My Yankee

Those of you who know me and have followed my story know that over the past couple of years, I have lost loved ones. I can now say I have gained some new ones and have started another chapter in my life.

In trying to keep up with the fast moving world of electronics we now live in, I decided to try one of these ´on-line´ dating sites. I am not the most computer-savvy person, but managed to get my info ´out there´. A little time went by and one day there was a message from a woman just moving to Atlanta, Ga. Hmmm, not far from where I live. She loved the idea of an artistic blacksmith. She sews and quilts. Hmmm, now we´re talking...2 artistic people. She has a dog. Hmmm, I have dogs. I´ve always been around big dogs, though. Tend to trip over small dogs. She has a Scottie. Well, that might take a little getting used to. She has 2 grown daughters. She´s a Yankee. Not a Yankees fan, but a Yankee from Vermont. Well, we can work on that. Her name is Janet. We started to email and had so much in common that we quickly went to phone calls. (boy, that first call was nerve-wracking). We met and we both felt like we had known each other for years. We had so much in common. We talked and talked. She drove tractor trailer with her daughter coast to coast. The phone was our constant companion. The more we talked and the sassier she was, I knew she had to be a part of my life, for the rest of my life.

I went to Vermont and New York to meet her daughters (never been that far North and it was cold and snowy). Over Christmas, I asked Jan to be my wife and she said yes.

Jan and her daughter are now out of the truck. They never got the chance to actually move to Atlanta. We bypassed that and they came directly to Alabama. We were married on February 25th, 2011 and my life is happy again. Jan keeps me on my toes and I love it. I keep her busy with learning the shop, working the phones and computer. We have a deal...she doesn´t weld and I don´t touch the computer. Works out well since I am a one-finger typist and she used to do medical transcription at 140 wpm. Sophie, the Scottie, loves being out of the truck. She has 2 older Labrador ´sisters´ and they just really don´t know what to make of her. They all sleep very well at night. Soph keeps us all on our toes.

We are gearing up for the upcoming season. With the changes here, I have come up with some new designs. I am enjoying working and am looking forward to seeing old friends at our shows and making new friends. Stop by the booth this year. Keep checking back here on the site and let us know what you think when the new pictures are posted.

I don´t know if Jan will ever get the southern accent down, but she does at least say ya´ll now and has an occasional bite of grits. I´m working on Scottie dog language, turning Sophie into a ´Scottish Retriever´ and laughing more than I have in a long time.

January, 2012

Okay, time to update ya´ll.  Since I am the office manager, I guess I get to put my 2 cents worth in.  I got through my first season without injury to life or limb.  So did Joe.  I actually had a ball meeting everyone.  After 4 years in a truck, I realized just how much I like to talk and smile.  I do say ya´ll a lot and still am not very fond of grits, but can tolerate them occasionally.  I´ll never get the southern accent down and Joe still tells everybody I´m from SOUTHERN Vermont which I very quickly have to correct.

Joe is busy, busy, busy in the shop making new stuff.  He still has a different idea for something, I think, weekly.  A lot of these ideas will be seen this year.   At least he stays out of trouble (most of the time).

Our youngest daughter, Kari and her husband Larry drove down from Albany, NY with their 2 corgis, Maggie and Sonja for Thanksgiving.  Shows were done, we all could relax!!!!!  It was great having them all here although Amber questioned ANOTHER 2 DOGS??????.  Loved having them here, but so very hard to let them leave.  (Check out the pics)

Kelly is employed full time now.  She loves her job and has now left the nest.  She loves her apartment and her total independence and I have gained a Sewing Room so it was a win-win situation for all.

Amber, our old girl

Amber is the oldest member of our dog clan. She´s 12 now and has some arthritis issues and likes to lay in the sun a lot, but still plays fetch pretty good. She´s my senior advisor in the shop area. She lets me know when she´s got issues with me, such as belly scratches and lack of treats. She lets Sophie and Roxie know when they have disturbed her nap time with their antics. She´s also pretty fast when Roxie leaves her dog treat to bark at something!!

Roxie

Roxie is 5 and is second in command and, pretty much, has a mind of her own, although I try and pursuade her otherwise. Running, chasing squirrels and balls, loping after Sophie are her favorites along with occasional (okay, more than occasional) dog cookies. These cookies occasionally ´disappear´ when Roxie gets distracted and runs to see what is going on without her. Of course, Amber is usually the one that barks to make Roxie go and see what is going on without her...ahaaa...a helpless cookie!!!

Sophie

Sophie is 3 and is the terror of the shop and home! She chases anything and I just sit and laugh when Soph and Roxie get going. Poor Amber just sits and shakes her head when watching the other 2. Sophie will get running and she has 3´´ legs so she is just moving out. She pivots and corners like a race car. Roxie has 20´´ and lopes along behind her, but she doesn´t turn quite as sharp as Soph so she has to make a wider swing to get back to play (kind of like turning a tractor trailer on a dime-it just doesn´t happen easily). Sophie is learning the labrador stretch... has to do it before she follows any direction from mom and dad!!

It´s never a dull moment here.

My ´new´ kids and wife
Kelly, Kari, Kari´s husband Larry and my WIFE. I´m blessed every day.