Coffee Pot #5 MAY 2013 TEN years [April 1 is Anniv.] and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat. Grits for the Yanks.

[KRM]

Hi,

 Nice day,

 Did the mom thing for the wife, My Mom has been gone for over 55 years, never knew her. . Cut 3/5th of the grass and called it a day. can do the rest tomorrow.

We went to Kroger's and got food, we saved over $42.00 on $200.00 of stuff and did not have to see Chief or any of the other  Wall-Martians. I would give back the $42.00 for that.  Kroger's is nice because they see what you buy and send you coupons for what they know you want. Also we got points so Sandra could get gas at $.10 off. And they actually have people working the check out lanes so you can get out. Not like Waldo / Chief / World where they have 22 check out lanes and only 4 open.   And they can all have the freedom to work for less so Wall-Mart can make more. In a Right to screw yourself state.  No wonder the place sucks. 

Looking for some layout update pictures Chief if you have time between the ribbon cuttings you are doing for the Wall-Marts.

John,  

All kidding aside, Have a good night. 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Hudson John...Happy Birthday 

Buckeye's Birthday is tomorrow.  The 14th this year.  He likes cake.

Chuck

[sir james I]

It's a chilly 42 degrees, not sure if it changed much all day. Mothers day things here as well, Went to Applebees for dinner, very busy of course but understaffed. It was a 2 hour ordeal, a very poor showing for a place that's normally good on service. No banilla for me tonight but plenty for the thingy crew....S.J.

Happy Birthday John

[submmbob]

Hello all

Managed to come down w/ a rather nasty cold after getting to the mountain, courtesy of one of my roomates Not the worst I've had up here, but getting there. Stayed in bed for over 18 hours. Right now staying at the Vatican telescope since we are full up at the inn here.

Thanks for the videos guys. I needed that today!

Mike must have smiled when he saw the young kid w/ the soccer ball. And 3 docksiders at once? I guess you need a couple extra to push the one that is broken down

I really like the look of the docksider and the 0-8-0 though. They remind me a lot of the #40 and the #93 on the Nevada Northern in many ways.

Will head back tomorrow morning.

Still need to call mom today. Hopefully that will go ok. There is a story there from a long time ago in a galaxy far far away.

Kev - Prayers for your friends. Great that you can help them out and spend time w/ them.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Surprising to see what you miss after being off for a few days. Will catch up later.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[Banks]

Hello all,

Spend Mom's day studying for tomorrows colonoscopy. Windy and cool here mid 50's was the high with a hard frost predicted for tonight. Gave mom a pair of hanging baskets. The Kids & grandkids stopped by this PM We're planning belated Mom's day feast from KFC next weekend

Enjoyed a long conversation with RI Jack while waiting on things to happen. Doberman's being the main topic. Raven is still amazing us with his demeanor and behavior.

Last weeks rain was welcome. Now we need some warmth to help things grow.

to Hudson and (just in case) Buckeye

Think I'll head to bed soon.

Prayers for those in need

[MichRR714]

Happy Birthday Hudson John

Belated Happy Birthday Chuck

[lion88roar]

Evening Fellas

Explain to me how when you work in a unionized shop and you are forced to tithe to the union and the guy across the street earning the same salary at a non-unionized shop doesn't tithe to a union - how that non-union guy earns less????????????

Had a wonderful Mother's Day except TheQ was sick. Both TheQ and I are fighting colds which makes it difficult caring for two children... but we made it work. Christina and I made a cup of hot tea for TheQ this morning, and then we carried mommy's cards and gift to her in bed. She read her cards and as she opened her gift - oh what a site! We bought her Vermont Teddy Bears for Mommie Day. The Mother bear and two cubs. Their names are embroidered on their outfits and I bought TheQ a new set of 'Worlds BEST Mother' PJs. "I would give you all a kiss if I weren't so sick".

Matthew was incredibly well behaved today. He had his bottle and then went back to sleep (we think he is teething and growing).  Christina and I spent time in the garage rebuilding the bridge for the layout. I didn't take many pictures because all I did was cut the 'supports' and then attached the skins. The PVC wood and heavy duty PVC glue worked awesome! Next up it to trim the skins on the bottom then top. Once that is done I can cut the openings for the arches. Then we'll trim the ends and clean her up for paint. I may have a few spots to fill in, but we'll see how these next few steps go. Will take pictures before I do any more work, and as I progress through the next steps.

-- Chuck happy belated birthday --

Prayers for those in need.

Fife - Families at Daycare have the Durango, Traverse, Pathfinder, Explorer, and that ugly freightliner van looking thing that Ford sells. IMHO the Pathfinder and Durango are a bit nicer that the others (both in styling and refined interior), followed by the Traverse, Explorer. My personal tendencies would be toward the Pathfinder since it gets better gas mileage and comes in a 4WD version vs AWD. If you are look at an AWD check to see if it requires premium fuel. Many do due to the added load on the engine.

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Ok, John, happy birthday!

Chuck, happy birthday!

Good morning.

Some work tonight, but doesn't look as if I'll be working late tonight.

Went to Elmira this weekend, and got the two seasons of Dogfights. Been looking for them for a while now. Also got a book called "An Ace of the Eighth". Haven't started it yet, but will soon.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a cool and sunny 47 degrees. Going up to 62 today with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I have some chores to do and a project to work on. Busy until lunch. Then, a nap.

Indians are tied with Tigers for first place. Today they play a double header with the Yankees. This ought to be good.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

[RedfireS197]

So glad to be out of retail and a union shop.  I won't miss dealing with those that think they're entitled to anything and everything, and cry if they don't get everything for nothing or cry when they actually have do their job.

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Well, we found 2" of snow on our lawn this morning...now pretty much melted off..thankfully...going to a high of 44F later on...

Doing the work from home thing this morning..then off to meetings this afternoon...project managing is so much fun....

Mayhaps may get some train time in later on...I do have an operating session planned for Wednesday...heeheehee

Have a great day peoples!!

[KRM]

Sunny but cool, going up to the 60s today and 80s tomorrow on the North Bluff.

BOC, get out the Snow shovel. 
Banks, I hope you pass your colonoscopy test today.

A huge  to John.

Bob, Get better soon, The Dockside Lives! 

Jake, I sent you another PM. 

SJ, heading to the post office now. 

Thought for the day. 
Median Household Income by State

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_income

N.C 39th in the US below the average of the US. Not much to talk about there. S.C. 42nd.
Right to work states, Look, and do the math. 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Right_to_Work_states.svg

I don’t think I have to say anything else.
The facts are there. The guy across the street making the same money as the guy on the other side is only doing so because of the guy that is in the union. The other guy is a freeloader and check more that his pay before you decide..
JMHO and you won’t change it. Your free to think or live where you want. I would rather live in a gray state. . Yes Unions do have their problems but as for me I do not regret the union dues I have paid over the years. They have more than paid me back. Just checks and balances. 

[anjdevil2]

Morning!

Mother's Day is today, Mom & Dad come home at 5, card is ready and Edible Arraignments fruit ordered for pick up.

Have to do my therapy today then go get my springs.  AND if all goes right, I order my headers for the Road Runner.....cost $15!   I saved my gift cards from Christmas and work.

Not to start a flame war, but, from my experience with unions are that they take your money in the name of "brotherhood" and don't bother with you after that.  I have seen many a "member" tossed out on his butt and not one union hack would help or defend him.  This is just like flat rate work for mechanics...pay a fair wage/salary, expect a days work.  If it doesn't work, then after all the consoling and training fails, bub-bye...

and in MY honest opinion, I should be able to CHOOSE if I want union representation or not...This is AMERICA not some communist/socialist state (or maybe we are?)

Feral cats fed, looks like it's time for me to find coffee and a newspaper!

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Had a nice weekend - I think the bride enjoyed her special day yesterday. She successfully surprised me with a early birthday dinner on Sat - with my brother and his wife flying in from Denver for it!

Today is a beautiful freezing (43) day in Chicago. Though allegedly, tomorrow will be 80.

Happy belated birthday, HudsonJohn! - and of course. isn't today another one of Buckeye's birthdays? 

Charlie, thanks for sharing such a great video of SJ's layout.

SJ, I love the fall foliage backdrop, the airplane over the layout (is it a DC-3?), that glossy red train and the 3-header!

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

KRM

Jake, I sent you another PM. 

Replied.

[KRM]

Lehigh Valley 2089

KRM

Jake, I sent you another PM. 

Replied.

Thanks but I don't know your last name.  and i will need it too.

[sir james I]

We have a sunny 42.

Banks I hope that dreaded study you did yesterday will pay off with an A+ today.

Doug M yes it is a plastic 1/48 model of a DC3. In fact all of the model planes are 1/48, they were easier to find than scale autos. I have not been in the train room since Saturday night. Got to get in there and put things back where they were before the meet. I just have to get past these achy joints first. Enjoy your new week and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHUCK as always....S.J.

[rtraincollector]

just one thing compare apples to apples you have to also look at the cost of living to the state your comparing to the state that's not and for your info union has nothing to do with it all it does is say we don't have to join and they can't threaten us if we don't there's lots of businesses here that have unions but in your proof why aren't the pay up if there's unions but still the pay isn't where you think it is. I still have not seen where a union was really for the ones they represent its more to pack there wallets the ones at the top.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Beautiful day except chilly.  Tonight may be the record low for the date.  40 degrees [not heard of this time of year in NC].

Had to get on the phone and it took a long time to book flight way out west of NC and return for July using some of those dividend miles I have "racked" up with US Airways.  Finally got it done.  Been discussing this trip for three years.  Finally doing it.

Now to mow and mow.  Grass growing so fast.  Then plant some more garden.

Hope all have a great week.  Thanks to all those hard workers who keep my SS check coming.

Later  

 

[KRM]

rtraincollector

just one thing compare apples to apples you have to also look at the cost of living to the state your comparing to the state that's not and for your info union has nothing to do with it all it does is say we don't have to join and they can't threaten us if we don't there's lots of businesses here that have unions but in your proof why aren't the pay up if there's unions but still the pay isn't where you think it is. I still have not seen where a union was really for the ones they represent its more to pack there wallets the ones at the top.

Chill out already guys.

 I was just showing the facts of the difference between RTW states income and non RTW states. 

Food, cars, and the day to day things cost the same wherever you go. Housing is another story.

You union haters go ahead on.

I have no more problem with unions than I do the cooperations that drove the need for the unions in the first place. 

Selling the UD today I hope. Then cut more grass like Chief.

Got to go,

[AF53]

Good Morning All!

Blueberryhill RR

Indians are tied with Tigers for first place. Today they play a double header with the Yankees. This ought to be good.

Chuck - I heard this will NOT be a day-night double header. Reminds me of the days when teams had built into a schedule these double headers. Went to a few. Great way to spend a day for the price of one game. Wish they still did it. tough for the Yanks as we play tomorrow night (our next game) against the Mariners, and they have the day off.

[lion88roar]

WOW... let's pick two states and high light them

VA is a RTW state and their medium income is in the uppermost median income by state.
Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota are RTW with average median income > $52,000

West Virginia is a non-RTW state and their median income is in the bottom most brack for median income.

MD, NJ, CT, and MA are non-RTW states but lets look at those states in a bit more detail...

MD - the median income in MD is scewed because of: 1. Cost of Living, 2. Proximity to DC, and the majority of residents live near big cities.

NJ - Northern NJ = NYC... enough said

CT - proximity to NYC and Boston (easy commute by train)

MA - the majority of the population lives within 1.5 hours (easy commute) of Boston, High Tourist $$$, and hi-cost of living.

So your hypothesis that RTW = lower salary is just plain... hogwash.

[RockIsland52]

Banks

......Spend Mom's day studying for tomorrows colonoscopy.....

......Enjoyed a long conversation with RI Jack while waiting on things to happen. Doberman's being the main topic. Raven is still amazing us with his demeanor and behavior.

......... to Hudson and (just in case) Buckeye

 

Banks.....it was a pleasure chatting with you and your wife yesterday about Raven.  I sent you a PM with the link to the FortunateK9 articles our canine trainer has written and published, some of which are very specific to adopted dogs and dogs with issues.  Hope these help.  Raven is lucky to have wound up with you, though it is quite sad that his previous owners came on hard times and had to find a new home for Raven.

 

Good luck with the plumber today.

 

Brutus.....my prayers continue for Char.  I hope she is making progress. 

 

KEV......it is tough when one's friends, acquaintances, and family face these life-threatening health issues.  The younger guys on the POT may not fully comprehend this fact of life as we get older.  Prayers for your buddies.

 

Chief......when do I get my first shipment of tomatoes?

 

HudsonJohn.....happy birthday!!!    I had the Red Sox lose a few so that you and your Yankees could temporarily enjoy first place on your birthday. 

 

Rich......hope your Doc's new roadmap for you is beginning to work.   Have you purchased twin turbos for your newest MOPAR acquisition?

 

V8 Dennis.........the ladies say that they like open air driving but actually detest getting their hair mussed up.  Put the targa back on the Del Sol.  Hope the car's a/c is working.

 

Other than Buckeye, who is having a birthday this week?

 

SJ and Charlie.....thanks for the video of SJ's railraod empire.  If I bring a sleeping bag, SJ, can I camp out under your layout and play with you guys?

 

Gotta run, gang.  I'll catch you up on my weekend later.

 

Jack

[RedfireS197]

KRM

rtraincollector

just one thing compare apples to apples you have to also look at the cost of living to the state your comparing to the state that's not and for your info union has nothing to do with it all it does is say we don't have to join and they can't threaten us if we don't there's lots of businesses here that have unions but in your proof why aren't the pay up if there's unions but still the pay isn't where you think it is. I still have not seen where a union was really for the ones they represent its more to pack there wallets the ones at the top.

Chill out already guys.

 I was just showing the facts of the difference between RTW states income and non RTW states. 

Food, cars, and the day to day things cost the same wherever you go. Housing is another story.

You union haters go ahead on.

I have no more problem with unions than I do the cooperations that drove the need for the unions in the first place. 

Selling the UD today I hope. Then cut more grass like Chief.

Got to go,

Try losing your job because of a union.  See if you feel the same way when you suddenly don't know how you are going to pay bills.  See how it feels to be stabbed in the back by those you trusted.

I feel the way I do because of the six months of hell that I went through.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Happy birthday HudsonJohn.     

*

Good morning. It's 68° with 43% humidity. It'll be sunny with a high of 82°.


Plans for today include going into town. I have to go to the bank then to the pharmacy. Other than that I'll be doing some more cleanup on the layout. A bit at a time, a piece here and a piece there.

The word for today is yági. That can be needle, fork, nail. One word, three uses.

[KRM]

Lunch break,

 The UD is gone and it is off to the bank.  then back home to cut grass,

 You last word guys believe what you want with the years and experiences you have. Live where you want, think what you want, vote like you want. I will do the same.  For every bad rap there is a good one. 

Off I go.  

[anjdevil2]

Kev,

You expressed an opinion and the collective >we< gave you a response.  You're a union guy, that's fine.  Point that should be taken that a right to work free of being pressured to be part of a union should be guaranteed by the law of the land, lest I quote from the US Constitution.   Possibly YOUR experiences were different, mine were NOT!!  And I and not a freeloader or a scab, my WORK ETHIC proves it.  My salary should not be the basis of what the collective wants, but what I bring to the table.  Prior to my knowledge, my Grandfather was a union fighter in NYC long ago. Rant over, my part of the UNION (other than the Union Army) discussion is done.

Princess and I had a talk, she is good right where she is right now.  Good thing too, I'll need a couple more months before I can think about an abode of my own.....

More to come.....I should think.....

[SPMan]

Morning all,

Still in the heat wave here until tomorrow.

Regarding unions, I have worked with them and without them.  I fared better with them.  I am a retired member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (now includes trainmen) BLET.  Sometimes things were bad enough with a union.  God knows what it would have been like without it.  The railroads would have eaten us alive without the union.  Sounds like they are doing a pretty good job of it today from what I hear.  No cabooses, engineer only in the cab, including passenger trains, remote controlled helper engines and yard engines.  They have one or two switchmen doing everything in the yard now including running the engine.  Just my two cents.

Ray