Archive for the ‘Updates only. nothing major’ Category

Well the Holidays are over and it was time to start construction on my railroad as previously planned………. or so I though. My oldest son was taking care of the house (the cats) while we were gone and decided in that time he wanted to move back home. I guess he realized it wasn’t so bad here after all. When he moved out the last time my wife converted his old room to a Guest room and she did not want to give it up. That leaves the basement…..the large room in the basement which is used as a family room and a sort of guest room. This is the first room you go through to get to the Laundry room, my Workshop and most importantly, my train room. Now, some of you know I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but my mind started to actually stir. I know!!! It surprised me too!!!!! Now I had to think this through before I actually replied to my wife but this may just work out in my favour. I want that large room for my layout eventually, hmmmmmmm, If we put him in that room and he is sleeping, we would feel like we would be disturbing him to get to the other rooms in the basement, that’s not good.  I haven’t started to actually build anything yet, hmmmmmmm, all I have to do is finish the floor in the train room and it is complete and it is in the back corner of the basement. EUREKA!!!!!!!

Now to find my wife and explain why it wouldn’t be a good idea to put him  in the family room and oddly enough she agreed. “What do we do then?” she replies, “Welllllll” I said with what was probably the biggest, sheepish grin anyone could have, “What about my train room?” Now I am sure this is what she secretly wanted to do anyway but didn’t dare ask. “You’d give up your train room?!?!?!” So the negotiations began for me to acquire the property rights of the larger room. Now I can only have half of it right now but that will at least get me started. Within a year or two the rest of it will become my train room. After the boys finally move out the old train room will become the crew lounge.

The designing has already started for the new layout and bench work will begin very soon. I even have the material ready for the bench work. The only thing holding me up is deciding on the elevation which will be decided before the weekend.

WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! FINALLY the beginning begins

See Ya

Al

I would like to take this time to wish all my family, friends and readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I would also like to apologize for the lack of posts this past fall. For me my lower back is sort of failing me and have been waiting for an X rays, MRI, physiotherapy, ext. My lower spine is compressing and pinching some of the nerves that go to my left leg and when this happens I am in excruciating pain. For me this has made me reflect on where I am actually heading in the hobby. No I’m not going to give it up but maybe I will end up having to redesign my plans for a  lower deck and wider isles. Physio started two weeks ago and I finally got my MRI last week so hopefully I’ll know where I’m heading early in the new year. For now I’m just waiting for the final prognosis from the doctor before proceeding on actual construction of my layout.

Not trying to make it sound all doom and gloom cause I’m not. There are people and friends out there worse of than me so I’m thankful for what mobility I have and really thankful when I don’t have the really bad pain .  Hopefully by the middle of next month most of my questions will be answered and I’ll know what is going.

For now Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and please remember the reason for the Season. If your not sure you ‘ll find it in the word Christmas Please don’t take it out!!!!

See Ya

Al

Sorry all, It has been a very busy past three months for me. Any down time has been spent with little more than relaxation and rest. I finally finished up my Sister-in-Laws basement a few weekends ago and the last couple weeks have been spent working on my own house. We replaced 6 windows a couple weekends ago, installed a new low flow flusher and wrapped the hot water tank and pipes in insulation (they say every little bit helps!!!) My basement is a mess and I am now trying to clean it up and organize things better. Unfortunately that means it is time to really go through my “stuff” (the wife calls it Junk) and start throwing out what I really will never use…Arggggggg!!!!!

Starting next weekend my work has me spending the next month or so working weekends as well so there will be little time for train work as well. Dangit!!!!!!

I know I need to finish my posts on my Alberta Trip and there have been some small moves forward on my home layout that I will post as soon as possible.

Until then

See Ya

Al

~                                                            HAPPY NEW YEAR                                               ~