What affordable two-man tent and sleeping bag is the best buy!?

MichaelL

I need to buy a compact, lightweight tent for a cycling holiday in France. Can anyone recommend something relatively cheap (under £75) and a decent sleeping bag? Thanks

Answer
I highly recommend this ...
Coleman 2008 SunDome 7-Foot by 7-Foot 3-Person Dome Tent
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-SunDome-7-Foot-3-Person-Orange/dp/B001C1A362/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1248165586&sr=1-1&tag=aor-sale-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957

This past weekend was my first experience with this tent - a simply awesome performer for under [...] bucks. I sealed the seams on the rainfly the day before and upgraded the tent stakes all for an additional $[...]. Set-up was a breeze and took under 10 minutes (I placed a tarp down below). Good thing, because the rain came 5 minutes later in buckets and lasted all night. The tent held up like a champ with no leakage what so ever. The size was just perfect for two adults and a few gear bags (or a kid). Highly recommended!

Coleman Ash Canyon 25-Degree Rectangular Oversize Sleeping Bag
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-25-Degree-Rectangular-Oversize-Sleeping/dp/B0009PUQ28/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1248166146&sr=1-9&tag=aor-sale-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957

This a nice and comfortable sleeping bag. The zipper works nicely and it is a very nice and roomy sleeping bag. It rolls up nice and fairly compact compared to my old one. I am very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone interested in buying a sleeping bag.

Bake Sale for dummies...?

doodlebugs

I want to do a bake sale in my community, but I'm not sure where to start. What do I do? I need some recipes that won't cost a lot of money to make. After I have recipes, where do I go? I have asked a question similar to this before, but never went through with my idea. I want to give the proceeds to Great American Bake Sale. Thanks.

http://gabs.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GABS_homepage

Answer
1. Have a cause. Most bake sales are for raising money for a charity or cause. Be sure you understand who to send the proceeds to. It may help to have some pamphlets or other literature available to explain your charity. This is a great opportunity to promote your cause, too.
* Put out a jar for tips or donations. If you're raising money for a cause, give people the opportunity to donate, too. Some people may just not be hungry, but they still might want to support your organization.
2. Get volunteers. Ask your friends and family (as appropriate) to help.
* Make it clear what the cause is, when the bake sale is, and have reasonable shifts available.
* Little kids are often adorable and are hard to say "no" to. Just make sure they have adult supervision to help.
* Ask for additional help setting up and cleaning up.
3. Decide on a venue. Hold the bake sale at a well frequented public spot or in a school or college.
* Sometimes retail stores will be happy to have to set up a booth nearby.
* Festivals, street fairs, outdoor public concerts, and other big public events can also be excellent choices.
* School plays, concerts, and parent nights are excellent bake sale opportunities.
* Make sure that it is legal to hold at the spot you choose, and get permission from the appropriate authorities, if applicable.
* Be sure you have a "rain site" to do the bake sale indoors or under a tent in case the weather turns sour.
4. Have your booth ready. You may be lucky and have a table and chairs available already and a sign made up already. But if you don't, you will need to plan ahead. You may also need:
* Card tables or folding tables.
* Some sort of awning, like a pop-up pavilion to protect from rain or sun.
* Tablecloth
* Decorations and signs to grab attention.
* Coolers and ice to keep items (like drinks) cold.
* Garbage container and garbage bags for cleanup.
* Folding chairs.
* Crock pots to keep items (like spiced cider) hot.
* Cash Box: You need to keep your funds in some sort of container. Be sure it has change for large bills!
5. Advertise. Design attention-grabbing and colourful posters and put them up in well frequented areas. Have the date, place, and explain the cause that the proceeds will go to.
* If you are selling at a school, have your bake sale announced over the intercom, in the daily notice, or whatever is available.
* Advertise your organization through your clothes. If you are raising funds for your scout troop, for instance, wear your uniform.
* Don't be afraid to look a little goofy. Swim team members could wear their swim caps and goggles at a street fair or a drama club could wear costumes in front of the grocery store. It gets attention.
* Matching outfits will do as well. Ask everyone to wear the school's or organization's colors.
6.
Bake sales are a good opportunity to bake a variety of goodies.
Bake sales are a good opportunity to bake a variety of goodies.
Create the baked goods. A bake sale needs baked items.
* You could bake the items yourself--this is usually the cheapest route. Divide the baking between many members, if possible.
* Alternatively, buy them from a local bakery or shop. This is particularly effective if people don't usually have access to the goods, such as at a high school. It also is easier for people who can't cook, or don't have the time.
* Be careful that your items are reasonably priced, otherwise you may have a hard time selling it.
* Ask that cooks label ingredients on the baked goods. A small but significant population have food allergies and sensitivities. Knowing that the carrot cake has nuts can save a life.
7. Sell drinks, too. Lots of people like to have a bit of liquid to wash down sugary treats, and it's a chance for you or your group to earn a bit of extra money.
* Coffee, tea, iced tea, hot cider, lemonade, water, and soda are all good options. However, use common sense: hot coffee probably won't sell well on a hot summer day.
8. Package your baked goods to travel. How will visitors take and eat your items? Bring a supply of small paper plates, paper towels, plastic forks, napkins, cups if you are serving drinks that require them, and plastic wrap, plastic sandwich bags, or foil. It's best to keep these to a minimum, as they cut into profits and create waste!
* If many people in an organization are baking, ask them to package things in sale-size quantities, perhaps two to three cookies to a package or one cupcake or larger item.
9. Get the party going. Buy/prepare the food, put up the booth or table, and start selling. If you planned it well enough, this should be the easiest step of all.
10. L

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Bake Sale for dummies...?

doodlebugs

I want to do a bake sale in my community, but I'm not sure where to start. What do I do? I need some recipes that won't cost a lot of money to make. After I have recipes, where do I go? I have asked a question similar to this before, but never went through with my idea. I want to give the proceeds to Great American Bake Sale. Thanks.

http://gabs.strength.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GABS_homepage

Answer
1. Have a cause. Most bake sales are for raising money for a charity or cause. Be sure you understand who to send the proceeds to. It may help to have some pamphlets or other literature available to explain your charity. This is a great opportunity to promote your cause, too.
* Put out a jar for tips or donations. If you're raising money for a cause, give people the opportunity to donate, too. Some people may just not be hungry, but they still might want to support your organization.
2. Get volunteers. Ask your friends and family (as appropriate) to help.
* Make it clear what the cause is, when the bake sale is, and have reasonable shifts available.
* Little kids are often adorable and are hard to say "no" to. Just make sure they have adult supervision to help.
* Ask for additional help setting up and cleaning up.
3. Decide on a venue. Hold the bake sale at a well frequented public spot or in a school or college.
* Sometimes retail stores will be happy to have to set up a booth nearby.
* Festivals, street fairs, outdoor public concerts, and other big public events can also be excellent choices.
* School plays, concerts, and parent nights are excellent bake sale opportunities.
* Make sure that it is legal to hold at the spot you choose, and get permission from the appropriate authorities, if applicable.
* Be sure you have a "rain site" to do the bake sale indoors or under a tent in case the weather turns sour.
4. Have your booth ready. You may be lucky and have a table and chairs available already and a sign made up already. But if you don't, you will need to plan ahead. You may also need:
* Card tables or folding tables.
* Some sort of awning, like a pop-up pavilion to protect from rain or sun.
* Tablecloth
* Decorations and signs to grab attention.
* Coolers and ice to keep items (like drinks) cold.
* Garbage container and garbage bags for cleanup.
* Folding chairs.
* Crock pots to keep items (like spiced cider) hot.
* Cash Box: You need to keep your funds in some sort of container. Be sure it has change for large bills!
5. Advertise. Design attention-grabbing and colourful posters and put them up in well frequented areas. Have the date, place, and explain the cause that the proceeds will go to.
* If you are selling at a school, have your bake sale announced over the intercom, in the daily notice, or whatever is available.
* Advertise your organization through your clothes. If you are raising funds for your scout troop, for instance, wear your uniform.
* Don't be afraid to look a little goofy. Swim team members could wear their swim caps and goggles at a street fair or a drama club could wear costumes in front of the grocery store. It gets attention.
* Matching outfits will do as well. Ask everyone to wear the school's or organization's colors.
6.
Bake sales are a good opportunity to bake a variety of goodies.
Bake sales are a good opportunity to bake a variety of goodies.
Create the baked goods. A bake sale needs baked items.
* You could bake the items yourself--this is usually the cheapest route. Divide the baking between many members, if possible.
* Alternatively, buy them from a local bakery or shop. This is particularly effective if people don't usually have access to the goods, such as at a high school. It also is easier for people who can't cook, or don't have the time.
* Be careful that your items are reasonably priced, otherwise you may have a hard time selling it.
* Ask that cooks label ingredients on the baked goods. A small but significant population have food allergies and sensitivities. Knowing that the carrot cake has nuts can save a life.
7. Sell drinks, too. Lots of people like to have a bit of liquid to wash down sugary treats, and it's a chance for you or your group to earn a bit of extra money.
* Coffee, tea, iced tea, hot cider, lemonade, water, and soda are all good options. However, use common sense: hot coffee probably won't sell well on a hot summer day.
8. Package your baked goods to travel. How will visitors take and eat your items? Bring a supply of small paper plates, paper towels, plastic forks, napkins, cups if you are serving drinks that require them, and plastic wrap, plastic sandwich bags, or foil. It's best to keep these to a minimum, as they cut into profits and create waste!
* If many people in an organization are baking, ask them to package things in sale-size quantities, perhaps two to three cookies to a package or one cupcake or larger item.
9. Get the party going. Buy/prepare the food, put up the booth or table, and start selling. If you planned it well enough, this should be the easiest step of all.
10. L

Which tent should I choose?

kjetit

I am looking for a 2-3 person 3 Season backpacking tent.
It should be high quality, water proof, noiseless, no condensate and sturdy against wind. I would also like it to be comfortable for 2 persons, functional to use and not too heavy.
I will use it mostly when hiking on mountains.

I have been looking on
-MSR Hubba Hubba HP Tent
-Sierra Designs ASP 2 Tent
-The North Face Roadrunner 33 Tent
-Sierra Designs Antares 3 Tent
-???other sugestiond??

I was thinking of investing +-$400 to get a long lasting tent.
Please help me. Which tent should i choose?
If you know a good place to buy it, it would be great also.

thanks.

Answer
The basic criteria for a good three season backpacking tent include: dual walls with full rain fly that reaches the ground OR single wall waterproof/breathable with vents, carbon fiber or aluminum DAC poles, a method of securing the poles to the rain fly (often Velcro), plenty of screens, and a bathtub floor. Other considerations are that a tent with only two poles is obviously lighter than three or more, and lighter materials make for a much better time backpacking.

Of those four tents, I'd dismiss the North Face tent immediately as I've been prejudiced against their products due to their popularity and its reputed effect on quality control. The MSR Hubba Hubba has won awards and is the lightest of the four, but I consider it overpriced in comparison to the Sierra Designs tents, which would be my choice, and is, because I sometimes carry a Sierra Designs Lightning tent which is similar to the Sierra Designs ASP 2 tent, although about a pound lighter, which is my answer to your question. The SD Antares weighs over 7 lbs and thus isn't suitable for backpacking in my opinion.

Comparing the Lightning 2 and the ASP 2:
http://sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=716
http://sierradesigns.com/tents.display.php?id=47

The ASP 2 is larger than the Lightning 2, both the interior and the vestibule, but for me 4 lbs is the absolute maximum weight for couples UL backpacking, and when my kids are older I plan to switch permanently to use my silnylon tarp or sew a Ray Jardine tarp with mosquito netting. Still, I carry the tent, fly, guy lines, and stakes myself and my wife carries only the poles included her 11 lbs FSO (from skin out) BP weight.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___20069
http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Tarp-Kit/index.htm

Other options include various UL tents such as those made by Henry Shires: http://www.tarptent.com/ or some kind of pyramid tent such as those made by Titanium Goat: http://www.titaniumgoat.com/vertex5.html or a pair of hammocks from Hennesy: http://hennessyhammock.com/

REI carries the Lightning 2 and ASP 2 tents, both of which are are sale right now, which is my answer to the last part of your question as well: http://www.rei.com/product/763152
http://www.rei.com/product/763148

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What you need to start a party rental business?

kids tents on sale image

David Wall

Answer
1

Purchase enough equipment to be able to comfortably plan for several parties at once. Create an inventory for each type of party and the equipment you need for it. Paper tablecloths, napkins and plastic utensils are appropriate for some gatherings. Others require cloth tablecloths, flatware and real glassware.

2


Provide catering services or maintain a list of preferred caterers to recommend. Catering options would include everything from birthday cake and soft drinks to pizza and beer for a bachelor party, so make sure you have kitchen facilities capable of handling every request.

3


Have a variety of entertainment options. Clowns and magicians are in demand at children's parties while a string quartet would be more appropriate for an elegant dinner party. Ponies used to be the entertainment of choice at children's parties, but today kids expect a moon bounce.

4


Consider offering a banquet room on your premises for individuals and businesses who don't want to host their parties on their premises.

5


Negotiate with vendors for the best prices on food, supplies and equipment. Learn where the farmer's markets are, talk to wholesalers about bulk discounts and be aware of sales or special offers on items you use frequently.

6


Take all of your costs into account when figuring out the rates you'll charge. Overhead includes rent, utilities, labor costs, supplies, vehicles, fuel and insurance.

7


Purchase at least one large van. Buy a truck if you are providing tables and chairs or inflatables. Approach commercial laundries if you anticipate having to wash high volumes of tablecloths and napkins.

8


Hire waitstaff, laborers to set up and take down tables and tents, kitchen help and office staff like a bookkeeper and someone to keep track of orders and inventory. Work out details like how tips will be distributed.

9


Market your party rental business. Create a website. Run an ad in your local paper every week. Generate business by offering discounts to repeat customers. Word of mouth is important in party rentals, so create incentives for customers to spread the word like special offers.

What is the craziest/funnest thing you've ever done in your life?

goodluckch

And did this happen when you were young, High School/college, or as an adult? (I just have all kinds of weird questions brewing in my noggin haha)

Answer
The craziest thing I have ever done was a wet t-shirt contest in Daytona on spring break my senior year of high school. I had sex in a bathroom at Disenyworld when I was 20. My boyfriend had his shoes off, and this little kid asked his dad why the man in the stall had his shoes off, and the dad said never mind that son.....lol.

The funniest thing was when I was on a class trip to a school for the mentally handicapped, I slipped on the wet floor by the pool, and all the mentally handicapped kids pointed and yelled RETARD RETARD, and they were laughing at me. It was so funny. Also one time at the beach me and my friends would run down the beach and then when we got close to people we would fall down and act like it was accident. Also, one time we put dog poop in a couple purses and we took the purses to Walmart and burger king and gave them to employees and told them we had found someone's purse. When they opened it up to look for the person's ID they would get all grossed out. It was soooo funny at the time. Now I'm old and think it's gross, but it was funny when I was young.

I just remembered another thing. When I first got married my husband and I went camping. We bought a tent, that was on sale. When we set it up it was just this little tiny tent. So my husband and I had had to sleep with our feet and legs sticking out of the tent. The camp ground was crowded with people, so the next morning when we woke up this little kid was just standing by our feet. He said my tent is bigger then your tent, and then he just ran away.

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How much jewelry will I sell at a craft fair?

kids tents on sale image

CuriousCat

I'm going to a well-established craft fair, but it is my first time selling. I have necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Do you have any advice on how many items I should bring? Also, how much can I except to sell?
Specifically, what would be considered a lot of pieces to bring/sell?

Answer
bring ALL your stuff...a packed booth gives more choices (basically a numbers game)...how much u sell will depend on a few thing

originality
materials used/quality
pricing
how much competition at the show
and your display

merchandising your jewelry:
you can use some heavy card stock and a hole punch to hold your jewelry
your name of course should be represented on the card....OR you can tie a ribbon or raffia around each piece with you name

selling:
make sure you are interactive with you potential customers (grab the hand mirror....help with the clasps).....If you used sterling silver, swarovskis, semi-precious gems...make sure you state that...I have found that having kiddie stuff helps sales (the kids come in and mom follows)

as far as pricing:
bring some signs that say 25% off, and if things are not going well USE THEM...it is not that much of a loss, and u will be a goddess for sale prices

general stuff for display:
first for YOU,...pack a lunch and beverages... and have shelter from the sun/wind/rain..make sure to have business cards or contact information and a email sign-up sheet with your future show dates...for your display...if a tent, make it so they have to walk in...i usually have a candy dish and fresh flowers for ambiance...your display is best if done vertically....there are many creative ways to display...even tree branches work...make sure you have a table cloth....i have also found that a HIGH directors chair is best AND elevate your table so people are not straining to see items....display your name big and bold!....and make sure you are wearing/using the products......bring a tote that has..pens staples..scissors...tape..hand mirror....gift bags...receipt book....calculator..glue... painted rocks or paper weights.....anything needed to fix anything last minute...and a change box WITH CHANGE..lol... a waitress apron works too...an intriguing booth will draw in the customers...

Any Q's feel free to contact me!
good luck

Why are Christians against birth control, or any form of contraceptives?

Sheree

This has puzzled me for the last few years. I understand that we are to procreate, but lets be "real".

I was watching local news, and they did a story about small family drug stores that don't sale contraceptives because of their religion.

Now picture this. I attend a fairly large church. There is an average of 3 kids per family. Do you see where I'm going? So the parents only had sex 3 times throughout their entire marriage? I highly doubt! They are using some form of BC, either it's withdrawal, plan B, etc.

To add to my confusion, I attended a camping trip with my preacher and his wife. I had a tent with the wife, and soon found out that she was indeed on birth control.

Someone please answer my question, and please don't use Genesis 38:10. Thanks in advance ;)
I know you don't get pregnant every time you have sex! That was an obvious, so I really didn't bother to state it! I'm talking about older people in church. i was in Sunday School one day (with the elders) and they talked about how they wanted to have a set amount of kids, and everyone said Amen! They were all trying to imply that they either got their tubes tided, or used BC.

Thanks for bringing up the Catholics, but the people in the news segment were not Catholic.

Answer
I think you are confusing Christians with one particular Christian denomination - namely the Catholics. And they manage to hang the prohibition off of one doubtful verse in the Old Testament.

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