Running Bear's April 2022 Coffee Shop

[Sirfoldalot]

Willie -- You are a very fortunate man! All my inheritance was enough to pay my INCOME TAX bill for a couple years. Mom wouldn't invest in anything and all Dad did was work ... he loved to work!

 

[NYC_George]

Mine was excellent, thank you for asking. My brother who is the executor of my late brother's will, got approved by the court and has all necessary documentation. I and four siblings are direct beneficiary's in four different IRA type accounts for a sizable amount of $$$. One is an inherited IRA from my father so I must take an RMD this year. Brother is gathering up all of the non-beneficiary stuff into an estate checking account for eventual distribution to the five of us. Car has been sold, house should close by the end of May and the sizable checking, savings and other investment accounts are being consolidated. All estate debts have been paid. All of this is tax-free to me except for two of the IRA's, which if I roll over won't be taxable until I start to withdraw. Will this sizable windfall change my lifestyle? Most likely no. I might purchase a couple of new tee shirts and we'll get another car, not a Tesla though. While it doesn't leak, the house needs a new roof, but we already had it and the car in the budget. To start the ball rolling, $150K is coming off the top next week, to be distributed to the 12 non-hospice caregivers during his last 8 months.

It took 18 months to settle my wife's son's account because we couldn't get in his bank accounts until my wife became the executor. That took five months. Then we found out he had a Verizon account that was on automatic payment which he owed about $1,500.00 on which Verizon put a claim into the probate court. I asked Verizon to send an itemized bill. They took 5 months to get that done. If you wanted to buy something from them that takes a day. I finally settled on paying them $300.00. If a company puts a claim into the court be prepared for a long drawn out process.
George

 

[santafewillie]

It took 18 months to settle my wife's son's account because we couldn't get in his bank accounts until my wife became the executor. That took five months. Then we found out he had a Verizon account that was on automatic payment which he owed about $1,500.00 on which Verizon put a claim into the probate court. I asked Verizon to send an itemized bill. They took 5 months to get that done. If you wanted to buy something from them that takes a day. I finally settled on paying them $300.00. If a company puts a claim into the court be prepared for a long drawn out process.
George

Bureaucracy has already taken it's toll. It took a month to get the death certificate, and another 2 1/2 months for the court to approve the executor. Meanwhile no one could freeze the investment accounts and they lost money for 3 1/2 months while the Stock Market tumbled! Fortunately none of the five siblings needs or was expecting this windfall. We originally thought that he was leaving it all to his church. My other two brothers have been keeping up with and paying all bills (insurance, property taxes, utilities, etc), while this was in limbo. They also paid for the impending foundation repair prior to the house contract.

 

[CambriaArea51]

Good morning....I see that Good Friday wasn't good for a few. A cold wet damp weekend ahead.

George, the wife might be looking into moving to Kentucky. At least the summer months are longer than the winter months.

Coffee Flo, in the big cup.

 

[kbkchooch]

Happy Saturday everyone!!

58° and cloudy. Looking for a high of 70°

6:40 a.m. and I am here at work, catching up on paperwork prior to opening the doors at 8. I like the quiet, I get more done that way.

Ugly? I think the one they call the shark is the ugliest.

I will vote for the SW-1 as the coolest.

Dave LASM

Oh bite your tongue! I happen to like the Shark nosed Baldwins, especially in D&H livery. BL2s are kinda strange looking, but hardy. The WMs 2 are also survivors.
The BEST looking diesel was the Alco PA, hands down. But then, steamers look better the diseasels any day!

BBL

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Estate executor is required to notify all creditors of the death. Estate cannot be distrubuted till all creditors have been satisfied. To violate that is criminal and executor can become liable.

 

[NYC_George]

Bureaucracy has already taken it's toll.

Besides the bureaucracy all the physical stuff our garage has been full of for the past 18 months. It's all good stuff I just can't throw it away. I all ready sold $1,000.00 of items at rock bottom prices and still have half of a 2 car garage left. There's a huge flea market at Stormville airport coming up in a week. I plan on being there. Great deals for anyone who needs all kinds of stuff. That is from camera's and lenses to never used corning ware. I would like it all to go.
George

 

[PNKFLOYD]

I found some Hot Wheels and Matchbox vehicles that I can use on my HO layout, although they are about 1:72 scale. I will use them for background vehicles away from true HO scale vehicles.

I painted the panel and pickups after converting them back to stock looking trucks. I painted tail lights, chrome details and the police car red lights to lessen the toy appearance.
My wife had to have another back surgery to repair a loose screw that was touching a nerve in her spine. She is occupying most of my time right now.
I will add license tags to all vehicles and a CORONER sign to the panel truck. I plan to have the sheriff's car and panel at a house with a body being carried to the panel by two people.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

I had a few Matchbox vehicles, and I took them to the train shows, setting them on the forward edge of the module. Funny how they would disappear after kids were near them.

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Partly cloudy and 71°. That's the high for today. It will start to go down after the cool front hits around late morning and the overnight low will be 53°. Possible rain tomorrow morning, of course during the time that I have to drive to Dallas to Easter brunch and pick up my wife.
Continued mowing yesterday, starting over in the front yard. I will work my way around the estate today and then again Monday.

Thanks for the likes and comments regarding the loco progress yesterday; Smudge, IB Ken, OB Ken, Karl, Hughie, Patrick, Chad, Sherrel, Louis, Kurt, Guy, George, Tom O.

The subject seems to have come up again regarding wives and train purchases. I am happily in the camp of those whose wives don't care what I spend, but I also don't buy anything that I don't need or use. When she visits the train shed, she does see $ signs on little wheels going around in circles and comments. I respond pointing out the three and a half closets of clothes in the house! Then I duck!

I skipped the train shed yesterday, as my 80 year old neighbor stopped by to visit just as I was finishing up my outdoor tasks. We ended up talking in the lawn chairs for almost two hours. He usually doesn't get out of his pick up truck so yesterday was special!

Guy -

and what a beautiful morning it is in the 20F temps under a dark, cloudy sky and expecting light snow.

Only a crazy man would say that.
Dave B -

Willie - still waiting for pics of fresh garden produce. Up here, radishes are first. However, the ground is still frozen!

Didn't plant radishes this year since I wasn't expecting to have the cooler weather for long after the new garden plot was ready. I was right, too many 80°+ days since then. But the lettuce is doing well, both the red and green.

While these are both Romaine types, I pick off outer leaves early in the day as needed for meals for a couple of days.
At the same time, I pick spinach the same way from plants that right now look like this.

Meanwhile the cabbage looks like this.

Leaves are a little beaten by the incessant winds the last ten days.
And finally, my first tomato bloom.

Don't mind the cutworm collar that's kicked over. In reality, that first blossom will probably not produce a tomato. Oooops! I see a weed emerging in the lower left corner! The debris looking stuff is hay and grass clippings that keep the soil surface from drying into a hard-pan surface.
Sherrel -

Willie -- You are a very fortunate man! All my inheritance was enough to pay my INCOME TAX bill for a couple years.

Thanks. But I don't know what I'll do with it except leave it to my kids. Grrrh! I fortunately do not need it unless I change my frugal lifestyle. My wife has always wanted to play in the stock market with actual stocks instead of the ETF's that we use. Maybe I'll give her $50K to play with.

Everybody have a great Saturday.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

MORNING FLO! How about a BLT with fries and a coke this morning?
Looking at Willie's garden makes me want some lettuce - I like spinach too - wonder how that would be on a sandwich?

 

[OBTC 1909]

Good morning all! 48 with sun and wind heading for 58 with more of the same.

My eyes are quite a bit better today, though they still are watering a bit. Went to the eye doctor yesterday and got a good exam. Fortunately, things aren't serious. The problem is the water in my eyes has been evaporating almost immediately after it gets there so my brain is telling them to make more water all the time which is causing the constant watering if that makes any sense. Also had some allergy related things contributing to the problem. He gave me some different drops and told me to stop using what I got last week from convenient care. He also gave me an antibiotic to help with the glands in my eyes not secreting the oils that are supposed to help keep the water from evaporating so quickly. Anyway, I'm still watering a little this morning but not as bad. Should be cleared up soon. At least they're not burning as much as they were.

Nothing much else going on. Need to get some stuff done outside today and am thankful for a nice day to do it. Got one of my tractor tires repaired finally, so maybe I can get some stuff done.

Hope you all have a great day!

 

[Smudge617]

I had a few Matchbox vehicles, and I took them to the train shows, setting them on the forward edge of the module. Funny how they would disappear after kids were

I'd have glued the buggers down, the kids, not the vehicles.

 

[McLeod]

Good Morning!
In direct contrast to Willie's bountiful garden experience, we here in the north are still locked in the Artic air. I just came back from the dog walk, and I see the creek is just starting to break-up:

It's only 24F, the ground will be frozen for awhile yet, and the wife can't plant until mid-May. I'm ok with it, though. I have a warm train room.

What I'm not ok with, is retards running around my forest on the loose. I just don't understand the concept of picking up and bagging dog poop, and then throwing the plastic baggy down on the forest floor. It makes no sense. Why not just leave the crap on the ground, so it will disappear naturally. Why bag it in plastic so it will never go away. - I've picked up 7 baggies in the last 2 days.
If I ever get a photo of the sicko who's responsible, I will commit full bore to a public shaming on the local social networks. I'm going to put their name and photo up, so their neighbours can know what kind of special person they live beside.

I also found an hidden Easter egg down in a tree. I left it there; probably some parents setting up a hunt for the kids. Hope the kids find it before the squirrels, Magpie's and Raven's do. There's a-lot of competition.

Just look for the tree with a big boob, and you'll have an egg.

Willie - I'm jealous, and I'm not hanging around inhere to watch your garden grow right in front of my eyes. No sir, I'm going to go play in the train room.

Have a great day!

 

[bnsf971]

Ken, the car is a Kia.
I’ve owned a couple several years ago, and found them to be good, reliable cars, though a little sparse in the appointment and build material side.
This one seemed pretty good, again without all the bells and whistles that break or become outdated by next week. I specifically looked for one with a normal transmission, rather than a cvt, which seem to be prone to trouble, no matter who makes them.
They’ve had some issues with engines in a couple of models, the Optima and now the Soul. The Soul is the SUV, and that’s what I got.

 

[Patrick]

Afternoon all,

Every time I've tried to get in, I got called away. Been busy. Wife was off yesterday and had grandpa go through some of the fishing equipment I've collected over the years, get both a state license and a local license (city has a lake that you need both a state and city fishing license for) and took the grandkids fishing yesterday. I've got to learn to use a open reel, so while they actually fished (didn't catch anything, but had 2 come out of the water and wiggle off), I had a weight and practiced casting. We left when a family from out of town, had a bored kid that felt compelled to follow us around and toss rocks and sticks into the lake. We left. The kids only live a block or so from the lake and my son's house has a tiny view of the lake. He's have a bigger view if something happened to a cedar tree across the street...lol

Been to the store, got the smoked hams from the KofC at church, working on laundry, etc. So it's been busy. Oh yea, got the eggs boiled and the grandkids already colored them.

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Did my usual Sunday chores today since I'll probably be helping MOH with cooking for the family Easter meal tomorrow. The pole lights came in and each one has seven steps to get to the mounting point on the layout. They look good IMO. The directions say use only DC power which I don't understand since they are the square LED's and they light as they should on AC track power. Anyway they are all wired up and ready for mounting on Monday.

Thank you for the photo likes yesterday.

Terry- At least the dealership is doing the right thing.

George- Nice job on the gutter.

Karl- My favorite diesel is a Shark and my favorite steamer is a Y6b.

Willie- Nice looking garden.

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[Smudge617]

I was on my way home behind an ambulance. Oddly I noticed a small metal box sitting on the back bumper. When the ambulance turned the corner, the box flew off and landed on the curb. I thought it's time to be a good Samaritan, so I pulled over and retrieved it. When I opened it, there was a human toe packed in an ice bag. Jiminy Crickets... I thought, so I called a local hospital and they said 'yes, the ambulance had arrived without the box'. I gave them my location and asked if they were going to send another ambulance to collect it?
The lady replied "No, we'll just send a toe truck."

 

[bnsf971]

I was on my way home behind an ambulance. Oddly I noticed a small metal box sitting on the back bumper. When the ambulance turned the corner, the box flew off and landed on the curb. I thought it's time to be a good Samaritan, so I pulled over and retrieved it. When I opened it, there was a human toe packed in an ice bag. Jiminy Crickets... I thought, so I called a local hospital and they said 'yes, the ambulance had arrived without the box'. I gave them my location and asked if they were going to send another ambulance to collect it?
The lady replied "No, we'll just send a toe truck."

...Groan...

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet peeps, and those who would drive this with Smudge

It's Troy again. I finished the edit on the book, and shipped the file off to the editor late last night.

Wife is still off with her mother and will be through Tuesday. That's the big moving day.

Since we've got the auctioneers coming in to sell of personal property for MIL, I've been ordered to drive down tomorrow with anything I've got squirreled away from home repairs, etc that could get a few pennies for MIL.

So far, a pricy faucet that I hated (one of those tall gooseneck ones), A tamale steamer pot that was the ONLY thing local we could get for the wife to can her apple butter in two years (when everyone was making sourdough bread, and canning all sorts of food.) I've since purchased a canning cauldron or whatever, that actually fits under the range hood. This tamale kettle is HUGE.

Also got the Medium cat crate that we shipped the kitty to and from California in. It had to large enough for the cat to sit up in. It's too unwieldy to take the cat to the vet in (got a smaller carrier for that).

And several 4 ft fluorescent light fixtures, sans bulbs. A few other bits and bobs may surface before then.

This morning, I pounded out another 1700 words for an "extra secret" chapter to the book I just finished. This one will be an online treat for those who read the book, and go sign-up for my mailing list.

After finishing the book, and doing that extra chapter, my brain went into Homer Simpson mode. I just farted around on YouTube, watching movie clips and terrain videos. Then I took a nap. Seemed like a good way to celebrate another book *mostly* done.

Tomorrow, since it's just me and the cat at home, I'll fire up the grill for a steak and baked sweet potato. Maybe a frozen pizza for 2nd meal. You know, living large on Easter. Wife will be making a diabetic-friendly basic meal for her mother, and I was warned I wouldn't like it, so show up mid-afternoon.

I did get some paint on minis for the medieval wargame. That's about all my brain can handle tonight.

That's it for now. Hope everyone has a happy Easter, Passover, Ramadan, or whatever you're celebrating tomorrow.