Granddaddy (and grandma) of all garage sales

We're gearing up for the 2nd Garage sale at my grandparents this weekend. I hate garage sales (selling) with a passion, but as my grandparents are downsizing, they really need to clear out 36 years worth of accumulation (in this house..who knows what they may have brought with them..and they're married 69 years this year!). Not looking forward to an early dark Sunday morning...or the yawns of the afternoon..but as a friend mentioned..I love love love my grandparents and am happy to do this for them. Wish us luck..and well if you need any holiday decor (you name the holiday, they probably have the decor) email me..i might be able to cut ya a deal.

Neglected blog

My blog seems to be so neglected.

For those looking for crafty goodness, please head over to my crafty blog (ilovetoscrap.wordpress.com), although i must admit other than a few new product announcments havent posted anything too crafty there either.

My laptop seems to be on the fritz..short in the hard drive..or some other nastiness. I can run google chrome in regular mode..or IE or MS Office in safe mode....but of course..nothing to do with pictures or sound etc.

I've decided to declare this "the Summer of Betsey" , do you remember "The Summer of George" from Seinfeld..George's didnt turn out that well...but i'm determined to have a fantastic one.

Started the summer off by visiting my sister and her family in St. Louis..it was hot hot hot..and humid of course..which made it seem hotter, but luckily got to lounge by the pool most days..and had some fun outings to the Zoo, Grant's Farm and to see Beauty & the Beast at the Muny and took them both (4 and 2 1/2) to their first Movie, Toy Story 3.

Back home have been having a fabulous time with friends old and new..on the search for the Best Burger in on the Peninsula..Music in the Park, 4th of July weekend in Yosemite, movies, dates...lots of fun. Oddlyenough...that would be the best blog update as i regularly update Foursquare on outings with them.

My sister arrives tonight..I'm so excited to see the littles again..they're both at such fun ages..and love that i can bribe them for kisses by just letting them play a game on my iPod. Hoping to get to take them to Happy Hollow now that it has reopened..and they'll go off to Yosemite..and then we'll all go to Tahoe before they leave. I wish i could see Yosemite and camping through their eyes..but will have to try for another year. I cant wait to go to Tahoe with them..and hope we can have a quick trip to the Magic Carpet mini golf course...i think they'll find it hilarious.

Creativity & Minestrone


This post is about 5 days late..but still in my mind..so why not post. I've been in such a paper (not that i've had time for digi either) crafting funk lately..the ideas are there..but when i go to sit down to do it..i have scrappers block. I have so much to scrap, even kits i've made up to scrap, plus a new book to start for my new niece...but nothing..not to mention birthday raks i need to start sending for my A*Muse Group....but nope..zilch out of me...until last Saturday night that is. I went down to the Scrap Lovers @ A Work of Heart Retreat in San Jose..and was immediately inspired..not only getting to help with cool Creative Cafe projects..and rubbing elbows with Danelle Thompson, Melodee Langworthy,Kristi Sikora-Blankenship and the Maya Road girls..but just being amongst creative woman. I also got to see the Tattered Angels Glimmer mists in action. My package of them is supposed to arrive today...and i will be for sure playing with them Friday night..if not tomorrow night. They're going to be perfect for our TLC chipboard. I bought some colors sight unseen..but am going to have to order some more, especially the limited edition..and think I'm going to carry it in the store as well.

And on the other unrelated side..minestrone..my grandmothers to be exact..there is none like it in the world, I rarely if ever order it anywhere because i dont want to be disappointed that it doesnt taste like hers (although i did get some with a dinner from the diner down the street when Pierre was sick..had a taste..and it was a passable 2nd!). My uncle has taken up the tradition of Sunday Family Dinner. My grandmother used to do this all the time when we were in our teens and early 20s..and my uncle has now started it up again. Mostly cooking the dinners himself...and he takes after my grandmother and my dad..and is an amazing cook.
It's just a nice night..comforting..not only with the amazing food, but spending time with family and close friends like family..eating..watching football or bullriding..maybe a game of liars dice. Something to look forward to through the long winter for sure!