I happen to get a few minutes to get on the BB tonight & the 1st thread I open Sonny mentions people he misses including me. Well.... things have been crazy. Good crazy, not tin-foil-on-the-windows crazy.
Since my divorce last year, moving of the shop & moving to a new house, my life has completely changed. It's wonderful! I cut a lot of people out of my life, including some that I didn't realize were dragging me down. Some truly great ones have come into my life.
I'm setting record sales months this year with probably a good steady 4-6 week backlog. I've picked up some big customers & am working carefully on a promising, very lucrative one that could completely change Wildfire Signs forever and pay for the acreage & building of a new house. About mid-June I passed last year's sales figure.
I joined the fire company & have 252 hours of classes between Jan 4 & June 2. I can drive our 2 squads & brush truck, debating getting my CDL so I can drive the rest. Hazmat was fun, forcible entry was a blast, cutting a car apart didn't really do anything for me, and I can't describe how awesome burn day or the maze were.
And I met a truly wonderful guy. Since joining the fire co, I've gotten really close with one of the younger members, Haley. A few months back, some of us were out & ran into her dad, Jeff, a retired member. He & I were picking on her via text, he went home that night & called her to ask about me. Took a month of running into him (or him following me home) before he got up the nerve to ask me out. Jeff & I have been together since. We have a lot in common, a lot of similar interests & he's very good to me. Last night he insisted on fixing my truck, even though I told him it could wait, I can drive my explorer. "Just in case you need it", he says. What a sweetheart.
Jeff came out of 'retirement' & is back to active status with the fire co. We took a very fun & relaxing vacation 2 weeks ago. Got home, fried my mother board so I spent the next 4 days preparing for our past chief's funeral. The man stood in my kitchen when I didn't even have walls & asked me to join the co. - that 1 conversation completely changed my life. Preparing our 1923 Seagrave that would carry his casket is in top 5 hardest things I've ever done but I'm glad I could help give him the sendoff he deserved. I couldn't have gotten through his funeral if it weren't for Jeff & Haley.
Tonight we finally had our 1st family dinner with both his kids at the same time - and they both want to make it a regular event. Yeah! Tomorrow night we take his daughter out for her 21st. She occasionally gives me "mom" comments, usually sarcastically. After 15 yrs of being treated like dirt by my ex's kid, it feels really good to be accepted by the kids. Also great to be with someone who respects me enough he wouldn't allow his kids to treat me badly even if they didn't like me.
I love my life. Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Well that was a beautiful read. I'm thrilled you are doing well K2! Continued success.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Likewise here, Kissy. Sounds like life is treating you right. Good for you and thanks for the update......
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
You know what? Kissy makes me think we should have a Letterville Family Reunion. Over the last 16 years, we've seen lots of people come and go. Lives change. I often wonder "Where Are They Now?"
We've created tons of memories together. Love to hear the stories. Kissy has dirt on many of us. That's scary.
Posted by Mike Faig (Member # 6104) on :
Well, paint my toenails and call me Jake. Congratulations, Kissy.
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
Beautiful! Thanks for a great start to my day! GOOD FOR YOU!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Good on ya!
Looks like things are on the uptake for you!
Hope it continues!
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
Good for you Kissy! You deserve good things!! The fire service is awesome, I've been involved in it for many, many years, lots of awesome memories and the kids are always asking for me to tell them stories! It's amazing how well you remember calls, the details andthe great people involved in them, it's all good!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
heheheh.... volunteer fire dep'ts are awesome!
A factory fire is about to overwhem a small fire dep't ... so they put out a call for some help!
5 minutes later a fire truck comes screaming up and goes right into the building.
The men jump out and start spraying water in all directions inside.
That helps the ones outside and the fire is out in a few minutes.
They rush inside to thank the new guys and say "Wow! What can we do to thank you guys?"
They answer "Well ... you can help us fix the brakes on this Fxxxing truck!"
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
A nice way to start my day, I love good news! My late brother was a volunteer fire fighter in Okanogan falls, he truely loved it. Conbratulations Kissy.
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
quote: Well, paint my toenails and call me Jake. Congratulations, Kissy.
HEHE I got pictures.... Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
I loved reading this! I'm glad the changes in your life are good things. You deserve it!
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Chris:
Hoping only the best for you. I wish you both well! The "family" misses you!!
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
There is no news like good news, all the best to you. Bill
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Thank you for brightening our lives knowing of your good cheer and success
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Way to go Kissy. Keep it up.
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
good to hear!
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Kudos! That was one great read and VERY inspiring. Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Good stuff!
Posted by Richard Heller (Member # 2443) on :
G-d bless you Kissy. May you have many more years of happines and contentment.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
hey Kissy... what awesome news!!! I am genuinely pleased for your good fortune!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Since joining the fire co, I've gotten really close with one of the younger members, Haley. A few months back, some of us were out & ran into her dad, Jeff, a retired member. He & I were picking on her via text, he went home that night & called her to ask about me. Took a month of running into him (or him following me home) before he got up the nerve to ask me out. Jeff & I have been together since. We have a lot in common, a lot of similar interests & he's very good to me. Last night he insisted on fixing my truck, even though I told him it could wait, I can drive my explorer. "Just in case you need it", he says. What a sweetheart. ![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)