Good morning from cloudy New England. We're supposed to get some more rain today. We don't really need it, but I'm trying to get the lawn to recover from the last two or three very dry years, and that means constant watering. I'm finally starting to see some new grass from the seed I put down 2 weeks ago, so having more water applied evenly and freely is always helpful.
Of course, it would be nice if the rain stops for the 3-day weekend. I'd like to get a couple of bicycle rides in. With skiing over for the season, I need more exercise. I've got to install a new set of bathroom sink hardware, too. So, I'll follow my cardinal rule: Don't start a plumbing project unless the hardware store will be open for at least another 4 hours.
Galaxy, I know it's your account and your money, but $15,000 is a lot of cash. I would call the bank the day before and tell them what you plan to do. That way, they will have the cash on hand and expect you. When we go to Europe, we always call them a week or so in advance and arrange to get some Euros or Pounds. That way it's easy for everyone. When we show up they have an envelope all ready for us, all neatly sorted in convenient denominations.
Now we're dealing with the other family crisis, The Wedding. This is the sister of the nephew who just passed away. I'm not going to get into the issue of having her 2-year-old daughter at the wedding - things are different now than they were when we were children. But, she has not invited her own father, my wife's brother. He's actually the stable, hard-working member of the family, but her mother is an alcoholic who has poisoned the waters. (Yes, The Divorce is also in the works.) We look at all this and are very thankful for our own daughter, who is still close to us and enjoys our company as a family.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Morning all. I've got a 7 hour work day today. Going to be a long day, but it will be nice to put some real money away again, and great to work again. I've got my eye on buying a consolidation for my shortline, eventually purchashing another diesel (perfer undecorated) to make a wheeling. It's supposed to be in the 70's here today, but at least it isn't going to rain. Oh, I saw part of my first warbonnet yesterday, as well as a Conrail caboose. I work another 7 hour shift tomorrow, and then get most of the weekend off so far-yay me.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Good Morning!
quotable quotes:
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. -Arthur Conan Doyle, physician and writer (1859-1930)
There was an Old Man of Kilkenny
Who never had more than a penny
He spent all that money
On onions and honey
That wayward old man of Kilkenny.
-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.
Good Morning all. Lurker as I guess we are called checking in.
Fouled Anchor, Steve, I don't know what class Vet You are, so can't readily comment on what You are entitled to. There are many stories of VA problem's all over the country, guess you're stuck with a bad one. I have been going to and have been in and out of the VA Hines, IL. since 1968, years ago there were some problem's, but have been rectified. I personnally don't have any complaints, But I have on occasion, when there witnessed some people that seem to think the world spins around them and expect immediate attention, won't go there. I believe You should have asked to see a on-duty nurse in regards to your Meds, if anything they would have given You a two month supply, until you saw your doctor, if not go to the ER and tell them your problem. They MUST do that at Hines, again I don't know what class you are in. I am a DAV Vietnam Vet, Purple Heart since 1967, and really don't have any complaints. I also was a volunteer at that VA for three yrs, so I have seen and heard some stories, but have learned how to get things done. Also am a Cancer survivor from that same VA.
Good Luck To You!
Frank
Fouled Anchor galaxy, I have to deal with the Veterans Administration for my medical (no Obamacare). All the reports on the news are TRUE. We had 10" of snow on the ground here, on the day of my cardio appointment, and I knew it was coming, so I had rescheduled the appointment. I really wanted the appointment as I was totally out of medication, and could not get refills on-line. You guessed it, the rescheduled appointment was two months down the road, and that was after waiting two months previously. When I called to verify the appointment, and ask for refills, the African American on the phone accused me of a no show on my last appointment. All in all, I went five months without heart and diabetes medication. They are trying to sing a different song now. The whole administration is riddled with incompetence. Steve
galaxy, I have to deal with the Veterans Administration for my medical (no Obamacare). All the reports on the news are TRUE. We had 10" of snow on the ground here, on the day of my cardio appointment, and I knew it was coming, so I had rescheduled the appointment. I really wanted the appointment as I was totally out of medication, and could not get refills on-line. You guessed it, the rescheduled appointment was two months down the road, and that was after waiting two months previously. When I called to verify the appointment, and ask for refills, the African American on the phone accused me of a no show on my last appointment. All in all, I went five months without heart and diabetes medication. They are trying to sing a different song now. The whole administration is riddled with incompetence.
Steve
Unless you are agreeing with me{?}, then I didn't say they weren't true. Or not a problem.
I DO think they should treat veterans like any other "good insured" person!
Health care is a racket here, just like any other issue of something that costs money! I have just had to learn {the hard way often} that there ARE ways of getting health care at managed costs to get things done.
I did say I could not understand why the veterans would not go seek health support elsewhere, {even to a walk-in} regardless of cost options, and pointed out the Patient Financial Advocate at any hospital is there to HELP anyone with trouble financing health sutuations.
Gambling with health is not good. Some people are just dying to gamble!
Also, our local hospital with the Patient financial Aid program here allows couples up to, what about $55k in income a yea,r before they pay more than $0 for health care expenses incurred by the HOSPITAL visits! Even the ER{other fees for 'contracted entities' may ensue, though}
In my life I have had: good insurance, bad insurance, Medicaid only, No insurance.
Sometimes you get treated BETTER with NO insurance than you do with Medicaid! They can ASSUME they will "get more money out of you"-even at a huge discount- with self-pay {No insuranc} than to accept the paltry amount Medicaid pays!
Even GOOD insurance doesn't always mean much, anyway.
Now, with Affordable Care Act {wrongly called "obamacare'}, many people with GOOD insurance {Like My OH} have no choice but a HIGH deductible policies {$2600 for everything for my OH, then only 80% coverage}, which is still a stickler for the poorer low income people!
BUT it can be negotiated around. Especially with an emergency-related situation.
If you don't have a Dr. or specialist to refer back to, often the ER will give you one to contact. If the ER referred you, they will most likely take you, though payment will have to be negotiated. If they Are affiliated with the hospital, you can, if you have it, push the Patient Financial plan on them adn they will reduce/eliminate the charges, even when not affiliated directly with the hospital.
And last resort, if you have more than 10%, well here is the IRS statement:
you can deduct only the part of your medical and
dental expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross
income (AGI) (7.5% if either you or your spouse was born
before January 2, 1949).
So, if you have more than 10% {which should be lowered OR allow you to deduct the WHOLE thing}, you can reduce taxes on any income you owe on,
IF you don't have taxable income, seek out the patient financial advocate in EVERY major health care organization.
I am now saddled with a 6 month "not covered for pre-existing conditons" SUPPLEMENTAL plan for the 20% medicare doesn't cover, but I am pushing for sliding fee scales, advocating for Financial assistance, or REDUCED charges where ever it applies! It IS often frustrating, but it gets things DONE.
Frustrating, I know!
Sir Madog Good Night, Jeff! The idiot box stayed silent last night, as we were not interested in watching the umpteenth rerun of some soap story. I don´t have cable TV, which would cost a fortune, so we are limited to 40 channels on digital terrestrial broadcasting. It´s free, so I can´t complain. Steve - that´s an awful story! I don´t understand why the world´s most powerful nation sports a health system worthy of a poor third world country. OK, Vinnie - I stop it now.
Good Night, Jeff!
The idiot box stayed silent last night, as we were not interested in watching the umpteenth rerun of some soap story. I don´t have cable TV, which would cost a fortune, so we are limited to 40 channels on digital terrestrial broadcasting. It´s free, so I can´t complain.
Steve - that´s an awful story! I don´t understand why the world´s most powerful nation sports a health system worthy of a poor third world country. OK, Vinnie - I stop it now.
Ulrich..at least you GET 40 terrestrial Air channels!
I am limited to just 10% of that...4 channels air broadcast only! I'd/We'd die to have a choice of 40 channels FREE!
There WOULD really be nights there is NOTHING on, then!
It is between seasons here, so even with 240 cable channels, there is nothing on worth watching, anyway.
Ulrich, herzlichen Glückwunsch immer einen guten Schlafa! Ich wusste gar nicht gut schlafen ...die schläft mit mir, Fell überall!
JimRCGMO There used to be (when my Dad & Mom were living and had problems with their local squirrels (PETA folks, skip over this post...) what was loosely called "Blue peanuts"... I think they were laced with something very, very unfriendly to a squirrel's health. Jim in Cape G.
There used to be (when my Dad & Mom were living and had problems with their local squirrels (PETA folks, skip over this post...) what was loosely called "Blue peanuts"... I think they were laced with something very, very unfriendly to a squirrel's health.
Jim in Cape G.
GOOD TO SEE You JIM!
But, they can also be very VERY unfriendly to the health of other animals who get into the stuff too!
Not all animals are the target of his anxiety!
Fouled Anchor Gary, I'm about an hour north of St. Louis, longer if the traffic is bad. With that snow coming, I was more worried about getting stuck down there, than getting in to the city. Got all my meds now, and they are treating me with kid gloves after all the media attention. Life is good. Steve
Gary, I'm about an hour north of St. Louis, longer if the traffic is bad. With that snow coming, I was more worried about getting stuck down there, than getting in to the city. Got all my meds now, and they are treating me with kid gloves after all the media attention. Life is good.
Steve .... Are you close to Hannibal, MO? ... My father grew up in St. Louis, and I recall visiting there many times when I was a kid. ... TV had more VA horror stoires this evening.
Jim CG ! ..... Great to see you in the Diner!
Ulrich ..... Perhaps you are sleeping better now that you have a layout to build.
Happy Model Railroading!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Gute Nacht, Ken!
You are right there, Ken! The dreming, planning and building phase is more than half the fun for me as well. However, this layout is definitevely for keeps. Although progrees is seemingly rapid, it will take a lot of time to reach a status when it is nearly complete. Building the structures and deatiling the layout will keep me busy for years. I can´t keep up the pace I am walking in at the moment - financially and physically. And - I still have an option to grow this layout (don´t tell Petra)!
The pictures don´t show the colors of the dock correctly. Somehow, using a flash distorts them. The timber has a silvery grey color - just lik well-seasoned timber should look like.
Have a good rest!
Evening, Chloe - just a hot fudge sundae and a decaf in a Santa Fe mug, please 'n' thank you!
I heard that Ulrich and the crew in here were considering sending the bloodhounds to find me, so I guessed I'd better poke my nose in for now. Not a lot new just yet - still awaiting the return of the guy at w**k for whom I've been covering (leaving the section where I usually am, short-handed). He's supposedly to be back a week from this Friday (on the 29th of May). Can't be too soon!
Not much progress on the MRR stuff/projects at all. Had some stuff on the 'puter to fiddle with, but have both the laptop & desktop up & running okay again.
We're having some warmer weather here - in the 80's (F) this week, and through the weekend.
Speaking of the weekend, a woman who I've been emailing to/from, and I are to meet on Saturday (30-40 miles up the road, which is close to halfway between where she is and Cape G.). We'll see how we like each other in real life.
Some nice MRR progress from several of you other Diners, though. Ulrich, you are doing well on your layout (but then again, you have excellent design skills, as well as a craftsman's eye, IMHO)!
Well, about time for me to head for home. I will see if I can find a MRR project that I could make some progress on (so I could post a pic or two over the weekend).
May everyone keep yourself healthy (with or without the VA/government's help). Prayers for safe travelling if any of you will be on the road over the weekend (like to visit family or friends), as well as for health/healing, good night's sleep for those who've been missing some of that lately.
Blessings and prayers,
Evenin' folks!
Janie..... Oh thank you! A cup of decaf... How did you know?
MLK Scholarship Dinner went very, very well! The slide show and the Boys and Girls Club Video was great. Several of the kids who made the video were brought to the dinner by the Boys and Girls Club. They were all Middle Schoolers. They were busy playing with the microphone on the podium after the dinner was over... I went over and acused them of being middle schoolers... Then told them I could tell because I taught Middle Sholl Music here in town for 19 years and in fact I was Pablos teacher (the guy who he;ped them make the movie. They thought that was really cool!
This years group of scholarship winners are the classiest bunch of kids I have seen in a long, long time! We keep hearing about the kids today who are out of control and no good... Well I can tell you there are a lot more kids who are fine human beings out there. Maybe we should notice them more! I also really enjoy these events as I get to see once again some very special former students and find out what they have done so far with their lives.
I need to be at church early tomorrow so I think I will call it a night! Be Blessed!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Morning Everone!
I woke up at 4.20am, quite early, but I got 6 hours of sleep in a row -wow! I haven´t had this for years!
The idiot box stayed silent last night, as we were not interested in watching the umpteenth rerun of some soap story. I don´t have cable TV, which would cost a fortune, so we are limited to 40 channels on digital terrestrial broadcasting. It´s free, so I can´t complain. Instead of waisting my time by watching stupid soaps, I continued w*rk on my layout, installing the planks on the dock. Guess what? I am short of a few pieces! Mr. Murphy seems to have moved into my place. I have to get out the table saw and cut the missing pieces - a 2 minute job, but 20 minutes of cleaning
Jim - good to see you!
It´s going to be a hot day again. Yesterday´s thunderboomers were moved to today and the weather guesssers tell us we will be in for some fun tonight and tomorrow. Parts of the country are under a tornado warning ...
Have a great day!
Evening Folks and Good Evening Ulrich!
Flo Pleases
Work Front, I was there along with 2 customers and one crazy pregrent lady. If the crazy lady was not with a sane guy I would have called the Polices. At one point he told me "she is late for her meds" so I let it slide.
Steve, sounds like you are in my neck of the woods. I live 15 miles sort of north of St Louis in Maryville ILL. I have had my fair share of problems with the VA Medical System! Went over a year with out a A1C test and boy did it turn out high! As a whole the VA Medical team has done a good job for me! But my PA, well here is its picture!
http://s83.photobucket.com/user/cudaken/media/Real%20Trains/PA2_602_sumare_zago_abril1995.jpg.html] Ray, I wish my A1C was still that low! At one time my was down to 5.7 but with no test strips and no A1C test it hit 8.5. In a month I got it down to 8.2 and hope it will be lower yet. I have stopped eating bread and try to avoid strach food as much as I can! Urich Was kann ich sagen: Neben der hervorragenden Arbeit! Nachdem sie es getan haben, wie lange werden sie vor haben Sie eine andere Vision? Wenn Sie wie ich sind, die Quest ist der Teil, der richtig Spaß macht! Sie können die Fotos noch leichter oder ist, dass die richtige Farbe? Soweit meine flunte Deutsch, ich muss leise wie ein Betrunkener Matrose auf einem 48 Stunden! Gute Nacht, Cuda-Ken
Ray, I wish my A1C was still that low! At one time my was down to 5.7 but with no test strips and no A1C test it hit 8.5. In a month I got it down to 8.2 and hope it will be lower yet. I have stopped eating bread and try to avoid strach food as much as I can!
Urich Was kann ich sagen: Neben der hervorragenden Arbeit! Nachdem sie es getan haben, wie lange werden sie vor haben Sie eine andere Vision? Wenn Sie wie ich sind, die Quest ist der Teil, der richtig Spaß macht! Sie können die Fotos noch leichter oder ist, dass die richtige Farbe?
Soweit meine flunte Deutsch, ich muss leise wie ein Betrunkener Matrose auf einem 48 Stunden!
Gute Nacht, Cuda-Ken
I hate Rust
Today's activities have got me worn out. I have a doc appointment (follow-up) to go to in the morning.Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.
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
Evening guys
Been working on some kits. I'm having an issue with a Walthers GSC flatcar. The main floor doesn't want to lay down right. I'm thinking tomorrow I may take an inline sander to the bottom of the main floor and both sides of the weight.
Anyways i have to get to bed. I'll try to pop in tomorrow.
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
Thanks Jeffrey. Appreciate it.
Life is tough, but it's tougher if your'e stupid.
Good evening ....
Steve..... Wow. I'm sorry to hear about that. If you don't mind my asking, where are you located? ... Hope you are okay.
Squirrels? ... I remembr growing with dogs, and they were effective at keeping squirrels away.
Spent parts of today trying to catch up with lots of stuff. Seems like I can't get enough done each day.
Good to see you here Steve. Take care of yourself.
herrinchokerSome people scatter moth balls through their flower beds, I use a shotgun-end of problem. (also lunch)
JeremyB Hi Guys, Looks like we may get a storm here tonight. You know what really annoys me???? Having flower beds planted for only two days and squirrels digging them up already. Does anybdy know any tricks to keep them from digging everything up?
Hi Guys,
Looks like we may get a storm here tonight.
You know what really annoys me????
Having flower beds planted for only two days and squirrels digging them up already. Does anybdy know any tricks to keep them from digging everything up?
Here it is the Hassenpfeffer That do that, and they strip the plants before you can shake a stick at the moon and say "Harry Potter was a wizard if ever a wizard there was".
A good small fence will help, or the animal-away products available at any good garden shop may help. Poisons COULD be eaten by cats or dogs or other unintended animals...so I'd stay away from them.
AS mentioned, some people use moth balls, but those can be hard to find.
Shooting a shotgun, at least around here, within a residential area, is illegal. There is a forrested area behind us that makes for a gray area.
But, out in the country shooting either the rabbits for hasenpfeffer, or sqirrels for squirrel stew, Can provide one with a meal...assuming they are clean animals, and there are no laws against shooting/consuming that type of small game.
Also, Squirrels are one animal that "belongs to the State Of NY", so watch out what you do with them if your state has similar laws. I found that out when a supervisor/boss brought one that got hit and was injured to my house before work {I lived directly accross form work}. I wanted to find a vet who would "fix it" so it could be RETURNED to the wild whole, as did he, but none would touch it, stating that I could not keep it {I didn't want to, DUH!} and that "it belonged to the State of NY" and was "their problem". Made NO SENSE to me to let it die?
Some people scatter moth balls through their flower beds, I use a shotgun-end of problem. (also lunch)
Just before noon today I had something happen that I got really excited about. I had a kitchen fire! That's right. I was cooking my lunch and my microwave caught fire. Lunch was burned to a crisp and there was thick smoke pouring out of every opening. I unplugged it then got the extinguisher (I keep two, one in the closet and one under the layout. I got the second one.) and put out what was left of my lunch then sprayed the powder in through the side vents to put out the fire inside. Near as I can tell the transformer/magnetron shorted out. I now have a brand new microwave to take it's place but I have to get the old one out of here first.
well
so much for staying off my feet.
I got a call my script was ready for pickup at the Drs office. WHile there, i remembered that I had to have blood work done for the new psychiatrist as he wants to start me on a mania med, and wants to follow bloodwork to see the baseline levels before the new meds level start to count.{really it is also to see if patients are compliant and taking it regularly.}. SO they looked at the orders and found he wants fasting CBC, lipids, A1c and the whole works! Naturally, since he never told me and I never studied the orders, I HAD NOT fasted! None of us there, and a well-placed phone call to the clinic didn't turn up results, so we delayed. Part of it, I think, is that they are back-up check-points for those who DON'T see or DON'T have a regular Dr. I do, and have specialists of all types to look after what doesn't work right on me.
SO THAT took a LOT of time, then of fto fill the script, and to retunr the bad 98% blocked water restrictor and get the 55%. WEll it comes with a GINORMOUS rubber washere that WON'T fit the faucet, of course!!! So It, TOO, has to go back! I am doomed to use LOTS of water in the kitchen.
Mr. Murphy!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!
Back home to finish the laundry I started. So SITLL on m,y feet but for a 45 min nap wiht MOH when MOH came home between clients.
so here I sit instead of lying down, but I have to now finish off the dishes and start dinner...
Surf &Turf tonight...Le Beuf and Mahi Mahi. YUM!
later
Jimmy_Braum I could always use the excuse that NS was short on motive power.
jeffrey-wimberly Jimmy_Braum Could I justify a Wheeling unit with a Norfolk Southern unit? Maybe somebody found one locked up in an old engine house and put it back in service.
Jimmy_Braum Could I justify a Wheeling unit with a Norfolk Southern unit?
Maybe somebody found one locked up in an old engine house and put it back in service.
Jimmy_BraumCould I justify a Wheeling unit with a Norfolk Southern unit?