Re: "S"pousal arrangements.....
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I have been very lucky in several ways, but especially with my wife.? ?We have been together?for 52+ years, married 51+.? ?She knew from the get go that I had trains (photo on our wedding day of some of them on display in?our rented?apartment) and that if at all possible, I would have a place to run them.? She has been very supportive of this.? ?I have two personal rules: never put the family finances in jeopardy; never collect, only buy things with the intent and ability to run them. -------------------------A quick story about the building of?our house in 2004 -- we spent the morning with the contractor's rep on what we wanted in our new house.? ?Right off the bat, we opted for the optional one room wing over the garage for the trains with all the needed lighting, etc..? ?After all was said and done, we had a bite to eat at the local McDonalds.? ?While there, she was telling me what?she was thinking?during the meeting,"If he can have the train room, I can have the tile floor.? If he can have the train room I can have the optional cupboards, etc., etc., etc.."? ?Then I said,"I know what else?you were thinking."? "What's that?"? "He's an idiot!"? ?She almost fell off her chair, she was laughing?so hard.? ? That is how we have stayed together all these years.? ?As an aside, she pretty much knows what everything costs (not necessarily what it might be worth, because you only find out when you try to sell it) partly because she was a partner in the hobby?shop we had, but also because she was the one who often wrote the check for my purchases.? ? I don't recommend hiding the cost of your toys from your life partner.? The stories of wives who sold things for far less than they were worth because she was told they didn't cost nearly as much as they really did are pretty common...? ? Happy Thanksgiving! Bill Winans
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