gypsumvalley

Thank you for all the interest. The machine has been sold.

For sale is my Tippmann Boss. Loved this machine, but finally saved enough to upgrade to electric as I keep getting more & more pesky orders for rifle slings and gun belts. It works great for holsters, and has really helped build my business. I bought it in February of 2011, so it is the aluminum model. It comes with bobbins, bobbin winder pin, 2 each of needles sized 180 & 200, spool holder, accessory case that holds needles, wrenches, etc. I will send the spool of thread that they sent with the machine, plenty left on it to get you started, as I usually use heavier thread. $1000 + actual cost of shipping, obo. Will email pics on request. Pick-up is in Gypsum, KS, you will need a map & driving directions as we a huge metropolis of 450 people. Questions, please call seven eight five, five 3 six, four thousand and ask for Suzanne, or you can email. I am usually available Mon-Fri, 9-6. Thanks for looking!

Okay, here is some advice from a person that has been there, done that on health insurance, seen all sides of it, and hopefully you can take some advice from this. But I'll tell you my background in health care, health insurance and small business, so that you know that I know what I am talking about. First, I live in Kansas, so I am most familiar with companies here. I have owned my own gun business for going on six years, and I am in charge of benefits, which at first seem complicated, but with a little info, are actually easy to discern. For the last 15 years, I have had experience working in non-profit community health and disaster aid, recreation, health care, and *gasp* selling health, life, property, commercial and liability insurance. To be honest, the insurance license is actually been the most helpful thing in understanding how the health care system works and how it can work for you, and how to get the most out of an insurance company. First, overall, we do have some of the best healthcare in the world, some of the best scenery, and about the nicest people I think I've ever met around the world. With our large amount of research facilities, non-profit hospitals (st. Jude) and progressive health care, don't sweat moving here just because you worry about insurance. If you've got a good business plan and you take 10% of every deposit and put it in a savings account to pay for sales tax & insurance like we do, you won't wake up in a cold sweat like we used to before we did that! Now we don't worry where the money to pay insurance & taxes will come from, because it's already there. I will warn you, this is starting to get lengthy, but some people spend more time picking lotto numbers than an insurance company, and will wish themselves back when they find out something "isn't covered". Before you shop: CHECK OUT THE COMPANY'S RATING ON YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT'S WEBSITE (look for insurance commissioner website of your state). There are really good companies, and there are bad companies, and every company in between. Insurance rates are regulated by the state, and each state does keep track of complaints and bad companies. When you find a few companies you like, then you can start calling. Ask to speak to references/customers of the companies, and if your sales agent can't find you any at all, then look for a different company. (my current health insurance and my current property insurance companies did give me at least three references when I asked.) Make sure to ask how they file claims, and ask their references how easy it is to file claims, or to have the medical provider file them, or how quick and easy reimbursements are. Second, even if you think you can't afford it, buy some cheap health insurance for "major catastrophic illness or injury." The main reason I say this is not because I have sold (not currently assigned by a company), but because I have SEEN what happens when friends, neighbors and others have not had health insurance, and they were bankrupted and lost everything. Just because you get emergency care doesn't mean that you don't have to pay for it, and trust me, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, etc. will not forget or forgive. Plus, hospitals don't give discounts if you don't have insurance. Here in Kansas, Blue Cross & Blue Shield negotiate provider discounts, and it is almost half of what the "actual bill" is (take it or leave it, I wonder sometimes if those bills are not inflated because of these "discounts" but that is a morality discussion and won't pay the emergency room bill when it comes.) I didn't sell health insurance for BCBS, but I picked them for our group insurance because they have the best service and some of the lowest rates for people of my age (and doctor's offices WILL file claims to them because they know that that BCBS will always pay out any vaild claim.) Second, buy the best insurance you can afford. If you can afford above the "disaster coverage", then by all means, see what you can afford. As we all get older, we need different levels of coverage, and you need to think about it every year when you renew your policy. I review my insurance coverage for myself and employees, and I have to know what their needs are when I sign them up (or don't sign them up!) I only have 2 employees now "phew!", but when I was working in the recreation field, I had up to 25 employees at a time, some permanent, some temporary, and had to know what the benefits were and how to sign them up. Finally when you get your policy, sit down and read it. Know what is covered and what isn't!! And call your agent if you don't understand any wording or phrases in your policy. I personally loved answering these types of questions, as it helped the customer understand the company, and their policy. Another good idea if you are closer to retirement age than I am (I've still got over 20 years to go!): go ahead and become a citizen. Our medicare system is not perfect, by any means, but I do not know if you are covered if you are a resident alien, or if any company fully insures people over 65. I sold supplements, or add-ons to the medicare plan, but I don't claim to know all the ins & outs of insurance past 65. You can post or PM me if you have any questions about insurance, I'd be glad to help (and don't worry, I can't sell right now cause I am not assigned to any company!) Cheers, Suzanne

I'll see if I can get a larger picture scanned, but the photo itself was small. I tried resizing it but it came out blurry. He was the only leather shop in Marion, which had about 1500 people in it at the time, so he had a lot of business.

I just started leatherworking a few months ago to make holsters for our store, and my teacher has said I have picked it up very quickly. I guess it's in my blood, as my great grandfather used to have a leather repair shop in my hometown. I have a second cousin who is very talented in saddlework, and has shown some of his saddles at an art gallery in Arizona. His father (my great uncle) also was a leatherworker as well. Thought you might enjoy this photo of him in his shop in 1947.