Running Bear's April 2025 Coffee Shop

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If you didn't know you can watch the Masters golf tournament without any cable channel access on your computer at Masters.org. I'm in a $50.00 pool so that's what I'll be doing for the 3 days. The 4 players I chose are doing OK so far so I'll have to see what happens today.
Swal
 
troyphoto said:
Welp... the morning didn't go as planned...
Made it to Menards (Big Box Hardware/lumber store) did my shopping, and ended up like this:


View attachment 216503

I thought the battery might have been in need of replacing, but kept putting off getting it checked.

And, I had taken the brand new set of Jumper cables out of the trunk since winter was over... So I ran back into Menards and bought a new set.

Texting a friend to come over, and a gent in a F150 pulled in next to me. "Need a Jump?"

Five minutes later, I drove across the road to Auto Zone.

The assistant manager was a young woman with a buzz cut, and enough tattoos to make me believe she could repair about any engine, weather it was bike, car, truck, or Firefly class starship.

View attachment 216504
I'm glad I let her do the install. I wouldn't have known to add the terminal shims that she put on. She warned me the next install will need at least a full shim, instead of the half-shims she added.
Click to expand...
New super car battery jump starter.
Swal

 
Good morning from my little part of Wisconsin. Terry is home and doing well. Wednesday was a scary day but it’s passed so we move forward.

Yesterday afternoon I went through the folders we have prepared if one or both of us go. Than last night went through it with the daughter again because she sort of Pooh Poohed it the last time the 3 of us sat down. The son has understood it but I had him on Skype as a refresher.

Terry and I both want to be cremated and I think it’s ridiculous how much the fees are. Just throwing me in the fire ring would work for me but the fire is not hot enough! Too bad. We just don’t want any of the legal drama Terry’s sister and 2 of 3 brothers have caused her in the years since first her dad and then after her mom passed. We have so much detail in the papers it’s crazy and while we trust the kids, they have no choice. Also neither one 1 is the executor of the estate. If my brother is gone the law firm will handle it. If either one tries to contest, they are completely out. Stupid I know but the pain I saw Terry go through was and still is brutal.

I need to get to the train room. Terry promised not to do anything on her investment computer today. She can look but cannot “play”, her words not mine.

Be well, enjoy the day
 


Well, after all these years; finally going to the VA to get hearing aids. Don't know if they will help my left ear; but hopefully the right ear might improve. I have to take Joan with me to all my Dr. appointments so she can tell me what they said; plus by the time I get out to the parking lot, I've already forgotten what they said.

I ruined my ears in the Air Force; but until recently, I didn't know I could get hearing aids from the VA. Round trip drive is 2 hours; hopefully we can take care of it today and not come back next week...I'm a little bit skeptical on them working; but Joan has great confidence
 
John: They take a couple of weeks to get used to.

You may have the hearing test today, and have to wait on them to come in. Not sure if the VA stocks any in house or not.

If you get the behind the ear ones, with a little wire ending in a rubber dome, those work well, but made my ear canals itch for about a week. That was just getting used to having those little rubber domes in the ear canal.

You might also need to start off with the volume lower than you should have it. Then sneak it up a notch after week 1. then again after week 2. You'll hear yourself walk, and every noise you and your wife make.

And, you'll lose your "Huh? I didn't hear" excuse when the wife is talking to you. ;)
 
troyphoto said:
John: They take a couple of weeks to get used to.

You may have the hearing test today, and have to wait on them to come in. Not sure if the VA stocks any in house or not.

If you get the behind the ear ones, with a little wire ending in a rubber dome, those work well, but made my ear canals itch for about a week. That was just getting used to having those little rubber domes in the ear canal.

You might also need to start off with the volume lower than you should have it. Then sneak it up a notch after week 1. then again after week 2. You'll hear yourself walk, and every noise you and your wife make.

And, you'll lose your "Huh? I didn't hear" excuse when the wife is talking to you. ;)
Click to expand...
But he'll gain the "hearing aid batteries are dead" excuse.
 
Tom,
I can relate to the estate issues. When my wife's father passed neither her, nor her 2 siblings expected anything. Her 2 step siblings had already expected a big pay day (according to their mother) and had it spent. Her father was a well known industrial chemist. He had 18 patents related to water purification. (ion exchange resins)

The step mother was evil. She was 15 years younger than her father and convinced him to change the trust so that the surviving spouse could change the distributions. Joke was on her and her kids since she died 5 years before he did. Since he brought so much more into their marriage he changed the distribution to favor his kids. The 2 step kids started a dumpster fire that was put out pretty quick by my wife's brothers estate attorney.

It always amazes me by those that are grateful if a blessing comes their way and those that "expect". Our son is the only heir and he has no clue and probably doesn't care what we have. I've shown him where a copy of our trust is and he is free to read it, but he is more concerned about losing a parent(s) than gaining assets.
 
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Good Morning All. Clear and 52°, at least 80° again today and tomorrow. Still forecasting 94° for Sunday and roller coaster temperatures next week. Maybe rain on Easter Sunday!

Most of yesterday's weekly grocery trek into the city went OK. The only issue was at Pro-Cuts, with only the manager cutting hair, and three old ladies ahead of me. They take much more time than most customers, so I didn't want my wife having to sit in the car for another hour and I left. I'll try for the haircut again next week.
I did get 30 Tomato plants into the ground later in the day, just 18 more to go. I still have two dozen home-grown Tomatoes left to plant, but they just haven't developed enough for open planting yet. I hand-watered the Lettuce and Radishes since it hasn't been raining enough and there's none in sight.
A bit of a disaster yesterday, as one of the heating elements in the tankless electric water heater has apparently failed. To avoid having the other element fail due to trying to heat the water by itself, I have turned the power off. Thought that I had a spare, but apparently not. Two new ones (one for now and one spare) have been ordered from Amazon and will arrive today. That will fill the day out after gardening.

No cruises here; I am a landlubber.

In between everything else, I did make it out to the train shed yesterday, mainly just taking pictures of the backdrop structures and planning the next step.
Before:
IMG_0638.JPG

IMG_0640.JPG

New structures just leaning up against the backdrop.
IMG_0641.JPG

Actual comparison of the one on the left.
IMG_0642.JPG

I made the new ones to exact scale this time, instead of slightly undersized, mainly because I forgot that I made them undersized to begin with!
IMG_0643.JPG
IMG_0644.JPG

Looks a lot better. I am pondering whether to mount them on foam-core, styrene or something else before mounting them to the backdrop itself. The originals are glued directly to the backdrop.

Tom O - I am praying for Terry's rapid recovery for the sake of both of you.
Jim - Your story about the armed guards on the bus reminds me of a fellow that I used to work with. He was originally from El Salvador but has been a citizen here since 1982. Every year, he would buy a used but good pick up truck to take on his summer vacation back to see his parents and family. He'd leave it with them and fly home. They might keep it, give it to other relatives or sell it. They were generally worth 3x what he initially paid for them. Upon entry into Mexico, he hired a military person to ride with him to their southern border. Apparently it is a little known side hustle for the military.
John - Hearing aids are the best investment that I ever made, except for my wife. I just wish that I had gotten them 7-8 years sooner than I did.

Everyone have a fabulous Friday.
 
Good mornin' crew. It's currently 35 and clear with plenty of sunshine (read sunscreen) in Cheyenne this AM. Winds are calm with an occasional gust to to 7mph. Rare day in southeast Wyoming! Looking for a high of 79 this afternoon and a low tonight of 45. Zero chance of precipitation. Warm with the temperature approaching the record of 80 set in 2023 with plenty of sun.

Well, survived another round of GI prep and procedure. Nothing startling, nothing new. Lab results back in a couple of weeks. Celebrated the end of my 24hr fast with North Atlantic Cod dinner from Culver's. I don't know what the difference is, but Culver's seems like the only place I can get battered and fried stuff that doesn't irritate my lower GI tract. Their shrimp is not bad either, considering we're 1200 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

Cruises: Grew up in Galveston and Navy vet, so no stranger to boats, ships, and the water. Took 2 cruises out of Galveston and one out of Whittier AK, all on Carnival. (#1 - June 2008) Seven day to Progreso, Cozumel, and Belize. Took pyramid tours at Cozumel and Belize - made the whole thing worthwhile. Just hung out at Progreso. Spent most of the time at sea enjoying the balcony. (#2 - Sep 2010)) Seven day from Whittier AK to Vancouver BC. Combined with 10-day Alaska RR tour from Anchorage, to Denali, Fairbanks and return - spectacular experience! Then train to Whittier for 7 day cruise. Trip of a lifetime, no doubt about it. Second day out, ran into major Pacific storm - 70 knot winds, seas 14-18ft, lots of folks, including the Captain seasick. NJ(ret) was stocked up on dramamine and anti-nausea meds (I've never been seasick..) Rest of cruise was excellent with stops at Sitka, Juneau, Skagway (White Pass & Yukon rail to Carcross and back on bus), and Ketchikan. (#3 - June 2016) Daughters treated us to 5 day to Progreso and Cozumel for 40th Anniversary. Had a nice suite, while they had a balcony cabin. They partied... while the old folks enjoyed the suite. The Alaska cruise combined with the land tour is the only one I could recommend, although be it with a different cruise line. The atmosphere was definitely different from the Mexico cruises, lot of 50+ cruisers, lot less alcohol consumption, attentive crew, and better food. I think the storm wore a lot of folks out too. But, alas, it was still a Carnival cruise...

Next April is our 50th anniversary. If we're physically able, we're planning an AMTRAK round tripper from Denver to Sacramento, Seattle, Chicago and back to Denver with overnight stays. Over the years, NJ(ret) have traveled a lot of rail miles. Still fun!

Y'all enjoy your Friday, have a good weekend and take care.
 
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Good morning all!

A pretty decent Friday weather wise. Mostly sunny heading to the upper 50s.

Been a busy morning so far with last minute laundry and finding all the swim stuff that was carelessly put away when we closed our pool down in the fall. Been to the bank to get some cash. We usually swipe the card everywhere, but want both of us to have a little cash on us.

Getting the dog ready to go to the boarders. Its funny how smart they are because she knows something is up and is acting accordingly.

Tom-Glad Terry is home and doing better. My continued thoughts and prayers.
Willie-Give a cruise a try. You never know. I resisted for many years and ended up enjoying them a great deal.

Have a safe day everyone!
 
John from Indiana said:
Well, after all these years; finally going to the VA to get hearing aids. Don't know if they will help my left ear; but hopefully the right ear might improve. I have to take Joan with me to all my Dr. appointments so she can tell me what they said; plus by the time I get out to the parking lot, I've already forgotten what they said.

I ruined my ears in the Air Force; but until recently, I didn't know I could get hearing aids from the VA. Round trip drive is 2 hours; hopefully we can take care of it today and not come back next week...I'm a little bit skeptical on them working; but Joan has great confidence
Click to expand...
John: A few years back VA decided I needed aids. Well, Maria prodded my local Doc when we went to our yearly physical; she forwarded to VA. Most of my loss is from electric motors and A/C and computer fans in computer room, and bangs and booms, so maybe different than your loss. Anyway, VA did a test .. yup, classified as near deaf; what ever that means. Gave me a pair of PhonaK behind the ear things immediately. They also helped with the tinnitus although not completely. Did not take me long to get used to them. I can now hear a mouse fart at 20ft. Ya, no more 'What?' stuff and we carry on normal conversations, not on what I thought I heard. I have found sometimes depending on where I am at and what is going on - I just take them out; even though they have 'programs' for certain things. Also works when I don't want to listen to Maria. My Bad!

I do like the bluetooth stuff - can talk on the cell without having to hold it up to my ear. Stereo too.

L8r
 
Good morning all, well for most of you, good afternoon.

One last comment on cruises.
This is what I like about cruising:
- Taking advantage of adult pools when everybody is of the ship.
- Love back to back or side to side cruises as we get of the ship on the first or the second cruise and while everybody is getting of the ship, we have the ship to ourselves until the new cruisers get back on.
- I always have a balcony so that if it's crowded, at least I have my own little corner for peace and hearing the waves.

IMG_3279.JPG

Almost everyone are of the ship on tours


IMG_3281.JPG

Taking a break before the new cruisers show up

IMG_3441.JPG

Relaxing on the balcony
 
Marlin39 said:
Tom,
I can relate to the estate issues. When my wife's father passed neither her, nor her 2 siblings expected anything. Her 2 step siblings had already expected a big pay day (according to their mother) and had it spent. Her father was a well known industrial chemist. He had 18 patents related to water purification. (ion exchange resins)

The step mother was evil. She was 15 years younger than her father and convinced to him change the trust so that the surviving spouse could change the distributions. Joke was on her and her kids since she died 5 years before he did. Since he brought so much more into their marriage he changed the distribution to favor his kids. The 2 step kids started a dumpster fire that was put out pretty quick by my wife's brothers estate attorney.

It always amazes me by those that are grateful if a blessing comes their way and those that "expect". Our son is the only heir and he has no clue and probably doesn't care what we have. I've shown him where a copy of our trust is and he is free to read it, but he is more concerned about losing a parent(s) than gaining assets.
Click to expand...
Terry’s, siblings the sister and 2 of the 3 brothers contested everything a couple years after her dad died. Then again after her mom died. They didn’t have a leg to stand on legally to contest anything especially because her dad had them sign off 3 months prior to his passing that they understood the distributions. Still they had their say in court over a period of 8 miserable years. Thankfully they were ordered in both cases to pay Terry’s legal fees. The second time that happened it bankrupted the sister.

Our kids have pretty much been taken care of already. My philosophy has always been to help the kids out now so I could enjoy seeing them use the gifts. What’s left now is mainly properties and they are aware we don’t care if they keep or sell them if I haven’t done it yet. They did break our hearts though when both told us they didn’t want the companies Terry and I had worked so hard to build up. That was around Covid and was a tough pill to swallow. They both in their mid 30’s finally had their own business adventures take off successfully. The son is now 39 and the daughter will be 43 and both have mentioned, too late, they wish they had taken over the property management companies.

Ah…
 
santafewillie said:
Good Morning All. Clear and 52°, at least 80° again today and tomorrow. Still forecasting 94° for Sunday and roller coaster temperatures next week. Maybe rain on Easter Sunday!

Most of yesterday's weekly grocery trek into the city went OK. The only issue was at Pro-Cuts, with only the manager cutting hair, and three old ladies ahead of me. They take much more time than most customers, so I didn't want my wife having to sit in the car for another hour and I left. I'll try for the haircut again next week.
I did get 30 Tomato plants into the ground later in the day, just 18 more to go. I still have two dozen home-grown Tomatoes left to plant, but they just haven't developed enough for open planting yet. I hand-watered the Lettuce and Radishes since it hasn't been raining enough and there's none in sight.
A bit of a disaster yesterday, as one of the heating elements in the tankless electric water heater has apparently failed. To avoid having the other element fail due to trying to heat the water by itself, I have turned the power off. Thought that I had a spare, but apparently not. Two new ones (one for now and one spare) have been ordered from Amazon and will arrive today. That will fill the day out after gardening.

No cruises here; I am a landlubber.

In between everything else, I did make it out to the train shed yesterday, mainly just taking pictures of the backdrop structures and planning the next step.
Before:View attachment 216508
View attachment 216509
New structures just leaning up against the backdrop.
View attachment 216510
Actual comparison of the one on the left.View attachment 216511
I made the new ones to exact scale this time, instead of slightly undersized, mainly because I forgot that I made them undersized to begin with!View attachment 216512View attachment 216513
Looks a lot better. I am pondering whether to mount them on foam-core, styrene or something else before mounting them to the backdrop itself. The originals are glued directly to the backdrop.

Tom O - I am praying for Terry's rapid recovery for the sake of both of you.
Jim - Your story about the armed guards on the bus reminds me of a fellow that I used to work with. He was originally from El Salvador but has been a citizen here since 1982. Every year, he would buy a used but good pick up truck to take on his summer vacation back to see his parents and family. He'd leave it with them and fly home. They might keep it, give it to other relatives or sell it. They were generally worth 3x what he initially paid for them. Upon entry into Mexico, he hired a military person to ride with him to their southern border. Apparently it is a little known side hustle for the military.
John - Hearing aids are the best investment that I ever made, except for my wife. I just wish that I had gotten them 7-8 years sooner than I did.

Everyone have a fabulous Friday.
Click to expand...
Thanks Willie. We will make through this medical bump in the road
 


John from Indiana said:
Well, after all these years; finally going to the VA to get hearing aids. Don't know if they will help my left ear; but hopefully the right ear might improve. I have to take Joan with me to all my Dr. appointments so she can tell me what they said; plus by the time I get out to the parking lot, I've already forgotten what they said.

I ruined my ears in the Air Force; but until recently, I didn't know I could get hearing aids from the VA. Round trip drive is 2 hours; hopefully we can take care of it today and not come back next week...I'm a little bit skeptical on them working; but Joan has great confidence
Click to expand...
Well, that went faster than I thought. In-and-out in about an hour. That included my fifth hearing test with the VA, and measuring my inner ears for hearing aids. They made a wax mold of both ears and my hearing aids will be ready in a month. My wife is super happy for this, and that is good. She's probably tired of me saying "What?" all the time. I opted for the behind the ears type...they come in designer colors and I took skin tone. Went to Costco on the way back and that took longer than the VA visit. When we lived in Oregon; we were about 3-4 miles away and we went all the time. Joan usually orders what we need from Costco and it's free of charge mailing. We loved the Costco Apple and Cherry pies; they didn't have any; but they did have a carrot cake...that's my favorite cake; but it's very rich...when you go to Costco you don't buy just a loaf of bread and leave...better bring your checkbook
 
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