jaabat wrote: I'll usually point up to the sky and say "look at the dead bird", then run down stairs with my package before she sees it. Then, when I come back upstairs, I smack her on the fanny and tell her she should know that dead birds don't fly! Jim
I'll usually point up to the sky and say "look at the dead bird", then run down stairs with my package before she sees it. Then, when I come back upstairs, I smack her on the fanny and tell her she should know that dead birds don't fly!
Jim
Jim, I'm disgusted that you seem to copy my tricks of the trade, time and time again! Get your own bird! LOL...another top ten posting and the year has just started.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
My wife supports it, just from a matter of practicality. When I'm spending time and money on trains, she knows I'm not spending it on booze and other women. Most women I know have that attitude towards men's hobbies. She tells her mom, frequently, that if I'm not home, she knows I'm either at work, at one of the local hobby shops, or the hardware store.
If we were having trouble paying the bills, that would be another issue, of course. Since I tend to buy inexpensive stuff a few times a year, she has no problem with it. I probably spend about the same amount on trains as she spends on home decorating-type stuff.
Never even came into my mind. 35+ years and counting. The way I see it: This is 'only' a hobby and as a hobby, it should be enjoyed and shared. If you can't share with your spouse, then who? (Don't answer that-just kidding)
I don't even bother.
My wife and I have personal spending accounts separate from the main household finances. An equal amount is deposited to each account each month, automatically. She spends hers on golf, sewing materials and QVC purchases (mostly kitchen gear far in excess of any reasonable requirement - but it's her hobby and her money.) I spend mine on trains, layout building materials; and tickets and travel to sporting events. I don't audit hers, and she doesn't audit mine.
As far as hiding - no way! I had to prove that I needed the entire 2-car garage.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
dougdagrump wrote: I don't try, she is very supportive of my hobby.Besides if you do that it could result in a trip to divorce court where she could end up with half your empire.
I don't try, she is very supportive of my hobby.
Besides if you do that it could result in a trip to divorce court where she could end up with half your empire.
Besides,
I buy her anything she wants ............................Tim
hmmm As the wife I can tell you that when I first got into hosta gardening about five years ago that men simply do not understand the concept of spending 50-100 bucks on a plant. I figured if I could get it planted before the fun police gets home and it took a couple days for him to notice it then I could always say "that's been there" Now he doesn't even bother to ask how much that weed was anymore. Maybe it works the same with trains. You know the old don't ask, don't tell policy. Besides if all else fails it IS his train I'm spending it on.
Lisa
alexweiihman wrote:I m not married because Im only 13 but when my dad and I get a new train we sneak it past my mom by bringing it piece by peice in the house
Dude, whats the deal, you are only 13 and you come up with this question. Or maybe your dad put you up to it? LOL
Alex,
If you are real into trains before you marry, find yourself a woman that is supportive like the lucky dogs that replied in this thread, and chances are you won't have to deal with the fine arts of deception. In my case, I go seriously into trains after I got married, and as Lionroar has pointed out, dealing with ultimatums can have serious consequences. How? You really can lose half your empire!
Good Luck Kid
Stack
Smoke Stack Lightnin wrote: Alex,If you are real into trains before you marry, find yourself a woman that is supportive like the lucky dogs that replied in this thread, and chances are you won't have to deal with the fine arts of deception. In my case, I go seriously into trains after I got married, and as Lionroar has pointed out, dealing with ultimatums can have serious consequences. How? You really can lose half your empire!Good Luck KidStack
fifedog wrote:Jedi mind games usually work.
If you have to hide the fact you fact you bought a few items for your layout from your spouse, you either cannot budget money or have a bad marriage. I'm still a newlywed at 27+ years, won't be seasoned till I hit 30, but I've learned a few things along the way. Secrets are a dead end street, or a missing rail as the case may be.
FYI, My wife expects the trains running when the nephews come to visit, and so do they.
Rod L.
Good Grief! Your dad spends quality time with you playing trains and you have to hide it from mom? Where have family values gone?
Don't have to...Once the bills are paid and some savings is put away, she spends her money her way, I spend my money my way. Besides, she knows they keep me and my son out of trouble.
But if I had too.....I would think walking around with a train case disguised as a tool box might be the way to go.
The question reminds me of a sign I saw in the LHS:"My wife said she'll leave me if I buy on more train...I'm going to miss her!"
WE go to YORK twice a year and she picks up my Christmas and BDAY gifts there. We take the day off work and have a great day going through all the halls there. Then go to a nice resturant and have a good meal.
laz57
I find it very hard to believe any spouse could object to "trains". Usually the objection is just a sympton of what is really going on. My wife does not object to the trains. She does think I spend too much on trains. But it is her baggage that hates to see anything not spent on a new car, music, the house, or personal maintenance.
So I never complain when she purchases a CD. I, however, do not call attention to every purchase I make. I wish it were not so, that she would support the purchases I make. Still, what can you do except try your best to make things work.
I am not perfect, she is not perfect...but that does not mean I can not have a hobby or that she must agree (or approve) every purchase I make!
Jim H
FIFEDOG,
Works up an appetite, steak and beer.
fifedog wrote:laz57 - ok, ok, April, I'll supply the handtruck, YOU shuttle Mrs. fifedog around, I'll buy the beer. Deal?
Smoke Stack -- I am with you! My wife hates trains and makes no bones about it. She used tell people "trains ruined my life." She was also in severe depression unbeknownst to us for a number of years. She was a miserable "rhymes with witch" on a number of other levels, too, believe me. Now that she take her meds, she is much, much better. Depression runs in her family; her mother was a terrible case. My wife still doesn't like trains by any means, but we decide on a budget for me each year to spend on them and as long as I stay reasonably close to it, she will now tolerate my hobby. I think that "trains" are sometimes just a visible totem for other, deeper problems. I have always been easy about her purchases of whatever.
As for the original question (hiding them from the wife), try having them delivered by UPS to where you work (no UPS truck in front of your house). Then, hide them under junk in your car trunk, smuggle them into a dark corner of the garage under some old boxes, etc., when she's not looking, and into the house when she goes out. ONLY IF you can't just be honest about it!! If I had it to do over again, I'd do what I do now and have a lot less unpleasantness.
And, yes, I love my wife of 35 years very much anyway. Had to -- I stuck it out with her thru some nasty times!
P.S. It was kinda funny...back in the 90s, she used to go to trains shows with me to help sell trains (I'd have a table or two), and she'd tell folks, "I HATE TRAINS! Please help me get rid of them here!" It sometimes worked, and always set guys heads to scratching as they walked by.
Warburton- You are right. I don't think my wife actually hates trains or the hobby. She hates em cause I like em! She also is to be on meds but won't take them. She is an emotional roller coaster. I think (hope) it will all work out someday. I guess only the guys that love trains and also love a woman that loves to hate trains to hurt the guy that loves trains can only relate to this voodoo. If you ever hear news of a man that had to have a full scale Hudson surgically removed- that man will probably be me. It really has nothing to do with money management or being afraid of a woman. It has everything to do with loving both, and not wanting to hurt or do without either. A typical bad situation.
Stay positive!
Quite easy.....I'm not married! My girlfriend knows that complaining won't get her anywhere!!!
underworld
tbwilson4 That's a pretty good trick!!!
One more good trick...find a local or reasonably close train dealer and make arrangements to have him give you "dummy" receipts for your train purchases. That is, say a boxcar costs $40. You pay the $40 but get a fake receipt showing a $20 purchase to show your wife.
Now, this only works if the big problem isn't just bring home trains but rather how many $$ you spend on them. By using this method, you can effectively "double" your purchases. Unless she is really up on train pricing, she'll never know the difference. Also, I've found that dealers will offer this, er, "service" to good customers if asked. After all, they want you to keep buying from them! Be careful about charge purchases, though, if your wife may see the statements. Best to buy with cash only!
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month