The "I'm moving back home" GAW.

SVTFreak

SVTFreak

Gold Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
5,494
So, on august 15th, my home flooded in south Louisiana. At the time, I thought it was a disaster. How could this happen to me and my new family? Why me? All that stuff. Since then, I have realized that this was and is a blessing. It's been a lot of work, but as far as I know, I will be the first person to move back to a completed home. An all new home for my new family. And, once insurance comes through (I've footed the bill myself so far and am in serious debt so still have to wait for that and pay myself back), I'll be ok.

That said, I wanna do a small token to the porch folks for the moral support I received here. It's nothing compared to what I received mentally and emotionally from members. It's just a hardware store old timer 340T. It's not in pack but it is new. It's open to anyone who posts regularly on the porch. I won't specify a number of posts as some folks only stop by for a beer or lemonade and move on for awhile, but are friends while here, but should be a regular visitor.

The other thing I ask, and is not necessary, but leave a little note on when you thought something was so bad and turned out to be a blessing, a favor from God. Some people say good fortune or lucky, but others know better [emoji16]

I'll do a random number on the day I sit in my brand new recliner with a crown and coke, and say "that's it, we are done". I expect that to be Thursday or Friday but could be as late as next weekend.

And, please, if the knife doesn't interest you, go in anyway and if you win, give it to someone who has nothing. Even if it's not perfect, I have learned that there are people with less.

 
Not an entry, but I'm glad to here you are getting to move back home. Things can be replaced, home is were your family is.

Blessings to you and yours.
 
Glad to hear that you and your family are able to see the future. It's quite obvious that a house is not a home unless it has love and determination, which you have in abundance. Keep on truckin' and the fact that you're the one doing a GAW and not asking for help says all that needs to be said about you. Let's hope that the future is bright for all.
Your last sentence says it all. As soon as we learn "that there are people with less" we are on our way to peace. I won't go into how I learned my lesson, let's just say that it would have been better sooner rather than later.
 
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Bless ya for thinking of the porch and giving out when there is so much going wrong. Glad to hear you are back home. Earlier this year, I was told by both schools that I applied to for further education in medicine that I was not accepted. I have never been happier. My parents saw how much stress I was feeling even during the interview times and saw how I lost sleep over such a thing. I am happy with my current situation in the medical field and relieved that I was able to make it this far. I am a fond believer of giving to those with less, so not an entry for me as well. Again glad to hear you and family are ok, and bouncing back! Thanks for the opportunity :thumbup:
 
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I'm in. In 1999 I was going through a miserable divorce with 2 small children and got laid off because I needed back surgery 3 days before Christmas. Dark times indeed. Now I have a wonderful wife, my kids are grown and successful, I have a job I like so much I probably wont retire even though I'm eligible. Sometimes you have to just" keepin on pushin on" and things will work out. Thanx for the chance. I'm coming up on 2000 posts and want to do a GAW. Maybe you will win mine. A new knife for a new house!--Kv
 
That's a great ending to a very trying time. I have first hand experience with a similar story. Not due to flood, but fire. My mother-in-law lost her house and everything she owned in a tragic fire. It's devastating. For her, although I'm not sure she fully agrees, it was a blessing in disguise. Her old house was filled with many memories, mostly good, but some bad. Regardless, it had a lot of sentimental value to her. Unfortunately, it was also filled with a lot of very costly and much needed repair, such as new wiring, furnace, water tank, foundation and the list goes on. Well, now she has a brand new house built on the same land, but with none of the repairs needed. So yes, it was a blessing in disguise.

This is not an entry. Just a way to say I'm glad you are in your new home. The journey was long, I'm sure. Kick back and relax and share a toast with everyone on the porch.
 
I'm only in to say that your story is inspirational and that if my name is picked, I would like someone else to have the knife.
"The other thing I ask, and is not necessary, but leave a little note on when you thought something was so bad and turned out to be a blessing, a favor from God. Some people say good fortune or lucky, but others know better"
So many here know of my dire health issues and my personal battle with cancer. I have reached a point in my battle where not much more can be done for me and I am just trying to make the best of my situation. I can look at it from another perspective in that I truly can consider my battle a blessing. How so? I have a lifetime of friends, but honestly none compare to the friends I have made on this forum. I have met some folks here that are just on a whole different level. Many I feel like I have known forever and when we talk, the conversations can go on forever. I consider many here like family. My battle has only brought me closer in sharing like stories and battles, similar hobby's, etc. The generosity is often times overwhelming.
Such an amazing group here. I love you all. :D
 
Bob, you're one of the people who make me realize how lucky I am. And to read that from you is sobering. I'll keep praying for you, man.
 
Congrats on the quick turnaround, SVTFreak. Hopefully, the insurance companies don't drag their feet too much. My family has been very fortunate these past few rounds with storms and flooding.

Losing my father when I was 23 was a sobering experience, literally and figuratively. My life is completely different from before his death, and it's different for the better. I try to live everyday in a way that I think would make him proud. I can't say that I lived that way when he was here.

If I win, I'll be sure to pass this knife along to someone in need.
 
Even though the event was traumatic, I'm happy to hear someone was adequately insured. I'll probably give this one to a friend if I win, thanks.
 
Sorry to hear of your loss, man. Even moving to a new place is disruptive for me, kinda difficult for me to imagine your situation. But I'm glad to hear you have a brand new home now, and a sorry to go with it - that's pretty special.

I've experienced a lot of horrible stuff, truth be told, but it's all turned out in my favor in the long run. I live a beautiful life now. One of the most significant painful events that turned out to be a blessing is the story of a death.

When I was 13 I started drinking. By the time I was 17, I was out-of-control alcoholic. I got sober after a trip to the hospital when I was 20, during which I experienced death in a way that allowed me to visit the place religious people call Hell. I don't mean "I'm an alcoholic and my life is a living hell every day," I mean "everything is on fire and putrid and there are demons and terror everywhere" Hell. Anyhow, it came along when I needed my life to shift directions drastically, and since then, I've had the fortune of watching it turn into something I really cherish. Took a lot of hard work and heartache to get there along the way, perhaps not unlike building a house, but I can't think of much anything I would trade even for the painful stuff.

I'm entering because a friend of mine lover the 34OT and he would appreciate having this one if I sent it to him.
 
Not an entry, but I do want to add to the discussion!
Back in 2006 I lost my job during the summer and picked up a gig working day camp at the ymca. While I was there, I landed a job as a teacher and coach in the local school district and never looked back! The stress of losing my job turned into the best career decision I could have made:)
I am glad to hear that everything worked out for you!!
 
I'm glad you are moving back in. I'm in my home, but we just fixed up a single room (large one).... we are still waiting on the report from the adjuster... then we review for correctness and correct pricing.... then maybe get a check... then put the house back together. Luckily, I have a contractor. I didn't want to crack my savings to fix up the house, so we wait. :/

Anyways, I like this giveaway. I'd like to be in. I actually have a 34OT in my pocket today, but I know a guy who needs a pocket knife. If I don't win, I'm going to give him one anyways.

We still need to do lunch or something. Interested in this weekend?


Edit: You still need a story eh? Well, several years ago I worked for a company that did Controls Engineering. I'm a mechanical guy and new therefore the low guy on the totem pole back when the economy really slowed down. I was laid off. But within two weeks I landed a job that was a significant step up in pay and job satisfaction.... doing a wide variety of technical tasks..... I wasn't there for too long as another opportunity opened up which was even better. I felt pretty rotten at the time, but things worked out for the better.
 
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SVT, your story is truly inspirational. Congratulations on getting to move into your new home, I am sure you will make many memories there that you and your family will cherish forever.

A couple of months ago I lost my job, and with having a home and a family it was a stressful time. The Lord smiled on me however and I was able to find another job fairly quickly at a great company. Certainly not on par with some of the tribulations many of the folks here have gone through, or are going through, but it showed me that often times bad things can make you look at life through a different lens and sometimes that lens has better glass. :p

PS: I am in!
 
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Wow, that is a crazy story. Some of my best times of growth in my life have come from hardship. I lost my father to suicide this spring and through it I gained a better appreciation for my family and friends, we take too much for granted. Good luck with your move and thank you for the giveaway. I am in.
 
I'm in, thanks! Glad to here that things are better for you. I'm still waiting for my luck to change. 🙏🏻
 
I was a firey for 30 years -NSWFB-
14 years with t1 diabetes no problems.
I've been retired medically almost a year.
The way it was handled by the department tore me in half-they were ethically unaware,unprofessional and downright rude to me for a period of 18 months while I tried to adhere to some bogus return to work plan they had me on. A plan i might add that was formulated with no consultation from me nor by anyone specialising in diabetes. It was quite simply a witch hunt. It ended with me losing a friendship with my boss.My family especially the boys struggling to understand why dad was so angry and unhappy all the time.The plan was so poorly designed that when I asked them if it would be ok to put my blood glucose readings direct from my machine (infallible) no they wanted a handwritten diary. It was as good as saying Jon you can lie. I started a diary but after 2 pages found that the dates and times were all out -I punched the table so hard I broke my hand. I had to tap out before I lost my sanity. At one point I stood on the wall of Cataract dam,looking down and thinking it will all go away in a moment.
One year on I still see a psychologist about this(surprise surprise i hear many of you think):rolleyes:.
I have a good pension scheme so its not all bad-the dust cloud has settled somewhat. I feel like I was torn in half by these so called managers and so called health professionals. The good half wants to simply forget the 30 years of service for that organisation and move on (not easy). the bad half wants to exact horrible,stinking revenge-(those of you familiar with me will know that I have a vivid imagination and I can be very inventive:eek:)I've been approached a couple of times by people in league with a journalist who seems to be making a name for herself with this type of thing -can't say that appeals to me much either. Trouble is my mates keep ringing me for coffeee or a surf and if I go they talk about work -booooringgg.
Anyhow my desire to help those in need is something they can never take away and if I was there I would gladly help you move and clean up the debris.
Cheers
sorry for the rant
not an entry.

good luck with the move ...and the insurance company.
 
God bless you brother. :thumbup: I have a 34ot so this is not an entry. Just wanted to say I'm glad things are looking up for you.
 
Really nice giveaway.

I'll put my hat in the ring with a big thank you!


Years ago, I had a family member loose his home right before Thanksgiving. Photo's and his entire gun/knife/bow collection (a very large one), all gone.

As he and his children and wife were out standing in the snow watching everything burn, it did not look so positive.


He has said it was a great thing. That it allowed him to feel the generosity of family, friends, and strangers.


He also ended up in a better place, with a perfect piece of land, and much nicer home.
 
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