I wish I had the time??????

[moostang51]

Unfortunately I just recently started a new project, a three block mega mall in Manhattan, it consists of a Target, Best Buy. and Home Depot anchoring about 6 acres of retail space and off street parking . I'm the General Carpenter Foreman for the foundation and superstructure and for six days a week it's blueprints and plans of a different nature.
Because it is funded privately, money is no problem for the developers/owners, ergo, the working on Saturdays has killed my free time to do what I love, modeling.
I have to admit that the Zero I"ve been working on is almost at the state of having to be dusted. I was just wondering, how much time do you devote to this great hobby
BTW, I also have a six and seven year old.. AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH>

[freefall]

moostang I generaly devote 25-30 hours a week to building F/F rubber models,now my kids are grown and gone and my job as a auto tech lets me work 40 hours a week and fund my hobby too.when i first started i had to find time when i could for me i cut down on my sleep to get that time

[fychan]

I have a 15, 5 and a 1 year old - so I feel your pain

I generally manage to put aside 3-4 hours a week - and thats while I'm watching my Sci-Fi which noone else in the house likes, hence they all leave the room Trying to make a balsa model with a grabbing 1 year old around is a receipe for disappointment !!!

[supercruiser]

1 to 2 hours most evenings. (I don't watch TV, can't build and watch, either). Sunday afternoons, quite a few hours, even though building models is low priority. I try to put the needs of others first. I know it's important to spend time with the kids. And YOU are their No. 1 play toy. Maybe in a couple of years , they might gain an interest in building these models.

[Xanadu]

I put all my model away after my first child was born, I had no more extra time. He just turned 21 last month, I had just got back into modeling 6 last May. So basically I was out of modeling for 20 years.

My youngest is 16 now, my job takes me in for 55-60 hours per week and modeling is now my stress relief.
Sometimes I have spent entire days working on them, but usually get in around an average of 10-12 per week fiddling if I am lucky. Somedays, I just have no interest in doing them, otherdays I can hardly wait to get home to the.

Finding the time when you have a young family, trying to get a career going, etc. makes for little time for other things that you can do by yourself. The first 14 -16 years of kids lives take up most of your available time, but I am not complaining though.
We did our stint growing up our kids, now its our time to spend togeather or on our own doing our things.

[moostang51]

Without a doubt the family is first and I too just started modeling again. My day starts at 4:15 am driving 65 miles to Manhattan and I'm not home till 5-5:30. By the time I shower and have dinner (also check the kids homework of course) it's after seven. My break was usually Saturday mornings when my wife would take my son to karate at noon. Now it's just another work day. Maybe it's just that after 24 years of working a handful of Saturdays, this constant 6 day a week routine is taking its toll. Oh well, just needed to vent a little. BTW, I did get to build some landing gear and get 2 coats of dope on the Zero today. Hope to post pictures shortly.

Thanks guys.

[Xanadu]

Crap.............. and here I thought my day started early at 5:45, and a 37 mile drive. Starting work at 6:50 am, finishing up at 6-ish, then another 37 mile drive home IF I have no stops to make.

65 miles is along haul, thats for sure..........but if you cannot afford the housing costs close to work, or do not want to live in the area, then you do what you have to do.....

Myself, I live in a rural setting, and would never move back into city unless I was forced to via something drastic.
I live 1-1/2 miles off main highway, on a gravel road. Have neighbors, but we are all seperated by bush, so we have loads of privacy.

I lived in the city a few times over the years, but NEVER again if I can help it.

[lennyz]

I USUALLY CAN ONLY DEVOTE A COUPLE HOURS A WEEK TO BUILDING MY MUSTANG (#902). MY FIANCEE WHOM I AM TAKING CARE OF IS RECOVERING FROM CANCER SURGERY. SHE HAD A TUMOR REMOVED FROM HER THIGH, SO SHE DOESN'T MOVE AROUND TOO WELL. MY DAY STARTS @ 5:00AM--WORK UNTIL 3:30/4:00, TAKE BETH TO PHYSICAL REHAB 3NITES A WEEK,COOK DINNER,CLEAN ETC. SOMETIMES THE ONLY TIME I CAN SPEND IS 5-10 MINUTES A NITE WHILE COOKING-MY MODEL IS SPREAD ON THE DINING ROOM TABLE. I'LL HAVE TO JUGGLE M ORE THIS SPRING WHEN MY MENS GOLF CLUB,(I'M THE TOURANMENT DIRECTOR) STARTS IN FULL SWING----I FEEL YOUR PAIN

[Igneus13]

heh.... i guess it's easier for us younger guys. no families and still in school, although in a few years i'll be onto the real world . So far i've been able to finish constructing a model in about 8-9 days, except coving and painting. Don't know if this is fast paced or not, but enjoying it while it lasts.