I Hate Gift Certificates

[John W]

I've always hated gift certificates. I stick them dresser or in my wallet and never seem to use them.

Until this Christmas, when I received a custom-typed gift certificate from my wife...good for one log building class! Yeah, baby!

[spiralsands]

YAY for YOU!!!!!

[eagle]

I will bet that one won't get thrown in the drawer!

[rreidnauer]

A gift that will truly keep giving!

[Plumb Level]

Congrats! Long time coming. As an experiment, let's put your gift certificates in my dresser drawer and see if they get used.

[fireman9]

I could tell you had a special wife as soon as I met her. Congratulations John!

[Shark]

Awesome!!!!!!

[JSmith]

Congrats. Truly life changing. What an awesome wife you have there.

[loghousenut]

Yup... She's a good ole gal!

[jrdavis]

That is truly a great gift.

....and Happy New Year.

[John W]

Thanks all!

[panderson03]

not sure you realize it yet but this is a game changer! congrats. after the class, you'll look at a lot of things differently. is the wife attending class with you?

[John W]

I've been on the forum long enough that I know it would be beneficial to have the wife go along. It would be great, as all jokes aside, she really does have a better memory than me. Just can't swing it. But she's on board, and willing to do what she can at any worksite, but that will probably be cooking for whoever is working. (and that's just an arthritis/mobility issue, not an attitude issue) This will probably be a very long term process for us, maybe even up into the LHN timeline. :)
One bright note is that two of my buddies (that visited Fireman's home) may take the class with me. They're thinking of building a small cabin at their lakehouse property (those two couples share ownership). I could learn on their cabin, and maybe get some labor help along the way on mine. That would mean group rate on the class, two immediate friends nearby when I get stuck, and of course, the full help/advice of this awesome LHBA family!
I haven't taken any extraordinary leaps in a long time. But what to me is an extraordinary dream, requires one now. The last was over 25 years ago when I walked into an Air Force recruiter's office and told him, with my long hair and beard, that I wanted to be a pilot. He laughed at me, literally in my face, but I made it in and made it through. Well let's see who's laughing at this one, but it may be 5, 6, 7, or 8 years from now.

[rreidnauer]

. . . . This will probably be a very long term process for us, maybe even up into the LHN timeline. :) Nah, doubt that. We've even had a few dead folks finish places well inside of LHN's timeframe. :p

[eagle]

Nah, doubt that. We've even had a few dead folks finish places well inside of LHN's timeframe. :p
ok, curiosity here, what exactly is LHN's building time frame so far, we all need some inspiration like this. I saw one post where it was 8 years since they took the class and just starting now. Never let go of our dreams...

[rreidnauer]

Well, I guess there is the difference between the time of taking the class to the time one begins their build, and then there is the time from starting the build to it's completion. I, in fact, have started my build 8 years after taking the class.

I really shouldn't tease LHN. I don't know what factors may play a part in his progress, and I would feel pretty bad about it if it is something dire.

[BoFuller]

I've been on the forum long enough that I know it would be beneficial to have the wife go along. It would be great, as all jokes aside, she really does have a better memory than me. Just can't swing it. But she's on board, and willing to do what she can at any worksite, but that will probably be cooking for whoever is working. (and that's just an arthritis/mobility issue, not an attitude issue) This will probably be a very long term process for us, maybe even up into the LHN timeline. :)
One bright note is that two of my buddies (that visited Fireman's home) may take the class with me. They're thinking of building a small cabin at their lakehouse property (those two couples share ownership). I could learn on their cabin, and maybe get some labor help along the way on mine. That would mean group rate on the class, two immediate friends nearby when I get stuck, and of course, the full help/advice of this awesome LHBA family!
I haven't taken any extraordinary leaps in a long time. But what to me is an extraordinary dream, requires one now. The last was over 25 years ago when I walked into an Air Force recruiter's office and told him, with my long hair and beard, that I wanted to be a pilot. He laughed at me, literally in my face, but I made it in and made it through. Well let's see who's laughing at this one, but it may be 5, 6, 7, or 8 years from now.

My wife had no interest in going to the class. She went to Vegas with me but just doesn't care for that type of thing. She is on board, and is extremely helpful, but just didn't see any point in going, even if it was free. You'll do fine.

[loghousenut]

I really shouldn't tease LHN. I don't know what factors may play a part in his progress, and I would feel pretty bad about it if it is something dire.

Well Rod, you oughta feel like a real heel, 'cause it's dire alright. I'm older than I am fat and even lazier than I am old. Took the class the first time back when Ellsworth was about 7 years old. Lived to the fullest every minute since then and don't regret a minute of it. Dropped the trees for this house in March of 2009. It'll get done sooner or later. I don't mind being the poster child for "just keep plugging away and figure out each step whenever you can".

Like my Dad always usedta say "Losers are the primary way to identify winners".


He never said that really. I say he said a lot of things that he never said.




PS... Now that dead folks crack was really funny... I don't care who you are!

[sdart]

Dropped the trees for this house in March of 2009.

We got our logs in July of 2009 and still only have half a roof. I'd say LHN was making some pretty serious progress and will likely win this race of snails :)

[dazedandconfused]

What's the prize a social security check?

[sdart]

Better be more than one!!

[loghousenut]

What's the prize a social security check?

Rocking chair.

[logguy]

Too many long hours at the muffin shop, LHN? My job is getting in the way of my fun too.

[edkemper]

I like gift cards. Anytime I need anything in building materials or tools, I go to my Grocery store to buy Home Depot Gift cards. I get 4 times the amount in gas credits. Each hundred dollar gift card gets me 40 cents off per gallon on fuel. With 120 gallons on board, it pays to plan ahead. Recently filled up at one dollar per gallon off. I always seem to have Home Depot gift cards in my wallet.

[spiralsands]

That is a great idea Ed. My grocery also sells the gift cards for gas credits only it's 100 bucks for 10 cents off a gallon. It adds up though when you add in that you buy groceries too. Sometimes they run a special where you can get double or triple credits for gift cards. One time I filled up my big gas hog Dodge truck for 29 bucks. Loved it!

[rreidnauer]

One time I filled up my big gas hog Dodge truck for 29 bucks. Loved it!I did too, and I didn't even need any discounts or anything. Of course, that was 1992.

[edkemper]

Imagine how I felt when I filled my truck and transfer tank (total almost 120 gallons) at a dollar off per gallon. But the best part is traveling back to CA. I no longer have to leave any road tax dollars while I'm there. That is the best part.

It cost me a little more than $29 but it was still a good deal.