My Morning Drive...

My Evening Drive...

Seb Town..Fit for Princess Betsy

Here is my enchanted cottage, tucked away in the Sebastopol Forest

A New Start

The time has come. I officially have a new job and a new home (county).

Sonoma County welcomes dear Batsy with open arms (hopefully)!
And Erickson Productions has provided her with a new opportunity to use some valuable creative skills! Starting manana, I will be doing marketing design, photo editing and art direction for advertising photographer, Jim Erickson. Its very exciting because this will be a more comprehensive fusion of my design and photo skills with a company in the mix of international advertising. The best part is that it is still a small company with a great, friendly staff, located in a conscience community!

I am stoked to be in the north Bay, 40 minutes north of SF and near so many good friends and connections! The quality of life is great and now I am in a desperate search for a good home. Staying with friends and couch surfing is NO FUN!

Send all your good thoughts and luck my way as I settle in this new place. Keep coming back for more updates. Soon, Ill be begging you all to come visit and take advantage of the all the Napa/Sonoma vino that grows through these hills!

Oh Murphys, Your Wine is So Good to Us!

Well, finally took advantage of the fruitful hills of the Gold Country, once again. Rallied some old troops and headed for a very, very long day of sugar coated purple lips. Wines didnt compare to SLO County, but they never do!

It has been beautiful up here. The weather was a great opener for Spring...so warm and lush. More old school cronies I hadnt seen in like 5-7 years. I miss you cats! kisses! Thanks my beautiful Lacey Muffin for being our responsible DD and babysitter. We love you!

Check out the pics of our wild day...before I passed out. BUT dont worry, I didnt fail you all, the adventure didnt end until the LATE wee hours of the morning. Finally sobered up to drive home and watch the sun rise. Sorry, no pics of it, battery was dead by then. It was a definitely a groggy, gorgeous morning.

Whew, Murphys Irish Day anyone? March 17th.
Im recovering...and preparing.

SoCal Detours

Ok, let's be honest here, I've had a couple detours...an opportunity and interview came about in Santa Barbara, AND a certain special someone has had quite the influence on the trips as well. To bring the last couple of months into perspective, I must include such joyous escapades, especially the last week that I spent down south soaking up the sun!

As St. Valentine's Day approached, cupid shot me with his huge arrow...straight to SB. The clouds cleared up north and a breath of fresh air floated me down south. I had a great interview and a new opportunity has arose to move back south...oh, decisions. I feel fortunate to have been presented with options, but now am more confused than ever!! ha, go figure...such Gemini luck.

Despite decisions, some debauchery was in order. It was good to see friends and reminisce about SB paradise, but it was mostly paradise to see Hutch. Thanks for such a great week, Hutchy! With the rare sunshine, a hike to seven falls and virgin rock climbing squeezed their way into our schedule. Yes, I attempted to climb a rock. Scary shit. Luckily, I had a fantastic coach. Seven Falls was awesome. I love the cold, creek water...reminds me of home...here up north. Unfortunately no pics that day, but here are a couple of that big rock...and the partial view from the big rock. Pictures are nothing when you're 50-100ft up, clinging for your life, even if your on a rope. i know it doesnt look like much, but hell, i want to see YOU do it.

Then, of course, no weekend in SB is complete without a trip to Elsies and a black out... wait. Maybe minus that last bit. oops. Whit! You crazy bitch! Wish you were there, Dod! You best be there the next Black Sunday!

Well, until next time, SB...Ill be needing to take a trip to LaLa land soon anyway...Meg, Mauwk, Ash, Adama and Kaliya are due for a big visit. I miss you all! Muah! Muah! Muah!

Snowy Heaven

I spent my day here, yesterday. Beautiful Bear Valley...fresh powder with some on and off blue bird skies and snow. It was gorgeous.
Not to mention, with my best girl, Lacey. Good times, good times. Next weekend, it's on baby!!

SF and Santa Rosa

Many of you know my intentions on coming back north were to:
1. figure out what the hell I want to do with my life
2. Search for the best opportunities that will direct me in that path
3. Reconnect with old cronies


A couple of weeks ago, I headed west to check in with some good friends, do a little job searching and scout out some potential new homes. While about, I took some MAJOR trips down memory lane. Seems like that is becoming pretty consistent in my life these days. I love it.

First stop, Rhonert Park, CA. to visit one of my bestest boys, Ton (Tony, Heman). I've known Tony since we were little tykes roaming around the wilderness of AC. Here, Ton and some of his friends showed me some eclectic bars and what not. I spent a good time in the local java cafe searching for jobs...what a cute, quaint little place.

A quick jont to Santa Rosa led me to meet up with an old Film Doctors and Poly friend, Sierra and her BF, Britton. Some apetisers, wine and consignment shopping were a great way to start off that night! I miss you two!

Second stop, Sebastapol, CA. to visit another bestest bud, Ryan (OC). Ry showed me Sebastapol is awesome!!! I want to live in this little NorCal paradise! (chances and points for this one are high) I had the best yerba mate ever (yes, better than my fave spots in SB) and you can definitely say organic, juice bars, yoga and healthy living here. Im in love....gorgeous redwoods, close to the water, rural, good people. Doesnt get much better than this.

The last pit stop on my northern, west coast adventure was the grand San Francisco. I reconnected with some good college cronies here...it is so good to see some of the SLO crew! Although, I didnt get to see all those that I wanted to. Tim, Michie, Shauna, Minna...woo, woo!! A drive through the city and dinner and drinks on Haight, a night next to Ocean Beach and one in the Mission, some Ethiopian food, some Jamaican food, more java cafes and a potential home were just a few of my adventures. I spent a good deal of my time prepping resumes and sending them out, making appointments and even scoring a couple interviews...which lead to more drives through the city. I became hypnotized by and fell in love with it's little-big city charm.


In short, I made my first attempt in the transition to find new opportunities, a path and connect with old friends. It was an awesome, successful and a most inspiring weekend! Thanks to all who participated! Miss you dearly already...xoxo

Here are some pics!

The Cowboy Dance

So, some of you might be familiar with the annual FFA Boosters Dance in Angels Camp. Pretty much the annual cowboy ball (not ball feed). After MANY years of missing this infamous event, I decided nothing would solidify my AC reunion than some good 'ol honky tonk fun.

Now, to acquaint those of you who are not familiar with this such event... it consists of a HUGE tri-tip feed, garlic bread, creamy dressing-drenched, iceberg salad and cream 'n bacon green been casserole. And for those of you who know me at least a little well, you know this all fits PERFECTLY in my beef and grease diet. What fit even more perfectly in my food pyramid was the DIVERSE and CHEAP intoxicating beverages. Somehow, I managed to wing free refreshments all night, and that was greatly needed for the following events.

On top of gorging myself in the feast, there was a lovely raffle and dance to follow this fine dining experience. Although I failed to purchase any tickets to this raffle, I happily walked to the front of the crowd to claim some free fake 'n bake tans, chocolates, coffee and mints. Luckily, I didn't actually walk home with such amazing winnings.

Now, to the climax of the evening. A live band serenaded us with a mix of classic rock, oldies and Garth Brooks. Yes, the Garth really puts it into perspective, doesn't it?

Here are some pictures to illustrate my night. It was great fun! Welcome home, miss Betsy, welcome home.

The Update

This is Angels Camp, people. The beautified version. More realistic pictures to come...

This journey has been an exciting and taxing one. Waves of emotions and realizations, but it is all a beautiful challenge and a great change of scenery. I am lucky to be here, but also anxious for this next step I am planning to make. So, many of you are probably asking, WHAT IS dear Betsy doing up in those sticks? Well, let me tell you, life is (almost) in it's simplest nature here. It has been refreshing and eye opening. I am getting down to my roots and actually finding out what that means and who that is.

Ive been:
1. working at the local newspaper laying out graphics...simple, simple, interesting and above all, relaxing in it's lack of responsibility. ha!
2. a hermit at my parent's house working on my projects, mainly my F-ing WEBSITE. That's right, you heard that correct. For those of you who know, I've been talking about this for YEARS and it is now, finally, coming to fruition. Half way there, people!
3. traveling to a local gym...25 minutes away!
4. manual labor for my father resulting in my transition to a regular mountain woman
5. learning I cant be such a picky eater in the hills, but it's surprisingly accommodating my habits
6. playing with babies (of friends) and my nephew, and enjoying being close to family
7. debating grad school
8. DRIVING, DRIVING, DRIVING because it takes flipping so long to get anywhere.
9. watching the sun rise, and set
10. slowly catching up with old friends and finding out about their drastically changed lives. its gorgeous.
11. reminiscing about all of you far, far away
12.. and finally, yes, JOB SEARCHING... while soul searching

So, that, my friends, is what dear Betsy has been up to in the sticks. I am missing all of those far away more than imaginable. BUT, Ill visit soon! WEBSITE announcement coming soon! More blogs soon!

love to all!
batsybesty

Here it is...

Hellooooo!

Well, here it is ... the AC, SF, NorCal blog to keep y'all updated. If you are up here (or not) and want to join...post away!