Hello, my name is Tammy Masid, I am 49 years old, and live in a small town in western Nebraska called Scottsbluff. I am married to a wonderful man named Joe, and we have one son named Adam, who is 18.
I worked at a grocery store as a bookkeeper for years. When I got pregnant, we decided I would quit work and when Adam was old enough I would return to the work force. Unfortinately that never happened. I did do some volunteer work at my sons schools but that was about all I did. The reason for that is because I became very ill.
One day I literally woke up, and could hardly move, I was so sick. I went from doctor to doctor with no one being able to help me. I laid on the couch for 6 months, and other than going to doctor appointments I was not able to leave the house. I had a fever, muscle aches,and was bent over in pain. I was at the ER almost weekly. Finally after being sent to a specialest this is what I was diagnosed with. Here goes the list, it is long. TMJ( had this since I was a child), Fibromyalgia, IC (interstitial cystitis) one of the most debilitating diseases in the world, because of this disease I have had to have a hysterectomy. Restless leg syndrom, low thyroid, Irritable bowel syndrome( had this since I was a child) I am also loaded with kidney stones. I ususally pass at least 3 to 4 year. And then because of all this, I got major depression. I had 6 surgeries in 6 weeks. I had a lithotripsy done one week, then neck surgery done the second week, then another lithotripsy prcedure done the third week, because the last one didn’t work. Then I had shoulder surgery done the fourth week, then the fifth and sixth week two more lithotripies done because they could not get the kidney stones to break up. Due to my IC I had two surgeries to stretch my bladder, this is know as a bladder distention. Neither time did the procedure help me or work.
Well as you can see things are pretty much a mess for me mentally and physically. My husband tried to cheer my up, and booked a cruise to the Bahamas. When the day came I was so sick, I couldn’t even get up off the couch to go, and it had to be cancelled. I was so upset. He was trying to get my out of the house, and thought maybe a trip to the beach would help me out. Six months later he booked the same cruise again, and as you can guess we didn’t make it on that one either. I would sit in my house all day and cry. I was sick and in so much pain. There were nights when I would sit on the couch and beg God to take me, as I was to much of a coward to commit suicide.
Okay, so now we are going on about 7 to 8 years of this now. My doctor here has now threw up her hands and said she has to send my someplace else for pain management, She knows there is nothing else she can do for me. She found me a pian clinic in Wyoming, and I go to once a month. They have greatly helped with my pain, but my depression was still there. I can’t get a job because, who is going to hire me. Some days I can get out of bed, and be some what okay. Other days there is no way.
One Saturday afternoon I was scanning the internet and came upon the cutest Bus I had ever seen on all my life. I thought to myself “what is this thing”? After reading about it, I knew I wanted it, and it maybe was something I could do. If I felt like working I could. If I couldn’t get up that day, I didn’t have to. I would be my own boss. I showed my husband the bus and he agreed that it was the coolest thing ever. But there was only one problem, we didn’t have the money to buy the bus. I knew it was only a dream and that I would never be able to own such a thing, but I could only hope.
Two or three years went by, and one day my husband comes home and says “look at what I found on Ebay”. There it was, a Snowie Bus. The price wasn’t to bad, and so my husband got a hold of the lady that was selling it. We agreed on a price, and that cute little bus was mine. My husband had alot of reservations on me going into this venture. But he was kind enough to let me give it a try. I was tired of sitting around, being drepressed, and feeling sorry for myself.
I was so excited to start this new chapter of my life. If I failed, oh well, I gave it a try, and would just have to sell the bus. I hoped out of bed that first morning and got right to work. Ordered all my supplies from the Snowie company, cups, syrup, and best of all, all the knowlegde that they had for me. You probably don’t remember, but I did call with alot of questions. And who ever answered the phone, was so willing to help.
I worked my hiney off that first summer. I went to fairs, rodeos, craft shows, you name it, and I showed up. My weekends were filled with birthday parties. This might really be hard for some of you to believe, but we paid off that bus the first summer. But remember, I was never home and that bus was rarely turned off.
My poor husband, after working almost 10 to 12 hours days would come home and he would jump in the bus with me, and off we would go to do the neighborhoods. We could make anywhere from $100.00 to $200.00 a hour, depending on the night. He never complained, of course how could he, seeing how much money a person could make with the bus.
This summer will be my third year with the Snowie Bus. And I am more excited than ever. Do I still have all my problems, yep I sure do. Am I still in as much pain as I have always been in, Yep. But attitiude sure does make a difference. The bus gave me a reason to get up off the couch and start living again. Sure there are times when I think “man I can’t do this today”, but I get my butt off the couch and do it anyway. And guess what, I feel so much better for it.
Winters are still very long, and I dread this time of year. But to put myself in a better mood, I am already ording stuff for my bus and getting very excited for this up coming season. I truely believe that my involment with Snowie Shaved Ice has saved me. Even though I still have all my problems with my health, and always will, your company gave me a job that I can do. The income is remarkable, and your customer service is top notch. So thanks Snowie, for giving this gal a job that she loves and a income that is outstanding. I am off the cliff and rolling along in my bus. Oh and did we ever get to go on the cruise….you bet we did. That first summer with my bus was so outstanding, that the bus bought us a gift. I nice long week in the Caribbean.
If I don’t get any votes, that is okay. I am just really happy that I could tell you my story, and how much you as a company has done for me. Thanks again Snowie Shaved Ice.
-Tammy Masid-
What a heart warming story, thank you for sharing. I know Tammy and her husband personally and they are wonderful, huge hearted people. You deserve all the peace this bus has brought you and your family. I know it brings a smile to my face every time I see that bus parked at our local events, schools, churches, even your drive way. To see your and Joe’s beautiful smile lighting that bus up… I know nothing but great things can come of that cute little bus. Thank you again for sharing your story. You are quite an inspiration!
Thanks Trish for your kind words. This is a lady that is adored by all. To tell you how special she is, people have been intrusting the lives of their little ones to her for years. What a wonderful Christian lady you are Trish, God Bless you . :)
I was teaching in Tammy Masid’s school. Her letter is amazing, because she may very well be the most positive person I have ever met. I had no idea she suffered from all these illnesses. She is incredible and deserves a new bus! I am voting for her! Thanks you.
A big thank you to worlds best teacher. Of course she has a twin thats awesome too, so its really hard to pick. Thanks Deanna. :)
what an amazing story and such an inspiration! thanks for sharing to encourage others also. i hope you win!
Thanks Jennie
My daughters daycare often calls the Snowie Bus for special occasions at the daycare. This past fall, they brought the bus by and offered free snowcones to the daycare so that she could use up her supply for the season since it was her last day. That is an incredible gesture and goes to show the type of heart that is running that little yellow bus :). GOD Bless!
Hi Jennifer, thanks for the kind words. Your daughter is a great customer of mine.
She has been so good to me and in return I like to say thanks to my customers. Thanks again for the vote. :)
We vote for Tammy! We are neighbors and my kids LOVE Snowy bus. Every time we drive by and see Snowie my kids say “can we go over to Tammy’s?” We live in a small community and it is so fun to see the Snowie Bus around in the summer months. I guarantee there is no Snowie bus out there as clean and shiny as Tammy’s. I know she is exhausted from being out and around and that bus is scrubbed top to bottom when she is done. Tammy gets our vote! Thanks Tammy for giving this summer fun to our community!
Awww, thanks Krisit. Kristi might be my neighbor but she is more like family. I love to see her kids get all excited when the bus comes a rolling into her driveway. And let not forget about her other furry kids. my best friends, Gus, Walley, and my boy Eddie. :)
Great story Tammy.
A specail thanks to Deb and her family. Debs family owns Highway 26 Raceway her in Scottsbluff and they let me bring my Bus out to the races every Friday night to sell my saved Ice. And they don’t ask for a thing in return. Talk about a great bunch of people. Thanks Deb and Lee
A special thanks goes out to Deb and her family. They own the Highway 26 raceway in Gering. Ever Friday night they let m bring my bus out to the races and sell my Shaaved Ice, and they don’t ask for a thing. Talk about some really great people. Thanks Deb and Lee.
Tammy…I had no idea. I have seen you several times in that cute little bus, and you never ever showed your emotional hurt….only beautiful smiles! I’ve have always seen that kind heart and good will towards others…and now lucky for me, I got to read about your qualities of determination and strength. God Bless You!!
Hi Jennifer, and thanks. I usually don’t tell people all about my aches and pains but here it is in black and white. I found a really good doctor in Cheyenne and he is really helping me. I’m on alot of meds but I guess that will have to be okay. I have to give 100% of the credit to Jesus Christ though. If not for him, I know I would not be here. God Bless you to Jennifer. :)
I vote for Tammy fool not to!
I am voting forTammy! WoohooTammy
Tammy great story and motivation. It is great what you have done and accomplished. I live in Papillion NE and my wife and I are looking into Snowie. I was wondering if you would be willing to answer some questions we might have? Thanks and you get my vote, from one Husker to the Next.