Give and Get

[JohnDB]

Soooo

What were you proud of giving this year?
(Tell us all about it)

What present you received really delighted you this year? (We probably won't be jealous but explain it anyway)

 

[Corn Pop]

I was hoping for a new flash boat, but knowone was feeling generous enough to gift me one.

 

[JohnDB]

I especially liked giving trinkets and water from Israel that we picked up last summer. (Water from the Jordan River for children's baptism)

I loved giving cookies and getting my SIL and niece to make some in the kitchen that both they and the recipients would delight in eating.

Of course the gingerbread house.

A 3 horse meat grinder for my FIL because he likes making all kinds of sausage.

And a speaker for my wife so she can play music on her phone.

Getting? Leather tools I was wanting. (To make a back pocket pouch and tool bag) and a stick ruler that is hard to find.

 

[Edward]

Getting? Leather tools I was wanting. (To make a back pocket pouch and tool bag) and a stick ruler that is hard to find.

That sounds cool. Post up a picture of it when you get it done, I'd like to see it. That sounds like something that I could use in my work.

 

[Edward]

I got a place to live and a fantastic job which turned around my financial difficulties 100%, from the Lord.

I had been homeless and sleeping in my truck for two whole months, along with my older brother. We were staying at his daughters house. She's bi-polar and I didn't even know it. She decided to stop taking her medication, and when she did...it was like, Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde.

She kicked everyone out. Her husband, her dad (my brother) and me. She caught us at a bad time with very little money...there was nowhere to go. I was lucky enough to have enough cash to rent a storage place so we could move our things somewhere.

We spent most of the two months in a Walmart parking lot. It's close to the highway and lots of travelers and truckers sleep there, and other homeless people too. Most come and go...but the two white trucks are there again. And again, and again, and again...

It didn't take the cops long to show up, about a week I think. We told them what happened and he was sympathetic. He gave us his card and asked if we'd keep an eye on the parking lot & local businesses and to call it in if we seen any funny business going on. We were glad to do that, and God bless him for being cool about it.

I made it a point to buy all our supplies at Walmart. I gave them all the business I could in appreciation of them not runnin' us off. Bottled propane for the stove, ice for the cooler, food...and their bathroom sometimes.

We were blessed in that I have camping gear, and there was a new commercial building going up on the corner of Walmarts lot so there was two porta-johns right there 100 ft away from where we parked. It could've been a lot worse. I praised and gave thanks every day that I have my ext. cab pickup to sleep in! I made a nice bed behind the seat. About 6 layers of carpet pad (my bro lays carpet) carpet, and a lot of bedding & pillows. Yeah, it could've been a lot worse.

 

[JohnDB]

That sounds cool. Post up a picture of it when you get it done, I'd like to see it. That sounds like something that I could use in my work.

A back pocket pouch is something that snaps or attaches to your belt and holds 3-5 tools. I will use it for kleins, strippers, screwdriver and nutdriver.... maybe some babylocks (small chanelocks).

Tools are heavy and tear up your pants pockets.
There are many available for purchase. The one I want is not. So I'll have to make it just like I made my shoulder bag. (Because I couldn't find it to purchase either)
Custom made leather goods are very addictive. They are made for the specific individual and with an exact function in mind.
Purchasing something like that is exorbitantly expensive. But I found that I can make them and end up with what I want and it wasn't horribly expensive... expensive yes, but not to the unaffordable range. And you have to be very careful with the materials. Any mistake costs a minimum of $20 and several hours of labor. But the payoff is tantamount to having grown a third arm and hand.

 

[JohnDB]

I got a place to live and a fantastic job which turned around my financial difficulties 100%, from the Lord.

I had been homeless and sleeping in my truck for two whole months, along with my older brother. We were staying at his daughters house. She's bi-polar and I didn't even know it. She decided to stop taking her medication, and when she did...it was like, Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde.

She kicked everyone out. Her husband, her dad (my brother) and me. She caught us at a bad time with very little money...there was nowhere to go. I was lucky enough to have enough cash to rent a storage place so we could move our things somewhere.

We spent most of the two months in a Walmart parking lot. It's close to the highway and lots of travelers and truckers sleep there, and other homeless people too. Most come and go...but the two white trucks are there again. And again, and again, and again...

It didn't take the cops long to show up, about a week I think. We told them what happened and he was sympathetic. He gave us his card and asked if we'd keep an eye on the parking lot & local businesses and to call it in if we seen any funny business going on. We were glad to do that, and God bless him for being cool about it.

I made it a point to buy all our supplies at Walmart. I gave them all the business I could in appreciation of them not runnin' us off. Bottled propane for the stove, ice for the cooler, food...and their bathroom sometimes.

We were blessed in that I have camping gear, and there was a new commercial building going up on the corner of Walmarts lot so there was two porta-johns right there 100 ft away from where we parked. It could've been a lot worse. I praised and gave thanks every day that I have my ext. cab pickup to sleep in! I made a nice bed behind the seat. About 6 layers of carpet pad (my bro lays carpet) carpet, and a lot of bedding & pillows. Yeah, it could've been a lot worse.

I'm guessing that your niece didn't do well with Santa this year.

But the Lord always takes care of his kids. I've seen really rough years like the one you have described. It ain't fun.
And as the years pass by you realize that the junk...the stuff...the merchandise which everyone else seems so focused upon means so little to you. But that the relationships with others are the true gold pieces that money just can't buy.

And that kind of freedom from stuff only comes from having those tough times like we have had.
I didn't appreciate it at the time...I do today. I am free.

 

[Papa Zoom]

I know what I'm getting for Christmas as I bought most of it on Amazon. It will be a bit of a surprise as I've forgotten a few of the items.

 

[Edward]

...oh, then I decided I have to get a job, got one the first one I applied for and after a couple paydays. Then I decided to just drive through mobile home parks looking for for rent signs because those are the ones which would be owner rented and easier to obtain quickly with the least fuss...and we got the first one we went through. Just like that.

That was the Lord.

My coffee percolator became somewhat of a landmark in the parking lot to other homeless people living there in their cars. A little folding steel mesh stove stand thing that's just the right height to sit the percolator on, and lay my little torch on its side with the tip up onto the bottom of the pot. It worked great and I was the coffee guy lol. A hot cup of coffee or tea is good when it's nippy out and you're stuck in your vehicle.

I didn't mind one bit makin the guys and gal a cup. I like to help. Helped them with food too.

It was...quite the adventure, and the Lord taught me quite a bit while we were there. I'll...do better from now on, LORD.

:blush

 

[Wrg1405]

My best present was being able to pick up my son from uni and bring him back home for Christmas.

My other best present was all the family together today. Four kids and two dogs at the end of my bed this morning. Excited kids opening their stocking presents.

As for what I've given I have no idea. Best ask them I suppose.

 

[Corn Pop]

I did gift myself a new fishing rod. But the tip was cracked so i had to replaced it.

 

[evenifigoalone]

I miss actually having money, Christmas shopping and thinking about how much they will enjoy the gift is fun.
I did buy at least a little.

One of my friends got me a couple video games, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and Tales of Vesperia. We have similar interests (video games and anime/manga) and borrow stuff from each other a lot. I got her a couple of the Sword Art Online light novels.

 

[evenifigoalone]

Honestly, the best thing...
This year has been a rougher one than typically. It started with my dog being ill, the vet misdiagnosing my cat with kidney disease (causing me to spend money I didn't have), getting a new (and awesome and much cheaper) vet, finding out my dog was dying and he lasted about two months before he finally did, then evacuating from a hurricane when we were barely able to cover our bills. Then I was robbed of every cent I had two weeks later.

And the best present is the people I'm surrounded by. People have stabbed me in the back a lot this year, but it's so nice to be surrounded by people who show me that while bad exists so does overwhelming kindness and while I've spent a lot of the year stressed out I just had this moment last night where the points of light scattered all throughout the year shown so much brighter than the darkness that just kind of built up and I cried for like two hours because it was beautiful.

 

[Roro1972]

getting a new (and awesome and much cheaper) vet

as soon as started reading this I expected ( cat ) glad it was the vet.

 

[evenifigoalone]

as soon as started reading this I expected ( cat ) glad it was the vet.

Nooo pets are family, that would be cruel D:
Yeah, I'm glad it was a new vet too. Plus she explains things in a way that she's sure you understand and doesn't overcharge and cut me a major break on prices more than once. I really get the feeling she's more concerned with the animal's well being than making money.

 

[Papa Zoom]

Honestly, the best thing...
This year has been a rougher one than typically. It started with my dog being ill, the vet misdiagnosing my cat with kidney disease (causing me to spend money I didn't have), getting a new (and awesome and much cheaper) vet, finding out my dog was dying and he lasted about two months before he finally did, then evacuating from a hurricane when we were barely able to cover our bills. Then I was robbed of every cent I had two weeks later.

And the best present is the people I'm surrounded by. People have stabbed me in the back a lot this year, but it's so nice to be surrounded by people who show me that while bad exists so does overwhelming kindness and while I've spent a lot of the year stressed out I just had this moment last night where the points of light scattered all throughout the year shown so much brighter than the darkness that just kind of built up and I cried for like two hours because it was beautiful.

Ouch on the bad stuff. Too much. I can't complain. My problems pale by comparison.

 

[Edward]

A back pocket pouch is something that snaps or attaches to your belt and holds 3-5 tools. I will use it for kleins, strippers, screwdriver and nutdriver.... maybe some babylocks (small chanelocks).

Tools are heavy and tear up your pants pockets.
There are many available for purchase. The one I want is not. So I'll have to make it just like I made my shoulder bag. (Because I couldn't find it to purchase either)
Custom made leather goods are very addictive. They are made for the specific individual and with an exact function in mind.
Purchasing something like that is exorbitantly expensive. But I found that I can make them and end up with what I want and it wasn't horribly expensive... expensive yes, but not to the unaffordable range. And you have to be very careful with the materials. Any mistake costs a minimum of $20 and several hours of labor. But the payoff is tantamount to having grown a third arm and hand.

Oh, absolutely. That's why I'm curious about it, I don't seem to be able to find the right pouch for my work needs. Their almost exactly what yours are. Substitute the Klein's for some needlenose and that's what I need to carry. 1/4 & 5/16 nut drivers, 4 way screwdriver, strippers, babylocks, 6" crescent wrench, and a jumper wire. That's what I carry into the customers house, along with my meter bag of course for hvac service techin'. The needlenose are optional for residential but go for commercial rtu's.

I had some custom leather done for me before, years ago. It finally wore out. That pouch just isn't on the market anywhere.

So when you posted about your pouch that you're making...I says hmmm, lol. Maybe he'll make me one too.

I know it might take awhile, no sweat, I been lookin for one for a few years now lol. So what's another 6 months or so to that? If you even would though?

 

[JohnDB]

View attachment 10723
My shoulder bag

 

[Corn Pop]

Every gift in scripture is spiritual. My Christmas gift to everyone is my fellowship.

 

[Wrg1405]

Every gift in scripture is spiritual. My Christmas gift to everyone is my fellowship.

Best gift you can give