And they say there aren't wonderful people out there!!!
@BearArtistLady (5382)
United States
September 1, 2018 6:57pm CST
I've said tons and tons about the fire that destroyed my home and possessions. Among the possessions was a computer, a laptop that was worth about $475. It wasn't the greatest computer in the world but it did the job. I've been missing the computer since the fire, and have been putting up with a net book. For you computer savvy people bear with me. A net book computer is a scaled down note book computer. It doesn't have the bells and whistles that the note books have. One important thing is that it doesn't have a cd drive for viewing cds or saving information on them. For the kind of work I am currently doing it is very important that I have a CD drive. A flash drive is okay but I need the CD drive too. I've been trying to figure out how to save the money to buy a notebook computer and the programs I need for the work I am doing. I have a long wait for power company to decide to pay up on my claim and among the first things I need to get is a vehicle.
Well less than 30 minutes ago there was a knock at the door. I figured it was a member of our neighborhood needing a mussel inspection. The mussel inspection is for a mussel that has come from a foreign country and has invaded many of our lakes and has killed many of our native habitats. So, before any of our boats can go on our lake where I live they need to have a mussel inspection. I volunteered to do the inspections and since it is a holiday weekend most of the other inspectors are out having fun on the lake. So I am rather busy doing the inspections. Well I was really WRONG in my thinking! The knock on the door was from a neighbor of mine who has Parkinson's disease. He has been busily parting with many of his tools and other items. In his hands was a very new HP notebook computer complete with Windows 7 on it. He asked if I would like it, and I stood there like an absolute dummy with tears running down my face!!! I finally managed to blubber a very tearful "YES" to a very very generous man who I will never be able to thank enough for such a wonderful gift! How can a person thank someone for such a thoughtful and wonderful gift? A simple thank you card will NEVER thank him enough for the wonderful gift he presented me with today...the depth of my gratitude goes beyond words. He and his wife always buy the top of the line items, so I know full well that the computer will last me for a very very long time, and as is my habit, I am naming the computer after a very special man. Shortly I will be using my new computer, Jim, to do my posting to myLot. I would much rather have the man "Jim" around to talk to and get information from, but I know with the disease he has he has to limit his activities and I have a feeling that his time with us is very limited. So, by giving me his computer he has given me a piece of himself, and given me a very precious and unselfish gift. Thank you Jim for the gift of "Jim"! May we all learn a bit about being unselfish from the man who gave such a precious gift to a woman who couldn't afford such a luxury!
10 people like this
9 responses
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
2 Sep 18
@BearArtistLady
Parkinson's disease affects the movement of the body, right? He is indeed special and very kind too.
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
3 Sep 18
@JustBhem Yes, it strikes in the brain in the area that controls the movement of the body and also the person's ability to talk. It kind of makes them move in jerky movements and also they can kind of look like they are constantly shivering. Jim is hard to understand when he talks so you have to pay close attention to what he is saying, which is hard especially if you're in a loud and crowded situation. The jerking body movements is why he had to pass all of his tools on to his son. I'm sure that it hurt like crazy having to give up his tools. He was able to do all kinds of different things including welding, but with Parkinson's he didn't dare try to do any of them anymore. Each morning and each night I wish and pray with all my might that there would be a miracle cure or just a miracle that would make Jim whole again. It would be such a wonderful gift for such a wonderful man!!!!
2 people like this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
2 Sep 18
He knew that I needed one, my house was across the street. My house burned down on October 2nd of last year. I think he has been slowly working on removing files from the computer so he could give it to me. I saw it on his table a couple of days ago. With the Parkinson's disease he isn't able to move his body normally and it makes it so hard for him to do the things we take for granted like typing on the computer. It makes the computer he gave me extra special for that reason! I wish with all my heart there was some miracle cure for the Parkinson's disease so Jim could function as a normal happy person again. I would give everything I have including my own semi okay health for that to happen for him. He is so special!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94278)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
1 Sep 18
The world is better than the news media makes it out to be.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
2 Sep 18
Actually there is a song, I can't remember who sung it, that has the line "I could use a little good news today". It reminds me of my life the past year. I've been seeing all the awful news and have gotten to the point that I don't watch the news if I can avoid it...I even made the news when my house burned down. The gentleman who gave me the computer knew that I needed one because my home was right across the street from his vacation house. I live in a weekend/vacation area. My Mother lived here and when she was widowed she invited me to live with her. I spent 17 wonderful years with her and inherited the house when she passed away in 2000. The house burned down on October 2nd of last year, the fire was caused by badly maintained electrical equipment that our power company wasn't keeping an eye on. Our poles are over 50 years old, the wires are at least that old if not older! Anyhow Jim knew that I seriously needed a computer and he was such a sweetheart to give me one so perfect for my needs!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Sep 18
How very nice. I'd be baking or making some bears for him.
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
4 Sep 18
I'm going to make him a special bear. I have ordered some mohair to make it out of. Mohair is the best real fake fur (now that's a incongruity if I ever spoke one!!! will explain in a second) a person can buy. Mohair is from the angora goat. The hair is shaved from the goat and processed in Germany and after it is cleaned and dealt with in that portion of the factory it is combed, spun and then woven into fabric. Part of the hair from the goat is set aside to be tied into the fabric to make it "furry". Then it is sent on to be dyed. Mohair fake fur costs anywhere from $125 a yard for the short haired version to over $500 a yard for long haired versions of the fur. I love working in mohair and would love to exclusively work in mohair but I can't afford to do so. I work both in mohair and acrylic fur (fake fur) that I either buy by the yard (the prices for fake fur by the yard have risen enormously through the years. I used to get it for $7 to $9 a yard and now pay over $35 to $50 a yard for it.) or I buy fake fur coats in the thrift shops and take them apart and use them. I get about a yard and a half of fur from them and it costs me anywhere from $10 to $36 per coat. (I paid $36 for a coat on Sunday because I couldn't resist the fur, it was soooo yummy!) You can see I love talking "bears" a lot. I miss having my Mom around as I would talk to her for hours about bear making...I don't know if she ever paid any attention but she would sit and "listen" to me babble about making bears and the costs and how to save on making them. She even had a "joint" to put on her key ring so if she was ever pulled over by the police she could ask them if they "wanted a joint" 
. She pulled that on a couple of cop friends of the family, it was a riot to watch the emotions on their faces, and then the emotions when she dropped a little wooden circle with a hole in the middle into the palm of their hand. Anyhow, Jim (the person) is going to receive a specially designed teddy bear out of mohair for a thank you for the wonderful gift of the computer. Gee, I goofed up, I told you the true story of where mohair comes from, I should have told you the story I told a friend of mine who had come up to spend a weekend with me here in the woods. I made one up on the spur of the moment...it was hysterical! In fact my Mom had to hide in the bedroom to keep from spilling the beans to my friend who was hanging on every word intently...Mom was laughing so hard that I was sure she was going to pee her pants! I could hear her laughing all the way into the livingroom.
So one day when you're in the mood for a laugh ask me where "Mo hair" comes from.
. She pulled that on a couple of cop friends of the family, it was a riot to watch the emotions on their faces, and then the emotions when she dropped a little wooden circle with a hole in the middle into the palm of their hand. Anyhow, Jim (the person) is going to receive a specially designed teddy bear out of mohair for a thank you for the wonderful gift of the computer. Gee, I goofed up, I told you the true story of where mohair comes from, I should have told you the story I told a friend of mine who had come up to spend a weekend with me here in the woods. I made one up on the spur of the moment...it was hysterical! In fact my Mom had to hide in the bedroom to keep from spilling the beans to my friend who was hanging on every word intently...Mom was laughing so hard that I was sure she was going to pee her pants! I could hear her laughing all the way into the livingroom. So one day when you're in the mood for a laugh ask me where "Mo hair" comes from.1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Sep 18
@BearArtistLady ......It is interesting work. Okay, I will ask at some point.
@LadyDuck (457249)
• Switzerland
3 Sep 18
@BearArtistLady Some who suffer of Parkinson's disease may have an "almost normal" life, but not all unfortunately. This is a very kind and sweet man, a special neighbor and I know you will praise the computer he gave you.
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
2 Sep 18
He is such a sweetheart! He knew how much I needed a computer and how long it would be before I could afford to buy a new one...as I said in my post to Bhem I would give up everything I own, including the computer and my own marginal health if Jim could be cured of Parkinson's disease! He has done so much for the community I hate thinking of such a bright mind being so dibitated. Thankfully his son has taken his father's tools. I am sure that it has warmed his father's heart and made him very proud to have his tools go to his son. Also his son stated that he wants the house in our community too, that he doesn't want some stranger to have it. I have a very strong feeling that Jim won't be with us very much longer. When I hugged him yesterday I didn't feel the life forces within him that I feel in others, I felt an empty shell. That's what was bothering me last night. I couldn't put my finger on it until now. Jim has aged a LOT in the past 10 months and there are other things that are bothering me that I can't quite put my finger on...it saddens me so much to have such a wonderful thoughtful man in such a horrible situation. He has such a severe case of Parkinson's. I've known others with the disease that have functioned for years with it and you could hardly tell, but this has hit Jim really hard.
I will admit that I will treasure the computer dearly. Not only because it was needed but because it was a gift from a selfless man who thought of someone who needed one desperately and spent the hours deleting files from it so he could help out a neighbor. I saw it set up on the table in the dining room of their home here and I just thought he was doing some sort of work, I never dreamed that he was preparing it to give to me!! Just thinking of the time, pain and frustration he went through to get the computer ready for giving to me makes me cry again and thank God for such a special neighbor!
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
3 Sep 18
@LadyDuck It is so unfortunate for such an active and intelligent man to be struck so severely with the disease. It is so wonderful that he stepped forward and gave me something that I so dearly needed. I about went into shock when I discovered how much he really gave me! I was checking computers last night at Wal Mart and one that isn't half the computer with the extras and add ons that this one has is over $1500. When I asked the clerk about how much it would cost to get that kind of computer he looked me in the eye and without blinking stated "Around $2,200.00!" I about fell over and of course I started crying all over again! I'm going to write him a thank you note today so when we go to town Thursday for me to get the xrays of my neck on Thursday I can mail it to him. I know sending a thank you note by mail is a bit old fashioned, but I can't think of any other way to say thank you to the man! I don't know any other way to express my gratitude for such a fantastic gift!!!
I had a question for you, but I'll be darned if I can remember it right now. I'll ask you as soon as I remember it.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57712)
• Centralia, Washington
2 Sep 18
You found an angel. I am so happy for you. I'm glad that your situation is now much better.
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
2 Sep 18
Things are improving slowly. I have to get over my procrastination (WOW!!! I spelled it right!
) and finish the paperwork for my claim so things can really get much much better. I was so surprised when I opened the door and the neighbor was there with the computer! I cried like a baby! I thanked him again at the community dinner last night and cried like a baby again as I hugged him, and did the same when I thanked and hugged his wife. I really needed that computer as it will make making the loss list so much easier! I can transfer the list from the netbook to the laptop and be able to work much faster and efficently. I'm not even half through the list and it's taken two weeks to do all the work I've completed. I type faster than the netbook can keep up so it's a case of type and wait and above all hope.
I haven't heard from you for awhile, is everything okay on your end? I miss seeing your furry picture on my posts. I should have some fun ones coming up, I'm up to having some fun adventures here on my end of the planet here in space. I work the shop today and there is always someone in there that's good for a laugh. I'm about to post one about "Having a little Gilroy three times a day". It might be good for a smile.
) and finish the paperwork for my claim so things can really get much much better. I was so surprised when I opened the door and the neighbor was there with the computer! I cried like a baby! I thanked him again at the community dinner last night and cried like a baby again as I hugged him, and did the same when I thanked and hugged his wife. I really needed that computer as it will make making the loss list so much easier! I can transfer the list from the netbook to the laptop and be able to work much faster and efficently. I'm not even half through the list and it's taken two weeks to do all the work I've completed. I type faster than the netbook can keep up so it's a case of type and wait and above all hope.
I haven't heard from you for awhile, is everything okay on your end? I miss seeing your furry picture on my posts. I should have some fun ones coming up, I'm up to having some fun adventures here on my end of the planet here in space. I work the shop today and there is always someone in there that's good for a laugh. I'm about to post one about "Having a little Gilroy three times a day". It might be good for a smile.1 person likes this
@sallypup (57712)
• Centralia, Washington
2 Sep 18
@BearArtistLady You're a very sweet person. I'm glad happiness has come your way. I'm okay, just dealing with stuff like crazy Fred kitten and constantly feeling tired. Just me. I'm also trying to slim down all the Must Have things in my life. When we move in 3.5 years I will not want to pack all this stuff into little boxes then put it where in the moving van?
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
2 Sep 18
@sallypup Uhhh, I wouldn't use the words "slim down". It might get you into the trouble I had.
Be thankful you don't have Petey the orange tabby. We went to the community dinner last night and he decided that he wanted to come too. I had to come home and get some Tylenol and found him three quarters of the way to the bbq area. I had to drive him home and convince him he really didn't want to come.
You realize that when you finish slimming down all the stuff there will be new stuff taking its place and you'll be going through the same thing in a couple more years? Nature abhors a vacuum and that's what you're creating with the eliminating.
When did you get Fred kitten? What does he look like? How old is he? Is he long or short haired? When we were up at Gilroy last time there was a black cat in the motel in one of the rooms. He laid in one of the windows on the first floor. The people had a room by the handicapped parking so I could get out of the car and go up and talk to the cat. He was solid black and an absolute beauty! He would look at me like I lost all my marbles when I would come up to the window and talk to him. I figure him to be around 6 years old as laid back as he was. He made me miss Shadow Dancer that much more. One day I'll have my cats around me again. Anyhow tell me all about Fred Kitten!
Talking about putting things where in the moving van...it's going to be rather strange when I get a place set up here and am moving from Bill's place into the new place. All the trips with boxes and things, across the street and two doors down. You can't really use a moving van, and it's a bit redundant to use a truck or car, same with a golf cart. How do I move all the stuff? Oh well I don't have to worry about it for awhile.
Be thankful you don't have Petey the orange tabby. We went to the community dinner last night and he decided that he wanted to come too. I had to come home and get some Tylenol and found him three quarters of the way to the bbq area. I had to drive him home and convince him he really didn't want to come.
You realize that when you finish slimming down all the stuff there will be new stuff taking its place and you'll be going through the same thing in a couple more years? Nature abhors a vacuum and that's what you're creating with the eliminating.
When did you get Fred kitten? What does he look like? How old is he? Is he long or short haired? When we were up at Gilroy last time there was a black cat in the motel in one of the rooms. He laid in one of the windows on the first floor. The people had a room by the handicapped parking so I could get out of the car and go up and talk to the cat. He was solid black and an absolute beauty! He would look at me like I lost all my marbles when I would come up to the window and talk to him. I figure him to be around 6 years old as laid back as he was. He made me miss Shadow Dancer that much more. One day I'll have my cats around me again. Anyhow tell me all about Fred Kitten!
Talking about putting things where in the moving van...it's going to be rather strange when I get a place set up here and am moving from Bill's place into the new place. All the trips with boxes and things, across the street and two doors down. You can't really use a moving van, and it's a bit redundant to use a truck or car, same with a golf cart. How do I move all the stuff? Oh well I don't have to worry about it for awhile.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34300)
•
29 Sep 18
Very nice post. That was wonderful with his health issues he thought of you. And your expression of gratitude for his generosity is your present to him!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157481)
• United States
3 Sep 18
How lovely for him to think of you. I am sure you will put it to very good use.
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
3 Sep 18
It's going to be used a LOT! I'm going to transfer my information about the suit from the house to it, then I'll be scanning my bear and other critter patterns into it so I can do all the changes I want to on the computer. Then I'll start a new house inventory and it will be done on the computer that Jim gave me. I may even run for the home owner's association publicity chairman again...with the computer that Jim gave me it will be very very easy to do the newsletter and send it out to the members. I can also use it to design new business cards...and fliers...and, and and...
Jim is a very special man with a very special and giving heart. It was so wonderful of him to take the time to clear his records off the computer and give it to me. It had to take him hours to clear the records off the computer because of the Parkinson's and the effect that it has on his movement. I saw the computer set up on the dining room table earlier last week but I didn't think about it. Now I can understand how come it was set up for the number of hours to clear the hard drive on the computer. I just wish I could do something as wonderful in return.
(Love your new picture, when did you take it and where was it taken?)
@JudyEv (325318)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 18
What a lovely gift this man has given you. I'm sure he knows how much it means to you. I'm sorry he is so unwell.
@BearArtistLady (5382)
• United States
2 Sep 18
I wish there was a miracle cure for Jim. He is such a dear man. Last night at the community dinner he came up to me with a hand full of adapters for electronics in case the one for the computer he gave me didn't work. He told me if they weren't for the computer to throw them out...like heck I'll throw them out! He and I are kindred spirits!!!! I'm a scrounger from way back too and nothing gets tossed. I may have to start a new collection but it won't get thrown away!
1 person likes this
