chief?

Pat

I hope so greenvile,sc is supose to get snow tonight about an hour + north of me

 

[Ole Timer]

rtraincollector

 

 maybe later when ready to retard

 Don't retard on us RT !!!      .... owed ya one ....... LOL !!!

[dwiemer]

Good evening all.  Diet/Fast has been going well.  I agree regarding the "fad diets".  This is more in that it is also a spiritual thing...connect with Daniel in only eating the things that he would have eaten when he was brought into Nebuchadnezzar's palace.  That along with fasting to set one's priorities right.  As it is, I have lost 17LBS in 10 days.

Spanky, While things didn't work out for you to give your son such a fine present for his birthday, I am sure he will enjoy it no matter when he gets it.  I am sure you are his "hero".  Glad you are able to take care of your mom.  I wish my dad was closer after mom passed.  He is still up in Jersey, but he has my sisters near by and a great group of friends to help out.

Doug, I like the way you popped the question.  Pretty bride too!  I gave mine a heart shaped box with Dove chocolate and a card.  I wrote a poem and at the end of it, I got down on my knee and presented the ring.

Jim, congratulations on 5 years here.  Tis a fine place to sit for a spell.  Your presence here has been a good one.  Enjoy the SPF posts and your wisdom for life's challenges.

Chief, glad you continue to get better.  Have to agree with Jack in that you need to take it easy and get completely over this.

Lee, hope your internet issues have cleared up.  I noticed one of the Google accounts was not working yesterday.  Not sure what the reason was, but working fine today.

It is getting quite RAW out tonight.  Down to 39 degrees right now.  Bride came in from daughter's ballet lessons and was freezing (Northern winters would kill her).  Rained all day and was a good day to stay inside.  I am actually glad to have some water on the ground as we have been under a fire warning for the area due to the dry conditions.  I have a pile of brush to burn.

Hope each of you have a good night.
God Bless,
Dennis

 

[sir james I]

Hi Guys

It got cloudy this afternoon so 35 was all we got, but better than 25.

After shopping this morning I have done little else that was useful.

I will wait fot the thingy and bring banilla if the crew wants some.

S.J.

[dougdagrump]

dwiemer

Doug, I like the way you popped the question.  Pretty bride too!  I gave mine a heart shaped box with Dove chocolate and a card.  I wrote a poem and at the end of it, I got down on my knee and presented the ring.

Hope each of you have a good night.
God Bless,
Dennis

 

Whoa Nellie errr Dennis !

That's not me, mine was 45 yrs ago. That was set-up at the MRR Museum by a young sailor who would be shipping out very soon. He and his soon-to-be fiance had planned on visiting the museums in Balboa Park so a few days ahead of time he set up the proposal with the guys running that day. The ring & the open ring box were put on a coal hopper with a "will you marry me" sign. Thankfully it was a successful event.

[Ole Timer]

 SJ ..... on the chat with brutus and RT .... pour some vodka in the banilla .... we're all thirsty !

[Hudson#685]

Good Evening, 35 and a slight drizzle down the Jersey Shore.

The fire engine and train incident brought back some funny memories of fires involving the railroads when I was a fireman in South Amboy, NJ. One of the funniest was when we had a boxcar that was on fire. One of the other engines was first on the scene. They opened the door and immediately hit it with water. They car was filled with TAMPONS. Boy did they EXPAND. They had a heck of a time trying to remove them.

Problem: Friday is my wife's birthday. Any suggestions? I thought of a trip to the day spa and send my daughter to get her a gift certificate to a good clothing store. We have a few weddings to go to this year. She said that there is a moratorium on jewelry (I have a friend that owns a jewelry store).

Chief, take it easy and get better.

Brutus, glad to hear that your wife is doing better. The welder, it has paid for it self many times over and it runs like a champ.

Thoughts and prayers to all.

John

[dwiemer]

dougdagrump

dwiemer

Doug, I like the way you popped the question.  Pretty bride too!  I gave mine a heart shaped box with Dove chocolate and a card.  I wrote a poem and at the end of it, I got down on my knee and presented the ring.

Hope each of you have a good night.
God Bless,
Dennis

 

Whoa Nellie errr Dennis !

That's not me, mine was 45 yrs ago. That was set-up at the MRR Museum by a young sailor who would be shipping out very soon. He and his soon-to-be fiance had planned on visiting the museums in Balboa Park so a few days ahead of time he set up the proposal with the guys running that day. The ring & the open ring box were put on a coal hopper with a "will you marry me" sign. Thankfully it was a successful event.

Sorry about that Doug.  Didn't look too close to see if the date was more modern.  On first glance, I thought it was something archived from a time in the past.  Good thing there was not a derailment and the ring end up lost in the scenery!  Still, it is a great story.  I wonder how many of our wives would have married us if they knew we were such train nuts....that proposal would have certainly raised a flag with my bride....I must have caught her at a week moment.

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

IT SNOWED HARD IN ROSEYVILLE!!!!  Never a flake stuck to anything.  Too warm.

Rested today.  Had meeting with American Heart Assoc. folks today.  Then came home.  Slept off and on [Lucy kept jumping in her Dad's lap]  Well, sort of.  Went back out and fed deer and went to the Gro.  Came home and cooked steaks on the grill [in the snow storm].  Thanks for all of the concerns.  Taking my meds.  Got to read to kids at one of our elementary schools tomorrow afternoon.

Did watch Wake Count School Board meeting on laptop.  They had two hours or more of public comment.  NAACP chair came and sang "We shall over come."  NO JOKE.  See the "Fabulous Five" voted down Busing for Economic Diversity.  Well, to devlop a policy that gives the parents "say so" and have community schools [short version]. Community Schools won.  Vote was 5 for [the new board members] and 4 against [old board members].  WCPSS had an assignment policy that bussed kids for hours from high income neigborhoods into low income neighborhoods and "vise a versa".  Some kids are bused past two or three schools they could attend.  Parents had NO say so in school assignment.  Parents could not participate in school activities due to long distance commutes.  NAACP is threating to sue as they say it is segregation.  I think he is not listening when he is told the Supreme Court has ruled you don't bus for racial reasons.  My "Special Board Member" [bless her Yankee heart, yes she is from PA] gave the best speach on her reason for voting for this resolution.   Victory for parents.  Now I have to get these "Fabulous Five" to get on staff's case. They have done NOTHING about getting the High School site in Rolesville selected.  They are stalling. See, the staff has always run the School Board until now.  

Popcorn time.  Later.

[Hudson#685]

Jim, Green97Probe,

  I feel your pain with the pool. It happened to a guy I work with a couple of weeks ago. His pool was installed last year, and the pool company winterized it. He called the pool company and NO ANSWER. He is hoping that they are closed for the season.

John

[submmbob]

 Another quiet night collecting photon's at the 'scope. Got the boiler shell of the 258 ready for paint last night, plus took apart my 1950's Heathkit battery eliminator in preparation for it's debut. I bought it because I have a couple of old 6V, tube car radios. These things take a heck of a lot of amps at 6V. It's a monster. Going to replace the selenium rectifier and electrolytics w/ modern equipment under the chassis but leave the old pieces in for effect.

Brutus - continued prayers for the family and the wife

Doug - I like that proposal method! I read about one in a recent issue of Trains that was pretty good too. Although w/ all the money I am spending on Corvair parts it's a good thing I don't have to buy a ring now:)

Just got word that the new heads are on the way. They didn't waste anytime there. Next step is to get the new crank and bearings and clearance the old block. But that will have to wait until the bank account has recovered some. 

Thanks for all the good wishes. She's going out of town this weekend, so it'll just be a low key breakfast (fortunately before I get my hands really dirty finishing pulling the engine from the van).

Bob

 

[8ntruck]

Almost sunny and about 40 today.

NavyJack - I used to use one of those pump up sprayer tanks to spray the peach trees.  It has been long enough since I did the spraying that I don't really remember exactly what I used.  It was a powder that I mixed with water.  Seems to me that I sprayed before they blossmed, then again after they blossmed.  Timing was set to miss the honey bees and not poison the fruit. Best to check with your local garden center for better advice.

I mentioned the other day to my wife that I didn't have the Harry Potter expansion set.  Suprisingly, she told me that 'I'd better fix it'!  I seem to remember reading somewhere that the Harry Potter expansion set was sold out?  Anybody else remember seeing that?  A quick check in the adds in CTT did not turn anything up.

All for now.

[Brutus]

Bill - I got that set when it first came out.  Don't know if it sold out, but I would imagine they will continue it, so might just have to wait for the next shipments?

Wife had a transfusion today and one of those shots, so she should be feeling a lot better.  She was just a little low on energy lately.  Really, all her numbers are going up except the hemoglobin was down a bit as the last trasnfusion was 4 weeks ago.  Mother-in-law is really a great help, so glad she can be here with Charlene so often during this stuff.

Thanks for the those prayers and intentions, they are really working guys.  Prayers go out to all you guys too and all our friends and family. 

Tardis is ready and I'll take my banilla sans vodka!  Ick!  Sorry Wes, that just does not appeal to me man!  Maybe some Amaretto?

[laz 57]

HI GUYZ,

  35 and cold rain and slush.  Not much happening on the train front, waiting for another ERR board to come in so I can have cruise in another older TMCC engine.  Love to watch em creep down the tracks.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 29 degrees. Going up to 36 today, with a few snow flurries later.

Today is a busy day. I have a few errands to run and some chores to do around the house.  I have to do some exercises, to keep up the muscle building in my legs. Next PT session is Friday.  Walking up and down the basement stairs is mandatory. Of course. I will have to stop for a few minutes in the train room.

Dining car is here and we will have the usual Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

The sun may shine on SE Indiana today, but it is too early to tell.  We may hear the f-word in relation to temps today (40+) :-).  Long night last night.  I would rather take a beating than go to a funeral home, but the mother of one of "my" soccer girls passed away after a long battle with *** cancer.  She was 49.  I know there are people here who have a much closer faith relationship than I do (and for that I am sure we are all grateful), but I am also sure even Mother Teresa or Billy Graham would be shaking their heads on this one.  Good family, good kids, and yet......  Talked to a good friend at the YMCA last night afterward about it.  There may be a higher purpose being served, but right now I am not seeing much of an upside to this one......

Lucas is doing better, taking it easy, has doctor's note to get him out of class for a couple of days.  Wife got new CASA case, which will keep her busy.  It is a thankless job, but she enjoys doing it and there are so many cases that need that kind of assistance.  I am proud of her.  Watched "Lost".  Stopped trying to figure it out and just watch the action.  I had the regular fare on the dining car as it arrived from "Points East".  TBIL after soccer scrimmage tonight.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Snohio on the grass but going fast as never ever got below freezing.  About 2 AM it was snowing hard.  Now to rest until time to go read to the kids this afternoon.  Proud of my School Board members that stood up and took a stand for the parents.  All have a great day.  Later

[cnw1995]

Aloha from a sunny and cold Chicago where it is a busy day today. Nice ride home from my last Winter class with Sir James and Brutus.

Jack, we have an overhang to the deck leading to the lawn so when we let out the dog to do his business, he doesn't feel the weather right away so he's kind of fooled.

[sir james I]

Good Morning

29 and some sun, going to the 30s today.

We had a nice ride home with Doug M.  last nite. No pileups.lol  I guess cereal will be breakfast today. No big plans so have a good one....S.J.

[Ole Timer]

 Grey and cloudy ... BUT NO SNOW .... off to the optometrist's to pick up my new glasses ... got the tri lens .... no lines .... hope they're as good as I hope . The bad part they cost as much as a darn nice engine !

8NTRUCK ... I see those expansion sets on ebay a good bit ....

John/ Hudson#685 ... I got the wife a Kitchenaid mixer for her present ....we kept seeing them on the food network chef shows and I could tell she wanted one bad ...  just an idea ... she's extremely happy and proud of it ... and now I get a whole world of great food to boot .

Dougdagrump ... I think that was a fabulous idea about the ring on the train car ... and the young lady looked extremely surprised and happy in the pic .

 

[dwiemer]

John, Have you thought about getting a weekend away for the two of you to a place like Cape May?  Some of those Victorian B&Bs are very nice and they have some quaint restaraunts that would really be special.

Mike, We never can understand God's purpose in things.  I have questioned why a 12 year old child would die of cancer and there is not a good answer in our understanding.  We must have faith that God sees the whole picture and those who are saved will understand when we get to heaven.

Quick run by as have to get to work.  Hope all are well,
Dennis

[RockIsland52]

Good Afternoon, Ya'll, from Weatherwise Ominous Taxachusetts,

More snow arriving shortly with 3 inches forecast for my neighborhood.  At 37 I don't see how we will get anything more than rain, slush at most.

I was glad to hear that Brutus' Char and the "F" Team continue to make progress, prayers continue.  MikeC's son Lucas recovering nicely, great news also.  And Chief is laying low for a change, at least low by his standards, not ours.  I am still suspicious of what Chuck is finding so "inspiring" over at his PT visits.  I think we should take a poll.  I'd say he isn't really into those exercycles but is neglecting to provide a complete report.   

Spanky.....your posts about the loss of your Dad and the care for your Mom has hit home for many of us.  Then Tyler and Corey bring balance back into the picture.  Sounds like you are going to make this birthday truly one to remember for yourself the little guy.  Post some pics of the festivities and the look on his/their faces if you can.

MikeC......I agree with Dennis.  And no one feels comfortable at these awkward sad get togethers.  I suppose my folks drilled it into my head early that no matter how uncomfortable a wake makes me feel, it isn't about me and how I feel, attendance mandatory.  Nothing can be more emotionally supportive of a grieving family than the silent presence of those paying their respects.  Words are unnecessary.  With my wife away in CA., I drove up to Maine alone last Thursday night in a monsoon to a wake for the son of a 77 year old friend.  The weary smile on her face to see me was worth every inch of the white knuckled 5 hour round trip.  My son's military academy called it "the more difficult right" path.  Good for you, Mike.  Decades after you have forgotten this affair your student will remember your kind gesture.

DougM.....all this talk about where one proposed to one's better half.  My spot was the (sadly closed in 2001 after about 70 years) Como Inn down on Milwaukee Avenue West of downtown Chicago, run by generations of the Marchetti family.  Got one of those secluded private, two person, candlelit booths they had, with the draw curtains for privacy.  I may not do a lot of things right, but I got it right that night.  Women have the memory of an elephant for things like that.

OleTimer......geezers are those twenty years older than we are.  Re the tri lens no line glasses, they are worth every penny.  I got the Varilux lenses which likewise have the progressive prescription that really come in handy for perfect eyesight at varying distances, not just up close.

For those of you with neighbors you detest and with whom you want to get even......yesterday I cleaned up the yard from the Winter's accumulation of doggy doo doo.  If you need some, let me know quickly.  The supply is neatly contained in those plastic grocery bags and can be shipped.to you in a box.

Later, gang.

Jack  

[Hudson#685]

Ole Timer: Great suggestion, she already bought it. She has a hard time sleeping so she watches tv with the pup at night. Most of the time she is still watching when I leave at 5:00am. She watches all the shows including the shopping and food channels. She bought that about a 1 1/2 ago.

Dennis: That is a great idea. We did that about 25 yrs ago in Conn. Had a great time. I was in Cape May a couple of weeks ago. It got hit hard by the SNOHIO. All the B&B's were empty and the restaurant service was terrible. I waited 2 days for them to even turn the lights on. Whoops that was our job to restore power. I think coupling the day spa and the weekend away might be the best way to go.

John

[sir james I]

Good Evening

 42 today and some more snow gone.

I am just waiting for Brutus to pick me up in the thingy. Plenty of banilla if the crew wants some. No train running today. My friend saw the 2010 Williams BB cataloge today says there are a few new items but nothing to run for the phone to get..S.J.

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Warming for us.  Snohio did NOT last at all.  Interesting day.  The cat in the hat sat on a bat and swallowed a knat what do you think of that.  Now you know what I had to read to second and third graders this afternoon.  Was a good afternoon.  Our Town Manager finally officially signed his resignation.  Will not go there.  Waiting for Criminal Minds to come on TV.  Been reading NRA recommended book on shooting.  BTW: I sent in my Lifetime Membership for the NRA a few weeks ago.  Finally rounded up the $$$$ and they were offering a special deal.  I did mount a nice $$$ Leupold rimfire scope on the cheapy .22 Savage rifle I purchased months ago.  It is an old model that shoot shorts, longs and long rifles.  New ones will not do that.  Got a pretty [refinished] stock.  Bore sighted too.  Need new gun safe.  The new one I have is full.  You never have too many guns when you have Yankees north of you.

Hope all are doing well.  Glad to keep getting good reports from Burtus' wife.

Popcorn time.