Goodbye Old Friend.....

Today was just like any other day...until I came home and noticed that our dog Sandy was nowhere in sight.

 About 6 months ago we found out Sandy had kidney failure and arthritus.  We did not catch the kidney failure in time so her kidneys were basically shot.  She went from a happy go lucky dog to one that could barely get up to go outside.  It was difficult to see her in so much pain but by looking at her you could tell she was the same old Sandy deep inside.  She had been our childhood dog growing up and most of the time very loving. 

We had taken Sandy in once before to put her down when he couldnt bare to see her go on the way she was, but that day she was not ready to go so she came home and that was about 3 months ago.

 When I came home today and noticed that she was not in her normal spot, I knew something was up.  My dad thought it would be best not to tell me because Ive had such a hard time with this....so today we said goodbye...

I will never forget you.....

Recently

This week is the final and last official week of school.  Next week is finals week and I only have one final and a meeting that  I have to go to.  Other than that I am pretty much done.  These past couple of weeks I have busted my butt with projects and papers.  Im just sooo gladd my first year in the education program is basically complete!! Although it seems like it was eternity, it really flew by quick.  It seemed as though this year was 10x harder than any schooling I've ever had, but im sure next year will be just as hard.  Working with peers on projects and relying on each other to get a good grade is really hard.  Especially if you end up with people that could care less. 

Its defenitely been a rough school year thats for sure. 

Lately things have been pretty low key.  Sunday I spent half of the day at my grandmas with C and then spent the other half at C's house with his family for Easter.  It was a really good day.  I always love family gatherings :)

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY!

I am soo over this weather.  My gosh my hair cant take the humidity and the storms just freak me out!!  This past week I've been stuck out in the two worst storms! Tuesday night I was at work when the sky turned pitch black and it started storming.  With two clients still at the salon, all 5 of us ended up in the bathroom for a little bit while everything calmed down outside.  I was pretty scared!!  Last night C and I got stuck in the midst of the rain again.  We went to Peel for dinner with Callie and Cody and then tried out Global Brew.  Needless to say, since I turned 21 I have spent a ton of money on drinks! YIKES it can be expensive!! It started raining pretty hard and the wind really picked up speed so before it got any worse we all headed home.  The ride home was terrifying!! C kept getting stuck going through puddles that would block his vision as we drove through them.  About half way back to his house, everything had calmed down...

After hanging out at home for a little while, we ran an errand in town, and some of C's friends were at Wild Country and wanting us to come by.  Since we were already in town we decided to go and have a few drinks with them.  I had not been to WC since I was 18 and it was basically a high school reunion of everybody we went to school with.  One things for sure, we are definitely not missing out. haha

Recap

This weekend was hectic and consisted of several fun, stressful, and dramatic events.  Friday night I went out to eat with my familia at the Los Tres Amigos restaurant.  My middle brother was home from college for the weekend so it was nice catching up.  I had to work Saturday morning so I stayed in once we got home.  I attempted to get a head start on homework but because of the dreary weather that day I was really tired and decided to go to bed. 

Saturday I worked until 3 and then C, and I went to the landing for my friend Kelsey's 21st.  It was a really good time.  After we stuffed our faces at the Spaghetti Factory we attempted Big Daddy's but at 9:00 it was pretty much crowded with old people (weird).  So we went to the Morgan Street Brewery and stayed there most of the evening.  We started up on the top floor and played some pool and had a few drinks, then we ended up at another part of the building that had a ton of people and an awesome dj.  And there we danced and drank some more :)  As most of my Sunday's go, I ended up doing homework all day...and literally ALL day.  I had to meet with my group for a project at 1 and didnt finish until 3.  I then came home and got started on my economics paper and some other stuff that I have due this week.  I cannot wait until this semester is finally over with!! 17 more days! wohoooo!!

Callie and I at Morgan Street Brewery

Kesley, Callie, and I

wow..this pretty much sums up the night..

dancing!

Smooth Move

I just wanted to post about this AMAZING new conditioning treatment we are doing at the salon.  Kelly put it on my hair last night and I absolutely loved the way my hair felt afterwards.  My hair has never felt so soft, clean, or healthy! I couldnt believe how good it felt.  It is the new awaphui wild ginger treatment line from Paul Mitchell and let me tell you it is definitely worth it.  Last night I was having my mom feel how soft it was, and this morning I made my lil brother feel it.  Even Cale, who never shows emotion about anything said it was extremely soft.  And thats saying something :) So thanks Kelly for doing my hair again!! I love it!

Tonight C, and I, and my parentals are meeting all my aunts and my grandma at the Casino Queen for grandma's birthday.  Haha after all the money I spent last week, Im hoping I come home with some winnings!!

Moving Along

The last bit of the semseter has just been killing me, emotionally, and physically.  I went to school today with a positive outlook on my last few weeks of school and then left school wanting to scream, cry, and pull my hair out, realizing all that I still have to do.  On top of all my school work, I still have to work in time for C and friends.  Saturday night we are supposed to be going to The Landing for my friend K's 21st.  I feel extremely overwhelmed thinking about homework and this weekend.

In my last post, I mentioned that C and I were going to Supercross.  It was a very exciting evening one reason being that we drove C's gigantic truck to St. Louis and had the marvelous idea to park in a parking garage because it was wayy cheaper.  After seeing how close C's truck was to the ceiling, my hands, feet, and armpits immediately started sweating.  C could reach out of his window and touch the ceiling, we were that close.  It was extremely nervewrecking!!  As for the race, my favorite racer of all time James Bubba Stewart won, followed by all the other favorites of the evening.  I do enjoy doing "boy" things every once in a while.  

Opening introduction to the racers

The best I could get of Bubba.

This week is just moving right along...I cant believe it is already Tuesday, which by no means am I complaining because I do want to be done with this semester, but time is just going by too fast. :(

City Museum

Last night C, his friend Zac, Erica and I all went out to dinner and then to the City Museum.  We had planned to have dinner somewhere in St. Louis but decided to just eat somewhere around here.  We ended up going to Olive Garden, yummm I can never get enough of the bread sticks and salad!  Afterwards we headed to the City Museum, since I had never been.  It is a really neat place with TONS to do, but for a person who is terrified of heights....its a lil scary.  C and Zac loved it and went all over the place.  Erica had been there several times before and went with me and  had to talk my way down a time or two..Overall it was great evening!

Birthday crown and cake from my lovely friends!

C and I at Olive Garden

Turtles at the City Museum

The 10-story slide we went down...I didnt take this picture because I could not look down..but E took it for me.

This week has been such a great week with everything and all the fun things we have done!! And it continues tonight..C and I are going to Supercross!!

Birthday Festivities

Ok, I am wayyy behind on blogging..but between school and turning 21 this week has been crazzyyy!! First off C and I went to the Blues game on Tuesday.  It was a really great game and the Blues actually won.  It was probably one of the best games I've been to in a while.  Wednesday was my big 21st birthday.  To celebrate, my parents took me and Casey to the Alton Bell Casino and then to Fast Eddies to eat.  It was a really good time.  Lost $35 dollars at the casino but I now see how it can get so addicting.

T.J. Oshie! My favorite player

On my birthday :)

The parentals

playing my first slot machine

fast eddies!

Thursday night after being in placement all day, some of the girls from school and I along with C, Callie and Cody all met up for some Margaritas!! Callie had this great idea to tell them that it was my birthday at the Mexican restuarant and that I wanted a shot of Tequilla...ahhh

Yup they held my hands up and waved them around while they sang.

They insisted I take a bite of my icecream treat...and then shoved my face in it

Shoving that lime in my mouth after the shot

And so it begins..

It is officially Racing Season....blah..Im not exactly the biggest fan of racing...but I do enjoy going every now and then.  A good friend of C's races stock cars around the area  and C loves to work on the car with Jason and be a part of the "pit crew."  So Highland's opening day for racing was last night and after we had dinner Kels and I decided to go.  It was Kels's first time and definitly an eye opener for her.  Haha. The people and environment are totally different than what we are used to.  After the races are over, everyone then goes down into the pits to hang out and have a few drinks.  It was pretty chilly last night, so after being down in the dirt for a good hour, I was more than ready to go.  Overall, it wasnt too bad, and some parts were pretty exciting. 

I am more than ready for this semester to be done with.  I am not looking forward to these last four weeks of school.  I have two tests tomorrow, a paper due Wednesday, and two group projects to work on.  It is not going to be fun...so this evening I will be spending my time studying.

Remembering the Past

When we lived back in Champaign, my dad and his best friend used to hang out all the time...to us kids he has always been known as "Uncle Baldy" because he has always been bald!! haha.  He is such a great guy and so much fun to be around.  He always has some type of joke up his sleeve.  Uncle Baldy has been a family friend since I was born..he has given me the nickname Gator..and it has stuck...I dont think he has ever called me by my real name. Now he and his family live in Iowa, so we dont get to see Uncle Baldy that often anymore..but he and my dad still keep in contact.  Since he has moved to Iowa and his family has about the same number of people as mine, we do what is called the Lauchner, Smaha Challenge.  There is even a trophy that goes from house to house when one family wins so many consecutive games in a row.  We do every bracket out there against the Smaha's...we just finished up basketball and now we are moving onto baseball.  Its so funny to watch my dad and tell us how far up ahead we are or how behind we are against them.  So my point to this is that Uncle Baldy came across a pictures from a special event he attended with my dad with us kids...and you will never believe what that event was...

...It was parents day at my school!!! They always took pictures of the kids and their families that attended...and my mom was working so my dad brought Uncle Baldy...haha...I never realized it for the longest time...but if you didnt know that this was a long-time family friend..you would assume that I had gay parents.  This is one of the many times that my "dads" attended things together with us.

Catching Up

I havent posted in a while...with it being the last 5 weeks of school things have been pretty hectic. Next week I have two tests on Monday and several projects I have to work on, just the way I want to spend my birthday week..haha.  More and more projects...it seems as though they never end..Tonight C and I went to the Moose for dinner with Callie and Cody.  We all got the exact same thing...the catfish fillet and a baked potato..YUM!  And because I am not yet 21..we could not go anywhere afterwards without being asked to leave early so C and I came back to my house and just hung out.  It was a very chill and relaxing evening and I am always down for some relaxation.  Its pretty late so I am going to finish catching up on the Real Housewives of Orange County and then go to bed.


5 more days til 21!