COFFEE POT #7 July 1, 2011 for all to take a drink and chat. 6+ years and going. Plenty of fresh coffee and unsweet ice tea to drink. Plenty of FARINA for the REBs.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Evening all,

Worked in the gardens to get them back in control from a week away.  A couple more days and it will look OK, till the next growth spurt.

Dennis - The article is in the mail.

Good night and may God bless

Jim

[submmbob]

Back from my extended time off. Was very worth while. Special thanks to those who were in touch.

Second day back at work. It has been raining "like a cow peeing on a flat rock" up here. We are in summer shutdown mode, so I am working on various projects.

I'm not going to even attempt to catch up on the last two months. Hope everyone is ok and doing well.

Off to drill some more holes.

Bob

 

 

[sir james I]

Good Evening All

77 right now.

We had a family from the church over for supper tonight, so it was enjoyable evening and we ran some trains. I have had my banilla but there is plenty to go with the cake granny baked.

Beacon is on ...S.J.

[dwiemer]

Ok, now that I have read the last few pages, I can answer a little more:
Joe, we had a "Lemon Lot" on base that was were guys who were shipping out, or change of MOS would sell their vehicles.  Some good deals can be had.  In many cases, it seemed the same cars would be passed along about every 3 years.  Good luck.  Of course, you could always take a car with you and pack the trunk with trains.
Roy, congratulations on 25.  May you have many good years ahead.
John B., didn't know what you were having.  If they do a stent, make sure you continue to take your Plavix.  At one point, they would just keep patients on it for a few weeks.  They started having patients come back with In-Stent Stenosis.  Glad you are getting things taken care of.
RT., hope you get to feeling better soon.  Too many vets need you and guys like you to be healthy so that you can care for them.

Dennis

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Been very busy and have not checked in the past few days.  Seems like lots has happened.
Doug M.,  sorry to hear about your flooding.  Glad the trains were not damaged, but don't forget to get them to a dry place, the humidity could still cause some surface rust issues.  We are on a elevated slab, so no issues with flooding.  Train room is on second floor, so it means I have to keep the upstairs zone on to keep cool.
John B., good luck with your pending procedure.  Will keep you in my prayers.
Jim, thanks, I will be looking forward to reading and sharing the article.
Fife, thought about you this past week as we had a few officers shot in nearby counties....all are OK and they got the bad guys.
Don., I recently picked up another Epson.  Got the Artisan which has the Wifi so we can print from anyplace.  Still have our other Epson, but for some reason, it would scan, but when we would go to print, it would act as if there was no printer attached.

Well, I am on call this week.  They have been keeping me busy.  Had bible study this a.m. so I still had to get up early.  Also, had to do some preparations for a big case we have next week.  On top of that, we had the house pressure washed, part of the roof repaired (original builder had made the slope over the entry way too shallow, which allowed water to come up under the shingles).  They installed a membrane that will stop any leaking.  Tomorrow, we have a contractor who will repair some of the columns in front and then the place is getting painted.

Today, a local plumber who had his 17 year old son working the summer for him, had his son get electrocuted while working under a house.  They were not able to save him.  Shame.

On the adoption front, wife found a agency that has opened the province that our daughter is from in China.  We are planning on going through them and returning to the same area.  Not sure how long the process will take, but since we will be going special needs, it is much faster.

Saw a good sign today...."Don't look ahead, Don't look behind, Look within"

Hope each of you have a great day.

[Anonymous]

Brent,

             I've never heard of slenderizing before, but it sounds very painful.  Had two cavities filled yesterday after work myself.

Jack,

             I agree on the painting.  A professional shop is the only way to go.  I sprayed a spare sunroof panel a few years back with a can of Neat Green, and I'll take it to a pro to get it redone properly before I install it.

 

After the dentist yesterday, I happened to drive past a local service station, and I saw the Boysenberry Probe SE that is local.  Not good.  From what I saw,  I'd say a pole is to blame by the way the hood was buckled.  Hopefully the owner will get it fixed if it isn't too extensive.  I'd hate to see another one go.

I got the 2023s and 2037 done over the weekend.  Both just needed routine cleaning, new brushes, and lubrication to come back to 100% operationally.  Although the 2023s are decent runners, I regret paying $242 for them.  Don't know what I was thinking on that one.

Next up, two sets of 2343s.  They just need cleaned and lubed, but I dread working on dual horizontal motored F3s.

[rtraincollector]

Demay the trick to getting a car cheap is find someone leaving that can't/don't want to take there car back to the states

Not a lot going on here tonight did sell some stuff on craigslist today so that was unexpected as actually had all of it on there for about 4 weeks just kept renewing it. So that was good.

so I'm watching an engine on bay of E thats selling for about what I sold some trains for today the other stuff sold was wifey's so she got that money.

Only fair even thou I paid for the stuff originally but gave it to her or should say bought it for her so it was hers to sell it was stuff we got up at the auction house and we actually made out on that so were happy

Talk to you all later.

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon all!

GREAT NEWS - it is still hot here. Set a record high low temp last night - 88 low temp! Southern migration of northerners has mysteriously reversed direction???

Fife - - - - - - - Bwa Ha Ha Ha Ha HA!

Doug M - my daughter is counting days to her 21st next spring - wife, wife's best friend, and daughter planning a trip to Las Vegas for the event. I am not invited....

Brent - glad it s going well - but I think the Q's decision to stop the home improvements is to make sure your daughter has her father around for along time!

John B - I think that tax thing - tea comes to mind - is what started the separation in the first place.

Dood - I certainly hope your daughter is doing better than Jack Benny healthwise.

Demay - certainly hope you can find some cars in Japan as cheap as you have been told.

Have a great evening all and ---- stay frosty as LAZ says!

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Busy day today running the LOKIE at the PIONEER TUNNEL.  Nice and cool day at about 83 so Lokies ran ok during the day.  We had to burn some wood to get a bit more pressure but it only took about 20 minutes of running the blower to get more draft to bring up pressure.  I still wish we had our pop offs set at 150lbs and we'd have great pressure all day, but who am I to say.

Tomorrow back to laying stone veneer then dental visit.  Gonna watch last episode of season 7 s Dealiest Catch tonite.  The MANs SOAP OPERA!

Stay frosty,

laz57

[fifedog]

88 - Actually, we did get an official invite.  I just didn't want to stack on more time to our already 8+ hour jaunt.  After crawling thru 3 different storms, it was the right call.  Was gonna spring in on him at the mansion.  Will have to wait for another time for a little R&R at the lake estate.  I will be coming to your house in a few weeks to pick up some engines, as you won't have time to turn a wheel....

[SPMan]

Good afternoon all,

spending some time with our guest bird this afternoon.  We are baby sitting bird for son on vacation.  Bird is happy admiring himself in the mirror while I'm on the internet.  He makes a lot of noise everyday until you let him out of the cage.  Today while having lunch he landed on my head.  Didn't like that while eating soup.  Guess I'm lucky he didn't leave something in it.

Went to the doctor this morning for check up.  Cholesterol level is still on the high side but is a lot lower than before.  At least I'm going in the right direction.

Doug, sorry about your water damage.

later,

Ray

 

[traindood]

Afternoon fellas and gals:    Sunny and warm here. Finally received my copy of CTT!   Yeah!    V8;   Lucky you! Wish i had some ill-eagle fellows to plant my trees!   Doug;  Congas to you and your daughter. My youngest turns Jack Benny's age in a few weeks. Where has the time gone?   England John:   Have had angioplasty many times. (Can't believe i just said that! )  Piece of cake!  You'll be fine. Best wishes to ya!     Brent;   Many of us retired folk, like me, are super busy. Only difference is if we posted all the things we did we wouldn't have time to do more things to keep us busy.   Did that sound right?    Jack;  So, your a A-R-P-M,  glad you said it!   John;   My two cents; Under the current administration, They would love to have fuel priced at European levels.  This way they could impose strict controls on comsumption. There's just one tenny wenny problem.  Americans don't do well with a yoke around their necks.   That's why we got rid of King George in the first place!  And may i add, we don't want any kings to replace him.  So there.  Joe;   Glad you liked the photos.  A better question would have been is,who is the umpire?  If you don't get it i'll tell you. Kind of a famous guy.       later.

[sir james I]

John, sneak out and find some Strohs. If you eat all of it for lunch they will never know.

[Hudson#685]

Lunch Time,

First off Prayers for John Bakeer, Cathy, Don, DDG, Bill Sharpie and sorry if I missed anyone, but they are included. 

SJ, Lemon Ice Cream. I am still waiting for my wife and sister inlaw to make it.

RT, Get well. Good idea t stay home and recuperate.

John Bakeer, 70% tax on gas. No wonder why we revolted.

Doug M. happy birthday to your daughter.

Fife: Enjoy your last day of vaacation.

Nothing new on the train front.

Have a Great Day,

John

[Anonymous]

Mornin' Fellas

Jack - The Q and I spoke about that this past weekend. Since we she is not planning any further home improvement projects requiring me injuring myself my asssitance, she has agreed to give me some 'alone' time in the trainroom. She has a monthly meeting with her sorority sisters which gives her a 1 night reprieve, and we both know we'll need some down time as well. She really wanted me to get the track finalized prior to the baby arriving, and since I accomplished that feat she's elated. I really, really want to get at least one side of the layout scenery done by Christmas this year. I know it is a lofty goal, but I really think I can get that done. I then want to have the other side done and the town up by my 41st birthday in March. Then it will just be putting the finishing touches on it (building a few scratch built buildings, assembling a few laser-cut buildings, etc).

I want the train garden finished ASAP because I'm not permitted to concentrate on a Christmas train garden till the main train garden is done. And since I have a ton of track for the Christmas train garden, I better hitail it and get that main one finished!

Oh - The Q was pleased that I was able to get some of the bins out of the main basement and vacuum part of the floor. As long as I keep progressing and getting stuff out of the main basement, she won't stop me. She really wants to get rid of the sectional in the basement so we can get a sofa bed. We'll be losing a spare bedroom in the near future so we are going to need the sofa bed when we have family stay at the house.

Fife - Sounds like a great trip was had by all! Surprised The Chief didn't invite you all to the Lake Estate...

DBaker - are you competeing with The Chief for the busiest retired person of the year award? Seriously, I thought when you retired you were supposed to have fewer things to do...

[Demay]

Good morning all,

I have one briefing to attend this morning and then I will be stuck at the desk the rest of the day.  I had some sort of healthy cereal for breakfast this morning.  I'm not even sure of the name, but we need to start cleaning out the perishables in the pantry since we cannot move them.  And since I am frugal (and there are starving kids in Africa – old nun trick) I cannot bear to throw away food. 

Jack - 100 pounds seems easy to me, but the wife has many treasures.  Nevertheless, I do not like being so close to the estimate so it's best to purge more to be safe.  Normally we take our cars with us; they do not count towards our weight.  For this move, however, we cannot bring cars with us.  We will sell them and buy used cars out there.  We know people out there who were able to buy two very sufficient used cars for about $5K. 

Good day,

Joe

[fifedog]

Roy --->

rt ---> Get well soon.  Sit next to Roy first.

Last day off, then back to the -shop.

[RockIsland52]

Good Mornin" Ya'll From Overcast and 60s Taxachusetts,

No A/C required today, low 80s later.  Like Traindood, we got some much needed rain yesterday and last night.  It's a start, but nowhere near what we need.  Prayers that Banks and Pat get some soakers........sounds like you guys are between a rock and a hard place.  I heard on the news last night that in DougM's neck of the woods the ground is so saturated that it can't hold any more water. 

Today's geography lesson:  it's a balmy 46 degrees at Mt. Washington NH, about 150 miles North of me.  Located in the White Mountains, its peak at about 6,300 feet is the highest mountain peak on the East coast of the US of A. And up until Katrina, they had the highest recorded landfall winds ever (230MPH?).  

Brutus.........prayers for your friend Jeff's FIL. 

Traindood......send some of that rain Northward!  Re DougM's dilemma, we also call them window wells where I am from (Chicago proper).  My FIL built his house about 30 miles due West of Chicago about 21 years ago, and the contractor installed the window well inserts and the drainage pvc all the way around the foundation, then connected it to his sump pump pit.  FIL assumed the retaining sleeves were made out of that galvanized corrugated metal you mentioned.  But his have all perforated due to corrosion and all need to be replaced.  In addition, the soil that has seeped into the wells due to the perforations has made its way into the pvc drains around the foundation that are hooked up to his sump pump; and some of the drains have become clogged.  Straightening all of this out is going to be a pricey proposition if he should choose to do it.  In the meantime he put on some heavy duty clear covers with retaining clips and got no water or seepage during the record rains that struck him and DougM this past Saturday.

Roy and Traindood........interesting discussion.  I too have learned things the hard way, AFTER water leaks have done their dirty deed.  Like Roy I also use the stainless braid under the kitchen sink and for the washing machine hot and cold water connections.  The worst case scenario is a pinhole leak with the stainless braided, though I have had none.  Re copper versus plastic tubing for the water lines to the fridge, I use copper all the way to a shutoff just below the fridge in the basement ceiling, then plastic from the shutoff to the fridge.  I did this when about 15 years ago I got a pinhole leak in the copper tubing from moving the fridge in and out for cleaning.  The copper kinked, causing the leak.  Just when you think you have all of the bases covered with these water line leaks to the fridge........something in the fridge malfunctions with the ice cube maker or the water dispenser. 

Roy........I don't envy your high Summer Texas temperatures.  Up this way the Winters are tolerable, including the snow.  And Mother Nature's Winter temps keeps the bugs and snakes under control to some extent.

JoeyD.......it should be easy to find 100 pounds to lose.  What do you do with your cars?  Sell them?

Banks.........think of it this way.  The beach isn't going anywhere, and you still have your Mom.

Brent..........I can't believe you are finally making progress on the layout again.  That should come to a grinding halt shortly. 

V8..........you got that right IMHO!!!!  The discount automotive paint shops have their purpose (out of pocket, low price); but as you say, they are not the place to go if one wants some semblance of near factory quality in a car you intend to keep, even in the short run.  If you look at a repaired/repainted panel done at a discount shop, the paint finish doesn't ever match the proximate virgin panels (dull if not also wavey), and they stick out like a sore thumb to this boy's anal retentive perfectionist mindset .  Over the subsequent months, even with care (washing and waxing) it all goes downhill from there.

Gotta run, gang.

Jack

[sir james I]

Good Morning

73/88 today, still no rain.

Strohs started making ice cream during prohibition, cause they couldn't make beer. It was so well liked they just kept making it. No great adventure today, I will just enjoy another summer day.

S.J.

[cnw1995]

Aloha. A beauty of a summer's day here in Chicago. Got all the carpet out of the basement and in the garage. A good workout. Tonight I'll cut and bundle it for the trash pickup. And start lining up what else to toss - we get one large item to toss for 'free' a week- else it's $20 a piece.  SJ, when you found that Strohs lemon ice, I could only think of the beer   - I've had great results from our local Maaco in paint matching parts.  Roy and Traindood, I've had all sorts of adventures with water lines - one blew in the laundry room - now they are steel mesh. A copper one from the fridge kinked beneath the floor, That was two floods ago . Now something is leaking under the sink. Sigh. Gas here is the most expensive in our fair land: $3.96. Nothing like over in ole Blighty though, as John says.  With the price of petrol there nearly $11, I always wonder who can afford to drive the cars featured on Top Gear. Boy, did my daughter really turn 20 today?

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a very humid 74 degrees. Going up to 88 today with cloudy skies.

Today is a busy day. I have a bunch of chores and a project to work on. I'll be busy until naptime.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[rtraincollector]

CTT finally got here yesterday which was nice. Looks to be interesting issue haven't really gotten into it yet.

Well went to work this am to just turn around and come back as after getting there realize thats thae last place I needed to be coughin and hackin around patients and other co-workers.

Maybe tomorrow will be better not as bad as yesterday but still bad enough. Sore throat about all gone thank goodness.

Nothin really planned for today so will see what I do probably just sit around and maybe watch some TV as for something different.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 90s.  Went for walk last night with the missus.  Dog rooted out another rabbit nest and got a tasty snack for herself.  Long day, busy day, good day at work.  I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast before sending it on to "Points East".  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[John Bakeer]

You should complain!

Ours is equal to $10.50 a gallon!!! (70% tax).

[8ntruck]

Dashboard thermometer said 102, radio claimed 97 today.

CTT finally showed up in today's mail.  Looks like a good one.

The hot weather has cooked a bunch of stuff in our viggie patch - onions, beans, some of the pepper plants and squash plants.  Still watering.  Not sure that it will help, though.

All for now.

[Demay]

Good evening all,

The moving company came today to come up with an estimate for our household goods weight.  We certainly were shocked when the estimate was 13,600 pounds.  We are only permitted to ship 13,500 pounds and we thought we were well below that mark.  If we go over the 13,500 we will have to pay some hefty fees so there will be some purging in the next couple of weeks.

The one item I need to get rid of is my layout table/platform.  If anyone know someone here in OK who would like a 5'6" x 10' layout platform let me know. 

I grilled some thick, tasty pork chops for dinner tonight.  Afterwards, I ran the trains with the boys and then watched some baseball with the 8y/o boy.  The Yankees had a nice lead in the 8th so they should win their game as well.

Jack - I'd expect nothing less.  The only time your Sox lose is when the Yankees lose so it's hard for them to make up any ground.  I'm not too worried; there are many games left to play.

Traindood - You're the man.  We received the photos today and they are fantastic.  I will have them framed and hanging in the boys' room when we get to Japan.  I thought it was Don Mattingly in the dugout in the Reggie photo, but then I remembered the date and knew it couldn't be him, so I'm thinking it is Guidry.

It's time to get some sleep.

Good night,

Joe

[Brutus]

Lemon icecream sounds good!  I've had lemon Italian Ice many times.  Is it a similar flavor?

Prayers for John Baker, Cathy, Don, DDG, and John's friend.  Also for my friend Jeff's father-in-law, Sharpie, who is battling kidney failure today.  Prayers for us all and for our intentions and loved ones.

No trains today, just work and then goofed off.  Had a gerber sandwich for dinner from Ruma's Deli.  Thin sliced ham on italian bread with provel cheese, toasted.  Smokey and salty and good.  I should not eat ham, I guess - but it sure was good

TARDIS is ready and we can have banilla, lol!

[sir james I]

Good Evening

A trip to the store this morning, took granny with me, spent at least 30% more than going alone. Reg gas is $3.66 and up. I put $35. in the truck and stopped, man that's not even 10 gallons. Banilla is waiting and no you can't have the lemon it's mine and I'm greedy..S.J.

 

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon all!

106 here today. 24 days in a row over 100 and >100 predicted for next 8 days. 32 total days over 100 so far this year. Looks like this year will move up to #2 hottest behind 1980. Low tonight will be 83. Flew over the Tetons on way back from Vancouver last Thurs and the amount of snow was amazing. Don't know if you guys caught the news back on the 4th, but Lake Tahoe was open for July 4th skiing - first time since 96. Don and DougdG - send some of that snow our way would ya?

Fife - those photos only reinforce that you can dress it up but it is still a <fill in the blank>.

John - prayers for your friend also.

Dealing with the almost 18 year old (Doug M can relate) and cigars - always something...

Dood - I am with you - I avoid plastic lines whenever possible but I gave in under the kitchen sink (but they are the stainless braid reinforced lines). My ice maker line is copper also - had to fight the refrigerator delivery guys a few years ago over that. Told them I would take care of it if it was too difficult for them to reconnect the copper line without kinking it.

Have a great evening all!

 

[traindood]

Afternoon fellas and gals;     Rainin' like cats and doggies here!    Yahoo!  Please, don't stop the rain.........for a while!    Hey Doug; i gotcha now.  Got three of them myself.  I calls 'em window wells.   Got drainage and all, extra thick special window covers,extra thick curved galvanized corregated metal barriers  Never had a leak from 'em .....yet!   Knock on wood!   However did you ever know someone who was so smart that he outsmarted hizz-self?   That'll be ME!   Had my water line for the ice maker blow out!  Half on the layout,half on the floor! Got rid of the sub-floor, got rid of the rugs, whew!  Changed the plastic line to copper. Now the world can turn again, until of course the next bone headed  thing i do rears it's ugly head!  Then it's back to the drawing board!        later.