Off-Topic: MLMs and my friends who sell for them

The blog's going to go off topic today, in favor of a small rant.

Two days ago I got a Facebook message from an old friend from elementary school. Now, we haven't really stayed in touch, but infrequently comment on each other's posts about kids or requests for advice. So we follow each other's families on Facebook and that's about it. Not that I wouldn't like to redevelop a relationship, but that's just where we're at.

Here's what the message said:

Hi Anne! Your kids are so cute! I love reading your posts about the girls and I can't believe your little brother has a son now!

I decided to reach out to some of my fellow momma’s today about the children’s multi-vitamin/probiotic that Plexus has developed.. and I immediately thought of you.  No worries if you aren’t interested, I just want to leave you with some info about the product, X-factor Kids.   I’ve become really passionate about gut health and it turns out our children can also benefit a lot as well!!

The vitamin is fully methylated (which means it is effective even with kiddos who carry the MTHFR gene), delicious, and contains really incredible strains of probiotics! The cost is very comparable to what you would get from Whole Foods or a health food market, (where I used to get my supplements.)

Here is a quick video about the vitamin/probiotic you can watch in your spare time. Ha!! 

Look. I'd LOVE to catch up over coffee. I'd probably even try your product, I really would. But now, I just feel used.

How do I respond? So far I've ignored her but I have half a mind to say "Let's actually be friends first."

And you know what else? I HATE that moms feel they have to sell this stuff to get by. Some of these products I really like (Pampered Chef, LulaRoe, Mary Kay, Norwex). Except for the essential oils, but that's a whole other rant. This business model just bothers me. The stuff is more expensive than it should be, because more than one salesperson is taking a cut of my purchase. It approaches an illegal pyramid scheme. And it's turning friends and acquaintances into nothing more than potential customers.

Introductions

Our wedding

I really like having projects to do. My husband and I have been together for twelve years (married for six), and in that time, together we've planned and completed many fun projects.

We've planned a wedding, purchased a house, finished a basement remodel, built a brick grill, finished a bathroom remodel, and planned and executed vacations to California, Minnesota, Nashville, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We've planned baptism parties, birthday parties, and an "in-between" party (a gathering at house taking place between my brother and sister-in-law's wedding ceremony and reception).

Not to mention the biggest project of all - raising our two little girls, Eliza (age 4) and Audrey (age 1 1/2).

Basement Remodel - Derek did this mostly by himself, with
help from a good friend and neighbor on the drywall

None of this is unusual for a middle class family in America.

 But you know what, I love doing it. And Derek doesn't seem to mind helping (or, many times, doing all the labor involved while I chase the girls).

The kiddies

I have several projects on my list for 2018, and I thought it would be fun to blog about them and see how it goes. I can sharpen my writing skills (and add another "project" to my list!).

Here's my current list for this year, in order of planning, but not in order of completion:

1.) Kitchen Remodel;
2.) Plan and host a cider tasting (late-February);
3.) Plan and host Audrey's second birthday party (mid-April);

Derek built this grill by hand

4.) Plan a Disney World Vacation for January 2019;
5.) Trip to our Notre Dame ten-year reunion (June);
6.) Trip to Minnesota (July);
7.) Camping trip (August);

This kitchen remodel will probably be the biggest project we've ever done. And I'm excited about it. So that's where we're starting. I've have three contractors over for estimates so far; I have three more coming next week.

So here we go! I appreciate any comments.

A mini project - centerpieces for my sister-in-law's
tailgate-themed baby shower

The Remodel: Current Situation

Our house was built in 1951. It was designed by a man who spent no time in the kitchen. The kitchen is small and closed off. My sink is so small I can't get some of my pans into it. There is very little cabinet space and zero room for a pantry.

The kitchen was redone in 1980 by the previous owner who spent money and got a top-of-the-line kitchen. So there's been no functional reason to redo it yet; the floor and counters are in tact.

In 1991, the previous owner put on an addition in the back, which is our family room and which accommodates the dining table. So now we'd like to combine the original dining room, which was small, with the kitchen.

Basically, we have to take down a wall and rearrange the appliances.

I'd like to extend the wood flooring throughout, and I'd like white shaker cabinets. And finally, I want a walnut butcher block countertop. I understand the limitations and maintenance of wood countertops. But I love the look and I'm willing to deal with that.