the North Face effect

This past weekend my family and I were on a trip to the Chicago land area. Nothing unusual. I had a common theme keep reappear though, and this I shall call, "the North Face Effect"

For those few people that now exist that do NOT know what a The North Face jacket is, let me explain. Well, just look at the image above! The jackets come in all colors, styles and fabrics. Young children sport them as do the older generations. You can see the words The North Face emblazoned in bright white letters on the left shoulder area. It is also represented on the back of the garment as well. On our most recent trip to Chicago my family members and I would randomly do a running talley on how many people had these jackets on. On a recent trip to the Macaroni Grill, the number was somewhere around 26. We counted as we were waiting for our seat. A trip to Barnes and Noble unearthed close to 30 patrons proudly wearing their TNF jackets. They could be seen anywhere.. at church, the streets, the gas station.

The most common color of The North Face Jacket? Black. Hands down! And the most popular style? It is a tie between the puffy-down waist-length jacket and the fleece jacket. (sorry, I don't know their "technical" names!)

Seriously, it was becoming cult-ish!

Why do people like their The North Face clothing so much? Is it because they actually keep one warmer than their counterparts? Is it brand status??

I, being a marketing major in school, know all about branding, marketing, advertising, and the kind. I have also learned that I cannot stand brand-marketing for anyone! Why should I wear a companies logo stretched across my body and not get paid for it? Non-sense! (My opinion)

So, what am I saying about all of this. What is my point. I am NOT saying that if you wear a The North Face anything that you shouldn't! By all means wear it with a smile.

I was just randomly amazed by the shear quantity of individuals that all share a common thread.

(Pun intended)

Next time you are out and about see for yourself. Let me know what you see!

good-bye my FRIEND

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind ? Should old acquaintance be forgot,and old lang syne ?

For auld lang syne, my dear,for auld lang syne,we'll take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup !and surely I'll buy mine !And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,and picked the daisies fine ;But we've wandered many a weary foot,since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,from morning sun till dine† ;But seas between us broad have roaredsince auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty friend !And give us a hand o' thine !And we'll take a right good-will draught,for auld lang syne.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

What a ride, 2009 was! What a year. As the last year of this decade comes near to a close, I want to wish you ALL a very blessed, happy, fruitful, abundant, and much love filled 2010.

May you travel much. Explore! Never cease to wander out and find adventure every day of your life. Many memories are created in a simple drive, a walk through the woods, or a stroll on a new-found beach.

Love fully. Make each day a positive, new, happy day. Let love be seen and felt by everyone you meet.

Trust. God has a plan for everyone of us. Trust Him and it shall be revealed, in His time.

Peace!

The Little Boy and the Old Man by Shel Silverstein

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."Said the old man, "I do that too.

"The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants.""I do that too," laughed the little old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seemsGrown-ups don't pay attention to me."

And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand."I know what you mean," said the little old man.

hello again!

As we were putting up the family Christmas tree, pulling out the ga-zillions of ornaments, it was so great to see all the ornaments my mom had bought/saved from me when I was a kid. Every year my mom would buy my sister, brother, and I, a new ornament. She always said that when we got older we would really appreciate them. Now I finally get it!
How simple a thing an ornament really is. Maybe it is colorful glass. Perhaps wood or plastic. String, yarn, or fabric. What struck me though, as I stand and look at my past on that present Christmas tree, is each and every ornament could bring me back to a different time. A different story could be told in the year that ornament was given to me. Or, when I was in kindergarten and I made that silly Santa ornament out of red and white strings. What was once silly is now special. The point is, my mom saved those silly ornaments for me to one day value and truly get the meaning of them. I get it!
Each year on the eve of December 5th, Mikulás Day (St. Nicholas' Day), traditionally celebrated in Czechoslovakia, we would put out our Christmas stockings and if we were good, in the morning they would be filled with candy and other kinds of treats. I don't believe I had ever received a piece of coal! As our children put out their own Christmas stockings for Mikulás Day, they usually will receive candy and treats as well..along with a new Christmas ornament to put on the tree. Our kids have quite a nice collection so far and they enjoy finding them each year as we put the tree up again. It is funny to see the Clifford, Thomas the Tank Engine and all the other childhood characters re-emerge again!
It is never too late to start a new family tradition, I feel. In years from now as your child is standing in front of their own family Christmas tree, how they will be able to look back and reminisce of their own childhood. A truly special childhood, indeed.

a LOVE-hate relationship

Ah, got to love those American Girl catalogs that conveniently show up in the mail (in droves)this time of year! Those almost one hundred page catalogs that showcase the latest cutesy-pootsy clothing for your darling daughter and her precious dolly.
I (um, I mean my daughter) was first introduced to AG a few years ago now. Some neighbor friend had one (or was it two?) along with almost an entire doll wardrobe that literally put mine to shame! We're talking dresses that not only had matching shoes, BUT matching fancy gloves and tiaras too. Let's not forget the purse's, tights, hair thingies, fake glasses, and, and, aaaaaaaaahh!!! From that first doll-to-daughter meeting, my little girl was hooked. Life from then on never seemed to be the same. Life, that is, within the world of American Girl.
The whole process was (is) daunting! Ok, first your daughter has to make "the decision"! She has to choose her DOLL!!! This is not no ordinary decision mind you. This decision is just about as up there as what college she will attend and is this boy the "marrying kind". Will it be a doll that looks just like her? She has about 20+ choices right there. OR, will it be a historical character doll? Maybe she is opting for the Bitty Baby? Twins?? I'm telling you this decision is very important, especially if you are only planning on buying your daughter just one. It may (will) come back to haunt you. My oldest STILL wonders why Santa did not bring her the african-american doll, when all along Santa thought the nice light skin, light blonde hair, blue eyed doll would suit her better.
Then comes the clothes. Thoooooose cloooooothes! Those overpriced- matchy-matchy-but really so cute, clothes. Typical outfits run somewhere around the $30 mark. Fancier outfits will strip your wallet further. Then, you have to decide if you want your daughter to look just like her dressed up doll! Tack on another 60 bucks. Does her doll need a pet? Twenty-something dollars more please. For doll furniture and bigger ticket items a small loan may have to be taken out. Or, as my girls know by now...DON'T even bother asking Santa for that!
The madness does not end there. Oh no! One day on a whim venture into an American Girl store. Oh.. maybe around noon on a Saturday right before Christmas! Bring your ear plugs and wear steel toed shoes. Trust me!! If you had any hope of finding that special outfit on your daughter's wish list...fuggetaboutit! It will be gone. Those matching slippers? No chance! Online shopping for AG is no better and no easier. Unless you plan on shopping months prior to Christmas your chances grow slimmer and more unlikely as the big day grows closer. One can get lucky though getting a coupon code that allows you to get free shipping. I didn't get lucky this year. The one outfit my daughter really wanted..sold out.
Don't get me wrong! American Girl dolls really are nice. They are quality-made and the customer service department is really great. When my daughter got her doll for Christmas a couple of years ago, it had a "hair-issue." The hair came out in clumps. I called customer service and they sent me a new doll, no questions asked/no hassles. That was really impressive. Other than the high price of these plastic princesses, my girls really do enjoy them. The cult following is a little creepy, but overall they are harmless wholesome American cuties.