It’s super late at night (8:00pm) and I’m still awake all curled up in an electric blanket which is my new most favorite thing. I’d say my brain is still working but others may not agree with this statement. I think I got up today around 4:00 am-most of my days right now start between 2-4 am and I definitely could be confused. I haven’t lost the plow yet this year (lost the plow means you switched trucks at some point from the plow truck to one that doesn’t have a plow and panic because you think it fell off). I lost a plow last year in its first 5km after installation and trust me- I knew it fell off. I wish I could remember all the stupid things I have done in plow season but ones that stick out are putting the truck key in the door lock and being mad because it won’t work, shifting the automatic vehicle into “first” and wondering why it won’t move and my ultimate was the day at Foote’s store when I asked where the cream for my tea was and was told it was in the fridge at my feet. I looked around then told her “I can’t find my feet”.

Multiple times today I mixed up my trucks but trust me it’s easy to do. When I bought my first plow truck I had a picture of a disaster of a 1980’s GMC Jimmy up on the computer screen when someone asked what we bought. I showed them the photo of that old truck and when the Dodge Ram got home it was forever named Jimmy. Then came the second truck we named Johnny. When I bought the third truck I swore it could not have a name that started with “J” however someone said it had to be Jack because Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels. And that’s when it started. Those trucks were soon followed by Jose (Cuervo), Jager (Meister), Jameson, J.P. (Wiser), Johnson (to replace Johnny when he FINALLY dies and just… because) and most recently Jackson (Triggs). Some of them have gone to plow truck heaven and some have been sold because they had bad attitudes but the tradition will continue long into the future. Having a white plow truck is extremely dangerous and we needed to paint them. Just because I could and there really was no other logical choice- they’re all camo. It makes things pretty challenging when they all look alike and some are identical. They’re like kids- you have to go through the whole list before you figure out which one you’re talking about -or in the case of my kids which one is in trouble -that often includes the dog’s name and end with the words “whatever your name is”.

Sadly when plowing season is in full blast it means that all the hunting seasons are over but that doesn’t mean that everything ends. For me New Years Eve was pig butchering day and in the latest tradition we made sure we got dirt all over the skinned animal and created more work. This one was dropped on the floor as it came in the door (yes I should have listened when halving or quartering it was suggested). We had a skinned and quartered deer fall in a sand pile a few years ago and recently a child was asked to chock the tractor tires, didn’t, and the tractor hanging the pig rolled down a hill and dipped the whole thing in the sand once again. We have sadly learned how to wash and skin a layer off the meat of an animal when needed. We have also just learned how to do skull mounts. The person I was using stopped doing it and I got some quotes and was shocked at the cost. So right now three skulls are on my counter just about ready to mount on plaques. I’m not going to say it’s easy. I have tried multiple times in the past and always failed- but it’s doable- when you get someone else to do it.

Having multiple businesses means things are NEVER boring. We have multiple estates coming in for the auction house. We have snowstorms hitting us every couple days right now. This means the plows and sanders are running constantly and my behind is often sitting in one of the seats. A normal day is plowing for almost an entire workday before I start my second day at the Armoury/Auction house and then my third doing paperwork at home. We just finished counting almost 6000 skus for inventory which was a huge task my capable staff thankfully took on. This time of year my body has no idea when it’s supposed to go to sleep or wake up because one days bedtime is the next day’s wake up alarm time. Set mealtimes are nonexistent and some days I end up eating 8+ meals because I am awake so long and you would be surprised how hungry you get plowing.

Sometimes it takes me a few days to finish the articles and it’s now 12:30am and my body thinks it is time to be awake for the day and of course we are not plowing today. This time of year is just plain awesome! When you come into the store please forgive my crazy hair, plowing attire (including the insulated pants I’ve had since I was 12 and still wear but am almost 30 years too old for the button to do up) and the fact I can’t remember your name because there’s a good chance I don’t even know mine. Whatever your name is- when you ask me if I remember the firearm you bought 5 or 6 years ago- trust me-I don’t. We work hard and all work in portions of multiple businesses throughout the day. Sometimes we’re tired and forget what you wanted, or our brains are just not concepting what you’re asking us for- and often the customer doesn’t know what they’re asking for either! If you haven’t plowed all night with Johnson and still know your name, your kids’ names and truck’s names you’re doing good. If you haven’t lost any- that you know of-you’re doing better than us. But I can guarantee you, no matter the season, we will try our best to get you what you need when you come see us.