Afternoon diners!
Where in Tarnation is everybody!
Well I'll just blab into the darkness...
Went to the bank to open a checking account, I need 100 bucks to open it, I'll have to either cash my paycheck or borrow from my parents, deposit my paycheck and pay them back.
Oh yeah, I got my first paycheck!
Well I was a roadrunner today, the pumps at both hotels had issues today, HIE had the motor go out on the pump, it's about 4-5 years old, the BW on the other hand is only a year old, I installed it myself, well some drunken guest took it upon herself to "fix" the pump because she claims it sounded "broken" and that she had worked with pools for 40 years, she attempted to "fix" the pump with a hammer or something because she broke the strainer pot, and you have to replace the entire pump! I had to go to the pool store get a new 2 horse pump, go home get my tools, go to the BW unhook the old pump, put the new one in, easy enough, go to HIE, unhook the old pump, disassemble both pumps, take the motor and pump from BW and the strainer pot from HIE and reassemble, so now both hotels "technically" have "new" pumps. I call that little move the "Kansas City Shuffle"
Well I'll be back.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Track fiddlerNice tile job Kevin.... Subway nice -n- straight. I love laying tile, always have. I just hate the dang grout!
.
Thanks for the kind words Fiddler.
I actually love doing grout. I hate Caulk! I just finished up about half of the caulk... I will finish the rest tomorrow.
The whole danged project will be complete by Sunday.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a and Rick and Steven what they like.
Last 2 days have sucked rail spikes!
1 Yesterday Sparkie vet bill went from $25.00 to $99.37 and had to use my credit card.
2 Last night my wife TV sort of died, well it will not turn off? So there goes another $100.00 I cannot afford. But have to buy a new one because it is to much trouble to pull the plug?
3 Today while I was doing my running the car started getting louder? Yep, need some exhaust work and at this point I have no idea what that is going to cost?
Well I have had worst 24 hours!
Ed Ken-fu-chew is open, have you had time to send some customers?
Well it is pretty bad and power has gone down twices so I am out of here.
Later Ken
I hate Rust
Evenin' folks!
Well..... It's been a day. Yep, that is the best way to describe it, I think.
Last night my idiot and very opinionated sister talked for over 3 hours on the phone. That is correct, she talked, I grunted now and then, and more or less listened. She is unhappy that all her friends have either died (some take the easy way out, I think) or moved far away (I can understand that). She is very opinionated and "always" right. But then she is my sister, and to paraphrase Shakespear, I love her according to my duty. I even agreed to have dinner with her on Sunday afternoon as a late birthday present to her. We will be going to a good Mexican Restaurant in Canandaigua (The other alternative was an Indian Restaurant that I really don't care for).
Today I spent an hour and a half on a conference call with a field Director for our Boy Scout Council and the other Commissioner for the handicapped units we serve. Discussed the "problems" going on and some solutions possible. The Field Director was going to call one of the "problem" people on the committee, and he must have talked sense as I just recieved an email saying she has resigned from the committee and is taking her son out of the Troop. These things happen when Adults forget to use the Scout Oath and Law (particularly, A Scout is Friendly, Courteous, Kind, and Helpful). There were several of the committee not acting like Scouts with this whole mess. Hopefully the saner ones and the commissioners now have a route and a plan to get things back on track.
Weeded garden for a while just to clear my mind from all the crap!
Sounds like you had a "great" day too, Ken!
"I was brought up to respect my elders, so now I don't have to respect anybody." - George Burns
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening diners.... Forgive me if I come across like I'm yelling here.
I probably am yelling but not at you
I can relate to what I have read on the Forum since the last time I caught up with you guys last weekend.... and yeah I miss when you guys talk to me once in awhile.
I was going to post some stuff on my Bridge progress tonight because it's really important to me.
It can wait, I'm a little out of whack.
This quit smoking thing is now over three weeks old and I still have not had one damn cigarette.......... It's still really really hard! I could use a little support hear, if you would.
My Judy.... still smoking like a chimney, factory, smokestack.... whatever....NOT HELPING.
Actually she's spending most of her time on the stoop doing that.
That's another thing. Things seem quite a bit different now.
Help me out here with some support, I need it.
Ulrich.... Feel free to chime in at anytime. I always respect what you have to say.... That will work.
Track fiddler, keep it up, don't fall back into the habit, don't give up!
We believe in you!
cudakenEd Ken-fu-chew is open, have you had time to send some customers?
Lots of pesky distractions this week, Ken Getting a package together. I found a B&O and PRR Pullman car that might find its way into the package. Had to fix the couplers (Bachmann) of course.
I'll definitely work on it tonight!
Cheers, Ed
Good Morning, Folks!
Another hot day starting here at the other end of the Big Pond. As it seems, Summer is back to stay, at least for the next week or so. June 27th is "dormouse" day, which is quite similar to your "groundhog day". The legend says that the weather of that day will stay for the next 7 weeks. While I cannot varify this legend by own observation, having the prospect of 7 weeks of hot weather leaves me with mixed feelings. I wish I had the means to escape from the heat in the lowlands to a mountain realm - just like the British colonoial administration did in India.
Track fiddler - please hang in there! I know you won´t go back to smoking, just because your wife has not joined you on the road to a smoke free household! Some days ago, you asked me about my day and how it starts. Well, after having my first mug of eye-opening strong coffee (with milk, but hold the sugar) I start to make Petra´s DDD - that´s her "Daily Drugs Dosis" Cigarettes are really expensive at $8 a pack of 20, so I "roll" her own, using a little machine that helps to get the tobacco into the cigarette tubes. I actually like the spicy smell of unburnt tobacco - as much as I hate the stale smell of tobacco once it has been oxydized, i.e. burnt. It´s a little crazy for me to support her unhealthy habit, but it gives a certain control over how much she smokes. Each time I tell her "you are smoking a lot more lately", she slows down, at least for a few days.
I know that the urge to light up a cigarette is very strong (just this one, please - I´ll stop after that one), but it is much more rewarding to have the strength not to listen to that urge. Think of what you save and what you can do with the riches you will gain! In those three years, my non-smoking put a pretty penny into our "get away" fund, should that become a necessity to survive. I also was able to by a few things for my "train set" now and then. If I´d still smoke, that money would go up in smoke
Believe me, it´s much more fun to run a train over my layout than to burn a coffin nail!
Enough of that, we are not in a church and this is not the Sunday sermon! Just hang in there and don´t prove me wrong, for I know you can do it!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Track fiddler!
Don't stop now! Or perhaps it would be better to say "don't start again".
I only smoked for a brief period when I was in my late teens and early 20s. Unfortunately the urge to smoke hung in for a long time after that. Fortunately, on those few occassions when I did lapse after a few months of abstinence, the smoke made me feel really dizzy and rather nausiated. It only took one puff to make me feel green! It would seem to be a strange thing to wish on anybody, but I hope the same thing happens to you!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Ulrich, Dave, Steven. Thank you all for your support. It really does help. I don't see anyone much to speak of until my breakfast club on Sunday. I've been collecting train shirts, a lot of the guys wear train shirts at the club.
I remember this quit thing from before. It got really tough right around the one month marker. I may have to go out and get some kind of supplement like nicotine mints on my way to work today. I would rather stay cold turkey but I would also rather stay quit too.
Ulrich I know exactly what you're talking about. We have a machine that makes cigarettes too. I had to walk over to the bag and take a couple of whiffs you're right it does smell good not burnt.
We have been buying tobacco and making our own cigarettes for about 7 years. The cost of a carton of cigarettes making your own is about $12 opposed to $80.
I just walked over to the tobacco bag and took another whiff. Maybe I'll skip the nicotine mints and become a tobacco bag sniffer....
Have a great day all
Track fiddlerMaybe I'll skip the nicotine mints
You shouldn´t be taking them at all!
Good day everyone. Our two day summer sunshine turned to rain again overnight. Hey Ho - summer may come next week...
Steven:
Train Front: final station awning extensions nearly roofed (just the ridge cap on the small section to do.) Then they will be painted for the roof colour and the supports glued inside. (note to self - check that the support legs are all the same length...) Photos in due course - but here's the worksite this morning.
"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.
Track Fiddler:
This quit smoking thing is now over three weeks old and I still have not had one damn cigarette.......... It's still really really hard! I could use a little support hear, if you would. My Judy.... still smoking like a chimney, factory, smokestack.... whatever....NOT HELPING.
der5997 The nicotene has re-wired your brain so some receptors now require it in order to function"properly".
Quite true, but ...
der5997Re-wiring takes time
Much less than we think it does! After 3 days, it´s more or less out of your system, that´s why "feeding" the beast with nicotine chewing gum or similar things is so dangerous!
Morning diners,
Track Fiddler- I was surprised that somebody can make cigarettes. I immediately told my dad if he wanted to it by scratch and he said no.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Afternoon diners
I knocked off work early today it's a hundred and two degrees actual up here a hundred and fifteen degrees heat index with the humidity.
My shirt is ringing wet I was working inside but the air conditioning where I was , just didn't quite keep up with the stickiness.
Thanks for all the support it put a smile on my face when I got home.
No one has to be disappointed in me or myself. I got to thinking about it on the way to work and I figured all the nicotine is out of my system. I got to thinking it's probably just the 40 Years of habit making my Cravings now.
Maybe as you guys say it's going to take awhile for my receptors to be rewired.... Oh I did pick up some Altoid mints. They kind of help a little bit, I guess it gives me something to do.
Thanks for the positive reinforcement
Afternoon Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please.
Went To The VA Hospital today and I stepped on my rail spike. I was there on time and went to the 8th floor where the Leg Ulicer clinic as turns out to use to be at. They use a automaded scanner to read my ID Card and checked me in. Waited 40 mintues after my appoinment (use to them not being on time) I spoke with a person. To late, they move the clinic and the teck I was to see went to lunch.
Track Fiddler Hope all goes well for you. God knows I need to stop. Sad thing I did not start smoking till I was 28 years old, x-girl frend got me started.
Ed Take your time but do PM me and let me know know what I owe you. Looking forward to the coaches. Love another Bachmann PRR Coach! If the coupler problem is because it drops, I can fix that!
Later, Ken
Afternoon folks,
Went to the bank and opened a checking account, linked it to my PayPal and deposited my paycheck, I won't get to see any of it for 7 business days, the bank I decided on is the Bank of Zachary, it's a locally owned bank that's been in business since 1904, they have a few branches around the capital area, I'll get my bank card in a week or so!
Hot and humid in Maryland.
I tried rolling tobacco free cigarettes in the late 60's and couldn't do it. Back then, driving through North Carolina, cartons were in the low $2.00 range.
When I was in Zimbabwee, the locals rolled their own cigarettes using newspapers. No Monsieur Zig Zag I guess.
Hot and humid here too. The guy I knew at the Annapolis newspaper was on TV today. He was editor when the nutcase was suing the newspaper, his victim, lawyers and the judge, who threw out his case of defamation. He fully expected the guy to show up with a gun, years ago.
Apropos of nothing other than my inability to spell defamation and apropos, Rebel Wilson, daughter of Beach Boys Brian Wilson, had a reversal in her defamation suit. Her award of $3.4 million, in Australia (somebody said she was a liar) was reduced to 440 grand. I hope she didn't spend the money.
Train front, putzing around with trying different paints on my test sculptamold.
Ken If you didn't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
A buddy of mine who smoked a LOT longer than me quit. I, of course, kept smoking. I asked how he did it. He said that I'd quit when I was ready. He was right. Got tired of the cough, the " can't smoke here, go outside", and the cost.
Last day of deer hunting, 11/26/16. Wife came home to me holding a nearly full pack of Marbs under the kitchen faucet. I was done.
Just. Do . It.
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
saronaterryLast day of deer hunting, 11/26/16. Wife came home to me holding a nearly full pack of Marbs under the kitchen faucet. I was done.
Well, Terry, you quit on my 70th. birthday! Congratulations!!!
I celebrated the good report from the Doctor, by going to Victor, NY and buying 3 pairs of new "Business Casual" pants. Got the 3 for the price of 2 with one of the specials they always have. Still cost me over $300 for them..... But, I only have two pair of decent trousers that fit me (loosely now) and they are heavy, winter, ones. I don't really like the heavy fabric, just doesn't feel right. A year ago I was wearing a 44" waist pant that was tight. These are 40" waist and are comfortable. Only bummer is they have to be hemmed for me and they won't be done for two weeks...... Oh well, I don't have any "dates" between now and then anyway....
Just got asked to open my layout for the layout tours for the Northeastern Region, NMRA Convention in 2019.... I most definately will accept! I will likely be open before the convention formally starts and after when people would be driving home from the convention.
When asked in his late 90s if his doctor knew he still smoked, George Burns said, "No ... he's dead."
That said, those that are quitting, GOOD!!!!!! Just do it! I stopped smoking cigars when my 4 year old son asked me, "Daddy, how come you tell the boys and girls at school not to smoke, but you do?" That was enough! I figured if he could figure it out, I should be able to!
Angelo if you are good you can roll them by hand. I was never good. Amazon has them and some are electric, one has a crank (no idea how that works) and the others are fairly simple hand rolling machines.
My father smoked 2-3 packs a day. He burned me a several times, allways accidentally, just because there was always a cigarrette in his hand. Plus my job was to clean the ash trays in his store. I tried a cigaratte once, and I didn't get anything out of it. I smoked a couple cigars, mostly to annoy my future ex-wife. All I got from that was bad breath and a much smaller bank account.
One of my wifes' best friends and her husband were smokers. He had lung cancer followed by throat cancer. It was a horrible death in his 40's. She still smokes and now has a cigarette cough. I guess she is close to 50 and is still a beautiful woman, but if you look closely, she's going to have a million wrinkles is just a couple years. And then there is that cough, which reminds me of things I won't mention here.
Back to my sculptamold. A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I thought india ink washes on plaster all that needed to be done.
As I experiment with different colors and dry brushing on my sculptamold casting, I could have done a whole lot better back then. I will post an updated picture when I get some reddish colors worked into the casting. My only mistake was not starting with a black wash. The deepest crevices remain white unless I dump on too much black for the rest of it.
Ray $300 for pants,...gasp. I wear Dockers now, and need new ones, because at 6' tall, I have short legs. 31" inseam, but those are hard to find, so 32" gets walked on and 30" is too short.
Kitchen Remodel Update: I am so close to the end!
I could not figure out how to end the backsplash neatly behind the refrigerator, so I just went all the way behind it!
Backsplash is done! Tomorrow I just need to do a little caulking and install the refrigerator!
Nice job Kevin!
Evening Diners
Tough day in the heat.
I'm back home again with my Judy.
We both came home after work and took a cool shower and went back out to Cowboys.
I said before the trick is to get there early before the young loud crowd comes in. We had a couple beers and quite a few appetizers. You can make a meal out of appetizers there. They are so good
Our usual friends were there. Typical at the local neighborhood hang out.
As usual everybody went out at the same time for a smoke. I stayed behind it's too hot out there anyway. I ordered more appetizers. I am of normal weight for my height but I'm probably going to gain a pants size. I've been eating a little more since I quit. Ice cream at home in the freezer is a must
Ulrich you are exactly right on what you advised me, you we're somewhat stern about it and I can appreciate that. I was happy to see that when I came home from work and read everything.
You have been a good friend. I must tell you I did figure it out on the way to work I did not buy the nicotine mints I bought Altoids.
Ken thanks. Your time will come. A good friend that quit years ago told me. You will quit when you're ready you will know when the time is right. I do believe that.
Years later when I woke up at 2, 3, 4 in the morning every night, way before I want to get up for work. Having trouble breathing with Achy lungs wasn't good. Breathing is an important part of your sleep. That was enough for me. I am going to do this and you will too when you're ready.
Angelobe6660 there's a story behind our cigarette machine. When we switched to it years ago. It was not only cheaper but that natural additive-free tobacco was much easier on our lungs. ( for a while I guess) after my brother-in-law was using it from me referring it to him. He texted me saying "Thanks brother in law, finally a healthy cigarette".... It was kind of funny.
Captain Spock, thanks for the compliment on my bridge shoes. It was my fingers holding it together with the styrene solvent getting between my fingers and the styrene. Thanks for your support as well.
It was a little hot out but what a great day....
Track fiddlerYou have been a good friend. I must tell you I did figure it out on the way to work I did not buy the nicotine mints I bought Altoids.
This is going to sound real weird, but it did help me.
Whenever I had the craving I would guzzle a 16 ounce glass of water. I don't know if it was just doing a new routine that helped, or if water lessened my desire for nicotine, but it did help.
Hang in there! It is worth it.
Way to go Terry.... 11/26/16
Good for you! Your inspiration helps me.
Henry. You looked mighty happy eating all those crabs. A dish I can't resist. I pretty much like all seafood. My favorite is fresh king crab from the Bering Sea.
Kevin. Thanks I'll take that under advisement. I need some help with that anyway. I've noticed since I've gotten older I don't have a thirst so much anymore. I don't know what it is. When I finally stop and drink some water I realize I was really thirsty. Why didn't I crave it?
Again great job on that subway tile. I did notice how centered and straight it was laid.
Evening diners,
Dating front, I have not asked my friend out just yet, although I fully intend to, I am waiting till I have my license which will be quite soon, I have the in car instruction portion of drivers ed this week. I'll ask her soon though.
I've been trying to talk about more interesting things with her, and weirdest thing is every day this week I have heard a song by an artist she likes on the radio, and earlier this week I got a fortune cookie that said "a temporary relationship will soon become permanent" now personally I don't believe fortunes, but hopefully this one has at least half truth in it!
Train front, I bought some supplies for my first kitbash!
This is what I'm building, or at least as close as I can get to it.
Well I'll linger a while.
NWP SWPDating front, I have not asked my friend out just yet,
For Pete's sake why not? Be brave! Stop coming up with excuses to avoid asking her out! Maybe she is waiting to be asked!
"He who hesitates is lost"! Lots of young people have been able to go on dates long before they had their driver's licenses. I think I was 11 years old when I bought a very nice young girl an ice cream cone. Ok, it was a summer fling at a rented cottage, but we still had a good time together for the few days that we knew each other.
Come on Steven. Ask her out! The worst you will get is "no thanks". Everything else will put you in the driver's seat, license or not!
Sorry, I'm preaching to you again. My bad, but better my kicking your butt now than you having to kick yourself later because you waited too long!
I feel like Ann Landers! The older guys will recognize the name.
Howdy ....
Good to see everybody ....
We returned from Michigan. It was a very quick trip for me.
A very young fox was sleeping on our deck when we awakened this morning.
I believe this is the Diner's last day in Arizona. Here is another photo I took at the museum on Chandler. This silver painted E8 or E9 looks like one that was used in suburban service in Chicago making it a former CB&Q locomotive.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU