Hi there...

This week of mini-marathon training is rough-going. I spent last night and Monday night getting the condo tidy (note that I did not say clean, just tidy) and re-doing the blarg. Tonight I ran my 4 miles and I was totally fine with it, but I was ready to be OUTTA there after the run. I should have lifted, but did not.

So glad the presidential race is almost over. I am just ready to be DONE with this already.

Maybe I should put some money in rupees now just in case our whole country goes up in flames soon?

This weekend in Bloomington was so much fun! I had Pizza Express TWICE, got some candy-stripe pants I have been eyeing since undergrad, and got to know a bunch of fun people. I have to also give the two pregnant chicas a shout-out... ya'll were WAY more understanding around LOUD, rambunctious drinking people than I think I will ever be when it's my turn! And my first foray into the actual stadium since undergrad made for some great pics

Holy cow

If you have looked at this website in the past day or so, you've seen many trainwrecks and iterations... hopefully you like the final product! I definitely needed to update, and now I feel like posting a bit more since it's prettier ;c)

found a good place to nap

found a good place to nap, originally uploaded by agstratt.

I know I say this everytime, but how is it possible to miss the snuggles already?

Tuesday!

• I am about 4 weeks deep in mini-marathon training and starting to feel like I'm hitting my stride. While I am no spring chick, I am no longer sounding like a box of rice krispies rolling down the sidewalk (snap! crackle! pop! get it?)
• I think the debates so far have been largely boring, but what is with McCain? In the first debate he wouldn't make eye contact with Obama (even when they were shaking hands!) and in this debate referring to Obama as "This one"? What? I mean, can we have a little respect... I think McCain is probably a really great guy, but he seems really angry that Obama is even running. I mean, it's no disrespect that someone is running against him, that's kind of the point of the whole race, no? I like Obama, and I do think that he and Biden ALWAYS saying "McCain is a good man" is a bit too much, always trying to act the good guy, but at the same time... can't we keep races clean and respectful anymore? As illustrated by all the random ads that are aired by every candidate EVER at every election opportunity, obviously not! I just wish we could all just get along!?!?
• I am so annoyed by this whole financial crisis. I feel like there are so many people in this country living SO FAR beyond their means and take really stupid chances, and the people who play it safe and save money and live prudently are getting punished. I mean, at this point I could have NOT contributed to my 401k for the first two years of my career and be in the same position.
• On that vein, you know what else annoys me? WaMu's commercials lately. You know the "The same things you loved about WaMu are still here, but now backed with the resources of JPMorgan" You know what I liked about you WaMu? My SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY. You suck!
• Whew, that's great to get out of my system. haha... it could be worse, I didn't have that much in WaMu
• Going to IU this weekend, and stopping to see Baby Gracie, My sis, and her dude on the way home. Life doesn't get much better than tailgating, Sink the Biz, and Gracie snuggles all in one weekend!!

This guy is my hero!

from http://www.boingboing.net/2008/03/05/man-creates-vigilant.html
Red highlight shows the awesomest part.

Man creates vigilante robot to battle drug dealers
Atlanta bar owner Rufus Terrill has built an armor plated remote control robot to video tape and chase away drug dealers and other unsavory characters who are causing problems in the neighborhood.

Late at night several times a week, Terrill powers up the 4-foot-tall, 300 pound device and reaches for a remote control packed with two joysticks and various knobs and switches. Standing on a nearby corner, he maneuvers the machine down the block, often to a daycare center where it accosts what Terrill says are drug dealers, vagrants and others who shouldn't be there.

He flashes the robot's spotlight and grabs a walkie-talkie, which he uses to boom his disembodied voice over the robot's sound system.

"I tell them they are trespassing, it's private property, and they have to leave," he said. "They throw bottles and cans at it. That's when I shoot the water cannon. They just scatter like roaches."

Random roundup

• If you have to get a root canal done and you have a choice of which tooth to get it done on (like you ever would get a choice!) I would HIGHLY recommend a front tooth. Only one nerve as opposed to 3-4 nerves! I was in and out of there in under an hour. And I argued my way down on the bill thanks to the dental coverage printout I took in there (on the phone these jokers from Cigna totally tell my dentist office the WRONG coverage). AND THEN the parking lot machine wasn't working so the guy let me out for free. So, let's just say it was the best root canal EVER.
• My 10 year high school reunion was this weekend. There was a dismal turnout (like 30 people, most of whom I keep in touch with by some means)... but it was VERY fun. It was so fun to see everyone and I feel like I know what is going on in people's lives via their blogs and myspace/facebook. So we just had fun catching up on other random stuff instead of the basics and had fun together. I made Jay and Kim go with us to the bar to meet up too, since he hung out with guys from my senior class a ton. And I was so glad he was there - I think the guys enjoyed seeing him :c)
• Saturday, Kim and I went shopping. And I bought a super-cute red cocktail dress. My weight-loss goal was to fit in the red BCBG dress I already own, but this dress may be an even greater option ;c)
• While we were shopping, my dad took Mike out to see our oil well

Who's the cute boy by the oil well? My cute boy!

• Clay Aiken confirmed he is gay today? Is this NEWS to anyone?!
• I am in week 3 of mini-marathon training. Some days it's kicking my butt, some days I'm kicking it's butt. At least I feel like I'm kicking butt part-time, no?
• My friend Amy closes on her new condo on Friday. CONGRATS, AMY!!!!

Jay....

DSC_0032.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

.... thinking Deep Thoughts.

Hypothetical Situation...

so let's say that you have a teeth cleaning.

and then your front tooth starts hurting.

also, last year you spent like, a whole paycheck having this tooth redone. veneer, baby!

then let's say that you get an infection, that expensive tooth dies, and you need a root canal.

is is just a friendly little co-inky dink that this all started the week that the cleaning happened? Because the dentist would like to think so. I mean, in the hypothetical situation and all.



As a side note, dentists out there, don't talk to almost-30-year-olds like they are 5. It's insulting. "You see, then the bacteria get in there and they just push right out!" I get it. Thanks, you want to draw it with a crayon?

Babies are so cute!

DSC_0019.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

I am still loving these photos I took of little Grace last weekend. I am missing my Gracie snuggles already.

Daddy Dearest

so a couple days ago (Sept 9th to be exact) was my Dad's birthday. For my dear old pops, I thought I would pull out the "10 things I like" format, since I have yet to send him a birthday card and am an awful daughter.

1. His laugh. When my dad really cracks up, he rocks back and forth and scrunches up his face, just laughing really hard. It is funny, it's like his whole being is laughing
2. He knows how to do everything. I swear to you, he does. I can call my Dad and ask him anything from investment questions to how to anchor some mason screws in a concrete wall. I am not saying this in the typical little girl "My Dad can do anything" way. He really can. Go ahead, ask him!
3. He also knows everything. Closely related to #2. But seriously, it blows my mind how much this one person can cram into his brain. He knows everything from which little old ladies at the church need their walks shoveled during a snowstorm to how to whip anyone at bags (ahem, Calbert Cheny, ahem).
4. He is super sporty. My Dad can pick up almost any sport and win at it. It makes me feel hopeful that my athletic non-prowess is a dominant gene, and somewhere there is a recessive gene for athletic ability that my kids may someday inherit.
5. He more gets along with Mike. I have never had a problem with the typical "Girl marries someone like her Dad" stereotype because mine is so great, but it really delights me that they look forward to seeing each other.
6. His committment to my mom and our family. We've been through rough times but I have never once doubted that we wouldn't get through those times as a family. He has set such a great example for my life and my marriage.
7. He's not afraid of anything. He'll jump up and defend me in the middle of Kilroy's when some 6'5" chick threatens me. And he'll order a shipment of stone crocks from China to start a new business.
8. He helps so many people. Whether he's going to Mississippi to rebuild or evacuate a town, heading the relief efforts after a tornado, or just visiting people in the hospital, he is constantly leaving a real imprint on this world in a positive way.
9. He supports everything I do. He may play the devil's advocate with me sometimes, but he is proud of me and supports everything I do in life. It's amazing to really know, deep down in my soul, that kind of support.
10. His big heart. He cares about everyone and everything, and loves me and the rest of our family so fiercely that I cannot even describe.

For all these reasons and more, I love my Dad so much! I am a total Daddy's girl, it is no lie. My hope is to spend many more happy and healthy birthdays (maybe where I also actually send a card) with my Dad.

Here's to you, Dad!

flirting

DSC_0060.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

they say that babies and animals know really good people when they see them, right? Maybe that's why baby Gracie loved Mike so much. Seems that I've picked out a good one, and i just loved how enamored he was with Gracie and how much she loved being held by him. I already knew he would be a good Dad whenever we get around to having kids, but that was just another great confirmation of that fact.

I am in love...

DSC_0211.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

with my new little niece!

Daily Show welcomes RNC to Minneapolis

This made me laugh....

RANDOM SATURDAY

Must recommend: Vantage point (the movie)



Conversation earlier, watching Vantage Point:
Hubs: You are TOO squirmy.
Me: I can't HELP it. The President of the United States is involved! He might need me to cheer for him! I mean, JACK from LOST is in this!! IF ONLY for JACK!! (Jack from LOST=Matthew Fox=I love him).


From the chica who has never cheered for President, ever. Sorry to give my democrat-ness away..... but, tell yo mama, I'm for OBAMA!!!

Open letter to the CTA

1. You suck
2. If I wanted my daily commute to last an hour, I would move to the suburbs, save a hojillion dollars on housing, and have a yard.

Random

On the shit list:
Target
Walgreens
CVS

On the good list:
Drugstore.com

Restock my stuff! I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed it!

oh hai!

DSC_0347.JPG, originally uploaded by agstratt.

put your hands in the ayer, if you just don't ca-yer....

Can't believe I'm writing this...

I feel like I have to write this, but writing it will make it real. And I can't believe it's real yet.

This is adapted from an e-mail I sent my sorority sisters on Monday:

I know most of you already know... but I lost my Grandma Stratton this weekend.

We were at the lakehouse on Friday when we got the call that she had been admitted to the hospital the day before, didn't fully wake up on Friday and was in a coma-like state. We hightailed it to Fort Wayne; it was a blessing that we were close enough to make it there within an hour. Jay and Katie arrived shortly after Mike and I, and my parents got there right when we did. They did a ct scan, but we found out only the next day that she had a perforated bowel and had gone into sepsis. We visited and hoped for the best, and all went to dinner as a family once we learned that she seemed stable. At dinner, my aunt got the call that her vitals were doing very badly and she, Dad, and Grandpa got up and ran back to the hospital. When we got back to the hospital, the decision had been made to take her off the machines. She died later that night at 2:45 AM.

I feel like I have lost a person who was a main constant in my life. She was ALWAYS there for me. She was always on Team April, 100% of the time, without having to be anti-team-anyone-else. No matter what I did, she was proud of me. All of us grandkids felt this way, she made us all feel loved and treasured. I cannot believe she is gone. I cannot believe that this is happening. I cannot believe that she will not be around to make my kids feel loved... to buy them doughnuts and grapes, let them eat all the LifeSavers, and tell them funny stories or teach them how to cook. I feel like I'm in stuck in a bad dream. I have been so lucky thus far related to death and it's toll on those close to me. For this, I am thankful. I am glad that I followed my gut at the family reunion this year, however dumb or rash that it seemed, to tell my Grandma that we plan on naming any little girl we have after her. I am thankful that I got to say goodbye even though I didn't say those words exactly.... I could only get up the courage to say "till next time..." and tell her that she was one of the most amazing women I have ever known.
It was funny, talking to my cousins at the funeral, we realized that each and every one of us thought we were Grandma's favorite. I laughed a bit, thinking of course. It made so much sense to me, and was such a testament to the kind of woman that she was, that all of us felt so treasured, so convinced that we were by far the most important. It's still very hard to think she won't be around.

I'd like to say I'm doing ok. I know that I will be OK someday. But I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that she's not around anymore. It makes me think constantly that I should have visited more, should have called more, should have paid more attention. I always thought there was more time, would be more time in the future to see her. I should have known better. I can at least say that she knew how much I loved, looked up to her, and adored her. And for that I am thankful.

I'll miss you, Grandma.

Moosh contest

So there is this contest I want to enter via Moosh in Indy and Hair Thursday... here are the deets:

• http://www.hairthursday.com/stuff/the-let-the-moosh-whoorl-your-hair-contest-extravaganza.htm
• http://mooshinindy.com/2008/06/26/its-the-let-the-moosh-whoorl-your-hair-contest-extravaganza/

Rules say that I have to post pics of myself with good and bad hair days. sooooo.... here we go! I had some trouble finding bad hair pics. Mostly because there are a number of ways that my hair can be bad, and if there is a perfect storm of bad hair, it's quite likely I would delete those photos right away. So here are a few and the reasons for bad hair mojo...

No access to styling tools... Australia '08.

BAD layers... nothing like paying $80 for a bonafide mullet. March '05

I get all sweaty and it goes into a teardrop pony with curlies around the face

Here are the "good hair day" photos!

ahhh, nice straight hair with no humidity and a mojito? it really WAS A good day!

Glossy

after a fresh haircut last fall

Supershort and blonde in 2005

And this is where my hair stands now... a little darker, and short with a few layers (me in purple!)

More Gracie!

I think I've got Katie talked into sending me a daily Gracie pic.... it totally brightens my day!

so tired, Mom. Can't you just chill out?

always halfway between food and sleep... the life of a newborn