A Pizza Party and Some Friendly Competition

The fun started around the outdoor pizza oven and ended in many rousing games of bowling and tennis on the Wii.

Steve fires up the oven.

Allison, Meghan, Moi, Court and Rob

Rob, me, Sweet T, Meghan and Allison

Sweet T and Ken, the Pizza King, throw one in.

Court admires her handiwork.

"Hello, Court- what do you have there?"

"Funny you should ask, Bets. Its wood fired pizza with butternut squash and ricotta cheese.Oh, and I'm a supermodel."

Teri and Court administer a bit of "Liquid Courage" aka Peppermint Schnapps.

Court and Rob reenacting their Honey Creek Junior High school tennis days.

I serve up a killer tennis ace as Sweet T awaits.

High fives all around.

Allison boxes a bit aggressively.

The Perils of Being Sick and Living Alone...

I have been sick. I'm cranky and peeved. My head is full of snot, my throat is scratchy, and my nose is constantly running. I missed school yesterday, went today, and had to leave early. I'm seriously bored and annoyed with missing 2, possibly 3 days of work in a 3 day work week. I'm doped up on amoxicillan and Mucinex D. Which might explain my recent life-threatening situation. I got up off the couch to go to the bathroom, and as I stumbled around the corner I came face to face with an INTRUDER!!!! I ACTUALLY LOST MY BREATH AND ALMOST FELL DOWN WITH FEAR. I HAD ENCOUNTERED THIS PERSON:

It took me a split second (enough time to nearly give me a heart attack) to realize that the IU Rush Counselor from the late 90's sweatshirt/juicy sweatpant wearin' "intruder" was in fact me. I had left the door of my closet open at some point earlier in the evening, thus revealing my full length mirror. Was it the Mucinex? The hours on the couch watching NCIS reruns? Whatever it was, I had to get photographic evidence of my big scare. I'm truly pathetic. Feel sorry for me.

A New Baby

As I headed out to run around on Saturday, I giggled and snapped a picture, thinking that with my boots, scarf and huge sunglasses, I looked like a 3rd Olsen twin, only WAY, WAY BIGGER. Oh, and minus the disposable income and huge caramel frappaccino.

I went to visit my BFF Jamie, and her newest addition to the family. This is Liam, and he was born on Tuesday, November 17th. Here I am trying not to drop him! I'm ever so smooth with babies.

Here is a nice close up shot.

Here's sweet Jamie, rockin' her Juicy Couture and her baby.

Who likes to party, party? We like to party, party!

I was looking through all of my photos and got to laughing about my family and friends. I picked out a few of my favorite party/silly pictures.

Brother Rob dancing with a Christmas ornament. He was reenacting David Bowie in the Labrynth.

Court and I doing our Mr.Ed/Peppermint Patty impressions.

Rob and Meg took first prize as DoubleDare contestants at the Fagin 80's party.

The perpetual partiers at Katie and Chip's tacky Christmas party.

New Year's Eve with Sweet T and his BFF.

I borrowed this from the band.

Sake and Sushi

Ah, Push it.

Right before Sweet T lifted someone's suit jacket at Eldred's wedding.

High school pals

Katie in the tank at Tiny's wedding

tailgating at Tiny's wedding

Bonnaroo

Bonnaroo. Sweet T was not at all out of place.

I'm 30!

Did I mention I'm 3o?

Showtime and I rock out at A's wedding.

Tim and yours truly. Don't ask.

An Open Letter to J. Crew...

Dear J. Crew,

Hello, friend. Its me, Betsy. We've been good friends for a long time. I have fond memories of our long lasting bond. I placed my first order with you back in December, 1994, when I bought my high school boyfriend a gift. I wrote you a Bugs Bunny check, filled out a form, and dropped it in the mail. 16 days later, I received a sweater. I was hooked.

We go way back. The periwinkle polka dot bikini I wore on Spring break during my senior year of high school was hot. I'm convinced that I received a bid from my sorority in college because I rocked a long black dress from you at 6 party. I still wear my black boots that I got from you about 5 years ago. No Christmas is complete without several boxes from you under the tree.

Since we've had a long history, I've been able to accept your recent mishaps. I can tolerate the layers upon layers that you are currently putting on your models, so that I have to visually undress them in order to find the item that I may want. I also can look past the ankle socks that you have been pairing with satin pumps. I even forgive you for the dress that I ordered ( final sale) that was almost indecently short. I'm 5'11, and it looked plenty long on the model, who should be at least that tall, right? I wore it anyway, (see below). Your 15% off teacher discount woos me every time.

However, I'm a bit miffed this time. I recently purchased the long boyfriend cardigan, as I figured I should. I have a boyfriend, you see, but he doesn't have a cardigan for me to wear, so I simply had to buy one. While I was detagging this garment, as I always do, I discovered this:

In case you can't read it, it says, "cover buttons with foil before dry cleaning." Are you f'******* kidding me, J.Crew? You want me to seriously ask the guy at the dry cleaning place to Reynold's Wrap my sweater buttons before spraying it with environmentally unsound, toxic chemicals? I'm not pleased.

Xoxoxoxo,

Betsy

Happy Birthday to Sweet Meghan!

Rob, Katie, and the birthday girl. Rob is wearing her scarf as a head wrap.

Here she is opening a scarf and earrings from me.

Rob got her a lovely cake.

Sweet Meghan, my little brother's girlfriend, is celebrating her birthday today. She is 24. She is a child, I tell you. Have a great day, Meghan!

A Visit from Miss Caroline

My niece, Caroline, whom I affectionately refer to as the 3 year old Tennessee Terrorist, came to visit this week. She stayed with my parents all week, while her mother came to stay with me! Katie and I had lots of fun, and I also got to spend some time with Caroline.

love, merriment and peace

An action moment of Lil' C and her comrade, Uncle Rob

Strategizing and plotting her next move

Negotiations

Things That Are Wrong...

I've decided to add a new, reoccurring segment to the blog, entitled, "Things that are wrong." We've all witnessed things that just don't seem right. They shouldn't be done, viewed, or experienced. I saw this first example in the parking lot of a Tennessee Wal-Mart. I think most of the posts that I will add to this segment could possibly be viewed at a local Wal-Mart. As I ran in to grab some things with Sweet T a few weeks ago, I was stopped dead in my tracks by this:

What can I say? Large sticker on the hood? Check. Stuffed Eeyores on the dash? Check. Ornate lettering that usually proudly displays a Hispanic surname but in this case displays the catch phrase, "Don't Bother?" Check. As Sweet T dragged me away with my camera snapping, I couldn't help but belt out that catchy tune from Kenny Loggins, "So help me if you can, I've got to get back to the house at Pooh Corner by 1." I now leave you with that annoying tune in your head, as I'm sure the driver of this Eeyore mobile has it on constantly.

A New Type of Breath Freshener

I was headed out of my house this evening, and as I reached the back door I felt like I might need a piece of gum or a mint. I did not have these. I did not want to run back and mess with brushing my teeth. I thought and realized that I had some of this:

I grabbed a bowl of this and took it with me. Problem solved. Healthy for gums, teeth and weight? No. Tasty and minty fresh? Yes.

Kashmir, the Himalayan Queen

Kashmir in her Isaac Mizrahi trench from Target

Her fish hat

Sitting on my bed thinking about Jesus

resting on the couch

These pictures were requested by my dear friend, Kirby. Kirby would be the ultimate cat lady, since she has 3, if she didn't also have a husband and a young daughter, who I affectionately refer to as Pancake and Periwinkle (not their real names).

Kashmir is my pet of almost 9 years, and we have never broken up. She's gotten a bit more lively with age, if you can believe that. Here are some little facts about Special K:

1. Her registered cat name is Princess Kashmir of Allendale. This is rather pretentious, yet fitting. I can't claim that I named her this, as I acquired her second hand.
2. She weighs approximately 6.5 lbs, of which 4.5lbs is hair that is constantly shed and regrown in a matter of minutes.
3. She has few teeth, (Himalayans have notoriously bad teeth) and I once had one removed because it was infected. I erroneously did not ask the cost of such removal, and was dismayed to discover that it cost $350 back in 2003. Upon learning of this cost, post-procedure, I almost left her to become the vet office pet. I quickly changed my mind.
4. She is an angel sent straight from Jesus. I'm not kidding. I've said this in jest for many years, but now believe it to be true. She took a flying leap off my 2nd floor apartment balcony one afternoon several years ago. She was lost for about 10 hours. When I went outside with a flashlight to look for her at about 3 a.m. she came running from under a tree. Defenseless, lost and clawless, yet she found her way back. Jesus, I tell you.
5. Despite the fact that my house has only hardwood floors, she always manages to yack on my two area rugs.
6. She's a bruiser, and terrorizes my parents' two cats during special holiday visits.
7. She is terrified of male voices, yet would leave me without a second glance for my brother Rob, the Cat Whisperer.

And now, I leave you with a video of Kashmir in action. Please disregard my annoying voice.

Disclaimer: there is not actually any actions or tricks here. She does very little in life.