Here Comes The Sun… (Music LeBetsy)

Sometimes The Business of Life is… to groove.

Love this remix of Nina Simone’s “Here Comes The Sun.”  Super gorgeous.  Super happy.

Downloaded it to my iPhone and, as soon as I can figure how to get the sucker up on my smaht (that’s Bostonian for “smart”) hubby-designed NAS I will be able to play in the house.

On 11.

Enjoy.

Super MEGA-Attic clean out. (Cleaning Song included)

Actual picture of me. Cleaning attic. (Ok, not really.) Thanks manhattanministorage.com for the photo!

The Business of LIfe is brought to you today by… the crap I’ve accumulated.

And not the metaphysical kind.

If you’re reading this, I’ve Repunzelled myself in my attic…  probably sneezing up a store, clearing out 7 years of crap.

Why?  The clutter is overtaking my life.  What can’t fit in the attic, is in the 5th bedroom.  What can’t go in the 5th bedroom is in the exercise room (really, I have one — which means the previous owners took a very tiny room and threw up a mirror on one wall.)  What can’t fit in the exercise room is in the living room.  What can’t fit in the living room in taking over the dining room, which is my de facto office. Which the kids have asked, very sweetly, if we could actually eat dinner in the dining room.

How did LeBetsy get to this point?  Very simply, inertia and kids.  I arrived at my present abode 7+ months preggers with the twins, having moved 3 times in previous 3 years (one cross-country,) and I was done. Done with unpacking. Done with boxes. Fearful of moving yet again. The hubby and I got the basics done and left the rest in boxes in the living room and in our attic.  Now a funny thing happens with kids… they grow up.  They don’t need the prams (remember I had two!), the exersaucers, mobiles, baby linen, clothes, so on top of the “out-of-date, doesn’t-work” clutter you’ve got the kids crap to add.  And don’t EVEN get me started on the holiday decorations.

So your normally type A, super anal Le Betsy is now one step (ok, maybe 8 steps) removed from be on the show Hoarders.

So today, I’m taking it back. Take back my attic, my exercise room (just in time for New Year’s resolutions, oh goodie!), my dining room, the living room.  My attic will be ” nice, neat and super anally or it’s death” organized (hear that honey?)

Game on.

And when you think of me, Repunzelled up in the attic, I’ll be channelling, minus the rats and cockroaches, this:

Total Slacker.

Thanks Wacky Packages for the image!

The Business of Life includes looking for motivation…

Is it me or are the Christmas Holidays already stressing us out?

I look at my calendar and see days black with meetings, apts, activities.  So much to do, I’m really worried I won’t slow down to enjoy the holiday. It’s one big check off list.

As a result I’ve done nothing. Well not nothing, but the bare minimum. Yard not cleaned up. Bulbs not planted. It’s December 3rd and my house has not one Christmas decoration up.

Do I have the Christmas blues?

I wonder.

The New LeBetsy To-Do: 15 mins of reading.

This could be me. (But it's not, it's artist Zak Smith, picture courtesy of martinamisweb.com)

Sometimes of The Business of Life is… go back to the basics. Clothes. Food. Music. Education, even.

Every night the twins have to read, at least, 15 mins. Whatever they want. Silently. Focused.

Perfect, right?

I love to read.  I mean LOVE LOVE LOVE to read.  I read everything (sort of make sense that I worship all things media– I soak it in.)

But rarely do I read, unless you count sneaking in as much Star Magazine as the 17 y.o. checkout girl will give me before it’s my turn at the register…

Well no more my friends.  I am giving myself homework.

15 mins of reading. Homework or LEGO instrutions don’t count.  Emails about hockey, Boy Scouts, Brownies or the latest sale from JCrew don’t either.

I’m bring back reading for pleasure.

Join me.

American Girl as Recession-Free Zone

Molly, completely recession-proof. (Picture courtesy of American Girl Dolls)

Every once in a while, The Business of Life finds you in … a recession-free zone.

Current economic strife need not apply…

First off, I hope you had one hell of a great Thanksgiving!  Turkey, carbs, refined sugar… nap… repeat.  Also hoping that a) you followed my lead or b) you kept your sanity intact whilst the thrifty bargain hunter in you celebrated what just might prove to be the blackest of Black Fridays!

I missed the brunt, and on Sunday took my daughter, The Toaster, on a little mommy-daughter jaunt to one of the strongest recession-free zones in the U.S. — The American Girl Store.  Mine was located at the Natick Collection (née Natick Mall) in Natick, MA.  It’s a two-story megaplex to pink fabulous chick-dom.

And absolutely fascinating.

Sure there’s a recession going on, but to the hoards of Moms, Dads, Grandparent and caregivers that were stocking up on every conceivable item that a doll could need, it could as well been the go-go fab Internet 90′s!  Don’t know American Girl?  You can read more HERE, but basically it’s a phenom in the same vein as the pet rock, beanie babies and Zsu-Zsu pets, but with longer longevity and a pricier entry point.

For $95 you buy a basic doll, but (and here’s a very big BUT) it’s the lifestyle you’re going to end of paying for.  Clothes, furniture, pets for the dolls (both historically accurate and modern, depending on the doll); the stores that sell the dolls, clothing, accessories, child “me too” clothing, that house the salon (hair, ear piercing (!)), restaurant and shows; and, finally, the online innerstaru social-media component, where the girls can attend an American Girl University (yoga!)

Whew! (Say that in one breath)

Don’t get me wrong– I’m not a hater.  I hate only the fact that I was born a decade or two too late to be a part of American Girls demos.  The dolls are adorable, the message they share (girls being empowered, responsible, strength, etc.) is absolutely compelling.  The historical dolls are educational.  The clothes, accessories and “me too” outfits are nothing short of fab (“Does this come in a size 8?… No?… You sure?”)

What is shocking, worrying, fascinating, and impressive all at the same time is how much parents are spending so their daughters can be a part of the A.G. culture. It is a business lesson every single time I go (I’ve been 3 times thus far, for full disclosure.)  Personally, I’ve purchased hair-dos (averaging $15 a pop), clothing ($30-$45 for a boxed outfit, and a pet ($20 for something the size Barbie would play with) but I’ve got restraint.  I’ve seen truck drivers leave with bags and bags of accessories and a doll or two (or four) under arm. My measly $45 bill was nothing to the $1576, $346 and $780 bills before me.

I felt like I had to apologize to the shopgirl for wasting the register tape.

It’s also so in your face.  From selling to pink EVERYTHING. It’s like commerce, Viva Las Vegas style.  And efficient.  Super-efficient.  They’ve pretty much figured how to part you from your wallet quickly, conveniently and in the most ways possible.

Ok, now that being said, Toaster and I had a fantastic time.  We got Molly’s (that’s the American Girl from the 40′s) hair done, bought an early Christmas present outfit and had lunch at the cafe. They provided a seat for Molly with some lemonade for her to drink, while I and Toaster dined on prix fixe salmon and mini-burgers.  We were there celebrating Molly’s birthday (whose actual birthday is Dec 25th) and each other.  Girl talk, ice cream and fun.  And the Toaster loved it all.  And I loved her loving it.

It one image still sticks with me:

On our way out, a father barreled into the store… his response to the A.G. greeter asking if he needed assistance was

“No….I’m embarrassed to say this, but I know exactly where I’m going!”

And about 4 other parents around us died laughing.

Adam Sandler’s Turkey Song

Picture courtesy of www.igourmet.com

Sometimes The Business of Life is enjoying the classics.

Adam Sandler’s “Turkey For Me, Turkey For You.”

Enjoy.

And enjoy on of the greatest holiday the U.S. has, (well not so great for turkeys.)

Happy Thanksgiving.

A “Thackgiving” Story (Courtesy of The Toaster)

Cute pic (not of the Toaster though, she's much cuter) courtesy of http://theweakly.com

The Business of Life includes… putting the kids to work (and being Thankful for it.)

The Toaster, my 7 year old, way too wise and way too fabulous daughter wrote a Thanksgiving story last night.  At my prompting.  To keep her occupied, whilst waiting out her twin brother’s hockey skills practice.

The challenge: Thanksgiving. A girl. Paris. And a turkey.

Well she did it right quick and I promised I’d post it for view here.  Let it be known, spelling is not her forte.  So when in doubt go phonetic or use context clues.

Once apon a time a girl named Molly livd in Peris and it was amost thanksgiveing and had to bhy a tucky it is so hard to bhy one said Molly.  She picke one up and tock it home and soud it to her mom and dad. It loked beitudful mom cook the tucky it look yum. mmmm siad Molly and set the tadl. Wow said mom and had a yummy thackgiving.

They End.

What can I say.  Mission fulfilled.

May we all have a Happy Thackgiving!

Dear John or the Dreaded Social Media Kiss-off. (Video)

Advertiser as Goober…

The Business of Life should include… kissing off crappy advertisers (and products).

This was brought to you by my friend Tyson and his most fabulous Social Media firm Dialogue (see at 0:40sec mark for his company plug) …. and not by the letter “H.” (I love Sesame Street…  so allow me the occasional random reference.)

Outside of Tyson’s awesomeness (and he is, so hire him if SocMed guidance is what you need,) this little video does a fair showing of how today’s “advertisers” (and retailers/companies) have their work cut out for them.

Social media has not only made the advertising experience two-way, it’s also encompasses the entire life-cycle of consumption: researching/initial impression, purchase, review & customer relations — and at all points there’s a potential feedback loop, good or bad.  What do I mean? Well, for example, you’re not feeling the love from a recent purchasing experience? You could post a bad review, FB your frustration, blog it or tweet it — all of which have the very real potential of negatively influencing others who were contemplating buying that item or service.  Another great example at play right now?  One word: TSA.  Blogged, tweeted, Youtube’d, FB’ed, etc, it’s all over the Net.  My guess is as we approach the high-holidays of travel this is only going to get worse, because it’s viral and emotion and mob-mentality all rolled into one.  Folks, patting down a 5 year old or a nun never plays well.  (Good luck with that Homeland Security!)

So back to the raison d’etre —  this little video does a fair job showing why company’s marketing departments (and the advertisers they employ) are quaking in their boots.  Not only do they need great creative but they have to be on top of it (message and positioning) from a product’s conception to death.

It’s not easy to get it right and very, very easy to get wrong.

Feel the Darkness (Black Friday is Already Here.)

Picture courtesy of therecessionista.com

The Business of Life is… finding shortcuts, saving time, saving your sanity above all.

Can you feel it?

By God, I say batten down the hatches kiddies, as the Holidays (Xmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and I’ll throw in Festivus) are upon us even before their… um…err… suppose to be.

This economy has brought out the gauche in retailers looking at the all mighty bottom line, and this week, two weeks before Thanksgiving, I saw… brace yourselves… Christmas decorations up.  It was a huge OMG! because they were obnoxiously in your face.  Actually, it was embarrassing.  For them.  For me.

Really.

I mean, there is an unwritten treatise between us and retailers — you know the drill, they know the drill.  It would seem this year they’ve lost their composure and let’er rip and threw up (in more ways than one) the holiday decor before the unofficial treatise date of Friday. Black Friday to be specific.  As if somehow I’d spend more money, earlier, because they are that much more in the Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa or Festivus) spirit (but I really mean Christmas because you no matter how they disguise it that what they mean too) than other less holy establishments.

My plan?

Screw’em.

I’m going online, shopping before (can anyone say June?) and I’m 80% done by this Friday.  I shop local small shops and boutiques, or Amazon.com (thank GOD for PRIME) and it’s done. No panic, no stress.

Thank you very much and I’ll take my martini straight up with a twist of smug.

I’m also going for the novel approach of giving less this year.  My children usually ask for 3 things and maybe get 1 or 2, this year they’re asking for one less and donating their other “wish” to a solider in fighting abroad.  They don’t need it, and if they’re going to get far more by sending that soldier a gift than ANYTHING I could have bought.

So Black Friday what?

I’ll be playing with my kids.

Harry Potter and the Killer Sequel.

Movies… totally The Business of Life.

So Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1, otherwise known as HP7.5,  has officially opened. But is it worth the wait? The price? The time?

Yes.

I, along with 25 other super-nerds, hit the 9:30am showing this morning.  It a blink of an eye it was light up and 12 noon. You know it’s a good flick when you lose your sense of time, having been dragged under by the the story, characters and ambiance.  And I was. Completely.

I’m also a willing victim. I’ve read all the books and deeply love the premise and adventures of Harry Potter.  I think that this is not something you can just waltz in on, or you will be disappointed. So please read the book before you bash this movie, it’s not for the uninitiated.  It’s also surely the darkest of the series and far, far more scary than the rest.  It also isn’t for small children and kids probably under 10.  I’d say, depending on your child, if they’ve read the books and don’t scare that easily (I jumped out of my seat a couple of times) keep them home for this movie.

If I can to play the “like” game I’d say this: as a sequel, it’s like Empire Strikes Back or Aliens because it is just as good as the first installment, a rare thing.  I’d also is like “Return of the King” (another great sequel) in feeling and execution. Both dark and suspenseful– you feel the desperation of our protagonists and tension/interplay of good and evil in a very palpable way.  References to Nazi jackbooted fascism and persecution abound.  But what I found unique and fresh is that these are children as heroes, in a very real adult tale, with the almost 17 y.o. Harry as the Jesus-like “Chosen One”.  A weight felt by Harry at every turn — and especially so here — when the savior is at a lost as how to save himself, let alone the world.

This gets a very highly recommendation by me for adults and older kids.

Let me know what you think….

Here is the official trailer: