Summer of 2014 = Non-Stop Working Summer of 2014

In May we decided to buy a new convenience store. This translated into a great opportunity and a boatload of work. It was a busy three weeks preparing to take over the new store. The day of the switch was crazy and of course, when it rains it pours. That same morning one of our transport drivers was hit by a car while unloading fuel so yes one more mess. 

July is consistently the busiest month of the year for Berry Oil and Berry Trucking. This July was a whole new kind of busy! We had some unexpected, yet very needed personnel changes at the beginning of July. Translation: I had the privilege of working in Tetonia the rest of the summer. Thanks to great people in our Tetonia office, we made it through, we hire new help, we revamped several processes, we all learned a lot, and we were all a little tired come fall. Below is how I made it through. :) Sometimes you have to go through hell to appreciate the calm moments. Even though it was a VERY long summer of work it still felt like Christmas in July. The perks of working in the Tetonia office include a two block commute to the office, sushi and Thai food runs (frequently), lime freezes at least weekly, hot tubing almost daily, and of course, the dirt roads. (Okay that last one was a bit on the sarcastic side). 

The PA Reunion in IDAHO!

Mer suggested well over a year in advance that we all meet in Idaho for a reunion. Well it happened! It was a short but fun reunion! We've added quite a few to the group since we all lived in PA together and we are still growing! We ate well...MPR, NJ, and, SJ all enjoyed their Idaho Berry burgers almost too much! We picked raspberries, huckleberries, we partook of raspberry/huckleberry shakes, we had at least two or more people up every hour of the day at my house. (The joy of babies). Babies kissed, wrestled, and were spoiled with lots of affection. All were able to visit THE Berry Oil HQ. We had time to just talk. I am so glad everyone was able to come. We did miss, JD! Below is a snapshot of the good time we all had together...until next time!   

Newest Addition To The Home...Now To Hang Them!

"Selfies" With My Phone

Mattie Faye loves sleepovers at my house, she insists sleeping with Papa and Dama.

Taking It Easy While Dadio Is Hard At Work

After botox injections I spent a few days in Tetonia recovering, which included relaxing in the hot tub...followed by me bathing in sun while Dadio drained the hot tub, cleaned, and refilled it for me. It takes quite the effort to maintain such an amazing thing. I hope Dadio knows how much I appreciate him doing this for me! Thank Dadio! 

February Summary

As I mentioned, 2014 started out with a "bang". February left me exhausted as well. Due to being so sick my body rejected the botox injections I had at the beginning of January, which meant each day, each week, I became tighter, had more pain, and limited function. Luckily I have a great doctor, who was able to get authorization from my insurance to do the injections again instead of waiting until April. At the beginning of March I had botox injections again and they worked this time! Needless to say I've been doing a lot of napping and laying by the fireplace. Have I mentioned that my fireplace might be my favorite part of my house?! 

Averina And Brown Eyes Hit The Dance Floor

Averina and Brown Eyes started dancing this year...they are adorable. I wasn't able to snap any clear shots of Averina but let me tell you, she's got real attitude out on the dance floor. With each performance they each have improved too.  If I'm being completely honest I hope the girls find other hobbies, sitting at these dance competitions for hours on end is misery. I, however, think I'm out of luck because they love it. Even Mattie Faye is picking up their dances...and these dance competitions are the best babysitter for Mattie I've ever seen. 

January: Photo Summary In A Blur

2014 hasn't really been my year. Jan 2nd ended with me and an IV bag of fluid. A severe kidney infection. Pure joy (feel the sarcasm please). That same day, Amie had major back surgery. A week later I had botox injections. I still felt badly, which would make sense given I still had a kidney infection...it held on for dear life. A week of IV antibiotics and another month of oral antibiotics to kill it. My right hand/arm didn't like that IV very well.  Turns out most of January consisted of Mama Berry, Dadio, and Matty playing nurse and caregiver to each of us...and wrestling three crazy girls. Thanks for helping us so much! 

 This is a horrid angle of myself but I post it because this little mini-me held my hand a lot this month. Always taking care of her Jessie Faye. 

Adding A New Silver Bullet To The Garage...

Did you know that folks only 75 years old and older drive Buick vehicles?  Well since I'm an 82 year old in my heart and physically most of the time that statement still holds true! 

Flash Flood, Soaked, Power Outage...Just Another Day In Salmon

When the rain started I thought, no worries it is just a little rain. By the time I made it to the hotel that night it was a flash flood, electrical storm. After waiting in the car for 10 minutes I decided to brave the weather and run for the hotel. Needless to say I got soaked. Luckily my handy flashlight app helped me find my room in the dark. The power was out all night and until about 2 pm the next day...Salmon is prepared. God loves Berry Oil apparently. The city has several generators and Friday morning our plant and our c-store were located in the right areas of the city to have power...while remainder of the gas stations (minus the Sinclair next to ours) were powerless. While I didn't really love showering in the dark bathroom where just the morning before I killed a hobo spider and going to work with wet hair, it did translate into a great day of business for us. It pays to be in the oil business. 

My next trip to Salmon I'll be a little more prepared...sticking my headlamp in my car tomorrow.