I'm slowly getting the work materials and tools off the layout. At least I'll be able to see all of the layout again and be able to do some running of the trains. Won't be long though before I start cluttering it up again with work materials and tools.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Coffee TO GO, please & thanks.
***Ray, your mention of dementia & "the pain" business is sooooo familiar. MIL will complain almost constantly of back pain, although she somehow manages to vacuum the same 2 rugs for hours on end or move a massive piece of furniture around. Makes no sense at all, like most of her thought processes these days. (plus, the Doc said the scan of her back showed "nothing wrong") Seems she is getting worse daily now, which is why it's time for her to find the next stage of help elsewhere. And then there is the "sundowners syndrome" which both of them have, just to make things even more interesting.
Hey, anyone who marries a full time artist (artist = feast or famine) deserves the help with her parents. Honestly, ever since 9/11 my orignal artwork sales have yet to recover. Fortunately I still have critters and model trains for a diversion. It's especially challenging to do good work at the easel with the other #%^* going on around me.
Gotta get back downstairs now. Have a good day all & thanks for the support & kind words. Sure look forward to the wife getting home.
. Rob
Good afternoon all,
A sub sandwich with all the trimmings, please.
The Prayer Candle is lit for those in needs of thoughts and prayers.
Cederstrand ... so I'll be stuck caring for FIL all day. ...Ugh...not a happy camper but will do what I must. At least there is an end to this in sight now. Rob
... so I'll be stuck caring for FIL all day. ...Ugh...not a happy camper but will do what I must. At least there is an end to this in sight now.
Rob
Rob,
Taking care of someone in ill health is never easy. As the oldest child, I grew up taking care of a mother who had Multiple Sclerosis and declined in health and abilities every day, including er, ah, um "personal needs". She was diagnosed when I was 2. by age 10 I had to take care of the house, family's needs and her. she needed to even be fed by hand. I have always said I could never do it again (take care of someone that much again). I got relief from duties when my father was able to take early retirement to stay home and take care of her when I was 23. I don't honestly know if I could take care of my other half should anything happen. My MIL had a stroke about 12 years ago, and needs some care, but is still able to attend to her personal needs o.k. SHould the FIL go first, I don't know how well I could help take care of MIL all that well. My other half I think maybe I could take care of.
While I won't regret taking care of my mother (at least I had her around), It was a very tough thing to do, especially as a child and growing up, too.
We must remember that someday- someday in the future or at any given time- that something could happen to US and we may rely on someone to take care of US.
By helping to take care of your FIL, you have placed some "savings" in the "bank of life". Hopefully you will never have to "withdraw" that "savings".
Have a great day everyone!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
A little idea I'm working on for a sanding tower.
Big work for today...glued in some windows, set second rail on carfloat. Need to section rail on float as it is flex track. Amazing, the kit pieces don't have that fine fit one would like but the rail mount castings on the deck are perfect, car rolls like its on laid track.
Another coffee TO GO please.
***Galaxy, I nominate YOU for those medals. For someone so young to have such responsibility is....I don't even have words for that. Wow. As for myself, I'll crawl out and lay face down in the creek before I become too much a burden for others. My goal of course is to outlive my last 4-legged companion in reasonable health (able to feed and interact with them) by at least 1 day before that happens. My wife feels the same way, too.
***Jeffrey, must be very rewarding to have a layout so "finished", as I see it. Can't tell you how much I look forward to getting to the "carving foam stage" on my own.
Still trying to think of a decent track plan. There is enough track to work with, but the space seems soooooo small somehow. Guess without more "width", one is limited in depth (pretty obvious, I know). Hopefully I can find 30 minutes to work on it tomorrow. Gotta run. Wife is on her way home....YES!
Chloe, Flo, Zoe...whomever, a double cheeseburger, plate of fries, and bucket of coffee...boot blend is fine; thankyamuch.
Sunny but cool here, with just a slight breeze.
Tomorrow is Czech Villiage day, tracking down businesses recovering/returning from Flood '08. After that, it's off to the Supervisors and Conservation board meeting. It'll make a nice break from the monthly school board meeting. Thursday will still be "hell day" trying to write up a major article on the bridge. I started the article a few weeks ago...but nobody, save for one supervisor, will say anything until after tomorrow's meeting.
Rob: You're probably getting a little tired of the attention and atta-boys, but you DO deserve medals of honor, valor, humility...and decency. I know there is no way I'd have the patience for that. Yes, I spent a lot of time taking care of people...for about 20 minutes each, then they became somebody else's problem. I've spent enough time in the long term care facilities to know I couldn't work with people in that condition day in and day out. Must be a weakness of charecter on my part. I'm all but expecting health trouble with the in-laws. Fortunately, the wife has a sister and brother in the immediate area, and another brother in Louisianna... the four of 'em can (hopefully) band together. IF/when my parents go downhill...I'm it. No brothers/sisters to turn to for help.
Jeff: I'm liking the new sand tower, looks like a real good start.
ewl01Big work for today...glued in some windows, set second rail on carfloat.
I see the burger is here, so will slip on down to a back corner. Sure looks like another pie catapault being deployed, so will hunker down.
Chris
The Cedar cRapids Industrial Branch: Proudly Shipping Yesterday's CrunchBerries Tomorrow!
AmanaMedicJeff: I'm liking the new sand tower, looks like a real good start.
An oldie, but still a goody
Math is no joke
Little Zachary was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything...tutors, mentors, flash cards, special learning centers. In short, everything they could think of to help his math. Finally, in a last ditch effort, they took Zachary down and enrolled him In the local Catholic school. After the first day, little Zachary came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't even kiss his mother hello. Instead, he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Zachary was hard at work. His mother was amazed. She called him down to dinner.. To her shock, the minute he was done, he marched back to his room without a word, and in no time, he was back hitting the books as hard as before. This went on For some time, day after day, while the mother tried to understand what made all the difference. Finally, little Zachary brought home his report Card.. He quietly laid it on the table, went up to his room and hit the books.. With great trepidation, His Mom looked at it and to her great surprise, Little Zachary got an 'A' in math. She could no longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and said, 'Son, what was it? Was it the nuns?' Little Zachary looked at her and shook his head, no. 'Well, then,' she replied, Was it the books, the discipline, the structure, the uniforms? WHAT WAS IT?' Little Zachary looked at her and said, 'Well, on the first day of school when I saw that guy nailed to the plus sign, I knew they weren't fooling around.'
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
Cederstrand .....***Galaxy, I nominate YOU for those medals. For someone so young to have such responsibility is....I don't even have words for that. Wow. ... Rob
.....***Galaxy, I nominate YOU for those medals. For someone so young to have such responsibility is....I don't even have words for that. Wow. ...
Everybody have a great evening!
One last Coffee, but this one I'll have in a Santa Fe mug, please & thanks. Yea, wife is home, so I'll be in a corner booth for a bit.
KATO Unitrack swtich discovery: Went down to the train room for a few minutes and started sticking track section together. Put power to the rails and discovered those Unitrack switches act like blocks. Thant is to say, current doesn't transfer from one direction to the alternate direction (if that makes sense?) I would guess that when a unitrack swtich controller is used, it must transfer the current to the other side of the switch??? Hmmmm...will I need to buy the unitrack controllers or what do you all suggest? I can use a series of toggle switches, which would probably be cheaper? Remember, this is an old style DC layout
Almost time to run hay out to the pastures.
jeffrey-wimberly AmanaMedicJeff: I'm liking the new sand tower, looks like a real good start. Yeah, it seems like such a good reuse of old med equipment. Had it lying around and it seemed such a waste to throw it out, so after mounting it on a bamboo skewer ane applying a couple of coats of primer gray it's starting to look like something. I still need to find something to use for the hoses.
Gee, Jeffrey, I thought it looked like a re-purposed spray tube and spray head out of a spray bottle of some kind and painted with primer. I have long used the little drums of absorbant that come in prescription bottles as "loads" and large "tanks". I have also used the "right sized" presciption bottle as a silo for storage. My CPAP {Continuous Positive Air Pressure} machine hose makes for large culverts. My nebulizer hose makes for small culverts. The things we do with our medical waste....
Time for a mug of coffee...boot optional.
Opened the Dream, Plan, Build video, and promptly dropped the disc into the return envelope. It goes back from whence it came tomorrow. If anybody wants the metal medallion that came with it, EMD FT Demonstrator 103, shoot me a private message. First ask, first get. Otherwise it'll sit in a desk drawer, or get tossed into the Goodwill box. It's still sealed in it's little plastic bag.
Finally got all ten responses back for my paper's 2009 North Liberty Discovery Guide. I had to send last year's text to all of the schools in the area, plus the North Liberty library, rec. center, and aquatic center (what they used to call a "pool."). FINALLY, all have been returned. Tomorrow, they go to the boss/publisher.
With much of this week's newspaper work on-hold or pending, I actually *gasp* did a little work on a freight car today. Got an Accurail 41' AAR undecortated gondola from "the Bay." It's in-progress to become a CNW rebuild, used into the '90s in MOW service.
Coffee is here, back to the back goes I, ducking under the catapault.
Hey JEFF: I thought your "sand tower" had a kinda familiar look to it...very creative, as usual!
Rob--The patience thing I have had trouble with in one way or another. I had, with my other sister(s) and BIL, to look after my wife--who seemed to be having a major pileup of physical issues: My father--who ended up with congestive heart failure: my mother--who ended up with cancer: a MIL who was found by neighbour in Winnipeg(where MIL was living) on her back in the basement of her house,wife's sister took that one then we found out BIL's on my side had his mother not being looked after by his so called sister--who lived just around corner--he had to drive from TO all the way to Detroit to look after that one which lead to me going and doing cover for him when he couldn't do his brother who was ill---it was all within a 7 year period no less---around and around we went, boy. I ended up being told by my own doctor that I had heart arrythmia as well as diabetes---and that on top of ever't'in else
I know that someone is looking out for us
'Spring' just started his headbutting me while I'm on 'pooter routine---
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
CederstrandKATO Unitrack swtich discovery: Went down to the train room for a few minutes and started sticking track section together. Put power to the rails and discovered those Unitrack switches act like blocks. Thant is to say, current doesn't transfer from one direction to the alternate direction (if that makes sense?) I would guess that when a unitrack swtich controller is used, it must transfer the current to the other side of the switch??? Hmmmm...will I need to buy the unitrack controllers or what do you all suggest? I can use a series of toggle switches, which would probably be cheaper? Remember, this is an old style DC layout
AmanaMedicHey JEFF: I thought your "sand tower" had a kinda familiar look to it...very creative, as usual!
Finished weathering one of my UP GP40's. It has some light dirt, a little grime and some rust showing through here and there.
Good Evening Diners!
Rob, Jeff is correct, Unitrack turnouts are power routing so that if you select run-through, no power will go to the siding. Only when you throw the switch will power go to the siding. You can select power routing or non depending on the switch you have. I have HO and I recall there is some variation with N. However on the #4 manual HO, you change a screw on the bottom. In the case of the #6 powered you change the location of a pin on the side. There should be something in the directions. I'm in DCC so I didn't want power routing but for DC it saves having to wire blocks. And by the way I too am in awe of the way you look after your in-laws and a farm.
Aging parents can be a burden when they're in poor health. I just hope I go like my FIL, here one day in apparent good health, and then gone the next.
Well hope everyone is doing fine,
CN Charlie
I seem to have gotten finished with the inside of the last of the buildings that I'll use for the atrium. Every one of them needed windows having blinds, curtains and/or both to be put on---a few are going to be blacked out and some have enough space that I'll be able to actually squeeze in a mini-scene along with light(s).
We seem to have found some petulent winds tonight--up to 80kmh from the east---which makes for a nice raw night for a walk--which moi did---saw a scary sight---sparks from a transformer down the street from us--not healthy, gave the hydro guys a heads up. I also found out from neighbour our crescent will be chewed up next week as they've finally OK'ed funds to tear up and redo the entire crescent---so the road will not be worse than some badly washboarded concession roads-- I'm wondering if'n I can't get them to redo my driveway--no? I can't? --Oh--ok
Chloe--I'll have a chamomile tea and a muffin please----
jeffrey-wimberly
Hey Jeff, Nice job "Hiding" the air A,C as a structure! (I mean it)
Tall glass of cool lemon water, please.
Looks like in some locations having that power routing will be of great use (ie: parking trains on sidings). Only one or two switches I might neewant all powered all the time. Some figuring to do yet, but at least now I understand how they work. This is going to be fun. Thanks!
Anyone else enjoying the new series, "Deadliest Warrior" on spiketv? I don't always agree with some of the "experts" thinking, but at least they got tonights match-up correct: Samurai over Viking. Last week they had Apache over Gladiator. Next week is Ninja VS Spartan.
Well, have a good night all.
nik .nHey Jeff, Nice job "Hiding" the air A,C as a structure! (I mean it)
Good morning. It's 48 and clear. The high will be in the mid 70's and it will be partly cloudy. That'll give us some cover from that giant yellow orb at least. I've got most of the junk off the layout at this point. Still a few tools and some odds and ends scattered about. There's still a few structures to place as well. This includes the new town hall. It's a good sized squarish structure so somewhere on the backside of the layout would seem in order. Went outside yesterday to do some work in the yard, picking up stuff and putting it in a trailer mostly and almost instantly regretted it. After moving three loads to the burn pile I felt like I was on fire from the back of my neck to to the backs of my knees. I called it quits at that point and had to withhold an urge to kick myself as it would have hurt too much to bring my foot up that high. Instead I came in and relaxed for awhile. Yard work is NOT on the schedule for today. Maybe some nice relaxing layout work. Today's Weather for: Sundown, LA 71446-6114 4/15/2009 Wind Chill: 47°F Humidity: 91% Dew Point: 45°F So Far Today High: 50°F Low: 47°F Rain: 0.00" Rain Rate: 0.00"/h Gust: 0mph NNE Today High: 75 Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Low: 50 Mostly clear. Lows around 50. East winds 5 to 10 mph.
Good Morning--we're at 6C right now going to a high of 14C and clearing skies. Going to be sunny today and tomorrow with tomorrows high at 16C. Friday/Saturday are both sunny with highs up to 18C both days---Sunday will have showers and a high of 10C. This will be a lot better than a mix of snow/rain and 4C for a high.
Got client visits to do later this morning, this afternoon. Not much else being done--have to get new batteries for camera---so pix can be had---
Chloe, I'll have a coffee and a muffin please--I'll be at the corner booth.
Good morning folks.
I was stuck at home with no car yesterday due to a possible transmission problem. Of course, the mechanics couldn't get it to act up, but that's another story. Being stuck home, I figured I would tackle a major project. I've gotten to the point where I'm sick of carving blue foam in my river valley. I decided to cover it with WS plaster cloth. I know I could have just painted the foam, but I had too many seams to make it look good. It also smoothed out the river bottom, which was my primary concern. I will use some sort of ground goop to reintroduce texture to the hillsides. I can't tell you how exciting it is to feel like I moved on to the next step! Now I have to align the pier bases, piers, deck girder, two ends of the trestle and track! Should be a piece of cake. I have a short day at work(short meaning eight hours), and the wife is gone again tonight. Hopefully the spirit moves me to continue my efforts.
I hope you all have a great day!
Mornin'
Looks like Jeff is the McGiver of the MRR community. I wouldn't have noticed myself. It looks like a sanding tower to me.
I bet Rob is having trouble waiting. He probably has all the packages open and has felt every piece. How do I know this? Let's just say I know someone who did the same thing. What do you want to bet he starts laying some, at least a couple of pieces by the end of the week. I've got a RBF says by Saturday night.
Barry- I know kph sounds faster than mph, however, it seems that the wind would be a bit stout for a walk!
Jeff- I never noticed the sign until Nik said something. Boy they sure spent a lot of money making their building look like an air conditioner. I bet the locals sure appreciate it when summer in Louisiana comes a callin'.
Corey- You know,...ahem. Progress pics could get us to be providing you with some, shall we say , incentive?!
Well got Mom‘s pantry and refridgadeezer filled , she was happy. Then went to the Hungry Heiffer for lunch. (ugh). Again she was happy. She probably wondered why I was kinda quiet. Spent most of the time thinking about Rob's situation and counting my blessings and thanking God she get's around as well as she does.
Visited LHS also. Was going for to pick up Walther's Clayton County Lumber kit for a spot behind the town of Gold Creek, just waiting for a long narrow structure. Then I saw laying on top as if to summon my attention, the Supply House kit by Life Like. It seems to be a more interesting structure and more suited for it's use. It wasn't going to be a lumber yard anyway, more like a small industry, I'm leaning toward something along the lines of local family food product. Jams, jellies, salsa's. Something like that.
Well, best be getting a move on. Got a p-u truck that the brakes pedal is getting hard after a bit when it idles and then the dash vent selector thing changes settings on him. It's a diesel so probably the vacuum pump. Supposed to be a nice day today. Sunny and about 60F. I might milk this one. I can see some visitin' goin' on. No, I don't charge by how long it actually takes me, but how long it should have taken me. (I'll never be rich) Most people are happy with that. Jawin' is free.
Have a Great Day!
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Heartland Division CB&QRyan ... Did you make that trip yet?
Ryan ... Did you make that trip yet?
Hey Garry, yup, week before last and returned on Sunday 04/05/09. Tried to meet up with Flash Blackman at the SAMRA club layout but circumstances beyond my control prevented that from happening. Let's just say that when the wind blows hard in Texas the airlines get delayed for hours....
Did get to see the Sunset Station, but it was closed for some special event. Toured the Alamo again and made many trips to the Riverwalk.....for a libation or two, or three, or.... ...I still see margaritas in my future....
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
TMarshJeff- I never noticed the sign until Nik said something. Boy they sure spent a lot of money making their building look like an air conditioner. I bet the locals sure appreciate it when summer in Louisiana comes a callin'.
Good morning peeples:
Here for brunch {actually going out for brunch}.
And shopping for a new computer chair finally today. Doesn't mean we will buy one if we don't like them yet.
Since my other half insisted on putting a second litterbox in the train/junk/storage room....I see more dust on the layout. guess I look for a cheap twin sheet today too to cover layout. Hmm maybe I should use a plastic drop cloth instead?
well, starving now, so I guess I go now so we can go eat.
SilverSpikeDid get to see the Sunset Station, but it was closed for some special event. Toured the Alamo again and made many trips to the Riverwalk.....for a libation or two, or three, or.... ...I still see margaritas in my future....
ONCE--just ONCE, did I get to go to see this Riverwalk---now I'm starting to think about another trip --eventually?-----
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll a cup of dark roast in a FGLK Mug and the Eggs Benedict this morning.
Sun is shining again here in the Finger Lakes. Sure hope it stops soon so I can justify spending the day down cellar in the layout rooms. Currently 47°F with a high of 55°F this afternoon.
Drove up to Canandaigua yesterday afternoon to help my sister get out her garden hose and turn on the outside water for her. Also had some copies for her of the application she has me print each year for her summer Art Classes. So since she is a retired Art Teacher and a Professional Artist, I took my photos that I am planning on entering into the contest at Woodstock this weekend with me. She was very complimentary and thinks they should do well. I can only enter 2 photos per category (unless they have changed the rules this year and didn't tell anybody...) and have 3 photos for one of the categories. I wanted her advise on which one not to enter. She picked the same one I was thinking about as being the weakest artistically and for the same reasons.
Breakfast has arrived, so i will be in the front booth watching the switching going on.
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!