May is probably the busiest month of the year for me, besides perhaps December. Work is crazy with the May/June magazine, the Summer Survival Guide, which comes out toward the end of May, and preparations for the Ogden Tiny Tot Trot, which is May 22.

My mom and stepdad always come up from Georgia for the Ogden Newspapers 20K Classic, which is May 23, and we usually make a sort-of family reunion out of it.

This year, it's even more festive because my stepson, Christian, is graduating from Martins Ferry High School on the 21st, and we are hosting his party on the 24th.

Add to that, the Macdonald Pipe Band, of which I am a member, has gigs every weekend this month, some of which I obviously am going to miss. Like our motto says: Family comes first.

I likely will spend Mother's Day (which is May 10, in case anyone forgot!) washing windows, scrubbing porches and planting flowers. At least Emma and I can have fun with the latter!

All this is leading to one simple fact: I need a vacation!

I had thought a band trip to Charlotte, N.C., in April would be the perfect excuse to head a few more hours down the road to Myrtle Beach, where Emma, Dave and I could spend a week - with free lodging, no less - frolicking in the surf and sand. Costly car repairs put an end to that fantasy.

Having spent my teenage years living on the Gulf coast of Florida, I took the beach for granted. Now that I am landlocked, I crave the ocean breeze, sunset (or sunrise) walks on the beach and freshly caught shellfish.

I don't even like the sun, and I'm illogically terrified of sharks, but I still yearn for a beach vacation. The best part of all, I discovered on last year's vacation to Florida, is watching Emma respond to and interact with this whole new, wholly different, environment. At the beach, we trade barges for sailboats, grass and dirt for sand and saltwater, chicken nuggets for fried clams, routine for adventure.

What's great is my mom has a condo in Dunedin, and my dad a place in Myrtle. The only problem is, they're too far away! Driving is my husband's idea of Hades, and buying three plane tickets and renting a car is not in our budget.

So, if anyone has any ideas for a beach vacation that is closer than a 10-hour drive away, I'd love to hear them. E-mail me at betsy@ovparent.com.

- - -

In honor of Father's Day, June 21, here are a few folks I'd like to recognize:

My dad, Robert L. Bethel, who has given me so much, expected nothing in return and always shown me unconditional love.

My husband, David McFarland, who never ceases to amaze me in his quest to be the perfect dad, and without whom I would not have known the joys of being Emma's mom.

My stepdad, James Kowalski, for loving me and being the best Poppy he can be.

My brother, Clay Bethel, who is giving it all he's got as a single parent raising a teenage boy and girl and two very rowdy boys, ages 8 and 6 1/2,

My late grandfathers, Craig Bethel and George Garrett, for setting the bar high in matters of loyalty, service, ingenuity and work ethic.

All the dads out there who work hard, play hard, pray hard and model the kind of behaviors and attitudes they want their children to display.

Happy Father's Day!

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