Running Bear's September 2023 Coffee Shop

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


Status
Not open for further replies.
Good morning gang!

. His tab was almost $1200.00, and it was mostly flex track and cases of cork, with a small smattering of scenery stuff. Made my paltry $75.00 sale look minor!


I can't believe the cost of cork roadbed (you can tell I haven't purchased in a while). Last 2 boxes I bought was $80 shipped. I just purchase a box a couple of nights ago. $68 shipped was the cheapest I found it.

Luckily, I only need one more box.
 


Long hot humid day - had 4 grey barrels of packing and cardboard with the daughter helping me stuff it all in. First 2 barrels, mine and the neighbors were stuffed and had large boxes full of cut and stacked cardboard sitting on top - then the pickup guy would not take all the large furniture and mattress boxes, but told me to cut them up and place in the 2 barrels and he would pick them up again on the other side of the street. Daughter and I both were sweating profusely after that.

I managed to make it to the local Kaiser facility this afternoon where I had a blood test, peein the cup, and pick up another round of more stronger "horse pills" for the throat?
I am sooo tired that someone asked me in the grocerystore if I needed help. I was fairly close to blacking out due to a couple dizzy spells.

All I want to do at the moment is crawl into the bed and HOPEFULLY sleep through the night.
That has not happened in quite a while.

I finally shut off the TV with the score tied 13-13. Just could not keep my eyes open.
I will trade you one JOE BUCK for two of anything you got.
I spent half the game with it on mute - I want to watch the game - Not listen to more than 2 hours of BLABBING!

Nite ALL
 
Long hot humid day - had 4 grey barrels of packing and cardboard with the daughter helping me stuff it all in. First 2 barrels, mine and the neighbors were stuffed and had large boxes full of cut and stacked cardboard sitting on top - then the pickup guy would not take all the large furniture and mattress boxes, but told me to cut them up and place in the 2 barrels and he would pick them up again on the other side of the street. Daughter and I both were sweating profusely after that.

I managed to make it to the local Kaiser facility this afternoon where I had a blood test, peein the cup, and pick up another round of more stronger "horse pills" for the throat?
I am sooo tired that someone asked me in the grocerystore if I needed help. I was fairly close to blacking out due to a couple dizzy spells.

All I want to do at the moment is crawl into the bed and HOPEFULLY sleep through the night.
That has not happened in quite a while.

I finally shut off the TV with the score tied 13-13. Just could not keep my eyes open.
I will trade you one JOE BUCK for two of anything you got.
I spent half the game with it on mute - I want to watch the game - Not listen to more than 2 hours of BLABBING!

Nite ALL
Damn Sherrel take care of yourself.

I cannot handle any of the NFL announcers. It’s another reason I don’t watch sports like I used to. The guys on the Bear/Packer game yesterday never shut up and really were more confusing then helpful. Hell, even John Madden paused occasionally
 
I will trade you one JOE BUCK for two of anything you got.
I spent half the game with it on mute - I want to watch the game - Not listen to more than 2 hours of BLABBING!
Years ago, when Howard Cosell was on ABC's Monday Night Football, I would turn down the sound on the TV (no mute button) and listen to Hank Stram and Jack Buck on the radio. They were my favorite national broadcast team.

I hope you slept well and are feeling better.
 
The Jets have no luck. Rodgers dropped back to pass three times and it looks like his season is over. Joe Flacco is still looking for a job.

The Jets defense did show they are championship caliber. They held it close until the special teams were able to win it in overtime with a punt return for a touchdown. Jets 22 - Bills 16

Although the first few weeks of the modern NFL is not a good indication of how teams will play later in the season. Most starters don't play enough in the preseason to get coordinated with each other. Some don't play at all!
 
Good morning. It's 75 and clear.
Looks like I need to contact my credit card company. I have my account set up to autopay every month, and have since I opened the account. I noticed yesterday, my balance is increasing instead of decreasing. I looked further, and I am being charged a $40 late fee each and every month.
I do not get any statements of any kind, no billing notices, or anything. I made a single purchase in March, and it looks like I may want to just pay it off and close the account, if they can't provide me with some answers.
 
The Jets have no luck. Rodgers dropped back to pass three times and it looks like his season is over. Joe Flacco is still looking for a job.

The Jets defense did show they are championship caliber. They held it close until the special teams were able to win it in overtime with a punt return for a touchdown. Jets 22 - Bills 16

Although the first few weeks of the modern NFL is not a good indication of how teams will play later in the season. Most starters don't play enough in the preseason to get coordinated with each other. Some don't play at all!
Sounds like Rogers made about 10 million a play, Nice work!
 


Morning all,

60° and clear this morning. Supposed to get to 78° later. On vacation and still got up at 4:30.

Wife said it was a good thing we didn't go to Pikes Peak (it was ne of the places we considered). It snowed overnight.

Son got some so-so news on his old car. Took it in for an oil change (which was done) and the dealer pointed out a whole bunch of services and things that should have some attention. In fairness a 20 year old car with factory struts and shocks should probably have them replaced, along with the tie rods and an alignment, but with all the recommended services they think it should have, $4300 would just about cover it. Car is only worth $1500-$2000 max. It only has about 83,000 miles and is used more for multicar discount. Funny how tags and property tax is under $100 per year and he saves over $700 per year on his car insurance just by having it. Yes we can play the game....

Gotta get breakfast so I can get to the painting.

BBL
 
Good morning gang!

Flo, Coffee please my dear, in an IV bag if possible! Eyelids are heavy as Samsonite bags today. Not sure why, I did sleep last night.

I do have several n scale pieces, mostly Maryland Midland stuff. The locos have scale magnetic couplers but the cars all had the huge hook couplers that not only wouldn't couple, but looked horrible. I finally got them all converted last night. Afterward I looked like Clarence the cross eyed lion, if any of you remember the TV show Daktari. Worst part is they just sit on a display case, but it just drove me nuts whenever I walked by. Terry, I don't know how you deal with the little itty bittyness of n scale!

Gotta work, BBL
 
Good morning from WIsconsin. 53f degrees feels like 51 and heading to 69 later. Pool water at 83.

The horticulturalist came out yesterday and says we should fire our landscaper designer! The trees and bushes we worked to save around the house are actually invasive plants to WIsconsin. The bushes also have a wilt that is telling us the plants are dying. We are getting a quote but I believe the son in law can handle the chain saw removal with a couple of his neighbor buddies. There are a couple nice trees in amongst the mess he looked at yesterday and he did mark which ones should be saved, can be revived and those that need to go.

The landscapers are here about 6 weeks early and are planting things all over the 2 acres the house is situated on. The equipment and many trees arrived last week. The foreperson told me yesterday depending on weather she plans everything to be done by next Wednesday the 20th. Not bad for originally being scheduled for the end of October/November. They of course are only planting bushes, trees and perennials in the beds they are building. We decided we were not in shape or have the time to do all this ourselves so we hired out. It’s nice to watch organized chaos turn into something neat. The foreperson asked why we built the solar arrays south and below the lap pool so high? Terry explained by building them over the ground 9’ she can garden under them so there is no wasted growing space. Next growing season tomatoes , peppers peas and beans are going into the raised beds under the array. Terry wants them 4’ high instead of the 2’ high she has done in the past. The son in law and a neighbor have been working on building them and will install the beds and fill them when the landscapers are done in the area.

We heard gun shots yesterday morning from the swamp area/wetlands on the property. We haven’t had any illegal duck hunters in a few years now because basically the swamp is dry. Just a 8’ Creek running through it now. I flew the drone all over the wetlands looking for a blind or any tampered down grasses leading to it. Nothing, so I think it might have beeb a far off neighbor sighting in a rifle.

Terry started working last week with a Maui organization looking to help rebuild. Many of the Lahaina destroyed homes will not be rebuilt by the owners but sold off. Maui knows that and are trying to minimize natives and immigrant workers (many Filipino) from leaving. Meanwhile they need a place to stay. Terry has 2 full time folks who run the stables she has on Maui and while they are ok they have family that were burned out of their rentals. Tiny houses may become a huge thing soon on Maui even with the just arriving FEMA trailers. They are looking to grant exceptions to water rights for these tiny homes and on 2 acres she could put 4 on there. Terry applied for the exception and is waiting. Meanwhile 4 families are camping out near the stables in big FEMA tents. While she told me some of this last week I guess I missed the thing about tents and 4 families. That was a surprise!

Today is a ME day. I will work some on the layout and do no weathering at all. The staging area is first! I have 8 drawers that will store cars that I will install under the staging yard. I also unpacked last night my light walls for my SAD. (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I had originally planned a space out of the train room but they now may go into my studio/workshop. The lights in the studio and some day back again under the layout valance are day-light bulbs in the 5000 to 5400k range. The SAD lights are 6000+. Both the son and wife mentioned about combining the spaces because I spent most of my day there. Going to experiment this week.

While I do not want MR DIVA of the JETS to have even a decent season, under no circumstances did I want him to get hurt.

enjoy the day
 
Terry, I don't know how you deal with the little itty bittyness of n scale!
OptiVISOR1_Left2_Small.jpg
 
Morning All! We are at 67 degrees looking for 88 latr with mostly sunny. I sure hope that the humidity has subsided a little - it has been on a tear - must be "climate change" LOL!

Slept pretty good - only ONCE did I have to get up - TWICE if you count this time?
Still really soreness everywhere - Just took n Advil (that I'm not supposed to have) but my back needs some help.

Have to run at the moment - quick coffee to go, FLO, BBL

So, the JETS won ... unbelievable as their defence wasn't that great.
TOM - I'm with you about Rogers - happy for the "Stand In"
 
Good Morning All. Cloudy and 69°. It's raining nearby, but as usual it's not raining here. The storm split as it moved eastward towards me, and the radar shows rain about a mile south and another cell about two miles north. Frustrating since we really need it. Yesterday didn't even wet the rain gauge while almost covering the porch. Walking in the early morning has been so much more pleasant in this weather.

Cool day yesterday and I did get a whole lot of small outdoor chores done. Still no need to consider mowing anything except to shred and pick up leaves for the garden. Today's tasks start with emptying the dishwasher which doesn't depend on good weather.;) Pool temperature yesterday was a very pleasant 83°, but it will progress down from here due to the expected cloudiness of the next few days.

More progress out in the train shed yesterday. After applying brown and/or leather paint to many figures, I got 11 more into the finished cup ready for dull coat. I intend to do flesh and gray next which will complete another dozen maybe.
For my next small modeling project, I selected this structure for detailing, completion and planting.
IMG_0375.JPG

IMG_0376.JPG

IMG_0377.JPG

IMG_0378.JPG

The front was an extra (alternate) front that came with a Walther's kit that I did a couple of years ago. I matched it up with some DPM modular walls to come up with the Perfect Perk Cafe. First step will be to fix the roof which was installed without sufficient bracing and has warped.
IMG_0381.JPG

I have a choice of two locations to plant it at first glance, trying to decide which I will use. The first one and most probably the one that I will use is next to the beer distributor that I planted a couple of months ago in Rycon Township.
IMG_0379.JPG

Or do I put it over in Charlottesville next to the candy store that I got from Chet?
IMG_0380.JPG

I'm leaning toward the first choice.

Karl - Are you old enough to remember when $75 at the LHS got you 15 Athearn blue box freight cars? Now it gets one freight car and a bag or two of ground foam.
Chad - Congratulations to your son on his divine calling.
Curt - Sorry to read about your wife's injury. Not a fun thing ever, especially when on vacation.
Sherrel - That sucks about the cardboard. At least I can burn mine. More positive thoughts and prayers coming your way to kick your ailment.
Patrick - Hell! After 8 years of retirement, I still get up at 4:00 am without an alarm. I've tried staying up later at night, and that doesn't even work.

Everybody have a great day.
 
Good morning. It's 75 and clear.
Looks like I need to contact my credit card company. I have my account set up to autopay every month, and have since I opened the account. I noticed yesterday, my balance is increasing instead of decreasing. I looked further, and I am being charged a $40 late fee each and every month.
I do not get any statements of any kind, no billing notices, or anything. I made a single purchase in March, and it looks like I may want to just pay it off and close the account, if they can't provide me with some answers.
Not surprising, Terry: You set up a paperless billing account, with auto pay. Auto pay defaults to the due date. Money is drawn on the due date and processed on the following day...which causes the autobots to initiate a late fee for being a day late... Unless the customer constantly monitors the account, and sets up an earlier payment day...becoming a common business practice in addition to the 30%+ interest rate for unpaid balance.
 
Not surprising, Terry: You set up a paperless billing account, with auto pay. Auto pay defaults to the due date. Money is drawn on the due date and processed on the following day...which causes the autobots to initiate a late fee for being a day late... Unless the customer constantly monitors the account, and sets up an earlier payment day...becoming a common business practice in addition to the 30%+ interest rate for unpaid balance.
typically it is credited the day they draw it, not the day they get it. I regularly enter payments on the due date without issue, even if they are not drawn from my checking account for a couple days by their systems.
 
Okay, after a lengthy conversation with the CC company, who is also my bank, I discovered it doesn't matter to them when the payment is made, it only matters when the payment posts. So, a payment made today on a payment due tomorrow will still be late, because it takes them 2-3 business days to post to the account. They told me "too bad" on the earlier late fees, but they did reverse the current one. I had originally set up the payments for 2 days before the due date, but it looks like it's been taking 3-5 business days to post, which can in reality be up to a week late, in the real world. The person I spoke to suggested 5-7 days before the due date for the payment to be scheduled. I'm beginning to wonder about my bank, which is a supposedly not-for-profit credit union... GTE credit union.
 


Okay, after a lengthy conversation with the CC company, who is also my bank, I discovered it doesn't matter to them when the payment is made, it only matters when the payment posts. So, a payment made today on a payment due tomorrow will still be late, because it takes them 2-3 business days to post to the account. They told me "too bad" on the earlier late fees, but they did reverse the current one. I had originally set up the payments for 2 days before the due date, but it looks like it's been taking 3-5 business days to post, which can in reality be up to a week late, in the real world. The person I spoke to suggested 5-7 days before the due date for the payment to be scheduled. I'm beginning to wonder about my bank, which is a supposedly not-for-profit credit union... GTE credit union.

I'd close that account and run. Run away. Fast. I don't take that crap and non-industry-standard behavior. I've ditched banks (CC providers) for less. You are using their Auto pay system. They should stand behind it.

And I'd file a complaint with your states CU regulatory office.

ETA: My comments are only if you are using the recipient bank (the issuing bank of the CC) pay facilities -- if the payment is made through a 3rd party bill pay or something then yes, post date is correct. But if you make it through their system ,a nd their autopay system counts, they should be treating the payment as being made the day you or their autopay system makes it and not when it posts. No bank I use has ever done it that way -- they always count it when the payment is entered.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top