Icks-nay on the ext-tay osting-pay.

Yeah so, my apologies if you stumbled upon my random FOUR posts yesterday created from one text message... I was attempting to try out that post by text thing, but yeah... apparently it cuts you off after so many characters like twitter. Well, that's kinda dumb. I have twitter for one sentence blurbs. Perhaps I should've read up on that first before trying it. Anyway, whatev. Oh but part of the news I was intending to report via my unsuccessful text post was that I spilled the beans to christmas bride regarding the baby shower. Now that I'm out of tax season, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. She hadn't hinted or asked about me hosting a shower, but I knew I had to say something. So I was very honest and just told her that I'm just not at a place in my life right now where I could handle hosting a baby shower... I made it known that I would absolutely be at any and every shower she wanted to me attend, but actually hosting one might put me in the loony bin. Not to mention, I'm about to go on Clomid later this week, so I'm about to get less nice.

CB was super understanding and it was SO not the big deal that I of course made it out to be in my head... which is usually the case. Her mom actually had trouble conceiving her and she was very empathetic and was not at all offended. So yay for that hairy monkey being off my back! And I also felt the need to explain to her that yeah, I know I'm doing this whole nursery styling venture, so she may be thinking, wtf... you can do that but you can't host a freaking baby shower? Well, I guess that's a hard one to explain... it's just a totally different thing for me. The MRFS thing is really therapeutic for me in an odd way... I kinda explained all that to y'all earlier when I launched the site. It's so focused on *style* (at least from my perspective) and not so much on *baby* - if that makes sense. So yeah, it's totally different in my shoes.

What else? Operation Fierce Booty is underway, y'all. I went to yoga last night for the first time in weeks. I'm sure I'll be feeling it later today. I was shaking during half the class... it's amazing how fast you can get out of shape. I've maintained my weight fine, but I just feel... loosy goosy, you know? So tonight after work I'll grab Gertie and go for a little run in the park by our house. I couldn't even tell you the last time I ran... I seriously think it was sometime over the holidays. Geez.

Oh and in other news, speaking of MRFS... I created a survey on baby registries that I'd love to have some of you moms participate in! Next month I'll be doing a post about registries - namely, what are the "must have" items and what aren't. If you're a mom with young children, the oldest of which is at least 12 mos, your feedback would be much appreciated. If you're interested, you can find the survey here. Thanks, mommas!

Alright girlz, enough ramblings for now... gotta get going. Enjoy your Toooosday! :-)

Pardon my progress...

I'm playing around with my layout a lil bit, so if you pop on and things look funky, that's why. Well, unless you think they look funky to begin with... that's another story.

Update: Wow, what an amazing blog makeover. My background is now green. I'm going to have to revisit this later. Argh... I've got a million other things I need to be doing.

Spring Sale at Javis Davis!

Happy Saturday, dear readers! Oh I love me a Saturday when I don't have to work! I was on a staycation last weekend after the 15th, so Saturday didn't really feel like a Saturday last weekend... so this Saturday feels like the first real one where I don't have to go in the office and crunch numbers. And like McDonald's, I'm lovin' it!

I had a fab massage and facial last night. I promise to post soon about my awesome spa deal... I need to check with my spa dude to see what he is charging now before I spill the beans. And to make sure there's not a waiting list still, cuz trust me - if you're in Atlanta, you WANT this. And y'all KNOW I'm in a serious straight-jacket of a budget, so it's gotta be good. Yeah so, great pampering last night and a chill evening at la casa.

This morning I'm heading down to Grant Park to help Lucky move out some of her stuff because her brand spankin' new fiance is moving in. She is so excited... they've set a date for January and the wedding planning is already going full-force. She's already picked out our dresses (from J. Crew - YESSSS!!!!) and she's itchin' to find hers. Anyway, so yeah... having brunch with her and kuntry bride and helping her load the U-Haul. Oh and I'll be making a pit stop at the best paper store ever, Paper Source, on my way down. Or back maybe... depends how fast I get my ass moving this morning. I've got an order for save-the-date's and some one year birthday invites and am in need of some supplies. It's a busy weekend!

Tonight we're having dinner at the hub's boss' house. Should be fun! They banter like frat boys, so I'm pretty sure it will be fun. His job has been a true blessing... everyone was really unsure about him switching careers and going into mortgage lending in the middle of the housing crisis last fall, but it's proven to be a good move so far. And he is such a "problem solver," which makes this role a good fit for him too. And it's still very sales-driven, which is his background. Yeah so if you're looking to refi, peaches... I might as well give the hub a good plug! You can get his contact info (and see his dashing pic) here. Isn't he the cutest? Hehehehe...

Oh and speaking of jobs, that reminds me... Dave's Town Hall for Hope on Thursday night was GREAT! Leave me a comment if you went or watched or listened or whatever and tell me what you thought. He had a lot of really great things to say. He spoke to the fear that a lot of us are experiencing, and he talked about how fear is the antithesis of hope. No good decisions are ever made out of fear... so living in fear gets us nowhere. He gave a lot of historical info on economics, which was really interesting. And he answered lots of good viewer questions and concerns. My favorite quote of the night? "Gold is the Snuggie of investments." I was rolling... Cause you see it on late night infomercials and you look like an idiot for buying it. Hahahha... love it. So with all the great encouragement and info, he wanted us to walk away with a list of three things to do in the meantime as we battle this economy (this is totally from memory, so this is my understanding of what he said)...

1. Take responsibility for your situation, stop whining, and go bust your butt. The government's not responsible for taking care of you - YOU are responsible for you.


2. Learn to say *NO*!


3. Give more. (I'll have to say that this one is most important... in getting on the Dave bandwagon, we put giving at the top of our budget and it has CHANGED our lives.)

I believe the Fox Business Network is re-airing the show over the weekend and hopefully it'll be up on Dave's hulu page at some point - I don't know. I hope you'll get a chance to view it!

Now perhaps I should get to the title of this post.... geez! Yes, Javis Davis just announced a secret friends and family spring sale in honor of Mother's Day. This sale is not mentioned anywhere on their site (hence the *secret*!). They rarely do sales, so this is big deal, mommas! Hop on over to Make Room for Style for more details!

Tonight: Town Hall for Hope!

OK so Operation Fierce Booty has yet to take lift off. I was off work on Monday, so that was my excuse. I know, seriously... what kind of excuse is that? Tuesday, I had a dinner date at Taq with kuntry bride and Lucky to check out Lucky's new BLING! That's right... she's engaged!!! Woo hooooo! And then last night, the hub talked me into having a calorie-fest at our local dirty Mexican joint. My arm is so darn sore from being twisted, don't you know! So yeah... not off to a great start with that whole working out thing. I've been off the wagon for weeks and getting back on is freaking hard! I'll do it though, I gotta.

And then tonight is Dave's Town Hall for Hope!!! (So much for Thursday's run.) I'm so excited... We're grabbing some friends and going to a local church to watch it. Not our church, but one closer to us. So who else is going?! It starts at 8pm EDT, but I believe there's a delay on the west coast... Dave will be speaking live from Oklahoma City and churches and local orgs all over the country will be broadcasting it. Just log on here and type in your zip code to find a spot near you. I typed in my zip code just now and over 40 locations popped up within a 10 mile radius! The event is absolutely free - all you need to do is show up! If this crappy economy has affected you at all, grab your friends and family and GO! I promise you won't regret it. It's a 1.5 hour program. He'll spend the first half hour talking about the economy and the last hour answering questions from viewers. Dave is an amazing speaker and his enthusiasm is absolutely contagious. I hope you all will go!

Alright girls... off to work for me! Another day, another dollar, right? So glad the weekend is in sight! By the way, Charlie is doing great - thanks for all your sweet comments and tweets! Besides the whining, he's been a real trooper. One week down, five to go...

New Half-Blood Prince Trailer

OMG. I'm hyperventilating. This new trailer is SO good. OMG, hurry up July 17th!!!



How freaking scary awesome is Snape? I love me some Snape. OMG! You can bet your britches we'll be at the midnight showing at the IMAX... loves it!

Two patients with little patience.

Charlie made it home this morning and he is doing great! Well, he's NOT liking being confined to a crate while his sisters run around and play. But the surgery went well and he should make a full recovery. It'll be a long one, and he's our whiner of the three... so we're preparing for 6 weeks of lots of whining. Good times! Here's a pic the hub took this morning when he picked up Charlie...

How cute is his bright yellow bandage? Poor buddy... he would so be enjoying this sunshine today!

Ahhh... and the second patient would be ME. I best not go into detail here while I still have a queasy stomach... but yeah, had a little too much fun at the firm's April 15th party. And holy crizzap, am I paying for it now. Absolutely worthless. It was all I could do to drag myself in here to get on the 'puter and do my drawing for my giveaway. I announced the winner this afternoon, so hop over to Make Room for Style and take a peek.

Let's hope for a more productive day tomorrow! I'm never one to sit still and I've got a to-do list a freaking mile long.

April 15th!!!

It's here, it's here! Halle-FREAKIN-lujah!

The last two days at work have been crazy nuts. Not to mention the last three months... but yeah, so glad to see this day finally arrive! We've got to get some last minute things out the door, hand off some stuff to clients, put out a few fires, and then we're OUT!

And what else is going on today? That's right! It's your final chance to enter my fab giveaway over at Make Room for Style. Are you in?! You've got until midnight tonight, so get a move on.

Lastly, and most importantly in my heart, our sweet Charlie is having knee surgery today. He's going to an orthopedic surgeon for doggies (yep, they have those) to have his torn ACL repaired. His daddy had the same surgery a year and a half ago... like father, like son, I suppose. I know it's a fairly routine thing, but surgery always makes me nervous! Anytime they put you under, it's scary. So say some sweet puppy prayers for our baby! The recovery process is what's really going to be the challenge... we will have to keep him confined to a crate for weeks and have to walk him on a leash to go potty. He's NOT going to like this at all... so pray for a successful surgery and our sanity for the next month or so!

I'll be at home after today to put my domestic diva hat on along with watching after the patient once he gets back. Alright... off to work for one last day this tax season!!!

Be sure to hop over here tomorrow to catch the big weeeener of my giveaway!

Giveaway in 2 more days!

April 15th is fabulous in my world for several reasons... I CAN'T WAIT! But, most importantly, you've only got two more days to sign up for my killer giveaway over at Make Room for Style!




Um, did you catch the part where YOU get to design it?! Get your booty on the dance floor and don't miss out!

Happy Easter!

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" - Luke 24:5-6

In the Company of Dogs

So last weekend we were over at my parents' for dinner and I saw this catalog sitting on my mom's island in the kitchen. What is this? A catalog I don't get? I'm like the catalog queen. Sure, I toss them in the recycle bin as soon as they hit my mailbox should I fail to avert my eyes, but I get them all! Well, obviously not.

Now most doggie stuff is a bit ridiculous. Cute, fun, but slightly ridiculous. And none of our three are little furballs that we dress up or anything. They're all the rough-and-tumble-roll-around-in-the-mud-and-run-through-the-house-hootin'-and-hollarin' type of dogs. So no fru-fru doggie sweaters or posh 3-figure cushies for our three. But OMG, I stumbled upon the absolute MIRACLE product for our crazy household. Behold, dear readers, the doggie screen door!!!


This is my answer! OMG. See, once it gets warm, we like to leave our back door open so our doggies can go in and out as they please. Otherwise, you're constantly getting up to let one out, let one in, let one back out, yell at one for jumping on the door... you get the picture. But of course, once summer really starts to kick in, so do the bugs. And I don't really enjoy flies and junk swarming in our home. Gertie's pretty good at catching them, but not that good. So yeah, when I saw this product I did an audible squeal and announced to the family that this product most definitely would be going in the budget next month. Hellz yeah.

Lots of cool products for sure, along with some ridiculous ones, but overall, it's a fun catalog. Sign me up! I'm glad to know that others out there must have crazy untrained fools for dogs like we do. Otherwise, who else but us would need stuff like this?!



Gotta love 'em. Those sillies are worth every chip of paint, every door scratch, every chewed up pair of underwear...

Vintage eggs in this Easter basket.

OK so you know Dave would spit fire if I went out and bought new duds for Easter Sunday. I know Jesus doesn't care what I wear, he just wants my heart there... but Easter Sunday is my ultimate ode to spring! Even if it's 45 degrees out! So, Betty on a budget must go shopping in her own closet this year.

Lilly is the standard and a dress is a must... but my Lilly collection (dresses anyway) has dwindled since I sold several of my dresses that don't fit anymore. Boooo! But here's one of the ones I had altered and sliced and diced a while back...

Think it'll do? Forgive the grainy camera phone pic and my ugly hangers... I was in a hurry. The dress is strapless, so the lime green Sigrid Olsen cardi will come along. Haven't accessoried yet... we'll figure that out this weekend. The weather is supposed to be nice, which would be great. I really do not enjoy freezing on Easter Sunday and it was freaking snowing here yesterday. But sun or no sun, one thing's definitely in order... an emergency pedicure - STAT! It's time for the toes to break free.

Have y'all got your Easter ensembles figured out yet?

Introducing: Make Room for Style!

Alright, girls.... it's finally here! I am super excited to announce the launch of my new site/blog/venture - whatever you wanna call it...

Make Room for Style

Not only have I been crunching some serious numbers at work, but I've been logging some real hours trying to get this new biz off the ground as well! Earlier this year, I was blessed to partner with Javis Davis, a custom baby and kids' bedding company, as the design partner for Atlanta. If you've been hanging with me for a while, perhaps you remember when I stumbled upon this hidden gem months and months ago. Well, as I do with any site I swoon over, I immediately subscribed to their emails. Back in February, I got one such email from Javis Davis announcing that they were on the hunt for design partners. After reading about what they were looking for, I knew this was for me. Definitely one of those lightbulb-over-the-head instances... crazy timing.... total epiphany... the ultimate *aha* moment. So I filled out the rather lengthy application (because I tend to be wordy, that is) and waited a very long two weeks to hear back. Finally, I was on the phone with Mary Lou, the owner and creator... she loved my app and I was IN!

I was so thrilled to be selected because I really didn't know what to expect or what they were expecting. Basically, I'll be working one on one with moms and moms-to-be, helping them pick out bedding and accessories to complete their nurseries and kids' rooms. But it doesn't stop there... I'm all about getting into the whole realm of nursery styling and design. It's something I've always wanted to do... something I've done a million times in my head. And I know y'all are thinking, OK don't you effing hate baby showers and all that nonsense? Yep, I realize this all sounds like a totally bizarre thing for a prego-challenged person to want to do. I've even wondered myself if I'm crazy. But no... this is different. I have so much passion for nursery design. I thought it was just because I wanted to be a mom so badly, but it's more than that. And my new site is ALL about babies and mommas and baby-mommas... so how do I do it? I don't know, but all I can say is that I love it. It's a little therapeutic even. For me, this is all a passion and desire that's always been with me and there's really no use fighting it anymore! I truly believe it's a seed God planted, and it's my job to sew it.

So there it is! I went into a lot more detail on my new blog about how I got into this and what all I have to offer, so definitely read up over there. And Buford Betty ain't goin' nowhere... I am here to stay! But do pay me a visit at my new digs every now and again.

So what can you do for me? I would be more than thrilled if you'd just spread the good word! While this is a ton of fun for me, it's still a business. I've got three doggie mouths to feed, dear readers. Hahaha... no but really, my biggest goal right now is to get the word out! The products at Javis Davis absolutely sell themselves - I am IN LOVE with their stuff. But I've got to sell myself before anything else! So to entice you all, as mentioned, I'm doing a fabulous giveaway over at makeroomforstyle.com!

Here's a peek at the goods...
...but you'll have to hop over HERE to enter!

So grab your friends and come on over! Thanks again, girls, for all your love and support. I'm truly excited to get this new gig going. OK so off to bed for me! Tax season ain't over till it's over... and it ain't over. XOXOXO!

Note: Technical difficulties, OF course. Still trying to get my new url to work, so if you tried to link over earlier with no luck, all the above links should be working fine now. Thanks! :-)

Bibs and Booties.

So after work today I ran by Off 5th to grab a baby shower gift. I had a 30% off Friends and Family coupon (good through Tuesday - email me if you want one!) so this was going to be my first spot to try and find a gift. I was a little disappointed in the baby and kids' clothing selection... sometimes they're overflowing with stuff... tons of Lilly and other fabulous brands... but today, not so much. Lots of designer jeans for kids, but I've become way to sensible for that nonsense. (Tell your toddler to get a job if he wants to wear $150 Diesel jeans.) Anyway, I had a few things in my hand from the clearance rack that were pretty cute, but I quickly threw them down when I caught wind of the stack of icky baby bibs around the corner.

Sometimes Off 5th has a bunch of these bibs and sometimes they don't... that store in general is totally hit or miss, but when it's a hit, it's a HIT. Which makes it one of my favorites! So anyway, all my momma friends adore these bibs. They retail between $15 and $18 and are usually sold at more uppity stores and boutiques. Well at Off 5th they were selling for $11.99... add my 30% off coupon... that's $8.39 each. Pretty good deal - I was happy. So I snagged these three...

Not an earth-shattering bargain, but a good one. And the total was under my $30 budget, so I'm happy and I know the mom-to-be and her baby boy will love them too! Yeah, by the way, I never do baby registries for baby gifts. I don't know what the hell half those products are and I'm not running laps in Babies 'R' Us trying to find a pack of onesies in some specific blend of organic cotton you picked out. Sorry.

OK and then booties? Yes, that'd be in reference to MY booty. As in, let's get it into shape, girls! Today is April 4th... exactly three months from JULY 4th... when I'll be running the Peachtree!!! I had fun tagging along with the hub and our other pals who ran last year, but I'm going to actually run it this year. It will be my first 10k, so I've got some serious work to do. Along with working ridiculous hours this time of year, my workout schedule gradually goes down the toilet. I haven't been to yoga in weeks... I haven't ran in... well, let's just say *a while*... I've managed to maintain my weight throughout the last few months solely because I watch my cal-intake like a hawk (on weekdays anyway). But we need some firming up... for realz.

So... I've got a week and a half left of busy season. The countdown is officially on! My plan - which I'll begin on Monday, April 20th - is gonna go like this:

• Mondays - Yoga after work


• Tuesdays - Run with Gertie at the park after work


• Wednesdays - Yoga after work


• Thursdays - Run with Gertie at the park after work


• Fridays - off


• Saturdays - a.m. run with Gertie in the park


• Sundays - off (unless I'm feeling crazy - optional afternoon yoga class)

You like? I do... I can totally do this... Operation Fierce Booty!!! Yes, let's call it that. Alright girlz... any of y'all have new workout plans to get bikini ready or whatever ready? Now I realize I may have to adjust this somewhat if my doctor tells me to take it easy... we'll see! I'm currently on my last cycle before we start IUI next month!!! I'm so ready to go. I've had two girlfriends recently conceive through IVF so I'm hoping their baby dust rubs off!

And speaking of baby dust... tomorrow I'm debuting my new blog and venture! And yes, it has to do with babies! That's all I'll spill for now. But there is a FABULOUS giveaway involved, so stay tuned!!!