FrancoisC

Hey, I got the news half an hour ago - I will see out June, and then its the great big "what the hell now" for me! So can we plan the holiday for July please, gonna have quite a bit of free time? Somewhere warm, with drinks in those pineapples with those little baby umbrellas in!!!!

You deserve to Mr P. You and Wyatt and Dips deserve a knighthood for all the good you do here! Have a GREAT vacation! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Aw come now Sherriff, Y'alls good people in this here town, but I cants be 'cepting no char'ty an all! It jus" wouldn be proper, like! Mayhap some kine ole folk can buy my ole steed - make me feel a whole darn lot better 'bout things for a bit - mayhap have me a darn good ole hootenanny then too (guilt free)! But the good Lord and the little lady, and the liddle 'un's back on the ranch is all we's really need to be happy and content, like!

Aww thanks Gen. But you're just saying that because of my tanlines!

You should see my WIFE and daughters - I am the lucky one! You guys are all awesome - thanks for the warm thoughts and amazing intentions and for all the good you all do!

I REALLY appreciate the sentiment, Wyatt - and Lord knows the missus would really enjoy (its our 6th wedding anniversary today!) BUT, there are little children in REAL need who are cold and hungry and really need it more than us! Or maybe to the family of that monster on the East rand who kept his family locked up and tortured them. I can make dinner for my wife tonight, but who knows what's going to happen to those children.

Great Idea Wyatt. But here's a better one: There are people out there especially this time of year who need blankets and jerseys etc. I know that Abraham Kriel orphanage in Pta has lost their government funding and are really struggling, and are dependant on charity from all quarters. Can the leftovers not be donated to them so that those little children can have warm clothes and food this winter? This would make me very happy.

Go ahead - we'll just start a collection for a new one.

Cool- this is about CARPET after all.

I could use a new 9 speed derailleur......

A-HA!!!!!!! ← I AM stupid!

PERHAPS another "fake Pinarello" expose' on Carte Blanche?....

Well, if the bike was STOLEN.......... and the wheels and groupset "MIRACULOUSLY SURVIVED"...... OH COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He can call me anytime! Oh the stories I could tell! The Almighty has never let me down - doesn't always give me what I want, but always provides exactly what I need.

A wise man once told me I am a fighter.... I don't want to tarnish his good opinion of me now! When you've been rock bottom, and seen its not SO bad, and that life goes on, you learn to be a lot more positive about the blessings in your life, no matter how small. ITS COLD! But hey, the sun is shining! I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE MY WIFE OUT FOR DINNER! But hey, I am a good cook, and can treat her myself! I CANT AFFORD PRIVATE SCHOOL FEE'S! But hey, my children are beautiful and healthy!

If it warmed your heart, imagine how my family felt. People here are incredible. I'm certain you were one of them that time, Wayne. Thank you and God bless and keep you!

Thanks Wyatt! And guess what? I just found out I am on the retrenchment list AGAIN at my current company - they are chopping 85 people - senior managers and everything! Trying to make sense of it, but I believe in Him and that He has a plan for us. So the shoestring-budget single speed I have just built up will have to go too!!! But its ok - the second child is here now, and I don't really have time to ride her anyway. And we plan to leave SA at end of year also, so its not so bad.

Amen, Brother Talus. Amen!

I have already spoken to someone high up. He promises that everyone who is kind hearted will be rewarded... And that you should forgive those who have transgressed in this case, as he forgives you your transgressions. Especially since this story already has a happy ending....

Carpet, In 2008 I was retrenched (and unemployed for 6 months - in which time our cars were repossessed and we barely hung on to our house!), and I had to sell my bike to pay my ill daughters medical bills. I CLEARLY remember stating in the ad that I cannot afford to be too negotiable, because I desperately needed every cent. So this wonderful community of people got together and started collecting money for me, so that I could keep my bike and also pay the medical bills. Which I also did not want - I just wanted a fair sale. But these wonderful, amazing, kind hearted bastards would have none of it! That episode raised well over R15 000. One lady even had flowers sent to my wife to make her feel better (it was so tough at one stage that my wife felt too bad to ask me for money for shampoo, and used to wash her hair with a cake of Lux soap! - we can laugh about that now!) It saved us at a VERY difficult time. And I am ashamed to say that I don't feel I ever adequately thanked everyone then who contributed. I was so overwhelmed and embarrassed, that I didn't know how to thank everyone properly. But there are angels in human form on this Hub and they WANT to help you. And the best thing you can do is just be grateful and ride the hell out of that new bike. And believe. That there are real angels in this world! So, I am VERY sorry for this shameless hijack but..... If I never thanked you personally, my wife, daughter and I can never express our gratitude adequately to everyone who helped us. You will never know what it meant to us back then, and still today! The name of the ad I clearly remember was "Carbon Beautiful" - I wonder if there is a way that I can perhaps access the thread that followed so that I may thank everyone personally? Administrators?

Take pics please!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions guys - I am going to try each one - except for the rest, as I am under a bit of pressure now. Will give feedback.

Nee, ek het Blou bal - twee van hulle eintlik. Vroulief is kwaad vir my......

Thanks - gonna look into it!