Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop

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santafewillie said:
WOW! For my 1500 sq ft house, 800 sq ft train shed and 15 acres, my taxes are just $795/year! It dropped last year from $815 since the barn was destroyed by the tornado.
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Gulps, we pay about 200 pm council tax so 2400 pounds at 1.35 dollars = 3240 dollars less thereabouts,
and we pay another 250ish in land tax for drainage, 337.5 dollars
so 2900/3500 ish dollars….never added the pair together before….faints.
I could not afford to move house because of our taxes. Are tied to what it was when we first moved here, I do not know what the house and 5 extra rooms plus conservatory. Plus stables - loft is exempt I think would cost nowadays.
our gov is going to tax us for when we sell and move, how they cannot see that will sink our economy even more I do not know.

the thing that gets me is we are getting more dollars to the pound, because the Gov is so in debt they have to pay a higher interest rate for bonds to even attract anyone to buy them. Beginning of the year we had a 1.22 ratio now it’s 1.36almost 37. (last five years 1.22 has hit each year but you cannot guarantee that)
1.22+10 percent (over 10!!!) 1.22+.122=1.342.

Now if I wanted to go on holiday to USA, which I would,but we never go on holiday because we have no one to look after the animals. That ratio is ok. can be okay for the American products we buy, but usually they have a stable uk price despite the usd/gbp ratio. 9ooh except shares if we bought the sandp500 at the moment? Little dance= but we are not)And I don’t do UK bonds, and UK bonds are high because our gov can’t balance their books. UK and France both have enormous debt, our gdp is better (France is very close to a bail out plan) but we waste money on ludicrous stuff. FYI this is not politics not fighting over policies, just stating the facts as the financial reports support this discussion..grins. Not a word of their policies…no…nope…zipped.
 
troyphoto said:
Need help from the brain trust.

I want to add some more lights to my drop ceiling to light up the upper deck better. What is in the ceiling now is easily moved, I just need to get some replacement ceiling panels. I couldn't find the originals when I installed the puck lights during the pandemic. So getting rid of the older panels is on my "someday" honeydo list.

View attachment 239202

That one that is at the end of a panel and not centered was positioned above my hobby desk before I moved the layout into that corner. (It can move, and I don't mind trashing a panel if I need to.

QUESTION: I may not put up valance to hide the lights. I'm debating on centering in each panel as one normally would. Or positioning centered over the layout itself. As you can see, that would put the rightmost row of pucks near the long-brace for the drop ceiling.

I've already got the pucks, just need to pick up a roll of romex to add to the existing run.

Thoughts or suggestions on positioning?? Am I going to end up adding a Valance to hide the off-centerness if I go that way?
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For me the visual balance is less than the usefulness of what it lights below
But you just admitted changing the layout, and what’s to say this can’t happen again
You have spare you can get more Romex, I personally say do what works for the present design and store 1 or 2 spare in case you need to rebalance, this works as well because if anything fails you have spare.
If the design allows you easy access to under the lights in question and does not mean trashing the layout all to the good, so make sure near light if push comes to shove you can get to the pesky lights without dancing the fang da go all over what is likely to be a gorgeous kayout
 
DeaconKC said:
Terry, praying for you here for today.
@chadbag go to a gunstore and tell them you need gun cleaning brushes, they are made in nylon, stainless and bronze and are narrow to fit in small spaces.
75 here today, supposed to hit 90 again. Back is complaining, might try to get into the chiropractor.
Y'all be good and may God bless!
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Yeah I was thinking of that last night after posting . I was trying to remember if any of my gun brushes were that narrow. I’d go check but everything is packed away. I probably have 10 of them somewhere in my firearms enthusiast part of my “too much stuff” as the wife calls it.

I’ll have to admit I forgot about them until after I posted because I stopped cleaning guns a long while ago. I just add more oil. (Only half joking).

I’ll stop by sportsman’s warehouse today. We don’t have any mom and pop gun stores in our area but there is a Sportsman’s Warehouse over by a Costco about 15 min away. (We have a dozen Costco stores with 60-75 min drive from here).
 


troyphoto said:
Need help from the brain trust.

I want to add some more lights to my drop ceiling to light up the upper deck better. What is in the ceiling now is easily moved, I just need to get some replacement ceiling panels. I couldn't find the originals when I installed the puck lights during the pandemic. So getting rid of the older panels is on my "someday" honeydo list.

View attachment 239202

That one that is at the end of a panel and not centered was positioned above my hobby desk before I moved the layout into that corner. (It can move, and I don't mind trashing a panel if I need to.

QUESTION: I may not put up valance to hide the lights. I'm debating on centering in each panel as one normally would. Or positioning centered over the layout itself. As you can see, that would put the rightmost row of pucks near the long-brace for the drop ceiling.

I've already got the pucks, just need to pick up a roll of romex to add to the existing run.

Thoughts or suggestions on positioning?? Am I going to end up adding a Valance to hide the off-centerness if I go that way?
Click to expand...
I’d start your Romex fund now. You might have saved enough by the time you figure this out.
 
troyphoto said:
Need help from the brain trust.

I want to add some more lights to my drop ceiling to light up the upper deck better. What is in the ceiling now is easily moved, I just need to get some replacement ceiling panels. I couldn't find the originals when I installed the puck lights during the pandemic. So getting rid of the older panels is on my "someday" honeydo list.

View attachment 239202

That one that is at the end of a panel and not centered was positioned above my hobby desk before I moved the layout into that corner. (It can move, and I don't mind trashing a panel if I need to.

QUESTION: I may not put up valance to hide the lights. I'm debating on centering in each panel as one normally would. Or positioning centered over the layout itself. As you can see, that would put the rightmost row of pucks near the long-brace for the drop ceiling.

I've already got the pucks, just need to pick up a roll of romex to add to the existing run.

Thoughts or suggestions on positioning?? Am I going to end up adding a Valance to hide the off-centerness if I go that way?
Click to expand...
I’d worry just about lighting the layout for now. If you make changes or add the valance it should not be too difficult to make adjustments. If you find replacement ceiling tiles buy a few extra if you have room to store them
 
Good still morning. Did the Farmers Market this morning. Lettuce, cabbage, beets and rhubarb.

Got a text from the daughter, she took the SIL to the ER. Kidney stone attack and he’s in pain. Waiting for a CT scan. So our afternoon will change. I will get the granddaughter from high school when it lets out and then take her to a therapy class in Madison. The grandson will ride his scooter to their house where Terry will be waiting. I’ve had 2 kidney stone attacks and both were the most extreme pain I have experienced. He’s young, he’ll be good

I have real issues regarding property, personal and sales taxes. It’s not politics but inequality. Too many variables between taxation districts. I am a flat tax person with no exemptions minus 1, the first $52,000 of income is not taxable for anyone. I’ll leave it at that.
 
Good morning, all! A warm sunny day, prediction is 94. Not a lot happening at the hobo camp. The Conductress and I will be going out for dinner to celebrate our 59th anniversary. My mom said it wouldn't last.

Terry - Good to hear you are not out of a job, yet. Probably not a bad idea to see what's out there just in case.
Chad - I was going to suggest Harbor Freight, but I see Michaeljoe already has.
Taxes - Our 2,200 sq. ft home on a 1/2 acre costs us $694.

STAY SAFE
LATER
 


HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY

It was on this date, September 17, 1787, 238 years ago, that the rule of law governing the longest-running constitutional Republic the world has ever known was signed. It would be some two years later that the Constitution of the United States of America would be ratified by the 13 states. The most integral part of our Constitution that had to be added was the first ten amendments, known as our individual Bill of Rights.

Sadly, last week we watched a young man lose his life as he enjoyed one of those individual freedoms: the right to free speech.

Now, more than ever, we must recommit, take an oath, all of us, to the Constitution of the United States, our rule of law.

Have a great day....John
 
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westtexjohn said:
HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY

It was on this date, September 17, 1787, 238 years ago, that the rule of law governing the longest-running constitutional Republic the world has ever known was signed. It would be some two years later that the Constitution of the United States of America would be ratified by the 13 states. The most integral part of our Constitution that had to be added was the first ten amendments, known as our individual Bill of Rights. I first took the oath to support and defend the Constitution on July 31, 1982, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at the Stokely Athletic Center. My dad and two other generations in my family took the same oath, as well as my father-in-law, all combat veterans.

Sadly, last week we watched a young man lose his life as he enjoyed one of those individual freedoms: the right to free speech.

Now, more than ever, we must recommit, take an oath, all of us, to the Constitution of the United States, our rule of law.

Have a great day....John
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Thank you, beautifully said!
 
TLOC said:
Good morning from my little world in Wisconsin! Another nice unseasonably warm September day. It’s currently 59f/15c heading to 85/29. Predictions are no rain until next Tuesday.

Taxes! Let’s just say our property tax bills in Wisconsin are high…

Terry, best to you today

We are heading to the downtown Farmers Market this morning and maybe brunch. We pulled the garden beds before we left on 8/16 for our travels and she didn’t like any of the produce at the grocery store the other day. My sugar free chocolate stash was borrowed for the last slot car event held by the grandson. There are 4 kids that are diabetic that race with the group. So instead of having candies with and without sugar he just puts out sugar free to prevent any issues. Today at the market the chocolatier who makes my chocolates will have them at the market for my pick up

I have super mixed feelings about yesterday’s house search. There are no “lake cottages” where we were looking. They were full blown houses and of the 4 we looked all were better, nicer and bigger than our already too big current house. Terry has some good reasons why but we don’t agree. We’ve had the vacation house before and it’s way too much work and waste of time traveling back and forth. We had the SIL and daughter over last night for a discussion and they are all for is getting a place but even at just 90 minutes away it’s time they don’t have. They suggested one of the lakes surrounding Madison but when I said I’d be up for doing that and we could be full time there there was silence! I got them good. Terry loves being a few miles (3) from the grandkids. Even 10-15 would be too far. We’ll see as I know this saga has just begun

I will be at my workbench this afternoon

Enjoy the day
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let her run through it I think she’ll find eventually it is not worth it









Texas Hobo said:
Good morning, all! A warm sunny day, prediction is 94. Not a lot happening at the hobo camp. The Conductress and I will be going out for dinner to celebrate our 59th anniversary. My mom said it wouldn't last.

Terry - Good to hear you are not out of a job, yet. Probably not a bad idea to see what's out there just in case.
Chad - I was going to suggest Harbor Freight, but I see Michaeljoe already has.
Taxes - Our 2,200 sq. ft home on a 1/2 acre costs us $694.

STAY SAFE
LATER
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…conductress….I love that :D
 
Well you just can't make this stuff up...............

Tuesday, September 16
9:14 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Greensboro Nc Distribution Center, US
Monday, September 15
6:44 PM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Fayetteville Nc Package Sorting Center, US
6:26 PM
Package left the carrier facility.

6:07 PM
Package left the carrier facility.
Fayetteville Nc Distribution Center, US
5:55 PM
Package left the carrier facility.

Sunday, September 14
4:45 PM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Fayetteville Nc Distribution Center, US
9:48 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.

9:45 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.

9:39 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility.
Fort Worth Tx Distribution Center, US

My package was mailed from Florida.
Normally, most packages are delivered to me the day after they arrive at the Ft. Worth distribution center.
Thanks, USPS. 💩💩💩💩💩
 
I called Bar Mills since I haven't received my purchase from their Labor Day promotion. They were very apologetic and explained that they didn't expect the volume of sales, from that one day promotion. They're still in the process of producing, packing and shipping. I guess the goods news for them and bad news for me is that they have a lot of business. They said I would get a tracking number when my order ships......they anticipate by the end of the week.
 
santafewillie said:
Troy - Go for the layout lighting and don't worry about the aesthetics. It's a basement after all. If you or a future occupant want to make it into a playroom or bedroom, the entire ceiling will need to be redone anyway
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My own basement lighting is dimmable (5000K) LED puck lights spaced evenly throughout. Under the main level of the layout I have matching LED strips where the programming and test tracks live. If ever some day the trains leave the basement then the lighting can stay the same for whatever purpose the basement is used for.

My futures so bright, I gotta wear shades.
 

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Jaz mentions - UK and France both have enormous debt.

In 2014 the U.K. made their final payment for the debt owed for the Great War. (WW1)

To pay for the debt that U.K. has just accrued this year (not what we already owe) my grandchildren's grandchildren's grandchildren will still be paying.
 


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