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...!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Happy Birthday, Larry Gelbart!
M*A*S*H Co-Creator And Master Funny Man
I love to imagine the pitch meeting to turn Robert Altman’s 1970 Korean War film, M*A*S*H, into a weekly sitcom:
PRODUCERS: “It’ll be hilarious! Just hilarious!”
STUDIO HEAD: “But isn’t it about...war?”
PRODUCERS: “Exactly! Pure comedy gold!”
Comedy gold it was, and it went on to become one of the best-loved TV shows of all time.
Of course, laughs were only half of it. The show tackled serious themes, too. But what we remember most is the lovable cast of characters we came to adore over the years.
We all had our favorites: smarty pants Hawkeye; co-conspiring sidekick(s) Trapper and later, Hunnicut; rodent-like Frank “Ferret Face” Burns; compassionate hothead Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan; Radar with his teddy bear; sweet and clueless Henry Blake; the tough guy with the soft spot, Colonel Potter; Klinger in his fine array of lingerie; pompous Winchester...and voice of reason and humanity, Father Mulcahy.
They seemed so real, that it’s almost inconceivable that they were created on paper by writers. In fact, the original film was based on a book by Dr. Richard Hornberger, himself a Korean War veteran. And the series was penned (primarily) by comedy legend Larry Gelbart.
Gelbart began his career writing for Danny Thomas’ 1940’s radio show, and went on to write material for the likes of Jack Paar, Bob Hope, Sid Caesar (collaborating with Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen).
He co-wrote a little blockbuster musical called A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum in 1962, and dabbled in a few movie screenplays you might’ve heard of: Oh, God! and Tootsie.
Yet, the moments he created with M*A*S*H will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was a magical group of people who felt more and more like family throughout the show’s 11-year run. As many of you know, the emotional 1983 finale remains one of the most-watched TV episodes of all time.
Revisit the 4077th and all your favorite memories with our M*A*S*H Red Cross T-Shirt (in standard issue military green, natch), the Framed Memorabilia Collectible, and Green Helicopter T-Shirt.
And raise a glass to Larry Gelbart–the man talented enough to make the front line feel like home.
I love to imagine the pitch meeting to turn Robert Altman’s 1970 Korean War film, M*A*S*H, into a weekly sitcom:
PRODUCERS: “It’ll be hilarious! Just hilarious!”
STUDIO HEAD: “But isn’t it about...war?”
PRODUCERS: “Exactly! Pure comedy gold!”
Comedy gold it was, and it went on to become one of the best-loved TV shows of all time.
Of course, laughs were only half of it. The show tackled serious themes, too. But what we remember most is the lovable cast of characters we came to adore over the years.
We all had our favorites: smarty pants Hawkeye; co-conspiring sidekick(s) Trapper and later, Hunnicut; rodent-like Frank “Ferret Face” Burns; compassionate hothead Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan; Radar with his teddy bear; sweet and clueless Henry Blake; the tough guy with the soft spot, Colonel Potter; Klinger in his fine array of lingerie; pompous Winchester...and voice of reason and humanity, Father Mulcahy.
They seemed so real, that it’s almost inconceivable that they were created on paper by writers. In fact, the original film was based on a book by Dr. Richard Hornberger, himself a Korean War veteran. And the series was penned (primarily) by comedy legend Larry Gelbart.
Gelbart began his career writing for Danny Thomas’ 1940’s radio show, and went on to write material for the likes of Jack Paar, Bob Hope, Sid Caesar (collaborating with Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen).
He co-wrote a little blockbuster musical called A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum in 1962, and dabbled in a few movie screenplays you might’ve heard of: Oh, God! and Tootsie.
Yet, the moments he created with M*A*S*H will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was a magical group of people who felt more and more like family throughout the show’s 11-year run. As many of you know, the emotional 1983 finale remains one of the most-watched TV episodes of all time.
Revisit the 4077th and all your favorite memories with our M*A*S*H Red Cross T-Shirt (in standard issue military green, natch), the Framed Memorabilia Collectible, and Green Helicopter T-Shirt.
And raise a glass to Larry Gelbart–the man talented enough to make the front line feel like home.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Making Politics Fun! Yes, It IS Possible!
As the presidential slugfest plays out before our eyes night after night, channel after channel, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. We’ve all heard the endless jokes about “change” as the buzz word for 2008. We’ve all heard each and every candidate (current and otherwise) promise to ‘fix” America, and deliver great jobs, healthy children, and a booming economy for all.
Your Aunt Betty has friends who run the gamut when it comes to politics. Some are glued to each debate; poised to cheer, jeer, and fight for their favored candidates. Others wish it would all just go away until November because they’d rather catch up on LOST.
Whichever way your voting boat floats, these treats from The Attic give very human faces to our nation’s presidents; turning dusty old lectures into scandalous gossip, adventure and intrigue!
Case in point: our Historical U.S. Presidents Newspapers. Each set of 3 reproduction vintage newspapers features a fascinating collection in 3 different categories: Elections & Inaugurations; Facts, Fallacies & Foibles; and Deaths & Assassinations.
Read about what it was like during the days George Washington was elected (we’re guessing George didn’t drive around in a day-glo motor home with a snappy slogan painted on the side). The scandals section covers everything from the mistakenly-reported “Dewey Defeats Truman,” (whoopsie daisy)–to Nixon’s less-than-glorious resignation (Buh-bye).
The final collection recalls untimely deaths and assassinations with original articles and obituaries that I found myself poring over as if they were priceless artifacts.
Too heavy?
Try the interactive pop-up/pull-out book full of neat facsimiles you can play with! America’s Presidents Museum In A Book takes you on an amazing journey through the hallowed halls of the American presidency from the George W. who started it all (Washington), to the George W. who readies to pass on the baton (Bush).
Pull out and study a mini Gettysburg Address in Lincoln’s own handwriting, a letter from Albert Einstein to FDR, and doodle drawings JFK made during a Cuban Missile Crisis meeting! (see? you're not the only one who doodles inappropriately).
As the TV anchors whip themselves into a tizzy over polls and projections, it all really comes down to people. People who are not perfect, no matter what they try to tell us. Some of them have great ideas. Some of them truly care about making a difference. And hopefully, one of them will.
We’ll find out soon enough.
In the meantime, enjoy the ride! Because once you realize how crazy it all is–it gets a lot more fun!
Your Aunt Betty has friends who run the gamut when it comes to politics. Some are glued to each debate; poised to cheer, jeer, and fight for their favored candidates. Others wish it would all just go away until November because they’d rather catch up on LOST.
Whichever way your voting boat floats, these treats from The Attic give very human faces to our nation’s presidents; turning dusty old lectures into scandalous gossip, adventure and intrigue!
Case in point: our Historical U.S. Presidents Newspapers. Each set of 3 reproduction vintage newspapers features a fascinating collection in 3 different categories: Elections & Inaugurations; Facts, Fallacies & Foibles; and Deaths & Assassinations.
Read about what it was like during the days George Washington was elected (we’re guessing George didn’t drive around in a day-glo motor home with a snappy slogan painted on the side). The scandals section covers everything from the mistakenly-reported “Dewey Defeats Truman,” (whoopsie daisy)–to Nixon’s less-than-glorious resignation (Buh-bye).
The final collection recalls untimely deaths and assassinations with original articles and obituaries that I found myself poring over as if they were priceless artifacts.
Too heavy?
Try the interactive pop-up/pull-out book full of neat facsimiles you can play with! America’s Presidents Museum In A Book takes you on an amazing journey through the hallowed halls of the American presidency from the George W. who started it all (Washington), to the George W. who readies to pass on the baton (Bush).
Pull out and study a mini Gettysburg Address in Lincoln’s own handwriting, a letter from Albert Einstein to FDR, and doodle drawings JFK made during a Cuban Missile Crisis meeting! (see? you're not the only one who doodles inappropriately).
As the TV anchors whip themselves into a tizzy over polls and projections, it all really comes down to people. People who are not perfect, no matter what they try to tell us. Some of them have great ideas. Some of them truly care about making a difference. And hopefully, one of them will.
We’ll find out soon enough.
In the meantime, enjoy the ride! Because once you realize how crazy it all is–it gets a lot more fun!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Led Zeppelin—The Song (Thankfully) Remains The Same!
February 15, 1969: The feverishly-anticipated, self-titled debut album by Led Zeppelin entered the album charts, going to #10.
Before The Internet, buying concert tickets was not as easy as clicking a mouse.
When your favorite band announced a show, if you really really wanted good seats, you dug out the folding chairs and camped outside the box office hours or even days before they began selling tickets.
In 1975, Led Zeppelin sold out not one—but THREE—consecutive Madison Square Garden concerts in four hours!
That’s basically the equivalent of someone today selling out three concerts in 4 seconds. Okay, not exactly, but you get the idea.
More than 30 years later, fans worldwide are crossing their fingers that the mighty Zep may roar once again.
On December 10th, 2007, the surviving members of the band, (Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones) along with late drummer John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums (an established drummer in his own right) played a historic concert at London’s O2 Arena as part of a tribute to their beloved friend, Atlantic Records founder, Ahmet Ertegun, who passed away on December 14, 2006.
Reviews were unanimously ecstatic!
Fans and critics proclaimed it “the concert of the century!”
Some people paid $14,000 a ticket!
I didn't get to go and may never fully recover...
As we wait with bated breath to see if the O2 appearance spirals into a “2008 reunion tour,” pledge your allegiance to one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time in our brand-spanking-new Led Zeppelin T-Shirt!
Whether you’re an old school fan of Page, Plant, Jones and the original God Of Thunder, John Bonham—or discovering them for the first time— you’re sure to become swept up in their cosmic elixir of blues, hard rock, folk, and interstellar magic.
Besides—(to borrow the line from Almost Famous) the guitar playing is ”incendiary!”
See you in “Kashmir!”
Before The Internet, buying concert tickets was not as easy as clicking a mouse.
When your favorite band announced a show, if you really really wanted good seats, you dug out the folding chairs and camped outside the box office hours or even days before they began selling tickets.
In 1975, Led Zeppelin sold out not one—but THREE—consecutive Madison Square Garden concerts in four hours!
That’s basically the equivalent of someone today selling out three concerts in 4 seconds. Okay, not exactly, but you get the idea.
More than 30 years later, fans worldwide are crossing their fingers that the mighty Zep may roar once again.
On December 10th, 2007, the surviving members of the band, (Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones) along with late drummer John Bonham’s son, Jason, on drums (an established drummer in his own right) played a historic concert at London’s O2 Arena as part of a tribute to their beloved friend, Atlantic Records founder, Ahmet Ertegun, who passed away on December 14, 2006.
Reviews were unanimously ecstatic!
Fans and critics proclaimed it “the concert of the century!”
Some people paid $14,000 a ticket!
I didn't get to go and may never fully recover...
As we wait with bated breath to see if the O2 appearance spirals into a “2008 reunion tour,” pledge your allegiance to one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time in our brand-spanking-new Led Zeppelin T-Shirt!
Whether you’re an old school fan of Page, Plant, Jones and the original God Of Thunder, John Bonham—or discovering them for the first time— you’re sure to become swept up in their cosmic elixir of blues, hard rock, folk, and interstellar magic.
Besides—(to borrow the line from Almost Famous) the guitar playing is ”incendiary!”
See you in “Kashmir!”
Monday, February 4, 2008
I Love Lucy & Chocolate!
What Else Could We Want?
As a woman “over that certain age,” I’m easily suckered by advertising that promises me a fountain of youth. But I’m not about to fork over $75–$150 for designer face creams!
So when I read about the connection between antioxidants & chocolate, the angels began to sing!
Chocolate contains high concentrations of antioxidants. Antioxidants keep us healthy, inside and out, by canceling out free radicals–cells in our body which are believed to cause various types of damage.
Now, you could get your antioxidants from broccoli, spinach, or prunes...
Or–unwrap a succulent chunk of chocolate and plop it on your tongue!
Welcome to Lucy’s Chocolate Factory!
It’s a sweet shoppe loaded with classic I Love Lucy laughs and lunacy–with tons of chewy chocolate on top! And did I mention that all the chocolate is made from scratch by the world-famous Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory®?
Just listen to the names of some of the candies: Chocolate Clusters, Cashew Dippers™, Pecan Dippers™, Macadamia Dippers™, Peanut Butter Cup™—hang on a minute, I have to mop up the puddle of drool on my keyboard (macadamia does that to me every time).
All of this chewy, ooey oodness comes bundled in beautifully-packaged gift sets that combine the kooky cool of vintage Lucy with the greatest medicine Mother Nature ever made!
Click here and start eating your way to beauty!
Enjoy!
As a woman “over that certain age,” I’m easily suckered by advertising that promises me a fountain of youth. But I’m not about to fork over $75–$150 for designer face creams!
So when I read about the connection between antioxidants & chocolate, the angels began to sing!
Chocolate contains high concentrations of antioxidants. Antioxidants keep us healthy, inside and out, by canceling out free radicals–cells in our body which are believed to cause various types of damage.
Now, you could get your antioxidants from broccoli, spinach, or prunes...
Or–unwrap a succulent chunk of chocolate and plop it on your tongue!
Welcome to Lucy’s Chocolate Factory!
It’s a sweet shoppe loaded with classic I Love Lucy laughs and lunacy–with tons of chewy chocolate on top! And did I mention that all the chocolate is made from scratch by the world-famous Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory®?
Just listen to the names of some of the candies: Chocolate Clusters, Cashew Dippers™, Pecan Dippers™, Macadamia Dippers™, Peanut Butter Cup™—hang on a minute, I have to mop up the puddle of drool on my keyboard (macadamia does that to me every time).
All of this chewy, ooey oodness comes bundled in beautifully-packaged gift sets that combine the kooky cool of vintage Lucy with the greatest medicine Mother Nature ever made!
Click here and start eating your way to beauty!
Enjoy!
Friday, January 25, 2008
VIP Valentines
Aunt Betty Plays Cupid!
The worst Valentine’s gift your Aunt Betty ever received was the pine-scented car freshener (purchased 10 minutes prior at the local quick mart), given to her by a fella who threw in a bag of chips to sweeten the deal.
Here’s a tip, guys: sour cream and onion are not the way to a girl’s heart.
What do women want? It’s not diamonds or pearls–it’s that unexpected find we never would’ve guessed. Something that says you really really know who we are—and yet, you love us anyway!
Some women never outgrow their love of stuffed animals. After all, they remind us of tea parties with bears in pink-painted bedrooms. They comfort us and take us back to a simpler time (before carpools).
My favorite fuzzies are the M&M’s® Valentine Duo featuring a lovestruck candy making goo-goo eyes at a Boyds Bear buddy; and the Chantilly Lane Love U Cheerleader Bears who move their mouths and sing the party favorite, “Shout!” A personal cheering squad is quite the ego boost!
While we’re talking childhood, remember the “Love Is” cuties? So innocent. So adorable. So...in their birthday suits! Rekindle the romance with their Comic Strip Book collection, filled with love notes for you and your sweetie (birthday suit optional).
And, finally, for the incurable romantic, Mattel has created the Barbie Titanic Doll in the image of red-haired Rose. Dressed in a breathtaking recreation of the character's crimson gown, she's a vision and must-have for fans of the film! You’re never too old to play with Barbie!
Thankfully, Quick Mart Guy was decades ago. My current better half is much smarter, so I’m pretty sure there won’t be any cheese doodles this year.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
The worst Valentine’s gift your Aunt Betty ever received was the pine-scented car freshener (purchased 10 minutes prior at the local quick mart), given to her by a fella who threw in a bag of chips to sweeten the deal.
Here’s a tip, guys: sour cream and onion are not the way to a girl’s heart.
What do women want? It’s not diamonds or pearls–it’s that unexpected find we never would’ve guessed. Something that says you really really know who we are—and yet, you love us anyway!
Some women never outgrow their love of stuffed animals. After all, they remind us of tea parties with bears in pink-painted bedrooms. They comfort us and take us back to a simpler time (before carpools).
My favorite fuzzies are the M&M’s® Valentine Duo featuring a lovestruck candy making goo-goo eyes at a Boyds Bear buddy; and the Chantilly Lane Love U Cheerleader Bears who move their mouths and sing the party favorite, “Shout!” A personal cheering squad is quite the ego boost!
While we’re talking childhood, remember the “Love Is” cuties? So innocent. So adorable. So...in their birthday suits! Rekindle the romance with their Comic Strip Book collection, filled with love notes for you and your sweetie (birthday suit optional).
And, finally, for the incurable romantic, Mattel has created the Barbie Titanic Doll in the image of red-haired Rose. Dressed in a breathtaking recreation of the character's crimson gown, she's a vision and must-have for fans of the film! You’re never too old to play with Barbie!
Thankfully, Quick Mart Guy was decades ago. My current better half is much smarter, so I’m pretty sure there won’t be any cheese doodles this year.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Deals Of The Week!
Fabulous Finds For My Faithful Friends!
Be careful! The Raggedy Ann and Andy Nesting Dolls look innocent on the outside, but once you start playing with them, it’s impossible to stop! I keep mine on my desk at work and I kid you not, every day somebody tries to sneak off with them!
What happened to starlets like Marilyn who actually looked like women? All of these itty-bitty stick figure celebutants are a tad freakish. Bring back true Hollywood glamour with the cozy Marilyn Classic Pose Throw, and celebrate the beauty of real women!
Did someone order a hunka hunka burnin’ love? Of all the phases of his colorful career, The King’s reign in Vegas held some of his most exciting moments. Keep a little piece of his magic close to you with the limited edition Elvis Las Vegas Figurine.
Encourage your inner child to play! Our movie collectible Munchkin Soldier Doll is an adorable recreation of the 1939 Wizard Of Oz character who so-warmly welcomed Dorothy and Toto to Munchkinland (after that mishap where her house fell on the lady with the red shoes).
All of these familiar faces are the perfect antidote to grey winter days stuck inside the house. After all, what’s more fun than Elvis stuck inside a too-tight crazy jumpsuit?
What do a secret spy, storybook sweeties, sexy starlet, swingin’ singer, and super-small soldier have in common? They’re all waiting for you in our Deals Of The Week!
I’ve collected 5 of my favorite winter pick-me-ups and given them special sale prices just in time for some well-needed “post-holiday retail therapy!”
The Lost Files Of Nancy Drew brings back fond memories of hiding under the covers past bedtime with a book and a flashlight, enchanted by Nancy’s moxy as she foiled the bad guys while looking like a prom queen. This interactive book is packed with neat pull-out/fold-up pieces celebrating the world’s spunkiest teenage detective!
Be careful! The Raggedy Ann and Andy Nesting Dolls look innocent on the outside, but once you start playing with them, it’s impossible to stop! I keep mine on my desk at work and I kid you not, every day somebody tries to sneak off with them!What happened to starlets like Marilyn who actually looked like women? All of these itty-bitty stick figure celebutants are a tad freakish. Bring back true Hollywood glamour with the cozy Marilyn Classic Pose Throw, and celebrate the beauty of real women!Did someone order a hunka hunka burnin’ love? Of all the phases of his colorful career, The King’s reign in Vegas held some of his most exciting moments. Keep a little piece of his magic close to you with the limited edition Elvis Las Vegas Figurine.Encourage your inner child to play! Our movie collectible Munchkin Soldier Doll is an adorable recreation of the 1939 Wizard Of Oz character who so-warmly welcomed Dorothy and Toto to Munchkinland (after that mishap where her house fell on the lady with the red shoes).All of these familiar faces are the perfect antidote to grey winter days stuck inside the house. After all, what’s more fun than Elvis stuck inside a too-tight crazy jumpsuit?
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