The other day, the topic of IHC 2-10-2 came up. I always liked those but kinda missed the boat when they were more affordable. So that topic made me inclined to look on the auction block. The usual assortment of “buy it now” for the going retail price, and one for far less on open bid, with no bids. So I bid the starting price thinking it’ll get trampled, it was quite reasonable.
I thought I’d check status this morning, thinking it closes later this afternoon, by now i’m outbid probably. It closed, and I’d “won” it, the only bid. So I had to concoct some story to tell my wife. I blamed it on you guys! She accepted it, (as if not to see through the whole ruse). And this, after snagging an Athearn parts donor the day before. My lame but true excuse that day was that it was Sagami can powered, the motor alone was worth more than the whole price including shipping. And she was OK with that!
My wife is pretty supportive of my hobby, and I can be thankful for that. Thank you guys too for being there for me. I knew you’d have my back. You can blame me sometime when you need it.
Can’t wait till they get here…
I too missed that boat. Now I can blame it on you for reminding me and making me go and bid on one.
When next month’s credit card bill comes in with a thousand dollars of flextrack on it, I am most definitely blaming you. Just because I can.
A couple of weeks ago, an engine I like came up on one of the Yahoo selling groups for a good price. I sent a text to my wife saying, “Help, I’m being tempted! Please talk me out of getting this engine I don’t really need!” Her reply:
“Buy the engine.”
I love my wife…
My wife is very supportive of my involvement in the hobby too, although recently she has been suggesting that I get on with completing some of my current projects instead of buying new ones. None the less, tonight I decided to bid on an Athearn Russel snow plow and she was fine with that despite the fact that I already have four of them awaiting kit bashing into CP single and double track plows. I want to have a fleet of them simply to line up on a siding. She’s cool with that, and I love her for it!
Dave
Never once has my wife of 22 years said a word about the wisdom or lack of wisdom of a train related purchase. From time to time she does mention the lack of progress on the layout (she’s right), and how the relative space our hobbies take up in the basement is heavily tilted in my direction (yep). The important thing is that this be a two way street - I don’t question her purchase decisions either.
I have known some guys who frankly hurt their family budget rather badly with their rash and spur of the moment train purchases and some of those marriages came to sad ends. I can’t really blame those wives for speaking out against some of the really foolish purchases when things like rent and insurance and car payments were put at risk due to trains; actually I was half tempted to speak out about them just as a friend.
And then there was the middle aged guy where I worked who had lots of kids and lost his job because he embezzled from his union (he was treasurer) to the tune of $40,000. At the sentencing hearing the judge asked him what he’d done with the money, and his answer was “Trains your honor. I spent all of it on trains.”
Dave Nelson
I have a regular job, that goes for the family budget. I can use a modest amount out of thatnow and then for the hobby without friction. Any money I make on the side is mine, and I usually will pay back what I’ve used for the hobby. I couldn’t enjoy the hobby knowing it was a strain on the budget, or a cause of friction.
like DKNelson, I don’t call her personal purchases into question. She has pets, I have models and such. Dan
In earlier years we struggled financially raising our kids just like everyone else. The bills and food come first and the hobby comes last, it really is that simple.
Now the kids are grown and we are secure and fortunate position.
My wife is supportive of my hobby and I of hers. Rarely do we disagree on each others purchases but when I make a larger purchase I give her the same amount I spent in cash for her hobbies. I think it is only fair and it keeps me in check.
Well, my latest auction score came, my wife asked to see it. I brought it in and was showing it to her. I asked “What is it?” She took a careful look, and said it’s a two-ten-two! “Very good”, I told her. She said her husband taught her that 32 years ago. [:)] Dan