lilgallowsmama

The tent we found is 6lbs - that's good, right? I'm gonna have to put on some weight so I can carry more, or I may just be stuck with Thing 2 on my back and a sleeping bag. We weren't planning on her carrying anything, really. She LOVES to hike, it's hard to even get her to wear her jr. camel-pak with her mini-bladder. It's a sensory thing - she can't stand to be strapped to anything. Even her backpack for school is a messenger bag. Would a yoga mat work for a sleeping pad? OH and I spotted some super squishy ones recently and pondered if they were feasible.

I'll keep that in mind. OH and I were looking online and found a backpacking tent we like for pretty cheap that had good reviews - one that will has straps to backpack *with*. Below it, there was a 'Customers who purchased this also purchased...' section with some pretty nice sleeping bags. Our only wonder is what 'temperature range' to get, considering we want to do this both now and in July.

I'm gonna wind up stopping and talking to these people. I bet I have a coat that'll fit the kiddo...that's a good reason to stop, right?

I think that's what I'm going to wind up doing. Uber cheap exam, then multiple pair. I had budgeted for, like, 3x your example cost for just an exam and one pair - might as well buy a couple. I'm horrid with glasses anyway, so having a back-up pair is a good idea!

I just saw that and squealed! I have an aviator collection (mostly $3 gas station glasses), and I always complain when we go hiking that I can't see even with them on because I'm blind as a bat. Problem solved - they have aviators!!

ETA: I don't want free glasses. Or even a free exam. I just want to know what the prices are like, locally, for out-of-pocket payment on both so I can shop competitively. I don't want to drop $150 on an exam if I don't have to.

Well that's just genius! Will they fit my face?

I need to know of the local places that have decent prices for both uninsured vision screenings *and* glasses. Good glasses - I'd prefer them to be cute and will last awhile as they'll be on my face the whole time I'm awake and I'm generally pretty rough on frames (unintentionally, of course).

Noooo, I was saying he's from Fort Belvoir, VA, but he also (later in life) spent alot of time in upstate NY. I'd just love to visit either. He talks about the upper east part of the US all the time and I have zero comparison. Maybe we'll hike there someday?

Fort Belvoir. I have no idea where that is. lol. He spent a good chunk of time in upstate NY as well. Apparently, the area he was in is similar to the boondocks parts of Ellijay, but without the paved roads.

Thank you for the advice! We <3 being outdoors - anywhere without civilization or modern conveniences. lol Thanks!! And we do need lunch! You.Are.Awesome. The toddler doesn't walk, so he'd be strapped to my back, but we don't plan on taking him camping quite yet...just Nev. Nev hikes all the time though - we cleared around 14 miles in N. Georgia/Amacalola because she led the way and didn't want to turn around or find a way out back in the heat of July, and that was her first time on a 'real' trail. We've been all over the place, dozens of times since. She's a serious tr

OH, Mini-Me and I love to hike. Mini'er me, obviously, isn't hiking yet but he loves being carried in a wrap strapped to my back. These kids seem to have been made for the outdoors. Mini-Me has been begging to go camping and after spending the last two nights with OH, hiking through the woods and building a mini-bonfire in the middle of a secluded, drained part of Allatoona, then wishing for sleeping bags come midnight, I'm now more interested. He's slowly converting us from hikers to backpackers, and I love it. OH and I eventually want to backpack a good chunk of the App., so I might a

Had to stop by Wal-Mart tonight and made OH drive by the bus. I'm a softie, and was going to ask if they need anything...but it was midnight. I know there was someone hanging out by the dumpter/drop-off type bin near their bus. The bus is also technically a pretty nice one, as is the trailer. They have a generator, and a window unit. Closer up, the windows look tinted. Former cop OH said he didn't see anything 'suspicious' or alarming about it, other than that they'd been there for several days and that, to him, they seemed to be doing it by choice. Now that I know they have heat, j

Mary rocks. In my house, if something happens and we need something (like, when our microwave died), our first response is 'Lets go check Mary's!'

Yesterday I posted a thread asking for shirts and wool sweaters, and added a picture of a pair of pants I made from sweaters I picked up at Birdmom's a few months ago. I also mentioned that it'd be cheaper for me to buy 'real' diapers than make them from $2 t-shirts. I did not mention that The Endless Yardsale Store gave me three awesome sweaters yesterday!! Technically, this was intentional - I was going to start a whole new thread and post pictures of the covers I made from them when I finish them in the next day or two, like I've done several other times I've found something awesome there

^^ same here. While I've been lucky in regards to health and death, this year was absolutely chaotic from lots of pre-term labor, then childbirth, then Mini-Me's chaotic 6 months in and out of doctors and specialists on top of the wreck, and her being behind in school while I'm in school. Every day it's been something new, and and endless stream of research papers, doctors appointments, hospital visits, etc. I've shed my 'friends list' by 700, and simplified my home...now hoping and working on 2012 being much, much more calm and routine.

You need to add one. 5) Be positive and focus on staying healthy, because my stubborn ass daughter is determined that I will make it to my grandson's high school graduation.

This makes them analogous, which means they'll probably clash unless you're both wearing analogous colors on either side of these. Whooooa, look at that now-useless Color Theory class paying off! Note to self: Add 'Quit being bitter about portfolio reviews' to resolution list.

This is my favorite.list.EVER! That doesn't fix the problem in the long run. I've been freaking over it being uneven since I left the shop in September. lol Sweet! I'll pack some up now and send 'em with him when he picks the kids up tomorrow.

I can do that! Anything you prefer? I have some of the chic classics, and then everything from The Divine Comedy to Oliver Twist. lol. Classics are my favorite. If you like short stories and/or a little morbidity, I have several copies of Poe's collection. I can send one your way. I'm adding 'Get other arm tattoo'd before the wedding' to my resolutions. That gives me four months from yesterday. Just sayin' it outloud sounds a bit trashy, but I'm uneven and it's driving me nuts. My dress is strapless.

^^ this. Also, Vicks on the bottoms of his feet, with socks over it. I HATE the squishy feeling, but it really does help. I've been using it off and on for two weeks on the kids with their flu turned bronchitis turned pneumonia nonsense.

I've been doing that for a few months now. My facebook has gone from 900 to less than 200 friends since September. I've been deleting left and right both online and in real life! lol. What's the Shelby quote from Steel Magnolias? 'I feel the need to make things as simple as possible'.

What type of books? I have a collection of classics if you want to borrow any. Real ones, not pretend books. I'm re-reading Farewell to Arms right now, then moving on to Catch-22 again.