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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thoughts Are Going Again
Well, even though my first attempt didn't take off like I hoped, I think I might try to put together another Free-mo type group. More on this later as I process the thoughts more.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Dayton NMRA Div. 3 Train Show November 6 & 7
Just a short reminder post that the Dayton NMRA Div. 3 show is coming up in a few weeks. Visit http://www.daytontrainshow.com for more info.
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Sunday, October 3, 2010
Great Video From MRH Featuring Free-Mo Modules
As I was going through some of my YouTube subscriptions, I came across this video from the 2010 National Train Show in Milwaukee. It features a Free-Mo set-up with over 100+ modules.
Finally, fall is here!
Well, this is just an update actually. It's 7:30am and I've been awake since about 4:45am. So, I figured I would post to one of my blogs to get my brain to stop going 100 miles a minute, as usual.
First off, our dog has been found. Ashley's mom found him a few doors down a couple days after he took off. He was safe, fed and they even gave him a bath! As a thank you we gave them a gift from DLM (Dorothy Lane Market).
I have also started a new job. I am now working at the Walmart DC in Washington Courthouse as an order filler. So far it's a great job with plenty of places to go if I want. I've been there since 8/31/10. My schedule works for me pretty well too, M-F 4pm to 12:30am, even though I haven't seen an 8 hour shift since day one. But, the pay still makes up for that.
And lastly, I haven't forgotten about the module building. As time allows, I expect to start here in the next few weeks and build it over the weekend or before I go to work during the week. I will also have my son get involved as much as a 3 1/2 year old can. He helped with building his mommy's craft cabinets, so he can help with drill operations :-) .
Ok, that's all for now. Maybe I can sleep now before i have to get up in about 3 hours.
Happy model railroading!
First off, our dog has been found. Ashley's mom found him a few doors down a couple days after he took off. He was safe, fed and they even gave him a bath! As a thank you we gave them a gift from DLM (Dorothy Lane Market).
I have also started a new job. I am now working at the Walmart DC in Washington Courthouse as an order filler. So far it's a great job with plenty of places to go if I want. I've been there since 8/31/10. My schedule works for me pretty well too, M-F 4pm to 12:30am, even though I haven't seen an 8 hour shift since day one. But, the pay still makes up for that.
And lastly, I haven't forgotten about the module building. As time allows, I expect to start here in the next few weeks and build it over the weekend or before I go to work during the week. I will also have my son get involved as much as a 3 1/2 year old can. He helped with building his mommy's craft cabinets, so he can help with drill operations :-) .
Ok, that's all for now. Maybe I can sleep now before i have to get up in about 3 hours.
Happy model railroading!
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Lost Dog - Please Help!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
NS Job Update
Well, I went to the interview session a few weeks ago, and unfortunately, I didn't get the job. I got as far as taking the assessment tests and that was it. From what I could tell, they picked about 15 people for interviews and most if not all were much younger than the other 60 that didn't get picked. Which is understandable since they probably didn't have a family to worry about not seeing and wouldn't have any issues with the 24/7/365 schedule. But, I'm still trying for other jobs with the railroad. I'm still applying with CSX, NS and Amtrak. And honestly, I am hoping some day to get the chance to work in the shops instead, so I'm trying for those jobs, as well as ticket and baggage agents with Amtrak.
So, as of right now on the job front, I'm now working for another machine shop here in Dayton. It's a good place to work, but the whole industry scares me now with plants closing more and more, and these jobs being sent out of the states. So, I'm still looking elsewhere. But, I have a physical abilities test for a Walmart DC this Wednesday at 8:00am. From what I have been able to find out, the job pays pretty well, up to double what I'm making now. We're crossing our fingers.
And on a side note, we are in the process of looking for a new house. We have outgrown our current place and are in the market for something about 3500+ sq.ft. And if anyone is interested, we are going to be selling our 2600 sq.ft. home. It has 3 bed, 3.5 bathrooms, practically everything has been replaced since 2007 when we bought it. It has a 2 car garage and is sitting on 5.5 acres. We also have a 32'x40' 2-4 stall horse barn with tack room, workshop and hay loft. The barn isn't in good shape, but it does serve a purpose of storing our tractors, lawn equipment and my truck. There is about a 1/2-3/4 acre corral and the remaining 3 acres are pasture with a pond. The rooms of the home are pretty big and the property would be great for a horse lover or some other agriculture purpose. So, if interested, you can contact me at contact@jgmconst.com
That's all I know for now. Until next time.
John
So, as of right now on the job front, I'm now working for another machine shop here in Dayton. It's a good place to work, but the whole industry scares me now with plants closing more and more, and these jobs being sent out of the states. So, I'm still looking elsewhere. But, I have a physical abilities test for a Walmart DC this Wednesday at 8:00am. From what I have been able to find out, the job pays pretty well, up to double what I'm making now. We're crossing our fingers.
And on a side note, we are in the process of looking for a new house. We have outgrown our current place and are in the market for something about 3500+ sq.ft. And if anyone is interested, we are going to be selling our 2600 sq.ft. home. It has 3 bed, 3.5 bathrooms, practically everything has been replaced since 2007 when we bought it. It has a 2 car garage and is sitting on 5.5 acres. We also have a 32'x40' 2-4 stall horse barn with tack room, workshop and hay loft. The barn isn't in good shape, but it does serve a purpose of storing our tractors, lawn equipment and my truck. There is about a 1/2-3/4 acre corral and the remaining 3 acres are pasture with a pond. The rooms of the home are pretty big and the property would be great for a horse lover or some other agriculture purpose. So, if interested, you can contact me at contact@jgmconst.com
That's all I know for now. Until next time.
John
Thursday, July 1, 2010
I Got The Call! Well, The Email!
Well, I got the email anyway that has invited me to a recruiting session for NS as a conductor in Cincinnati, OH. Finally! After probably 5 years of posting applications to CSX, NS, Amtrak, UP and BNSF, I finally got to the next step. Let's just hope I keep up the momentum! I've missed working for the railroad for so many years and hoped this day would come.
I used to work for Conrail back in '98-99, starting as a brakeman, then went straight to engineer in training after only a couple short months. But, I messed up and left because A) I got sick and seemed like I could never get better to go back to work, and I was always getting called when I was unfit for duty or not qualified on a certain job. I think going to engineer school put me in that position. I wont make that mistake again, lol. I'll work for a year or 2 before bidding on the engineer training again.
I hope to be able to report next time that I am going for a physical and drug test, or what ever the next step in the hiring process may be.
I'll keep you all posted!
John
I used to work for Conrail back in '98-99, starting as a brakeman, then went straight to engineer in training after only a couple short months. But, I messed up and left because A) I got sick and seemed like I could never get better to go back to work, and I was always getting called when I was unfit for duty or not qualified on a certain job. I think going to engineer school put me in that position. I wont make that mistake again, lol. I'll work for a year or 2 before bidding on the engineer training again.
I hope to be able to report next time that I am going for a physical and drug test, or what ever the next step in the hiring process may be.
I'll keep you all posted!
John
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Just for the record. . . .
I thoroughly dislike mowing the grass! That is all. . . . . . . hahaha!
Well, yesterday was the first mow of the year for us, and I cut all 5 acres. Well, it actually took 2 days to do and I finished today. The first cut seems to always be the most involved, especially when your front 2 acres are filled with trees, downed branches and EXTRA high grass over the septic leach bed, and the rear 3 acres are overgrown from not cutting all year in '09. It took me the better part of 6 hours to cut the back yard and back 40 of our property, and then another hour to cut the front yard.
Today took a couple hours longer than usual though because the belt came off of the mower deck in the middle of mowing. And it didn't help that the deck was fill with grass that had to be pulled out. So, I pulled the deck off to clean it out and in the process, I find that all 3 blades are extremely dull. I would have been better off trying to cut the grass with the back side of a butter knife! I put everything back together though after doing a little filing on the blades and got the yard done.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I AM FRIED! I got burnt to a crisp. Silly me didn't put on sunscreen or any thing, so now my arms, face, head and the tops of my knees are as red as the paint on our Troy Built mower. Not fun times at all. Oh well, I got a good base for our Myrtle Beach trip in a couple weeks. Can't wait for that!
Well, that's all for my rant about mowing. I hope you all have better luck, and a smaller yard, than I!
C-ya!
John
Well, yesterday was the first mow of the year for us, and I cut all 5 acres. Well, it actually took 2 days to do and I finished today. The first cut seems to always be the most involved, especially when your front 2 acres are filled with trees, downed branches and EXTRA high grass over the septic leach bed, and the rear 3 acres are overgrown from not cutting all year in '09. It took me the better part of 6 hours to cut the back yard and back 40 of our property, and then another hour to cut the front yard.
Today took a couple hours longer than usual though because the belt came off of the mower deck in the middle of mowing. And it didn't help that the deck was fill with grass that had to be pulled out. So, I pulled the deck off to clean it out and in the process, I find that all 3 blades are extremely dull. I would have been better off trying to cut the grass with the back side of a butter knife! I put everything back together though after doing a little filing on the blades and got the yard done.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I AM FRIED! I got burnt to a crisp. Silly me didn't put on sunscreen or any thing, so now my arms, face, head and the tops of my knees are as red as the paint on our Troy Built mower. Not fun times at all. Oh well, I got a good base for our Myrtle Beach trip in a couple weeks. Can't wait for that!
Well, that's all for my rant about mowing. I hope you all have better luck, and a smaller yard, than I!
C-ya!
John
Monday, April 5, 2010
Module Construction How-To Update 2
As you can see, it's been almost a month and I still have not gotten around to the module project. For a guy with a wife, 2 kids, a full time job and about a million other things to do, you'd think I'd find one hobby and stick to it. But no, not me! I guess I'm an over-achiever when it comes to my interests. And this is why, along with the other things mentioned, I have not been able to work on this yet. On top of all that, I'm going to have to possibly join other millions of American's and look for a new job, or at least some kind of safety net in case my current job folds, which by the Grace of God hope it doesn't.
God has been looking out for us since the economy has taken a downward spiral, and my family and I are VERY thankful for that. So, I have faith that He has something waiting for me around the corner, I just have to figure out which corner it is, I guess. Because frankly, even though I don't make tons of money, my job has "perks" that you wouldn't believe. I make decent money, could be more but it's enough to support my family, I get to spend pretty much unlimited time with my wife and kids, we can take vacations 2-3 times a year or more, I have a great schedule and either work from home, in the office or on a job depending on where I'm needed. I do work that I love and had always wanted to do, in more than one area. I'm the mechanic, general contractor, "truck driver", I get paid to travel, our health care is very inexpensive (for now, thanks Obama). I was getting paid to go to school to learn a new trade and school was paid for. And somewhat free use of any company vehicle when I need it. Perks than anyone would love.
Sorry for the . . . . .praise. Not really much of an update is it?
I will plan to build this new module in about 5 weeks when we get back from Myrtle Beach. So please check back then.
John
God has been looking out for us since the economy has taken a downward spiral, and my family and I are VERY thankful for that. So, I have faith that He has something waiting for me around the corner, I just have to figure out which corner it is, I guess. Because frankly, even though I don't make tons of money, my job has "perks" that you wouldn't believe. I make decent money, could be more but it's enough to support my family, I get to spend pretty much unlimited time with my wife and kids, we can take vacations 2-3 times a year or more, I have a great schedule and either work from home, in the office or on a job depending on where I'm needed. I do work that I love and had always wanted to do, in more than one area. I'm the mechanic, general contractor, "truck driver", I get paid to travel, our health care is very inexpensive (for now, thanks Obama
Sorry for the . . . . .praise. Not really much of an update is it?
I will plan to build this new module in about 5 weeks when we get back from Myrtle Beach. So please check back then.
John
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