Start Your Engines!

Summer Sun & Racing Fun

Americans love cars. From the drag races of the 1950s to the full-on phenomenon of NASCAR, it’s a hobby for some and an obsession for many.

With the gas crisis, however, many of us are opting for less sporty cars these days. While it feels great to save money and help the environment, I have to admit I miss the days when Mr. Betty’s Attic and I rode around in his souped-up 1967 Shelby GT 350 Mustang. I loved that car. The smell of the exhaust. The power of all those ponies under the hood. He had to sell it years ago, but I bought him this sweet die cast to remind him he can have another one when he retires!

In college I actually drove a classic 1968 Chevy Camaro Z28 for a few years! It had been my older brother’s, but when he went into the Army, he reluctantly let me “take care of it for him.” Oh, I took care of it, alright! I was careful never to rev it too high, but let me tell you–it felt very cool to pull up parties in that baby. As payback for his Mustang, my husband bought me a die cast of my Camaro.

We’re not tearing up the local drag strip anymore or flying down the highway with the wind in our hair (unless you count the breeze from the air conditioner), but that doesn’t stop us car folks from daydreaming about the good old days.

When summertime sizzles, my husband throws on one of his camp shirts (the Surf Woody shirt is his favorite), we corral the kids in the car, and head to a retro-style burger joint in town to sip milkshakes while car collectors parade their vintage machines for all to adore. The gleam of the chrome and smooth, pristine paint jobs are truly beautiful. And historic.

But we may have created a monster–my son now wants a 1957 Ford Skyliner (he loves the retractable roof)! Good thing we have this die cast in The Attic!

Gotta Have Game Night!

New MONOPOLY Games Take You From Oz To The Caribbean!

Call me nostalgic, but I miss Family Game Night.

Every now and then, my parents would reach into the hall closet and slide out our slightly-dented Monopoly box. I can still smell the folded press board and crisp paper money. My brother and I always fought over the top hat token–why, I now have no idea.

Oh, it started out innocently enough: somebody bought Marvin Gardens; somebody plunked down their first hotel. But eventually, it turned competitive and before we knew it, we were fleecing each other for all we could! Afterwards, we finished off with ice cream and, if it was a chilly night, hot cocoa (with those mini marshmallows)!

I miss those nights and therefore, I’m hereby bringing Monopoly back! And there couldn’t be a better time!

With our treasure chest of specialized versions, fame and fortune await in all sorts of far off exotic lands...if you dare to roll the dice!

‘80s kids can buy, sell, and trade their favorite Nintendo characters: from everyone's favorite red-capped plumber, Mario, to barrel-tossing Donkey Kong in Nintendo Monopoly!

Or duke it out with Megatron for Anti-Matter and Energon Cubes in Transformers Monopoly!

M&M’s lovers can wade through a veritable sea of chocolate, trading adorable M&M’s ads along the way. But don’t “Lose our M!” You could lose your cash!

Other collectible versions include the metal and chrome Harley-Davidson Monopoly, A Christmas Story Monopoly (don’t lick the pole, Ralphie!) and...coming soon...The Wizard Of Oz Monopoly allowing you and your siblings to fight over tokens of the Ruby Slippers, Tin Man, Dorothy and Toto, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion–even a Tornado token and no, I have no idea how they made that one!

Want more? Hop on over to our sister site, The Lighter Side, for Cat Monopoly, Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy Monopoly, and more!

Settle in for a cozy night, the fun old-fashioned way. Before you know it, you’ll be tearing around the board waving wads of cash in your kids’ faces. Just don’t forget the ice cream, Hot Shot!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

The Season Is Almost Upon Us!

A funny thing happened in Boston...

Last October, your Aunt Betty planned a glorious 4-day getaway to Beantown. I’d never been and had long dreamed of wandering along cobblestone streets as bright orange, yellow and brown leaves hushed and shuffled under my shoes.

What I didn’t plan on was turning into a baseball nut.

Growing up, I was not what you’d call “athletic.” To be precise, I was that girl in P.E. class who ran–often screaming–from whatever ball was in play. In fact, I once ran from a volleyball with such gusto that I plowed into my gym coach, toppling him to the ground. We rolled across the grass like a human pretzel for about 5 feet, coming to a stop in front of my stunned classmates.

So the idea of being in Boston for The World Series was...how shall I put this? Not important.

And then I watched Game 3.

It was Saturday, October 27th. The Sox were set to play The Rockies in Colorado and the entire city of Boston was on pins and needles. I'd never seen anything like it! I knew the long and loyal tradition around the team, but to experience it first-hand was truly magical. Everyone I ran into was talking about it!

Snug in my hotel bed with some room service snacks, I watched Game 3 and in those four or so hours, I “got” it: I got why baseball has been America’s pastime for over a century. The superhuman dedication and drive by players like Ramirez, Lowell, Ellsbury and Pedroia was astounding. I was hooked. I planned my dinner reservation that night in a restaurant where there’d be a big screen TV showing Game 4.

As you now know, we won. That’s right–“we.” I came back to Florida with 2 shopping bags full of Sox mementos and a brand new love. For the girl who once scored a basketball goal for the opposite team, this was huge!

Spring Training is in swing and if I listen really hard, I can hear the crack of the bat!

To get all of us into a springtime mood, I’ve selected my favorite Attic baseball items. Check out the Opening Day Stadium Baseball in its own display case, honoring Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field; our Baseball Hall Of Fame Card Set featuring Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio and more; the beloved Harry Caray Book With accompanying CD capturing the legend’s fun and fervor for the sport; and–for long car trips to the game, the Baseball Pinball Game, a mini-sized arcade treat shaped like a baseball field!

And get ready...because that first regular season pitch is coming...!