Well Guys it has happened to me. Real life is starting to get in the way of my modeling. Oldest teen age daughter is in Italy on a trip, Dad lays awake at night and can't focus on too much. Aging parents called and said they are ready to make the transition from their home to a seniors apartment in my town. Dad is 94 and mom is 85, so I've thought they have been ready for it for a long time. Regardless they need to be moved into a residence and their affairs back home need to be looked after. So what does this have to do with Model trains you ask. Nothing, and that is exactly the amount of effort I am putting into my railroad of late. So if you are wondering why things have been pretty quiet around the YHR, now you know. At least the forums offer some quick fixes with little time investment. Thanks to all of the guys who post pictures of their progress. When things get settled, hopefully I can bring my activity level back to where it once was.
Yes, considering what others have had to go through in this world, my concerns are pretty small speedbumps in the road of life. I pray every night hoping things stay that way.
Ya gotta hate when reality intrudes on a perfectly good fantasy world. Best of luck to you and yours, and if you can at least bank the fires, they'll be there when you're ready again!
Hey, I've always used this little obession to escape realty. I seem to excel in modelling when my mind is full of problems.
I had to take a break from modeling because of life last year. Work, Grad School, Lack of Funds, Lack of Time. I was stretched pretty thin. Modeling had got to where it seemed more of a chore than a fun hobby. I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere or getting anything done. When I got a chance to start back up a few months ago, model railroading seemed all fresh again. Take care of your business. Railroading will still be there when you have time to enjoy it again.
Dan: I sympathize with you and wish you the best. I know that the YHR will be back in action once you have everything straightened out. Stay cool and run steam on the YHR......
Dan, It comes and goes. Jeanne and I have been through so much with our daughters, and our parents. It seems to never end, and then it does, and we are stronger for it. On a lighter note, my four daughters have had a total of 20 auto accidents (only one of them severe). I guess they take after their father (although I've had just one bumper-thumper in all my years). I'm so glad they are now on their own, and off my insurance policies. I've also had teenage daughters in every corner of the world, at one time or another, and they've all come back enriched. I sometimes wish I had traveled so much!
Dan, I guess there are times in our lives that reality does take over and we have to shelve our hobbies. We are lucky though to have a hobby that allows us to leave and come back too. I am thankful for this hobby that it does give me stress relief from day to day living. I'm sure you will be able to get back to it soon so we can enjoy your great contributions to this hobby.
Hang in there Dan. It sounds like your parents have been fortunate to be able to live as they have for so many years. Charlie
Dan I have found that outside interests have provided a needed escape from reality. During my turbulent time in the mid-sixties, I retreated into music. Learned to play old time 5 string banjo and also learned how to build banjos. For whatever sanity I still possess, I can give thanks to music. Hang in there. The mountain always looks bigger from the bottom. Len
I wish I was in Italy. Italy is beautiful!!! As for safety, you are ten times less likely to be murdered in Italy as you are in the USA. Even with Terrorism and everything. Europeans generally do not own firearms. You should arrange to go see her while she is there if she is staying long. Trains in europe are really cool. Most of all she will probably never forget this trip. she's lucky to be able to take it. Hmmm... sending your daughter off somewhere. I know what you are going through, but I guess I am just not worried about it so much. I packed mine off to Thailand for a month with my sister on a business trip. Airfares were low and my sister offered, so I yanked my kid out of school. I figure travel is the best form of learning. We send each other emails and she's just 13. I have been printing them out, and i'm gonna save them. Somehow having her be away has made our chats really cool. I can see where worrying about your folks would get you stressed. Maybe you should go talk to someone about it. Just sort of decompress. I finally gave in and talked to a therapist about my issues, and it really helped. Go to your church or call a shrink. And of course keep chatting with us here.
