Huge thanks to everyone for the help.

First of all, I want to thank everyone that has pitched in to help me; it means the world to me.

I use to be a member of a social site that has long since shut down. I use to post on that social site every fall about how I longed for a wood fuel stove with a glass front. The glass front was important because I would dream about snuggling up close to someone special as we watched the fire on a cold winter's night. I guess I am a bit of a romantic. A friend on that site use to read my posts; not only about the romantic part but about how difficult it was for me to heat my house with an electric, forced air, furnace. He would call me up in the winter and asked me how warm my house was. I would tell him I had the thermostat set on 55F as that was as high as I could afford. He would chastise me about keeping the house so cold. Last year he told me to find a stove and he would send me some money. I started searching and found out that stoves are very expensive. I also found out that some of the cheaper stoves are not EPA stoves and that they did not meet the requirements to install in a manufactured home. I just did not know what to do, I also had to buy the chimney, and build a hearth. It seemed impossible. I decided that I would try to buy a stove and then just wait and see if I could save enough money for the chimney and hearth; I would not have my stove installed this year; however, I would start.

I had no idea about what stove to buy. As I was doing a search, I came across The Firewood Hoarders Club and decided to register so I could ask questions. I found loads of people ready to help me to learn about stoves. I did a lot of reading. I finally decided to buy a stove that many recommended; it was going to take most of the money that my friend sent me but as I said, I needed to at least start. I placed the order only to have my debit card declined. That is when a member stepped in and offered me a free stove; I won't mention his name but many know who and I was just floored at the offer. Here is someone that I had never met willing to help me with a free stove! I could not believe it. However, it does not stop there; members on here have went in together and purchased me a Stihl MS-290 that a member had for sale. I would post photos but the saw has yet to arrive; I can hardly hold my excitement though. The generosity of the members here is huge and it means so much to me.; I actually shed tears of joy. I have been struggling for so many years now and this just means the world to me. I was told to pay it forward and I hope to do that; I may have to do it in bits and pieces; like donating food today to the Postal Workers Food Drive; but I will; that is a promise.

I am going to be off the internet for several days; I just wanted to post this to let everyone know that I really do appreciate all the help. I want to give everyone huge hugs

-Kimberly

 

What a great story!

I've been on a lot of forums over the years, even moderated, and was VP of a local club with a forum.

FHC is the absolute best forum out there.

It's like a great big family.

 

I would turn into a popsicle if I had to have the house 55 in the winter.
I hope everything works out well with the install.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of the roaring fire this winter.
Yes this club is a great place I'm glad you found us.
Hats off to everyone that was able to donate

 

Kim, watching your whole experience come about was heartwarming for me also. Thank you, it wouldn't have been possible without you.

 

Very generous offer.

 

Great story! And to be honest it's not the first one of its kind to come from this place. People falling on tough times who lean on folks for help can find some of that here. Over the holidays as an example, many FHC people were seen giving away needed things to total strangers that accepted the generosity. It's a really cool thing to see.

 

Hey Kimberly! You sound like me the first few winters I got out of the Navy! My thermostat couldn't be set low enough as far as I was concerned. (Could never afford enough wood to last the winter back then)

Glad you enjoy the site. Make sure to keep asking questions and never stop learning. As you know, there is a lot of safety upkeep with the wood stove and related. Don't be intimidated or overwhelmed because you have the resource of FHC at your assistance!

 

x3

 

I have been buying some of the chimney; need to get some more long lengths, the roof strap, bands etc. I have not started on the hearth. I have been to Wytheville; never sure how to pronounce it, many years ago. It was a cute little town. I read once where there is a lot of UFO activity there.

Thanks and big hugs.

 

Yes, and the heat bill will still climb on a cold wintery day. I am so looking forward to having a stove.

 

Kimberly, FHC is sorta like the old TV show "Cheers". Seems to be at least as much beer too.
"Where everybody knows your name"
We'd love to see more pics of whatever you can manage.

Ubiquitous Firewood Organization? Go back and tell 'em to join up at the FHC.

 

Yes, I want to be warm but I know that you have to be careful when you have a fire in the house. Plus, I know that chainsaws can be dangerous tools; I watch some of the videos on using a saw and some of those guys can really use a saw. I had never seen the wedge thing to drop a tree in a particular spot, he made the back cut first, then drove in wedges, then cut the notch, drove the wedges and maybe cut the notch a bit more. Cool watching that guy.

 

Glad you are a Member of FHC , hope you stay very warm next season and glad to see you are going to pay it forward!!

JIM

 

Now we know what's wrong with Eric VW ,I knew there was something

 

Kimberly, this is such a great story and as others have mentioned its not a very uncommon one here at FHC. This is the first that I have read from you, but welcome to the forum and the family. This place is such a great place with genuinely real and caring people that are always willing to help another. The kind of people that anyone would be honored and very lucky to have as neighbors.

 

Now we just need pictures of all that wood cut and split! It seems most problems people have with their stoves is from burning wood that is not dry enough.

Gary

 

I hope to get started on that soon. I have read the posts about burning only well seasoned wood.