Daniel Poly- I'll never forget you, I'll never let you go, I'll always remember, I hope you know.

My heart is throbbing at the thought of writing this post. A brother, a best friend, a shoulder to cry on, a referrer when it came to fights with Aj, a smile from ear to ear, the biggest heart, best tan, wore orange shoes when he played basketball, and carried the same book bag since 7th grade. He gave me rides to school, came over for family dinner, told me when I was being stupid, and needed a reality check, he gave it to me. Dan always made you feel like the most important person when he was around you, he cared so much about everything going on. He made time to make your day better, and Dan LOVED to have a great time, and I mean, GREAT time.

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 we received news of my dearest friend Dans death. No one word, or one action can tell you how I felt at that very moment. I actually found out view his facebook, after receiving multiple random calls from Omaha numbers, silly me thought they were just butt dials. After finding out, I immediately called Joey Carney, Ajs very close other friend, who at this time is in New Zealand, therefore his phone was off. I next call John-Paul Baker, who goes by JP, and he confirmed. He told me that we would be okay, and we will make it through this. Boy was it tough to get home that afternoon, I then called my dad, Maggie, and Sarah, to tell them all. Still not sure if I could even believe it. My heart was crushed..I was just praying somehow that this was all a dream, a bad, sick, twisted dream. Then I arrived home, before everyone. Within minutes, Aj's car pulled it. He had already found out, thank god, but seeing my big brother that upset and in such disbelief, Aj and Dan were more then friends, they were.."sexy-kinda," has they said to each other for years and years. Holding my brother while he cries, is something my heart most could not handle. He is SO strong when it comes to emotions and struggles, so to see him this upset, just crushed me even more. After gaining some composure, mom and dad both arrived home. Aj was still extremely upset, and I needed to get away. I went over our family friends, The Randall's, house and talked with Mama Reg, it was so nice to step out, and processes some thoughts, but then of course came more thoughts, more phone calls, more texts, more facebook post, basically our life's were exploding at this moment. I still can not process that there is no more Dan, I started this post Thursday late afternoon, it is now Tuesday late afternoon.

Wednesday, Aj took off for Omaha. Arrived safely to the comfort of close friends and family. Thursday, I took off for Omaha to join them, we all went to the Poly's, saw Dans family, sat in the infamous basement, drank plllllllleeentty of beer, for Dan. Just talking about old times, and hearing those boys share stories about Dan help more then one person can say. You could just feel Dan there in spirit. After sometime, we went over to another friends, where we were greeted with even more of Ajs close friends. Saturday was the same thing, more friends around, more beer, and even more memories. Just the way Dan would want it. Sunday was the Wake, Dan's sisters, Ellen and Maire, spoke and did an outstanding job. Sharing stories, talked about his love for his friends and family, about his cheesy pickup lines, and his 'game' that many women there had experienced. Me not being one, due to the fact I was ALWAYS prepped before hand to set him up with one of my friends, which successfully worked for Dan in more then one occurrence. Seeing everyone there showed how blessed and loved Dan was. And if you couldn't guess, we ended the night at a bar, in South Omaha, called 'Darby's' we had a great time, remembering Dan and healing all together. Monday was the funeral, when we laid our Dan the man to rest, where he could be at home with his God.  It was absolutely beautiful outside, Aj was a pallbear, and dad assisted both did a wonderful job!

But WOW-those people are amazing, all being together this whole time made this extremely painful experience, as easy as one can get. I will forever be grateful to you all, who help my brother, his friends, my family, and myself get through this experience. The phone calls, texts, thoughts, and prayers really showed how blessed my life really is, with such an amazing base around me. Dan was a brother to me, he at many times was the calming factor when Aj screwed up, Dan Poly will live with me day-in-and-out.

RIP DannyBoy-always and forever <3

Herniated disc day.

I have had, and have a herniated disc in my lower back (between L4 and L5 for those who care medically savvy). I went to the ER Jan. 9, and they did an MRI and found it, after having some intense pain on my back and left leg. Send me home with drugs, and a doctor to call. Now, four weeks later, I have seen a orthopedic specialist, done lots of PT, and had a epidural. Still having lots of pain and heading towards a second opinion soon.

-SO that is the update on my back issue-

Now, lets get started on why I wrote all that! Today, after a long weekend celebrating birthdays in Iowa City, and the Superbowl with my AMAZING family, I had three back-to-back-to-back apt this afternoon! W.O.W, did I feel busy, and like everyone wanted to poke at me. Some much nicer then others, but I am SO over this back issue, I do not do good sick, or injured (as many of you know) I would just rather be on the go, and doing work as best as possible, boy has this really put a tamper on that! It has really put my heath into prospective, and how much we seem to take it for guaranteed in everyday life style, took something like a silly ole' herniated disc for me to get my body some rest and relaxation! I am not whining, at all. It was just a very very emotional, testing day. I struggle with those. Looking back in my phone, called mom 8 times, within the 4 hrs of my appointments- gotta love having that mom, always can make ya feel better :) But I will come back from this, hopefully scare free, and being able to touch my toes....we have a long ways to go, so prayers would help!


Thanks mom, family, Regina, Sarah, and mag for putting up with me, and helping me out so so much!

Nice win tonight Solon, and good luck tomorrow! Mom has Kaylee over night, I will have her tomorrow, it has been quite the treat to have her around the past two days.

COLORADO WEEKEND!

Friday morning flew into Denver; we were greeted with a big smile and hug from my oldest sister Bridget, always refreshing to see her. After we got the car loaded up, we headed to a nice breakfast in Denver. Called the squeaky bean, very cool place! Low key and simple. Then it was off to the Coors factory in beautiful Golden, CO! WOW, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. We all enjoyed ourselves, had our three free beers, and found out how they made their glorious beers. My favorite, as always, was the old school Coors light. Although, I did try winter fest ( :( ), Coors original, and the abbey ale ( :/ ). Great experience with some amazing people. From Golden, we headed up the mountain to Winter Park! We stopped for a bite to eat and water halfway up in Genesse, CO. And well...I'm not sure where to start...there was one convenient store, liquor store, restaurant, ski shop, and gas station. We decided we would eat at the restaurant. It was a very small
place where they served mainly German food. A VERY German older couple greeted us, began to tell us all about their famous bratwurst, they were homemade! I fell for it and got the bratwurst...........terrible idea, not only was the bratwurst bad, the beer was bad, and my total was 20!! As you could imagine, I was not happy. Then we hit up the liquor store and well. Things were looking up :) We began the rest of our journey to winter park. Got to the condo, and went out on the town. Had a great time with all the girls, and learned that I really enjoy tuwaca!!

Saturday morning came along, everyone was feeling a little under the weather, but we kept on going! OFF TO SNOWMOBILIN'!!  Having a bad back, I was quite nervous, big sis bridg and I decided we would make the adventure ssssslowwwwwwllllyyy. And when I say slowly, I mean slow! It was the most beautiful, breathtaking, adrenaline rushing adventure, ever. No word to describe the sights. It was so freaking cool. At the very top, you have the option to go to the continental divide or stay at the open fast area. Bridg and I really were not sure about going up this steep mountain side. But everyone else took off, and Bridget says to me, the driver, we will never be able to see this again ab! So we went, up the mountain side, to the top of the continental divide. Shocking, unbelievable, most incredible sight I have ever seen and I could not have done it without my sisters. It was so amazing. You have no idea till get the chance to try it.

After that long cold afternoon, we decided nap time, and a late dinner was in store. Then we all went to bed. Sunday morning we went to breakfast at rise and shine in winter park, and it was so good! Then we were off to the airport to drop of the first batch, then Lindsay, Emily, and myself went to stay at Bridget’s for the night!

It was an all-around great trip, we had so much fun!