Ah camping! A tent, a good camp mat, a sleeping bag, the night sky and a campfire. And a bathroom. Yes, a bathroom. Preferably with running water. That's my definition of camping. I came across this article this evening and I really enjoyed reading about different ways to camp and people's thoughts on camping.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/24/travel/camping-escape-debate/index.html?hpt=hp_bn10
I've been tent camping where we hiked to our camp site and had no running water. I've camped at campgrounds, in the snow. I've camped on a platform tent, in a camper, in a cabin and in my backyard. Come to think of it, for a city girl, I've done quite a bit of camping in my life. Most of it was done before 6th grade, but the experiences and memories are still there. As an adult (past college age), I've only gone camping twice, and both of those were this year at Cub Scout Family Camps. Thankfully, our site has been within an easy walk of the restrooms. Kind of spooky in the middle of the night because you have to go down a road through some of the woods, so I try to limit my beverage intake before my last trip before bed. But, I digress.
My questions to you are these: 1) What is YOUR definition of camping? 2) What is your favorite way to camp?
Friday, May 24, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Shame on A & F, Well Done H & M and American Eagle
I am disgusted. The company and CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is doing nothing but propagating and encouraging exclusion and bullying of people who are of a "larger" size. Read:
Abercrombie & Fitch wants thin customers
While in his 2006 interview he did not say, "Thin, cool people should go and bully those who don't fit our company's ideal", he might as well have. What is he telling the impressionable, teen-aged customer by only having "hot" models in their ads and stores, or only carrying up to a size large (a size 10, which apparently is about an 8 in other retailer's sizes) in ladies clothes? He's telling them that those who don't fit their clothes are not good enough, or cool enough and that they should be excluded. Exclusion is a gateway to bullying. Sometimes, it's almost worse. Loneliness can be as damaging as harmful words.
On the flip-side, I applaud H & M and American Eagle for opening their sizes to those who are of a larger body. Does America need to be a healthier nation? Of course we do! But why should those who are heavier be forced to wear clothes that don't help their self-image? When people feel good about themselves, they want to better themselves! And while outward appearances are certainly not everything, it doesn't hurt to want to look good in what you're wearing, be it from H & M, American Eagle or Target. Larger people have fashion sense too!
My challenge to you is this, no matter what your shape or size: boycott Abercrombie & Fitch. They don't need our business and we shouldn't be including ourselves in the business of hurting others. Give your business to their competition, H & M and American Eagle, or whomever you can afford that isn't A & F.
Just my two cents.
Abercrombie & Fitch wants thin customers
While in his 2006 interview he did not say, "Thin, cool people should go and bully those who don't fit our company's ideal", he might as well have. What is he telling the impressionable, teen-aged customer by only having "hot" models in their ads and stores, or only carrying up to a size large (a size 10, which apparently is about an 8 in other retailer's sizes) in ladies clothes? He's telling them that those who don't fit their clothes are not good enough, or cool enough and that they should be excluded. Exclusion is a gateway to bullying. Sometimes, it's almost worse. Loneliness can be as damaging as harmful words.
On the flip-side, I applaud H & M and American Eagle for opening their sizes to those who are of a larger body. Does America need to be a healthier nation? Of course we do! But why should those who are heavier be forced to wear clothes that don't help their self-image? When people feel good about themselves, they want to better themselves! And while outward appearances are certainly not everything, it doesn't hurt to want to look good in what you're wearing, be it from H & M, American Eagle or Target. Larger people have fashion sense too!
My challenge to you is this, no matter what your shape or size: boycott Abercrombie & Fitch. They don't need our business and we shouldn't be including ourselves in the business of hurting others. Give your business to their competition, H & M and American Eagle, or whomever you can afford that isn't A & F.
Just my two cents.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
We're not moving...
In a different twist of fate, my family is not moving anywhere this summer. Since my husband and I have been married (13 years), we have moved either every summer, or every other summer. We have never lived in one house/apartment longer than two years. We've lived in a town or city longer than 2 years, but never the same dwelling.
However, our first friends here in our small town are moving. This is different for us. We've always been the ones moving. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and we're saying goodbye and staying. When they told us they were moving, we were both excited for their new opportunities and adventures, and sad because they are leaving. Our son and their daughter have become very close: two peas, I always say. They "get" each other. Due to one thing and another, we haven't seen as much of them this school year as we might have liked, and I'm bummed we won't have the summer to catch up at the pool, playground and backyard bar-b-ques. Even though we're in a small town, and our kids see each other every day, sometimes it feels like we're states apart from our friends who live a mile away. Thankfully, there's Facebook and Skype. My family will always appreciate them reaching out to us, even before we arrived, welcoming us to the area, and introducing us to more friends. It truly made the world of difference. So, even though they have about a month before they leave, I want to say, "Thank you!". Thank you for everything you have done and your friendship. Good luck to you in your new home and on your new adventures! We will miss you!
However, our first friends here in our small town are moving. This is different for us. We've always been the ones moving. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and we're saying goodbye and staying. When they told us they were moving, we were both excited for their new opportunities and adventures, and sad because they are leaving. Our son and their daughter have become very close: two peas, I always say. They "get" each other. Due to one thing and another, we haven't seen as much of them this school year as we might have liked, and I'm bummed we won't have the summer to catch up at the pool, playground and backyard bar-b-ques. Even though we're in a small town, and our kids see each other every day, sometimes it feels like we're states apart from our friends who live a mile away. Thankfully, there's Facebook and Skype. My family will always appreciate them reaching out to us, even before we arrived, welcoming us to the area, and introducing us to more friends. It truly made the world of difference. So, even though they have about a month before they leave, I want to say, "Thank you!". Thank you for everything you have done and your friendship. Good luck to you in your new home and on your new adventures! We will miss you!
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