BUY TWO !
I confess that I did not read the entire thread . . . I didn't have the courage.
Here is my story.
My ex-wife said: "It's me or those trains !"
To which I replied: "I'm going to miss you, honey."
As I was adding my three SD-50's to the inventory tonight...
Fiance: What are you doing?
Me: Adding up how much my train stuff is worth so you know for when I kick the bucket.
Fiance: And how much is that?
Me: "Insert large number"
Fiance: H*** S***!
Several minutes of silence
Fiance: You know, I could use "a long list of stuff"
You are not buying a train for Olivia (11 mo old grand daughter / 10th Anniversary Polar Express).
so I bought it and put it on my Den Christmas layout instead.
She loves the bell and the trains.
Russell
Glad you ended up with a PE set!
What train is left, that you could possibly want?.......
Well, maybe we are just a bit different, but weird? No way. They may come around as they see the progress you make, how much enjoyment you get from the hobby and how you have something tangible to show for your money (unlike, but not knocking, golf, bar-hopping, etc.)
this is actually a pretty funny real life thread. i used this quote when my wife and i were dating and much later on a tv show i had done..... " The trains were here before you and they will be here after you"...
The tv people thought it was funny, my wife on the other hand gave a one word response..."JERK" LOL.
Well, maybe we are just a bit different, but weird? No way. They may come around as they see the progress you make, how much enjoyment you get from the hobby and how you have something tangible to show for your money (unlike, but not knocking, golf, bar-hopping, etc.)
I agree with you. In my estimation, we are simply at-play. We know how to play and in a hobby that gives us relaxation and pleasure, not to mention a creative outlet and adventure.
People play by collecting antique automobiles, for example, or buying and sailing boats/yachts; some even hurl themselves off cliffs and high bridges, rocketing to earth riding gossamer wings. And we should concern ourselves with how allegedly "weird"we might be viewed? Ha! I say, in reply, a hearty BULL.
I have no guilt or shame. None. Not one drop.
I admit to being a bit jealous. My good, is mixed with sad, but not regret.
My favorite girl, was around since I was 10. But not even a kiss between us till I was 20(mistletoe rocks). And then she began to chase me, a dream come true. There was time apart, other girls, maybe yet another to come, but to this day, she is my girl, the only one that supported the trains too, and I do still long for the next coffee visit. But it went kinda like this...
A train really? All these years I've never been over here during the holidays. How old? Worth what?-Ohh that's nice..Can I run It?..Can I move in?... Are you going to set it up this year?....Are you going to set it up this year?...Are you going to set it up this year....See you after work..(insert long silence)..knock knock. Long time no see, 5years huh?....Are you going to set it up this year...Are you going to set it up this year.. Oh that's a nice tin train, clean it, and try to fix it.....Are you going to set it up this year..Just the tin ones ok?...Are you going to set it up this year!?.. Just the cowboys ok.... See you after work..(silence)..knock knock, Hi long time no see, a crazy two weeks! Guess what, I'm getting married. Aren't you happy! Sorry, bye!..(silence)..knock knock, Hi, 20 years now huh. Still have the trains huh? Why did you let leave me back then? (Whatever, doors always open sigh...)
I admit to being a bit jealous. My good, is mixed with sad, but not regret.
My favorite girl, was around since I was 10. But not even a kiss between us till I was 20(mistletoe rocks). And then she began to chase me, a dream come true. There was time apart, other girls, maybe yet another to come, but to this day, she is my girl, the only one that supported the trains too, and I do still long for the next coffee visit. But it went kinda like this...
A train really? All these years I've never been over here during the holidays. How old? Worth what?-Ohh that's nice..Can I run It?..Can I move in?... Are you going to set it up this year?....Are you going to set it up this year?...Are you going to set it up this year....See you after work..(insert long silence)..knock knock. Long time no see, 5years huh?....Are you going to set it up this year...Are you going to set it up this year.. Oh that's a nice tin train, clean it, and try to fix it.....Are you going to set it up this year..Just the tin ones ok?...Are you going to set it up this year!?.. Just the cowboys ok.... See you after work..(silence)..knock knock, Hi long time no see, a crazy two weeks! Guess what, I'm getting married. Aren't you happy! Sorry, bye!..(silence)..knock knock, Hi, 20 years now huh. Still have the trains huh? Why did you let leave me back then? (Whatever, doors always open sigh...)
In my estimation, we are simply at-play. We know how to play and in a hobby that gives us relaxation and pleasure, not to mention a creative outlet and adventure.
I think that is an excellent summation of the attraction of the train hobby.
"Haven't you reached your train spending limit for this year?
"Don't you think you're being greedy?"
"When are you going to give me some more trains to sell on Ebay?"
My fave (she tells people); "Trains ruined my life."
That's too bad about your family. We are all a little weird in one way or another whether we like trains or not. This applies to all people.
However, all is not lost, you can get plenty of help and support around here. Lots of knowledgeable folks and plenty of good information in the threads already here.
Have to admit my wife is supportive since my son got into the hobby at 5 years old.
While in Kindergarden he had some difficulty with reading. When He took on this hobby pulling me back into it after a few year hiatus, he immersed himself into it and we have built a nice little collection.
NO KIDDING he is now in 5th grade and reads at a 7th grade level. When we are asked what happened we give the credit to his passionate interst in this most wonderful of hobbies. I love it too and enjoy spending great times working and running our RR
Merry Christmas!!
Today he asked if we could get the new 10th Anniversary Polar Express LionChief!!!
As I tell my wife look how much $$$ we saved by not going to special therapists!! And she says -"Go ahead!""
Yippee!!
My favorite quote from my wife? "I love you"
Don
"My favorite quote from my wife? "I love you"
Don"
It cannot get any better than that, Don.
Best quote ever a wife can tell you, I agree!!!!!!!
What is this Nassau Hobby purchase on your business American Express bill?
Scott Smith
"I haven't seen anyone with as much variations of a thing than you"
Peter
You said you were not buying any more trains,UPS is here.
ANOTHER new steam engine?Have fun I'm going to the mall shopping then to the salon.Im not cooking tonight,you can take me out to dinner.Bye bye honey.(so every train dollar is 2 dollars,lucky me)
Hi Gary, she did not create a monster, she married him. Now go tell her what a wonderful zoo keeper she is.
What is this Nassau Hobby purchase on your business American Express bill?
They should set up their credit card accounts to appear on statements as something like "Hardware Depot". I think that worked well for Madison Hardware over the years when the spouse would go through accumulated receipts looking to see where all the money was going.
My favorite quote from my wife? "I love you"
Don
Is that a direct quote? Matt
Hang in there Michele, I don't know where your families heads are at but all I can say is what a perfect young lady you are, a real catch!
What is this Nassau Hobby purchase on your business American Express bill?
They should set up their credit card accounts to appear on statements as something like "Hardware Depot". I think that worked well for Madison Hardware over the years when the spouse would go through accumulated receipts looking to see where all the money was going.
How about Nassau Hardware? 'Just making some repairs to the house, Dear.' I think I like this one! Need to talk to my LHS about a billing name change.
From my wife: "I think you have a hoarding problem"
We where in the Cab of a CSX Locomotive, and she ask the Engineer to show her the the gas and brake pedal.
"I hope you have all this s#*t sold before you die". I don't want you leaving this mess for me to figure out.
While wandering around our LHS, "Hey, come check this out! Pretty cool. Want me to add it to the pile on the counter? It would look great on the layout."
Named as a hoarder.
"How many trains do you need?"
"Why do so many of them come broken?"
"Aren't you tired of always having to fix them?"
"The smoke makes me sick. Do you think it's good for you?"
"Why are you going to another show this week?"
"What do you need now?"
"If they are worth that much (ES44AC's) why don't you sell them?"
"Do you know how much you have spent this year?" My wife does know.
Tplee, your wife sounds like she's a twin to mine. The only difference is my wife doesn't know what I have spent or what my collection is worth. If she did I'd be sentenced to a life on the couch and would be sleeping with one eye open! Ha!
Do you really need this? The best one was from my daughter at a train show looking at oil paintings Daddy can I get this? I ask the vendor how much and I tell her no. But daddy it only cost $700.00 can you buy it I really like it.. I still said no.
"Do you really NEED that?"
Although I will say, my wife is extremely supportive.
Reading these 4 pages was a good way to start my Friday. So many funny remarks I can't pick out the best one.
Larry
I have two of them, last night when my uncle and his family came over
aunt - what's in all these boxes?
Wife - it's all train stuff
aunt- where is he going to put it?
Wife - I'd like to tell him where to put it!!
On another occasion after getting a swinging deal on some very lightly used gargraves flex track, she said, you did buy it all didn't you!?
I love that woman.