252,288,000 seconds I love.

Yesterday was my 8th anniversary.

8 years ago, this chica got the guy. Legally.

It hasn’t been the easiest 8 years.

By our first anniversary we had 2 kids, a dog and had to move to the ‘burbs. We spent our first anniversary having a quick lunch (and glass of wine) while the in-laws babysat the 2 month-old twins.

My husband told me that if we kept up at that pace, he won’t survive to the second.

Good news- He survived.

Since then we added a third. Started a company. Folded a company. Lost a grandparent. Made 8 trips to the hospital. Had 3 surgeries. Two sets of stitches. 4 cars. 1 accident. Numerous fights. Two births. A broken leg. One concussion. House-broke one dog. Moved. A weird viral heart inflammation thingy that scared the bejesus out of me. Potty trained 3 kids. A couple of jobs. Almost lost a kid (both literally and figuratively) more times that I care to actually figure out. Laughed more than cried. Cried more than you’d think. Watch a parent battle cancer (and still do- go Dad!) Weathered/ing a major economic storm.

It’s not sweetness and light, nor is it picture perfect.

I honestly think the perfect  life-partner is really about  finding the perfect foxhole partner.

Who watches your back, who celebrates the victories and who do you seek shelter with from desperate and tumultuous times? Who worries for you and cares for you when you’re too overwhelmed to take care of yourself? Who would you kill for and know, with utmost confidence, know would kill for you? Who would go without, so you may have some small joy? Who roots for you with most have given up and gone home? Who is your biggest fan?

It’s your foxhole partner. While the war of life may rage above you, you know that that one person next to you- you’re going to make it. Without them, you won’t. You care about, rely, and protect this person with all you have at your disposal- body, mind and soul.

8 years ago, 252,288,000 seconds ago this chica got that guy.

Her foxhole partner.

Campfire Tales

If you haven’t gone camping in a while, I suggest you go.

You learn a lot about yourself. The people you go with, and nature.

Nothing like comparing the DEET levels of your mosquito repellent that really brings people together.

I had the good fortune to be ensnared  (Lori, yes I’m talking about you dahling…) into a weekend family camping trip. It was really “Camping Lite”- us, the hubs and kids went to a local boy scouts camp, where they had bathrooms, showers, a pool, even a potluck dinner and candy-bar bingo. There was also archery, a fishing derby, BMX bike course, rock climbing wall, volleyball and basketball courts and finally,  an obstacle course and wood fort that Lori and I wisely chose to park the tents by. Instant babysitting- both tiring the little suckers out after getting hopped up on sugar from the plethoria of candy, bug juice and doughnuts supplied (some by yours truly.)

So back to the introspective part of the trip. Going camping really reveals a lot about you. Do you bring a lot? Or do you bring just the bare necessities? Do you think of the inconveniences of camping as a challenge, or embrace them as a part of the experience?

It was interesting to see how various people camp. At another site, there was the “expert” camper. Up at dawn, breakfast cooking eggs and baking on well-stocked camp stove. Custom camp box filled. He sets up camp in an hour, breaks in less- his shirt indicates he’s a Scout master. Utility belt has swiss army knives, and tackle box ready at a moments notice. He carries the minimal but maximizes what he does have- everything does double duty. You feel slightly creeped out by how this man is into camping.

I, on the other hand, am not that. Nor do I aspire. I’m between that an the guy who rolls in with the Star Wagons Winnebago from Hell, with pop-outs. (oh and yes, if you clicked through that’s Wonder Woman’s Lyle Waggoner on the site- he owns the company) I just don’t get the ones that  eats, sleeps and hangs in air-conditioned splendor and call that camping. It’s something out of a George Carlin comedy sketch “Stuff.” Classic.

What I do know is that our form of camping- borrowed tent, sleeping bag and cook-stove– and the fact we were camping “Lite”– waa a whole heck of a lot of fun.  And it also will probably mean we’ll go more. I think we’re going to shoot for the bring the minimum amount of stuff, plenty of mosquito repellent (DEET-free,) fishing poles, camp-stove cooking, s’more eating and definitely star-gazing type of camping.

But with bathrooms. Yes, definitely bathrooms. And showers. Definitely showers.

LocalBetsy! Fun This Weekend: Grand Opening Hingham Shipyard

This is about some local fun happening in Boston’s South Shore.

Some people think I’m a Mommy blogger, some think I’m a local blogger, some a lifestyle blogger, a business, a gadget girl, and so on – but I blog about things I like, am doing, am into. I just happen to be into a lot.

So I guess that makes me a lot of blogger. Today I blog about FUN.

Today I just wanted to give my South Shore brethren a heads up on some fun happening down at the new Hingham Shipyard this weekend.

Both Saturday and Sunday. You can read about it all HERE.

The Grand Opening of the Launch at the Hingham Shipyard is this Saturday, June 26th.

From 10 Am- 4pm there’s going to be clowns, inflatables, magicians, pony rides, face painting, including an 11am “Pilates in the Park” class with Modern Pilates’ Lisa Johnson. Noon to 4pm Boston Harbor islands and the DCR park rangers will be doing demonstrations and giveaways. And 4pm there’s a free concert from the acappella group NoTA. Food Demos at Fresh Market, Kayaks  rentals at Eastern Mountain Sports and Supercuts is even having doing Fun temporary hair color on kids.

Sunday has more fun starting at 10am. There’s story telling, and more concerts to come.

If you haven’t been down to the shipyard you should go. They’ve done a really nice job setting the place up. Some amazing new restaurants, shops and promenade along the water. Last I saw the finishing touches on the carousel and mini-golf (even  a dog park! ) were just about done.

I’ve also heard the new restaurant Alma Nove is quite good, and I know more than a few guys looking forward to the opening of the Beer Works (ok, it’s called the Hingham Beer Works but it’s the same people.)

So check it out. Take the kids. Enjoy the weather and hang by the water.

Not a bad way to pass a Saturday. Or a Sunday.

90 Day Fitness Challenge Update #5: This (Kinda) Stinks.

Week six time to see how I fared by measuring inches lost (or gained…)

First off, it’s not what I’d hoped. I’m going to be spending the next couple of days thinking and deciding what I’m going to do about it.

I have to temper this with my body is totally shifting around. Clothes fit better and I definitely look better. Which really, besides getting healthier, is the point.

Week six- how has TheBetsy been doing?

So as of 6/25/10 :

• Bust: 37.00 inches (No change from last week, -1.0″ total)
• Waist: 30.0 inches (+0.5″ from last week,  -3.00″ total)
• Hips: 42.0 inches (+0.5″ from last week, -0.90″ total)
• Upper arm: 11.0 inches (+0.25″, -1.00″ total)
• Upper thigh: 22.5 inches (-0.25, -3.25″ total) The bright spot in today’s stats

Total inches lost this week: 0.25″, total 9.75″ since starting. Meaning thought I lost -0.25″ I GAINED an inch. Sweet Jesus.

Read all about the 90 day health challenge I’m doing, you can read all about it HERE.

Check out my partners in the Go Betsy Go! 90 Day Challenge:

Batten Down the Hatches- Summer is Here.

Love the Title, Love the Movie. A classic for any kid growing up in Newport Beach.

It’s official.

My kids are out of school.

So I’m slightly ready. I’ve got the “Bucket List” done. It just needs to be scheduled. I have our first big outing coming up (camping this weekend.) I have to still pull together in the next couple of days.

It’s just everything in between I worry about.

Summer with kids is like the double-black diamond of the entrepreneurial parent. You work long hours but you’re not successful enough to pull off the full-time nanny or camp that you desperately need.

So by day you’re a full-time camp counselor, cook and nanny– by night a co-founder of a start-up “Project X” and blogger.

If last night is any example, I’m in trouble.

Come 7:30pm, post last-day of school beach party and and impromptu dinner by friend’s pool, the kids were totally wiped out.

So was I.

I sat down and really never got back up. I had a husband to visit with, I also had a workout to do for Go Betsy Go! 90 Day challenge, though I think chasing my 3 y.o. around the beach and pool, saving him from certain self-inflicted doom does count. How much cardio does sprinting from a relaxed prone position a hundred times screaming  ”No you can’t go skim boarding/jump in pool from diving board/leap from 5 foot rocks” get you?

There has got to be a better way to pull this off.

I watch in awe as my friends do hard core job and kids routine.

What is their secret?

Any suggestions?

Breaking Point: $10 for 8 Commercials at Movies?

I really, really loved Toy Story 3.

Which is good, because right before it started I was about to throttle someone.

I love movies. Not like. LOVE.

So much I turned down an investment banking job to work, for free, on a film. Then I spent the next 3+ years as a glorified gofer (the titles changed but the job remains the same) at Paramount pictures, until I realized though I love movies, I do not love the entertainment industry.

We were a lousy match.

But I still loved movies.

Not today. We almost broke up.

Movie prices go up. It’s getting so bad, it’s almost prohibitively expensive for the average family to go. But to then make someone, after shelling out $10-$20 a ticket, sit through EIGHT commericals, that’s just insulting.

I’m not talking about previews. I love previews. I make sure I’m there plenty early to see previews. I’m talking about the Disney Visa Debit card, Toy Story the Wii Game, Glidden Paint, and god-knows what else — I can’t remember what else they were hawking because at this point I was shouting at the screen like a crazy woman… which I guess I was. All I kept thinking is… I am paying so I can be forced to sit through this crap? At least at home I can work on a blog post and ignore the Toy Story 3 Disney Visa debit credit card commercial (seriously, as I type this, the same freakin’ commercial came on TV. How’s that for timing?)

Dear theater owners and movie studios, this practice more than stinks, it sucks…

But they are rapidly finding ways to charge more- by offering movies in 3-D, “adult” seating in theaters  with cocktail service, mega screens… but commercials, especially EIGHT? It’s just a cheap move.

People leave their homes, pay tidy little sum to sit in a darken theater, eat over-priced popcorn for escape. Escape from their troubles, escape into adventure — perhaps an epic love story, a high drama or the chance to laugh hysterically. They need the magic, not the cross-promoted, high-commericalism slap in the face.

Pretty soon either we’re going to realize we’re not that desperate for entertainment or they’re going to realize that being “commercial free” is the next big selling point.

But right now, it’s just making this rabid film-lover think twice about attending my next film.

Why “Necrotized Tissue” Makes Me Happy

Necrotized tissue – literally means dead tissue. Dead.

And this makes me thrilled.

My Dad has been battling skin cancer for a couple of years. Friday was when he found out his status. Good, bad, or stable. I’ve been on pins and needles waiting.

Solid news: Stable with “necrotized tissue” in the affected areas.

(Learning Corner: “Necro” is Latin for “dead,” best known as “Necrophilia” (the desire to have sex with dead people.) Bet you remember this for a while, at least until the next cocktail party…)

So this means Dad’s cancerous tissue maybe dying.

Hooray!

Dead tissue, I never thought I’d be so happy to hear such a thing, but I’ll take, and celebrate, the good news, where I find it.

You Plan, God Laughs, What Next?

One thing I’ve learned from the past few years is BE FLEXIBLE.

You have to, or you just might break.

This applies for business, especially in these times, being agile is crucial. It works for parenting, in fact it’s practically is the motto. You have to be able to adapt and ride the wave of change. Oh, and I’ll throw in that you need “hope for the best,” and a “remain calm” and finish it with “think positive.”

All are necessary when dealing with unexpected turmoil.

My friend Flames just called me. Literally, I just got off the phone with her 2 mins ago. She’s about to board a plane to San Diego for her brother’s wedding, 3 kids in tow. She was feeling so pleased with herself she just about executed the perfect escape: the house is clean, the kids packed and ready, the hubby coming a couple of days later. She is all set. She’s got it together, she’s on FIRE.

Then she realized she left her bridesmaid dress and her daughter’s flower girl dress back at home. So much for the fire. Hubby will bring both items just in time, but still, she’s angry because she had the gall to think she was super on top of things. Confirmation to the contrary is a bitter pill.

When things change, usually for the worse, is when we most need to be on our A game.

Change is inevitable folks. Believe me, I’m living proof.

Remain calm. Think positive. Adapt.

Car Accident

(picture credit: www.totalcarcrashes.com)

I happened upon a car accident two night ago.

Lonely country road. Mother, daughter. Car into a tree. It must have just happened, because at first I thought the little girl had slipped and her mom was helping her up. The car was parked at at an odd angle in the driveway until I realized that was because it was parked directly into a tree.

Screech to halt, smacked the hazard lights, hopped out. Pound on the hood of the car behind, yelling “call 9-1-1.” First aid kit, jacket off. Lay on the ground. Tell the girl not to move. Get her to lay back down on my jacket. Ask what happen.

My meager knowledge of first aid told me shock. Shivering little girl. Numb mother. No blood. I laid the girl on my lap and covered her with a blanket someone got. I ask her name.

She tells me my daughter’s name. The Toaster.

OMG.

She’s crying. Her hand hurt, her body shook. I spoke trying to calm her. I spoke to her as if she was The Toaster, but 5 years older. She even looked a little like her. Scared and shaking, her mom worried and numb. The ambulances came. Looks like minor cuts and bruises, the after-affects of fending off airbags and shattered glass.

Body-boarded as a precaution. I watch the girl lifted into the ambulance. Then her mom.

My daughter’s doppelganger is taken away.

I’m left with broken glass, a tow truck and my experience.

I go back the car. The ice cream I bought melted into little pools.

And drive away.

90 Day Fitness Challenge Update #4: Changes Abound.

Many thanks to stylecaster.com for the cool picture.

We all remember the Fat Ass Jeans post. Right?

I’m officially out of them!

End of week four. Since starting, I’ve had 6 Pilates sessions, 5 Personal Training, 14 cardio sessions, in total.

With nary a thing (clean) to wear, I reached through the strata of my closet and unearthed a much smaller size pair pants. It fit. A bit snug, but it fit!

(and the world rejoiced… or so it did in my mind.)

Back to eating healthier (I did have a glass of wine or two.) I feel much better than the past week. I don’t care what people say, food impacts not only your size, but your mood and health. Treat it as you would a prescription-and ask yourself ” is the best possible choice?” before you eat.

So let’s see what a healthier diet and those rad folks are  Modern Pilates and Bodyscapes Fitness in Hingham, MA did for TheBetsy’s body.

Week four time to see how I fared by  measuring inches lost (or gained…)

So as of 6/02/10 :

• Bust: 37.00 inches (No change from last week, -1.0″ total)
• Waist: 29.5 inches (- 1.5″ from last week,  -3.50″ total)
• Hips: 41.5 inches (-0.5″ from last week, -1.40″ total)
• Upper arm: 10.75 inches (-0.75″, -1.25″ total)
• Upper thigh: 23.00 inches (No change  from last week, -3.00″ total)

Total inches lost this week: 2.75″, total 10.75″ since starting.

Hooray! Muchas Gracias to all that are helping me!

If you need to get up to-date on the 90 day health challenge I’m doing, you can read all about it HERE.

Check out my partners in the Go Betsy Go! 90 Day Challenge: