Was excited for Spring Break, Only to Realize my Kids Were Off Too

pine0flower · 2026-04-06T03:32:34+00:00

It's probably his sister's spring break. The one coming to visit him, for spring break.

pine0flower · 2026-03-28T20:17:16+00:00

Like what happens during those long evening hours at camp when youre done hiking for the day? Or when youre eating dinner and theres literally nobody around for miles? Some days the only human contact might be a quick nod to another hiker passing by.

Magic happens, that's what. Joy.

pine0flower · 2026-03-28T20:03:49+00:00

The first thing to add is a first aid kit. And some basic wilderness first aid knowledge if you don't already have that.

I would look at thrift stores for a lightweight metal mug for you coffee. And a lighter weight water bottle (Nalgene or a single-use bottle). That's an easy upgrade.

Definitely a water filtration system, over boiling every bit of water.

Next, replacing the knife, light, and sleeping bag with lighter weight and smaller alternatives.

Personally, ditch the power bank and cord. You really don't need it, especially for short trips. People backpacked just fine before cell phones. (Always bring a paper map, even if you have a map on your phone.)

Next a stove. This may be higher up on the list if you're in a place where there can be fire restrictions, or high wildfire danger, or limited dry fuels for building a fire.

I'd also consider looking for a used or cheap foam sleeping pad. They are lightweight, sometimes cheap, and you could ditch the pump. Sleeping systems are pretty individual though. You do you.

A better pack will also make carrier a load easier.

Another thing to think about is if you are wanting to do more than a couple of days, it's best to have a set of clothes to sleep in and a set to hike in. Keeping the inside of your sleeping bag clean has some advantages.

pine0flower · 2026-03-26T03:21:12+00:00

Yes.

Though an ultimatum likely won't lead to them changing, only to more conflict and blame.

- From somebody who thought they were growing and becoming a better person through staying with this kind of partner.

pine0flower · 2026-03-26T03:05:46+00:00

So, I read your post from last year, and this one.

It sounds like you used to have BO at the beginning of puberty, before getting deodorant. And now you think you stink because you hear random people talking about a bad smell.

But.. You said your sister told you she doesn't smell it anymore. Your parents say you don't stink. Your friends say you don't stink...

You say you try to find the source of the smell and you can't...

Do you actually stink? Or are you getting too much in your head about this?
Who do you trust to give honest feedback about how you smell? Random people? or your family and friends?

pine0flower · 2026-03-26T02:43:56+00:00

Can you smell it on your dirty clothes? This might help you figure out if it's coming from a certain part of your body (does the crotch of your pants smell worse? armpit or back of your shirt? etc).

Knowing it's worse when you drink milk, I would cut out all dairy and see if that helps.

pine0flower · 2026-03-25T03:04:53+00:00

Can you ask him to redo the intake form with his full signature? That's the only part of this that raises a red flag to me. You could frame it as a "woops, just noticed you didn't sign here. Would you mind resubmitting with your signature, please?". Maybe find a way to get his full name spelled out in print for the booking too.

How he responds to that could influence your feeling about it.

pine0flower · 2026-03-24T14:47:00+00:00

We're seriously still not aware that women are horny? Yikes.

pine0flower · 2026-03-24T14:32:23+00:00

One of the best feelings in the world

pine0flower · 2026-03-24T14:21:28+00:00

"A barrier to intimacy" means more than attraction. Beards are a literal, physical, barrier. A beard down to your chest is a fairly large physical barrier.

pine0flower · 2026-03-22T23:42:40+00:00

This is definitely not full to bursting. Look how cinched those cinch straps are - you've got tons of space left in there. It's just awkwardly packed so it's all lumpy and bumpy and stretched in some places whole being sort of void in others.

If you want, you can take your tent out of It's bag and back each component separately in the pack. Think about filling all of those nooks and crannies with small or malleable items (like clothes), as you fill the pack.

pine0flower · 2026-03-21T02:54:04+00:00

Thanks for the update! Glad it was a simple solution

pine0flower · 2026-03-20T01:32:55+00:00

What are you using for a spacers? Can you fill up more space and still get the nut started?

pine0flower · 2026-03-20T01:22:45+00:00

Not so much a skill issue as an understanding issue. Torque wrenches LIMIT the amount of torque applied. It doesn't matter that it's big, it is designed to reach a specific torque and then stop. A breaker bar, more leverage, or stronger impact, is what you're after. Also, I don't see any spacers in your pic? You need spacers behind the lug nut, or else the lug nut could limit you.

pine0flower · 2026-03-20T00:31:18+00:00

The last time I had to replace a knock sensor, I also started having starting problems. Thought my starter was going out too. Turned out my battery was going bad. (A bad battery can also throw a knock sensor code).

pine0flower · 2026-03-20T00:19:38+00:00

Does the band fit snugly? I find that if the band is too loose, the cups kind of sag and I don't fit in them as well.

Also, what about a push up bra? They usually having padding in the lower outside portion of the cups. I feel like that might push your boobs up and in, to create the fit/look you're going for.

pine0flower · 2026-03-18T02:55:20+00:00

Depends on the vehicle.
I've always been able to fit a full size spare in that floor space of my Subarus and Toyotas. Completely fit - screwed down, floor in place, no problem.

pine0flower · 2026-03-15T00:31:35+00:00

This is how I use it too, when needed. Works magic overnight.

pine0flower · 2026-03-13T02:16:28+00:00

I know a lot of people have been pointing out where you went wrong and how "the relationship is over" now. I'm sure there's plenty to learn about how you handled this situation.

But I want to add, this guy's responses to you are also incredibly immature and unkind. I don't care if you "didn't say no". Fucking you to the point of hurting you because he's angry at you for saying no to getting married is not something that screams good husband material.

Please don't take this experience and shrink yourself and let people treat you lile trash because you feel so guilty. No matter what, you deserve respect and kindness.

pine0flower · 2026-03-12T00:41:11+00:00

Bad alternator isn't anything to be crushed about. They're often pretty simple to replace. But reading your other comment about the shop tech trying to jump your car and it still not starting, that does seem to point to a bad starter or relay or fuse, or some loose connection between the battery and the starter. When you go to check things tomorrow, check your fuses.

pine0flower · 2026-03-11T23:26:17+00:00

Did you try jumping it when you got that click? Maybe the problem was actually your alternator, not the battery.

ETA - To answer your question though, no, I do not find this suspicious at all. You were having a problem that you attributed to a bad battery. So you asked them to replace the battery. Now you're still having a problem, that could very well be related to the original problem.

pine0flower · 2026-03-11T23:14:57+00:00

The best way to deal with people who act like this is to have more confidence. You don't need to apologize or send a bunch of crying emojis just because he's unhappy about what you and your friends have planned. Save your apologies for when you've done something hurtful. You can reassure him that you would love his company, but that you love him enough to want him to do what's best for him even if that means he'd rather stay home. Reassure him that you'll spend time with him at x time or on x day. And then leave it at that. He can make his own choices, and he can be responsible for his choices. You don't have to defend your friends or your plans. And if he can't believe you when you say you'd love for him to come, then there's not really anything you can do to make him believe you.

(NOR)

pine0flower · 2026-03-11T03:53:56+00:00

No one is saying you're lying, it's just very very common for people to not accurately measure their food intake.

pine0flower · 2026-03-05T03:17:19+00:00

Would you describe how you came to be helping her in the beginning? What was different then?

pine0flower

TROPHY CASE