Coffee Pot #12 December 2011 5+ years and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

dwiemer

Question for anyone who has dropped their land line phone, How did it work out for you?  What about internet service?  What kind of deals are out there?  We have had our AT&T line down more than working these last few days.   The internet via DSL still works, but the phones are hit N miss.  This weekend, they said that it was due to a major line break, most likely due to them putting a new traffic  light up at the end of our road.  Lastly, would you recommend going to a non land line for the home.

I have internet via cable. I dropped land line service years ago because of problems such as you describe and I didn't like the way the bills were going. Up and up and up while my service went down and down and down. I use a cell phone (free but only 68 minutes a month) for emergency calls. For my regular calls I use a MagicJack. It cost about $40 to purchase (one time cost per MagicJack and the first years service is included) and only costs $19.95 per year after that no matter how many calls I make within the US and Canada. International calling is available for mere pennies a minute but I've never needed to make any international calls. There's an exception to the internation fee. If I call another MagicJack user anywhere in the world (MagicJack to MagicJack) the call is free for both parties. I pay the $19.95 fee once a year. If it was broken down to months that would be $1.60 thereabouts. The down side is it only works as long as my computer is on and connected to the internet. The upside is I'm never awakened by the phone in the wee hours of the morning. I have the LOWEST phone bill in my neighborhood and I make calls all over the country! The device plugs into any powered USB port and can be used with any corded phone or cordless phone (as long as the base station is plugged into the MagicJack) and can be used with any internet connection except dialup and satellite. It even works with Wi-Fi. Learn more HERE.

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  I have posted several posts these last few days and only a few of them have actually shown up.  What's with that?  Anyway, I am on call and keeping busy.  Got home a short bit ago.  With any luck, I will get to stay here as I already took some Nyquil so I can sleep.  Can't stand being sick!

Question for anyone who has dropped their land line phone, How did it work out for you?  What about internet service?  What kind of deals are out there?  We have had our AT&T line down more than working these last few days.   The internet via DSL still works, but the phones are hit N miss.  This weekend, they said that it was due to a major line break, most likely due to them putting a new traffic  light up at the end of our road.  Lastly, would you recommend going to a non land line for the home.

Thanks,
Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I put a couple of pieces of corn on the cob in the microwave to heat it up. After a short period of time I start hearing a popping noise. I go and look and the corn kernels are popping RIGHT ON THE COB! I've heard of that happening but can't remember ever seeing it happen, until today. So I had corn on the cob AND popcorn. Guess next time I microwave corn on the cob it could be a good idea to put in a bowl of water first.

[sir james I]

Good Evening

39 and cloudy. The nice morning sun only lasted till 10:30 am. Looked good for a little while though. No train activity today. After grocery shopping this morning I just goofed off. Banilla is ready for the thingy crew...Merry Christmas....S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

submmbob

Jeffrey - the old cars look great!

Thanks. I'm going to scatter them around at the back of the layout with appropriate bushes, undergrowth, etc around them.

[submmbob]

Back home here in the Ol' Pueblo. Not too bad outside, but we have some clouds building.  More snow for the mountain.

I've had 4 different people take a look at the MG already and am waiting on a 5th. Have parts  (the non-greasy ones) all over the living room. Lots of interest, but everybody has to check w/ the wife first? What's up w/ that The lathe sold yesterday though, and hopefully I will have a buyer for the car by the time I go back to work.

SJ - good knews on Granny's knee

Traindood - good to hear you are on the mend

8N - thoughts and prayers for your mom

Jeffrey - the old cars look great!

Staying in town for Christmas. Have different friends wanting to have me over, so I should stay busy. Hope to start the motorcycle and work on the corvair. Got the sheetmetal back yesterday from the powder coater. Absolutely beautiful! Of course, now I need to get the MG stuff on display out of the way

May be transferring in the job. Will keep you posted.

Steam and air-cooled engines forever!!

Bob

[jeffrey-wimberly]

wrmcclellan

Jeffrey - are you able to get normal latex paint to lay down and not hide details on your HO scale models?

In a word, yes. If by normal you mean latex house paint I have no problems with it going on thick. I get a little on the tip of the brush, dip it in water for just a moment then spread it on. It goes on thinly and doesn't fill in or hide details.

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Good day today. Clean bill of health from the neck doc so no return visits unless something changes.

Sunny day and 62 so the contractor was able to come out and finish the coloring and sealing of the front walk. Now if we could just get a landscaper to give us a bid to remove and replace the front beds we could close this off. We have had 5 landscapers out for quotes and then none called back. Thought people needed work? The concrete contractor offered to do the basic landscaping so we are going to talk after the holidays.

Traindood - looking forward to that video!

Jeffrey - are you able to get normal latex paint to lay down and not hide details on your HO scale models?

Joe - many battery chargers are low current devices and not capable of powering anything. You need to look at the wattage of your inverter and the amperage required on the 12 vdc input and then find a 12 vdc (50 Hz) supply that can provide the required current to the inverter. In round numbers you need about 1 ampere for the CW-80. So you need a 100-150 Watt inverter. The inverter will need about 10 amperes at 12-15 vdc to provide the power to the CW-80. So you need a pretty hefty 50 Hz power supply to get 12 vdc and 10 amps to supply the inverter.

Have a great evening all!

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Busy day installing fittings and plumbing and electronics for my inlaws. Needed to visit the Home Depot and Menards twice to get everything and return a defective hose. Menards had that great MILW set and other Menards train stuff. Off to church tonight with the youngest to rehearse for the Christmas services. Jeffrey- I noticed one of those old heaps a few photos ago is blocking the siding! They'll get a ticket.  I wish I could convince my bride building materials were a good gift.

[ChiefEagles]

Home.  Rain and warm.  May get some sun tomorrow but still warm. 

Later

[traindood]

Afternoon fellas and gals:     Thanx for all the kind words and well wishes.  Doc removed stitches today. OUCH!   Now  Doc says i must be real careful not to pull "Flap" open again or else it'll be back to stitch land!   YUK!   Wifey says to put brown glove on left hand so it'll match the right one!  Swell gal that wife is eh?   Just wait 'till i gets my hands back i says, then you'll see the fur fly!   Of course i can't even button my own shirt, so it'll be awhile.  Grown kids are always askin' if i'm felling any better. I says to them; how would you feel if you couldn't even hold a beer glass?  Jr., the wise cracker says i could always do funnels.  Yea, that'll look great on video.        later.

[rtraincollector]

This is from an unknown author, and has circulated around the 'Net several
times, but it's appropriate for the holiday season.

 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through my pike,
 Not a steamer was stirring, not even a Mike.
 My yard tracks invitingly empty and bare,
 In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

 The diesels were nestled all snug in their sheds,
 While visions of DCC danced in their heads.
 While I, in my blue-and-white engineer's cap,
 Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

 When down in the train room, there rose such a clatter,
  I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
 Away to the basement I flew like an ace,
 Tripped over the cat and fell flat on my face.

 I stifled a curse meant for Chessie (the cat),
 And I muttered to no one, "I meant to do that,"
 When what to my wondering eyes should appear
 But an HO-scale sleigh and eight Preiser reindeer,

 With an engineer driving, so lively and quick,
 I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
 More rapid than GG-1's, onward they came,
 And he blew a steam whistle and called them by name:

 "On Athearn!  On Lionel, Kato and Walthers!
 On Kadee and Micro-Trains, Atlas and others!
 To the top of the mountains of Hydrocal plaster,
 Now dash away, dash away, dash away faster!"

 As dry leaves that behind a new Genesis fly,
 When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
 So in through the window the coursers they flew
 With the sleigh full of trains, and St. Nicholas too.

 And then, on my roundhouse, I saw on the roof
 The prints in the dust of each HO-scale hoof.
 As I drew a deep breathe, and was turning around,
 From beneath the benchwork, St. Nick came with a bound.

 He was dressed like an engineer from head to foot,
 And his clothes had that fine smell of ashes and soot;
 A bundle of trains he had flung on his back,
 And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

 His eyes - just like marker lights! Dimples, how merry!
 His cheeks like a Warbonnet; nose like a cherry!
 His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
 And his beard was so white; it would please Phoebe Snow.

 He puffed on a pipe as he refilled its bowl,
 And the smoke, it smelled just like bituminous coal.
 He had a broad face and a belly (I found)
 That shook like a tank car with wheels out-of-round.

 He was chubby and plump, and I wanted to shout,
 "Yes!  The man's got a route the UP can't buy out!"
 A wink of his eye as he passed near the door
 Soon gave me to know I'd have freight cars galore.

 He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.
 He filled all my yard tracks; then turned with a jerk,
 And leaving an airbrush he'd found on eBay,
 And giving a nod, he returned to his sleigh.

 He pumped up the brakes, blew two blasts on his whistle,
 And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
 But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
 "MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!  KEEP 'EM ROLLING! GOOD-NIGHT!"

 High greens and clear track to all of you!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Afternoon all from cloudy but warm for December Southern Ohio,

Took half a day off from work this morning for a funeral, then swung by the BMV for driver license renewal. 

 

On the tires issue, just put 4 new ones on the Avalon, I put on Kelly Charger GTs, about $100 each.  The new skins made a big difference in the ride and handling.

 

We finished wrapping the kids presents last night.  Some are under the tree and others from Santa are hidden in the garage.  Bride and I are going very low key for each other this year.  With a significant amount of coin going into the bedroom addition we are giving each other building materials.  I suggested a big bow on the outside. 

The waste lines are all dry fitted in, and will dry fit the supply lines this evening hopefully.  After the plumbing is done I and finish hanging the sheetrock.  Valentine’s Day move in is still a reasonable target.

 

The kids are off from school now and are so excited.  It is neat to watch and hear them.  We are so blessed to be raising our grandkids.  They love running the prewar Marx Tinplate under the tree.  They load the gondolas with legos, Lincoln Logs, cars and soldiers.  It is a lot of fun. 

 

Prayers for Mom’s friends and brides for healing.

 

May God bless

Jim

[SPMan]

Good day all, it's late morning here.  The Santa Ana winds are blowing again today.  Had to take some of my yard decorations down to keep them from blowing away.

Had a nice phone call with one of my oldest friends back in Virginia Beach, Va.  He is the one who is suffering from ALS (Lou Gerig's Disease).  His wife stays with him almost 24/7.  That woman has to be a saint.

Might do a little shopping today if the wind calms down some and my wife feels up to it.

Have a good Christmas week,

Ray

[RockIsland52]

fifedog

Fifemax, our new 8 week border collie pup, iz in da house now.  Woke up at 3am wanting to play last night...  Youngest princess is overjoyed.

Fife......it was great to hear Fifemax puppy is home.   I would think at 3AM the pup had a pee in mind.......figure those tiny bladders are only good for an hour past the number of months old they are, 3 hours for you!!!!  Sleepless in Fifedom is what you are!!!! 

Jack

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

We just returned from my unit's Christmas party.  The food and music were okay, but the prizes were fantastic.  We won $240 cash and an iPad; not bad for only buying $20 worth of raffle tickets.  The other prizes were a large flat screen television, a Canon EOS Rebel, a Coach purse, an Apple television box, and a Macbook.  Our unit's booster club does a great job raising money throughout the year to buy these prizes.  My wife will keep the iPad; I am not an Apple user, but I'm sure I will have to learn how to use it so I can teach her.  She should be fine since she already has an iPhone.  I'm hoping I could keep the cash for train items, but I have a feeling I'll be spending it tomorrow in Tokyo.  The wife was able to open one of her Christmas presents tonight since I knew she would want to wear it to the party.  I bought it from Tiffany's and she loved it. 

Earlier today, I tried to rectify my 50 Hz issue but was unsuccessful.  I purchased a car batter charger and then hooked up my 12 V inverter to the charger, but the charger did not even power up the inverter.  Last week I tried hooking up a homemade 12 V power source to the inverter but that did not work either.  I need to reread some of the blogs I've seen about this to exhaust my efforts.  I may just run trains without Trainsounds while I'm here.

It's time for bed since we are leaving early for Tokyo.

8N - I'll be praying for you and your mom.

Kev - The flash mobs can get out of hand sometimes. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[jefelectric]

Good morning,

Quite a while since I posted.  The pressure is finally off as I installed the last piece of baseboard and the last two lighting fixtures this morning and now the doll house for the #5 granddaughter is finished in time for Christmas.  Do have the Christmas trains on the layout and three cars filled with candy so I am ready for the big day.

Hope everyone is doing OK.  I have not read the back posts since I posted last so I am sure I missed a lot.

Weather here has been quite dreary for the past few days.  It may be clear for Christmas, but the weather guys and gals can't seem to agree on that, so we will wait and see.

[KRM]

Demay

Kev – Your Christmas card was great to watch.  I don’t quite get the flash mob thing but that one was worthwhile. 

 Joe

Cloudy and frosty today,

Last day home alone or I should say wife’s last day of work till Jan 3^rd. I need to load up some firewood to take to my son’s for Christmas eve. Funny thing is he will take as much wood as

I can CUT, SPLIT, LOAD, and DELIVER. Go figure.

Thanks Joe,

I thought it was good. I also did not get the flash mob thing and almost did not open it up but am glad I did.

Guess a Flash Mob is people doing weird things in front of people they don’t know or something along those lines. That must be one heck of a large congregation to have that many people in there to to fill the mall with song.

Merry Christmas everyone,

Kev.

[sir james I]

Good morning

41 w/sun, it's been a few days since we have seen the sun. Granny is off with daughter and kids to see Alvin. She was going grocery shopping with me but this way I will buy less. Buy whats on the list and get out. Nice chat with some of the guys last night....Merry Christmas.........S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. Winter begins today. It's very wet here. The temp is 48°, the high will be 60° so the weather guesser says and there's a near 100% chance of rain this morning.

If my calculations are correct last night was the longest night of the year (5:16 pm to 5:30 am). I checked the rain gauge yesterday to see how much rain we got on the 20th. Three and three eighths inches. That brought the lake up a bit but nowhere near where it needs to be. It will be interesting to see how much we get today.

Well, this morning I moved the painted castings out of the project area. Problem is the space has been taken up by more unpainted castings. Unless the rain clears out I won't be able to start on them today. They first need to be lightly sprayed with gray primer. Otherwise the latex paint I use won't stick in an even coat, rather bead up, run off or both. These castings are mostly assorted crates, a few wheels and a junk scene with a couple of Model T's and a few other pre-1930's cars.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is 43 degrees. Going up to 50 today with the hopes of no rain.

Today is an easy day. I have some chores to do and a little paperwork. Then, I can relax. I spoke with the daughter last night and she is going to try to make it down here during the Holidays. We have not seen the grandkids in over 6 months. Wish we lived closer.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

   Rainy but warm 50 going up to 54.  Getting kidos done with projects

Stay frosty,

laz57

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is cloudy again in SE Indiana.  Last day of work until next year.  Going to be a long day.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[8ntruck]

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, all.  Mom was moved out of intensive care today into a 'regular' room.  They started physical therapy with her today too.  Still day to day though.  Going to be a long road to recovery.

SPman - I think you are correct about  your tires being flat spotted.  This does not happen as easily as it used to, but is still possible.  Even though you have good tread on the tires, take a good look at the sidewalls, as sunlight and ozone might cause cracks there.  Cracks in the rubber in the sidewalls of the tires can be bad news - espically at 60+ mph. 

All for now.

[Brutus]

8NT - prayers man.  Work work work lately.  Tonight was haircut nite at the salon, but my back was bothering me so I just stayed home while they all went without me.  Have to get up early tomorrow, so I can get off work in time for an eye doctor appointment. Joe - sounds like a sweet sound system!  TARDIS is ready, so let's get moving!

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Pretty cool/cloudy today. Low 50's for high? Froze last night. Seasonal weather for Christmas predicted. Good for fires in the fireplace.

Helped some friends with a layout (wiring) today. Ran a loco for tests. Wired switches and a couple of 213 lift bridges.

SJ - good to hear the granny news!

I have doc appt tomorrow morning for followup on the neck. Definitely better and less numbness.

Have a great evening all!

[AF53]

Shopping all done. Dinner was GREAT, local itailian restuarant. Time to rest.

dougdagrump - That video gave me a headache from laughing so much! Thanks!

Ray

[dougdagrump]

For anybody in need of a chuckle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=FrTbnczYAd4&feature=player_embedded 

Gotta run, Da Cookie Monster is in da kitchen. Again.....

  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It's been a busy day for me so I'm calling it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[Demay]

Ohayō (O-hi-o for Chuck),

It's Thursday morning and day four of my time off.  I spent the past two days off working ahead on some schoolwork, finishing shopping, and having fun with the family.  The wife is at the beauty salon now having her nails touched up since tonight is my unit's Christmas party.  It is an adult only party so I hope it doesn't get out of hand.  My wife and I are no longer the late night partiers so I don't see us staying at the party until its scheduled 2300 end.  Usually by that time we have been in our pajamas for about an hour.  The wife bought The Polar Express for us to watch.  I cannot believe I never purchased that movie myself.  We watched it two nights ago and we will watch it again Christmas Day.  I bought a Bose Soundock 10 so we could play music throughout the house from my wife’s iPhone and our laptops, and I also hooked it up to the DVD player.  Wow, this thing sound awesome and the PE movie sounded incredible coming through this device.  I have wanted a Bose speaker/system for some time and this is definitely worth the money. 

Tomorrow we will drive to Tokyo and spend the night there.  I will take our princess to The Nutcracker in the afternoon and then all of us will explore Tokyo at night.  The drive to Tokyo may be tricky tomorrow as Dec 23rd is Emperor's Day which is a huge holiday here.  I heard traffic can be crazy but since we are not going to the Imperial Palace we should be okay.

It's time for me to make some lunch for the kids.

Jack – Thanks, I enjoy your posts very much.  In the past I have never been able to take so much time off around Christmas.  I am very blessed to be able to do it this year and I am trying to impress the real reason for the season upon the kids. 

Kev – Your Christmas card was great to watch.  I don’t quite get the flash mob thing but that one was worthwhile. 

Traindood – Thanks for checking in.  I’m glad you’re on the mend.  Next time follow your wife’s advice and fall on your head – maybe you’ll wake up a Yankees fan. 

SJ and Charlie – The ore cars look neat and yes that is a great value.  I think I may have a couple of RMT Air Force depressed flat cars with missiles on them wrapped up under the tree.  I’ll find out in three days.

Sayonara,

Joe