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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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.

[sir james I]

Dennis, I have a bundle package with a cable company(WOW), it has worked good for me. All calls no charge, and the internet has been very reliable. Of course that's our company, can't speak for others.

[rtraincollector]

on magicjack you don't need a computor anymore just a modem to opperate it. they upgraded them

I personally have a bundle with my cable company also like sj does and I'm happy

[jeffrey-wimberly]

rtraincollector

on magicjack you don't need a computor anymore just a modem to opperate it. they upgraded them

Ah ha. That must be the Super MagicJack I've been hearing about.

[Brutus]

3 nights to go!  Prayers for all in need and for our loved ones, especially 8nt's family.

No rain today for a change.  Had to go in early to work so I could get off by 3, pick up my son, and make it to our eye doctor appointment.  We both ended up getting our eyes dilated, so no video games tonight.  Just watched some tv and chatted with RT and Kevin.  Also took a nap (sorry guys!) for a little while

TARDIS will be ready shortly, we are just getting the icecream coolers loaded!

[SPMan]

Good evening all,

Had a lazy day today.  Haven't been out of the house all day because of the strong Santa Ana Winds.  No damage so far however.  Wife and I are home alone tonight because our live in adult son is out of town working today.  Thought about going out to eat but we decided to put together some left over turkey *** with rice and cream of chicken soup for an easy dinner.

Friend of ours called and said he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Has to go in for MRI next week and needs one of us to stay with his ailing wife while he is gone.  Hope they caught the cancer in time to do something about it.

Only two shopping days left and it looks like the wife and I will take a rain check.  Neither one of us feels like shopping.  We will just enjoy the company of our grown children and grandson and eat some spiral cut ham which we already bought.  We have some gifts for them but that's all we are doing.    I don't need more "things" for myself.  Got enough junk already.  We might just indulge ourselves with a box of "See's Candy".from the local gormet chocolatier.

I hear the dinner bell,

later,

Ray

[KRM]

Brutus

  .  We both ended up getting our eyes dilated, so no video games tonight.  Just watched some tv and chatted with RT and Kevin.  Also took a nap (sorry guys!) for a little while

TARDIS will be ready shortly, we are just getting the icecream coolers loaded!

Yeah it has been a long time since I had my eyes dilated............ I think it was in the 70s

Kev

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to head for the bed. See y'all tomorrow.

[dougdagrump]

Evenin' All.

Must be the time of year, the Better Half and I had eye exams today as well. We both came out with mixed reviews, she has an appointment in March for a glaucoma screening and I will be seeing a retinal specialist for my macular degeneration. Need to check to see if cataract surgery would be advisable or not based on the macular degeneration. One eye is great the other is . Never know, you might see me wearing a  eye patch one of these years.

Had to stop and pick-up prescriptions on the way home and one of them was screwed-up so they had to be resubmitted to insurance comp which took awhile. We decided to grab dinner at Mickey D's since neither of us felt like trying to cook w/dilated pupils, I swear that was the best tasting Big Mac I ever had. Wonder if eating the so-called "forbidden fruit" had anything to do with it.

No museum for me tomorrow, but I may go in for a shortened day on saturday since it will be closing early. Rite now only one guy signed up. I don't believe one person should be there alone, there is just to much potential for problems. Will just have to get up early to get da bird in the brine before heading out.

Prayers going out for all our spouses, family members and friends in need.

Later All !

[RockIsland52]

SPMan

Good evening all,

........Only two shopping days left and it looks like the wife and I will take a rain check.  Neither one of us feels like shopping.  ...... I don't need more "things" for myself.  Got enough junk already.  We might just indulge ourselves with a box of "See's Candy".from the local gormet chocolatier.

Ray

I still think you need new tires on the 1987 Buick.......no, not yours.  The Grand National you also get yourself for Christmas.

Jack

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

We had a nice drive to Tokyo this morning; it only took us about 75 minutes.  The streets were pretty much empty in the part of Tokyo we came to which was probably due to it being Emperor Day.  We had some difficulty finding the hotel though once we got into the city; the GPS had us on the wrong side of the street.  We figured it out after about 10 minutes and one phone call.  The princess and I took two subways and one train each way to get to the ballet and back to the hotel.  The only confusing parts were the fares for the stops were not written in English.  All the lines and stops were so it was odd the fares weren't.  The Japanese folks were very helpful with us buying the right tickets from the ATM-like machines they are sold in.  The subway and train systems here are very efficient and clean.  The ballet was very nice and now we are getting ready for dinner - I'm having sushi tonight!  The view from our hotel room is pretty cool too. 

Roy - Thanks for the information.  I have two inverters: one is 150 watts and the other is 400 watts.  The charger I used was not very powerful, but it had many different settings.  Unfortunately my selection of charges was limited to that one model. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  40 and cool here but not bad for the 23rd of December.  Half day with the kidos.

JEFF in la., no need for the water in the bowl.  Ruins the popcorn.  Just have the bowl there and instant popcorn.  Great food for movie watchin.  BTW nice bunch o heeps there too.

Stay frosty,

laz57

[laz 57]

TRAINDOOD,

  When the jidos ask how do you feel?  Just show them your hands.  Hope all is going well DOOD.  Prayers for NO MORE stitches.

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is 40 degrees and dark. Going up to 48 today with some sunshine.

Today is a busy day. Wife is shopping and I have chores to do. I have been working on exercises to walk up and down steps. Legs getting stronger. Not to much longer and I will run trains.

Buckeye & LAZ....... TGIF

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

SORRY CHUCK and BUCKEYE,

TGIF!!!!!!

Gee all these thoughts of SANTA on the brain?

laz57

[RockIsland52]

Good Mornin' Y'all From Rainy & 36 Degree Taxachusetts,

The temperatures have been up and down the past few days.  It has been as low as 11.  Last night overnight the mid to high 50s, then dropping to the high 30s.  Supposed to be a brown/tan Christmas this year.  Last year on December 26 we got hit with a blizzard (and 18" if I recall correctly), high winds and drifting to 3 feet.  It was great to be fully stocked up, have leftovers and goodies, and be housebound....... where there was nothing to and all day to do it do except clear the snow, build a fire, and goof off with the trains.

I think the Christmas Miracle of 2011 is about to unfold.  Las Vegas is now taking bets.  Odds on RI52 are looking favorable.

My wife has always been of the stated opinion that I have "enough" trains.  Fact is, relative to youse guyz on the Pot, I have very little; and all of it except two engines are from my 1950s childhood.  Yes, I have my son's starter set, but that doesn't count in my mind.  OK, you guys can all wipe the tears from your eyes right now because Heidi is about to be reunited with the Grandfather shortly, I hope.    

Why do I say that?  The most recent incoming emails have tipped me off that "someone" in the house (not me) has been looking at O gauge Polar Express sets (Yahoo @ $263).   

When I returned home after my trip to my Lionel train store earlier this week (needed a couple of pieces of track), I had left the Lionel "A Christmas Tradition 2011" catalogue on the kitchen table, "accidentally" opened to the Polar Express section.  Wife and son saw the catalogue and started looking at it.  I casually pointed out in front of them that they had new and used PE stuff at the train store, that the granddaughter would be thrilled to see it run at Christmas.  

 Last week I had also been talking about building a PE engine and consist while the wife (with me and son) had watched the PE movie.  At that point the wife had not changed her "outward" opinion, that "we" have more than enough.   You may have also seen my posts last week on another thread about assembling my own PE arrangement by buying the cars etc. and a 726 or 736 Postwar Berk.  

I liken myself to underdog Rocky Balboa (me) who finally has the unbeatable Drago (wife) trapped on the ropes in the corner in the 15th round, pounding away, and on the cusp of victory.   

While at face value the PE set is nothing spectacular, there are strong indications that I have created a strategic crack in Pam's armor.    With my son seemingly in my corner (Paulie) in all of this, it appears my propaganda machine may finally bear fruit.  .     

DougDG...........I sure hope the eye doctors can help you and the wifey with this stuff.   I am due to go back in next month myself and don't know my eye Doc from a hole in the ground.

8N.........continued prayers for your Mom.  It must be tough watching and waiting.

Kevin...........I was a "good" boy back in the 60s and 70s.  Which means, I graduated. 

Dennis.........I bundled with Comcast which included internet, cable, and all phone (unlimited), no issues to speak of.  I am saving about $85 per month from bundling.  Verizon had a lower price but their contract price was only for 6 months.  Comcast contract is for two years and included a channel upgrade (pay movie channels) and a faster internet service.  Installation was free.  A modem was added in the basement with battery backup, .....no other changes or disruption of my current equipment which includes four cordless phones and one hard wired one.   Comcast is not the cheapest out there.  But I have been very fortunate that the service I have received when required has been solid, resolved over the phone.  We make a lot of long distance calls to out of town relatives and use the cordless handset speakerphones.  About once a month I get a "bad connection" just like I have had with the land line service it replaced (Verizon/local and ATT/LD).  I just hang up and call again, voice is clear.    

JoeyD........that subway ride with all the signs in Japanese could have been worse.  You could have missed your stop and you and the Princess wound up in Roseyville.

Bob.........a transfer?  Hard to beat your current set up except your shift/hours are pretty taxing.  With your current job you have the extended time off between shifts which has its benefits.  A view that can't be beat.  And you are pretty much left alone to "Git 'er done."  I hope for the best for you no matter which way you go.

Traindood.........you can't hold a glass of beer?!?  Buy straws!!!!

JimSP.........I hear you.  We went to our 8 y/o granddaughter's Christmas concert yesterday, and the kids were pretty excited about the big day this time of year.  Our granddaughter is into both sides of the coin, the religious perspective and the Santa side.  Plus old granddad has injected geography into the picture.  Bethlehem was on a waterfront!!!!!  This also explains why this year I placed the  lighted lighthouse behind the Nativity scene under the tree.    

Later, gang.  Soon I will be off to the grocery store to do the Christmas dinner shopping.  We are having Christmas Eve here as is tradition.  Formal dinner and the opening of a few small gifts for each person while the grandchildren cash in from Grammy and Grampy. 

The dinner is a  formal,  sit-down dinner...... which means dragging out china, crystal glasses, and flatware that we use maybe twice a year.  Believe it or not, I began buying this stuff about 4 decades ago a litlle at a time when I was a bachelor and had little money to spare (the influece of my Mom and Dad)!  Then I filled out what we were missing with my wife.  Finally, we added the finishing touches to the collection from my Mom and Dad's stuff when they passed.  I can set a pretty impressive table right down to cloth napkins and candelabras, and it all makes the wifey quite happy.  To buy this stuff today?????  Ouch!!!!  Would need to rob a bank.  

And if anyone breaks a piece Christmas Eve, they will be summarily taken out back,  executed, and salvaged for "parts."  Some of the pieces simply cannot be replaced due to age and/or rarity, even at "Replacements Unlimited" and other similar webites.   

Jack

[dwiemer]

Morning all.  Thanks for the responses to my question.  I will see if Verizon is planning on having bundled services out our way soon.  Only cable option is Mediacom and they are horrible!  I had them in the past and everything was lousy.  When we moved here, they wanted us to pay for the cable run from two miles away....I think not! 

Well, I feel like something the dog dragged in.  Got the crud in a big way and just hoping I  don't have a busy weekend on call.  Doug, I once had my eyes dialated and then had to go do emergency surgery....boy was that fun.  I don't envy you.  Hope all is well and the MD is not any worse.  I know they are making strides in dealing with it, but am not  that familiar with it.

Bob, I wish you well in whichever direction they lead you.  I am sure your work ethic will serve you well wherever you go. 

I had better get off this computer and get medicated, so I can head into work.
God Bless,
Dennis

[traindaddy1]

Hi! 

Well, our first Christmas here in Orlando.  The weather forecast for the holiday is around 80 degrees. Coming from the Bronx, it sure is something to get use to but, like they say, someone has to do it.

From this "older" guy and his Chief Engineer, we wish you and yours, a very Merry Christmas.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Busy day.  Wifey's dropby.   Always a pain until guests arrive.  Then everything OK.  Sunny and extra warm. 

traindaddy1

Hi! 

Well, our first Christmas here in Orlando.  The weather forecast for the holiday is around 80 degrees. Coming from the Bronx, it sure is something to get use to but, like they say, someone has to do it.

From this "older" guy and his Chief Engineer, we wish you and yours, a very Merry Christmas.

Welcome to the South.  I like Orlando and the Bass Pro Shops there.  Was one of my favorite stores to work.

Off to Raleigh and etc for last minute shopping.

Later

[Stourbridge Lion]

Good Morning CTT Fans!

Yep, got hit with about 10" of Snow yesterday and decided to stay home and do the telecommute thing.  Dropped down to 10F overnight and current 16F but the Sun is working it's way out.  Should be a good weekend for Holiday activities

[KRM]

RockIsland52

 

I liken myself to underdog Rocky Balboa (me) who finally has the unbeatable Drago (wife) trapped on the ropes in the corner in the 15th round, pounding away, and on the cusp of victory.   

While at face value the PE set is nothing spectacular, there are strong indications that I have created a strategic crack in Pam's armor.    With my son seemingly in my corner (Paulie) in all of this, it appears my propaganda machine may finally bear fruit.  .     

 Jack, You are a great storyteller, I love your posts and hope Santa gets you that PE set.

Kevin...........I was a "good" boy back in the 60s and 70s.  Which means, I graduated. 

 Oh I graduated al right, that was in 1970 before all of the strange stuff started.

Chilly 20 degrees when I got outside today around 8:00 AM but sunny and still. I figured the ground had some frost in it so decided to put the car hailer trailer away in the cold side of the shed..Ground was still soft and I left some sink marks in the yard before I got it in but not too bad.

Roy,     

In doing this I had to remove the snowplow from the front of the tractor and I did all of that with the shed doors open and when the shed hit 35 degrees Wham!!!  the furnace kicked in right on the spot. So I had finished with moving the trailer by then and had the tractor back in the shed with the plow back on it.

I shut the shed doors and in ten minutes or so it kicked off right at 45 degrees as per your plan.    Thanks for the help on this Freeze Protection Circuit it should save me a bunch of LP over the winter by not having the shed at 48 degrees all of the time.  

Well moma is home till next year so I have to be on the straight and narrow. 

I think I am going to use Jack’s propaganda machine style on Sandra and see if I can add another 8’ on the end of the 16’ table run a 24’ straight run would be fun. I started working the idea with her last night after I showed her how I connected the two loops so you can now drive from one to the other and the clump foliage I laid around the fences and switches. 

You all have a good TGIF and I will see ya later.

Kev.

 

 

[MichRR714]

Off work today.  Just got done wrapping the wife's gifts with the kids.  That was fun, thought they were going to wrap me.

Will be working the holiday train display tonight at Greenfield Village.

I hope you all have a healthy, safe and memorable Christmas with your families and friends.

[sir james I]

Good Morning

28 with bright sun. The 40s are gone for awhile

Jack I hope Santa brings you that big train box you are expecting.

Joe Japan sounds like an interesting place to live or visit.

Chief i am not going to eat these instant grits you sent for Christmas. I will regift them and send them to RT.

No lunch today, big breakfast of eggs, real home fries,2 bacon and 1 toast....Merry Christmas....S.J.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Afternoon all from Southern Ohio,

All is set for the Christmas Weekend.  Going to pick up a few items for brides stocking on the way home from work.

Had fun with the kids last night.  They were making Christmas Cards, and putting them under the tree.  The tracks under the tree are cover now so no more train running till the roadway is cleared.

Jack – It is great when the kids keep both sides of Christmas in focus.

Bob-Good luck on the job consideration.  Options are usually good.

I’ll try and check back later

May God bless

Jim

[cnw1995]

Alo-ha from a sunny and mild Crystal Lake.  No white Christmas here. I'll take this weather any day.Rehearsal for Christmas services went super-late with the youngster. Now we start three days of 5 or is it 6 services. I enjoy serving on camera/ this time.  I'm fortunate to have a few days off too, though I still have to monitor things at work.  

Jack, I love your subtlety. That usually doesn't work for me. I think the only thing I will be getting for the layout is a small figurine of a man and his dog on a hike (which I picked out myself) from the youngest.

Jim, hope your eyes are well today. My eyes are so bad I always have to allot a lot of time for every check-up. Got to see a specialist in Jan. for a cataract or two.... Bob, new postion sounds intriguing. Joe, sounds like the ballet excursion was a success. I used to just through myself of the mercy of the local citizens in whatever town I was in for help.