Bill fun

IMG_1152.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

What do you do when you're shocked that the bill is only $80 for fifteen people and 3 hours of fun? Stick it to your forehead, of course.

Holy recap batman

Ugh, I feel like I have been getting slaughtered on all fronts lately. We had a very busy October with a lot of travelling and alot of fun, but it's been very very busy!!

After Katie's wedding and a glorious weekend at home, we headed to Indy for my friend Karrie's wedding. I know Karrie from high school, so that meant there were all kinds of fun high school peeps there. We just had to get a Bosse picture!

It was such a good time seeing everyone, especially considering that the last time I saw the guys in this picture was like 4 years ago! The girls were great too, dancing to a little Flo Rida and not embarassing anyone by bringing along our plastic grillz. Had to stay classy for this one!

Cutest of the night goes to my friend Sara's little girl Taylor, who piped in with "Mommy pretty! Mommy pretty!" as her Mom (a bridesmaid) walked down the aisle. So adorable.

That wedding was on a Friday, so the next day we headed back to Chicago, dropping Mike off at Purdue to attend the Purdue/OSU tailgate at West Lafayette. That night my friend Jill and her husband Chris stayed with us, and I attended my friend Dora's bachelorette. So fun! After festivities I met Jill and Chris with their other friend Mike, and we had a grand old time!

This last weekend we headed to Bloomington for a girls + Mike squared + Fain reunion. SUCH a good time. Here is the pic of us girls

And some quotes by the birthday girl, Jenn:

• You guys remember that year I spent my birthday at dance marathon? This is WAY better than that!
• This would be great for a night of drinking alone.
• I'm like a dog, I want to get to Nick's and rub myself along the wall to get the scent of it.

As you can see, Jenn is not only a surgery resident, but she also doubles as a Grade A Comedienne. Love that girl.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to some time at home over the next month. I almost forgot about how social our friend group gets over the winter months, and I am looking forward to catching up with our friends here. The fun starts with Halloween this weekend, the Black and White ball the weekend after that, and the weekend after that I turn 30! Yikes!

Hotel holla

Just now the Marriott called me to tell me that Mike had left two ties in his room. Excellent customer service! Kudos, Marriott.



But that exchange reminded me of a story.....



Years ago, when I travelled for work alot, I left one of my favorite over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders (if you know what I mean, and I think you do) at a hotel room in Orlando. Now this place had to have been a W or something, because it was super posh and nice. I called and left a message with the hotel housekeeping only because it was one of my favorites. Later that day they called back and the guy on the other end said, in a very snooty/nasal almost-british-accent butler-like voice: "Ms. Stratton? You called housekeeping about something you left?"

Me: Yes?

Snobby Hotel Guy (SHG): "We found your..... your...... your....."

I'm dying, like, IS HE GOING TO SAY IT?

SHG: "....article of clothing...."

I laughed so hard when I got off the phone. The guy couldn't even say the word! bwah!

Uh, ok?

Guess it's good I don't really LIKE twitter that much!

Look how grownup Gracie looks!

In related news, my Dad lurrrrves to buy Gracie random stuff!

Premonition

So last night I was getting out of my car at my brother and his girlfriend's apartment, and I had Milly's leash around my neck like a scarf (just draped around my neck, not looped). I started to clip the leash onto Milly's collar and thought for a moment "Maybe I should take the leash off my neck first..." but since I was already at the latching moment, and Milly doesn't hold very still for long, I clipped it on with the next movement planned to be pulling the leash off from around my neck.

You know what happened next right? Milly bolted. Of freaking course. Beagle always be pulling at the end of her leash.

I could feel the leash tightening around my neck fast, and the fabric felt like it was rope-burning me. I swung around to get some slack on my neck, and moved to take the leash off around my neck. As I do so, I completely bashed my head on the open car door. Seeing-stars-hard. At least I followed through with taking the leash off my neck even though I was seeing spots.

So here I am, standing on a sidewalk on Belmont as people walk by, cursing loudly, and realizing that when it comes to premonitions about my dog, I should NOT be lazy and take the right steps. Because it's not so much deja vu, as it is knowing my dog is a total spaz.

Oh and now I have a huge bump on my head (although you may not be able to tell because it is the size of my entire forehead), and it hurts everytime I smooth my bangs to the side. Which is, oh, every 2 seconds.

Katie and Drew's wedding

I guess I should get off my lazy butt and recap Katie's wedding weekend already!

The weekend of the wedding was so busy... about five minutes after we arrived in Evansville, the boys took off for the bachelor party and my Mom, sister, and I sat down and started doing table tents. Four hours later we were done and the boys were still out drinking, so I bade goodnight to the girls (and Milly) and went to check in at the hotel.

The next morning we were up and at 'em early! I headed to the parents' house to hang out a bit with Milly during a morning conference call, then Katie and I went to get our eyebrows waxed. I'd never had that done before, but it was fun! Good times!! A few more errands and it was time for some mani-pedi action at a salon Katie's future mother in law had reserved for us...
After nails, we all got dressed at our respective houses and then headed to the rehearsal dinner. It was a fast one, and then we went to Turoni's for the rehearsal dinner. The in-laws had ordered like 4 of the "giant" pizzas, which are 29" in diameter. Holy pizza, batman! And lo, it was good.

The next morning, I picked up Katie EARLY and we were off to get our hair done. Then we headed back to the church to get ready in the choir room. Gracie toddled in looking a bit sleepy....
And proceeded to play with Mom's makeup....And distributed some hugs....
Gracie was a bit obsessed with Katie's dress, so Katie tried to put it over her like a tent!

....Much to the chagrin (and shrieking) of Miss Grace.

Instead she just wanted to stand on it... oh well! We took off her shoes though so she wouldn't get it dirty!
Before I knew it, wedding time arrived and we all walked down the aisle and Katie and Drew got married. The fun time arrived, and we all headed to the country club for pictures, dinner and drinks. It was a super fun party, and this may be the BEST picture to come out of it. Ahhh, Jay. Always a good time, little brother. Jay told me later, "I don't understand these people who get drunk and are all WHAT DID I DO LAST NIGHT?! I get drunk and I am AWESOME!"


I also got some fun pics with my Mama!

This is Michael - he is the head of staff out at the country club and is awesome. He ensures that events out there run like a well-oiled machine. He's one of the many reasons why my wedding was super fun, and he is thebombdotcom.
At the end of the night, the guys helped pack up and Jay played DJ for a minute :) A very good and fun night... and I even got some of my favorite wedding cuvee champagne!

Oink Oink

I don't think Gracie likes her pig costume!

So exciting

Oh man, my dog is going to totally hate me. Look what I just bought.
Not the dog... the costume! Milly is long and skinny and totally going to be a hot dog for Halloween this year.

Lordy, I am SUCH a DINK!!

I love this little girl...

IMG_1023.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

even when she has pizza all over her face and is just smiling towards my camera to get me to shut up already!