FUDGE AND VERN Are Featured in the September Issue of Pontoon and Deck Boat Magazine!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Now, before you naysayers start accusing me of shamelessly promoting Fudge and Vern yet again, I would like to assure you that is not the case at all, but rather just an announcement that FUDGE AND VERN are featured in the September issue of PDB Magazine (Pontoon & Deck Boat Magazine).  If you have never heard of the magazine, neither had I, until I was contacted by Katie, the assistant editor of the magazine, who was looking for lifestyle stories, and came across my blogs on Doodlekisses about boating with our dogs. The power of the Internet is truly amazing.  We went back and forth via email and she stated she had pitched the story that she was lovingly calling, “The Doodle Boat Story,” at an editorial meeting and everyone loved it. 

 

At first, I only told my husband and daughters, because I was not sure it would really happen. Once I realized it was really going to happen, even though I am a shy and unassuming kind of person, I forced myself to start telling more people and I requested that my husband and children start calling me E.B. White.   So far, the new name has not caught on, but one of them did ask me if E.B. stood for elderly braggart. I did let Katie know that Fudge, Vern, and I would be available to sign autographs at local boat shows, but so far she has not gotten back to me on that point.

 

This is my first experience with the magazine world and they took excerpts from several of my blogs and made it into a story.  I have to tell you this was hard for me.  My blogs are my babies and having someone else decide what to use and what to change bothered me, although I was happy to have an article written and they were very understanding.  I stressed over the wording at times and even asked for one last minute change because I was worried Tim, who sold us the boat, might not like being called, “the boat guy.”  Mind you, the article mentions using the automatic anchor on my mother if she gets out of line on the boat and that part didn’t concern me at all.  I am anticipating another debacle, however, because even though we talked about drowning her, my mother’s main concern will be that they did not include her full name.

 

Luckily, I have my friend, Rose, whose name is in the article, and she put it all into perspective when she said, “Laurie, who really reads Pontoon magazines anyways?”  She was the same kind of help when I asked her to listen to the speech I wrote for my daughter’s wedding.  My daughter had one request…that the speech be funny…and I agonized over every sentence and painstakingly worked on it night after night and when I read it to Rose the first time, she nodded off in parts and later said, “I think I would have laughed more, if I hadn’t been so sleepy.” 

 

The article is out now, but because the magazine is geared towards boaters, it can mostly be found at locations where there are marinas and big lakes nearby.   If anyone is interested in reading the article and can’t find a magazine in your area, you can go to this link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/78794/37

Or if you are dying to see the entire magazine, their website is at pdbmagazine.com and it has instructions there on how to get the latest digital issue. The article is called, A Doodle Boat, A Pontoon Just for Fudge and Vern!  It is in the September issue.  The website still says August, but should be updated shortly. Please note the only compensation I get for this is my ego gets fed!

 

I am already worried that when the story hits the newsstands, the paparazzi will be swarming our area in the hopes of getting a picture of Fudge and Vern.  The dogs must have heard me telling this to my husband the other night, because they now insist on wearing disguises when we are out in public.

 

Thank you to DoodleKisses.  I didn’t know how much I loved writing until I started on DK and I appreciate everyone taking the time to read my stuff. 

[Pat and Traveler]

Oh that Ricki...LOL  I don't know why I said Vern--sorry, sweet Fudge.  Love that photo!  I do think you could do a book--blog per chapter.  Of course, you would have to sign a contract saying you'd still post blogs here! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Pat, Thank you! I would definitely sign that contract :) Please don't tell Ricki I said it was all her fault...LOL!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I see you have progressed from volunteering me to blaming me now! LOL!

Looks like Pat has bats in the belfry as well as moths on the doodle. LOL!!!  She sure is a lot of fun!!!

[Pat and Traveler]

--uh...thanks, Ricki.  I think.  :)  Bats in the belfry and moths on the doodle, just no way to know what fun thing I'll come up with next...LOL 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We can't wait to find out :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL...Internet gremlins again!

[Gail and Bailey]

Wow, Laurie! Awesome! A great article and wonderful photos of F&V and their parents! My favorite is the one of you hugging Fudge....so sweet! I have always thought your talent for writing should "go public" so everyone can enjoy your humor! You have a gift for writing that I compare to the humor columnist Dave Barry. I love reading your blog ....you make everyday life a hoot! If you write it....we will all read it!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you, Gail, for such a nice comment!! I really appreciate it!!  I am so glad people like what I write, because I do love writing those blogs.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I love Vern & Fudge's disguises as the 2 blind mice. :)  I love reading your blogs and usually laugh so loud that DH comes down stairs for me to read them to him.  Congrats on being "published"!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you, Nina!!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I got a chance to read the article today and thought it was just fabulous!  I think you're very Nora Ephron-esque and like everyone else...I get such a kick out of your blogs!  Sometimes I find myself reading them off my iPhone to non DKer's because everyone LOVES them! Keep writing...you're keeping a lot of us sane.  Expect to see you sitting on the couch with Oprah someday.  God only knows what Fudge and Vern will be wearing for that!!!!!! probably their beach robes and flip flops LOL !! Cheers on your accomplishment!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you, Cheryl. I laughed at the vision of the dogs in beach robes and flip flops :) Shortly, after the show aired, I see myself being carted off to the nut house! LOL