My girls and I went to the Tea today and had such a wonderful time. My friend made all the food for the tea- 3 types of sandwiches, 2 types of scones, various cookies and cakes, lemon curd, devonshire cream...and they served 6 different teas- all of them wonderful, and a wonderful a strawberry lemonade. There were about 30 attendees. My friend and her husband put a big effort into this..and last night, their oldest son (who is stationed in Japan) and his fairly new bride (who is stationed in Afghanistan, surprised them by coming home for a visit. Poor friend...the kids are only in town two days and they had this event today! It turned out beautiful, but sure cut into her time to visit with them. Tickets for the four of us $80. I also bought 4 raffle tickets for $20. DD3 won an adorable Breast Cancer pin and DD2 won the grand prize, which is a room makeover book and an hour consultation with a home decorator. DD2 gave it to me..
So I will put it to good use soon.
After the tea, we stopped by Kohls. After my shopping trip last week, I received $20 Kohl's cash. I decide to get a cozy throw. Somehow, my other ones have been 'borrowed' by kids and I dont have one. I keep the house fairly cool during the winter, so lately my feet/legs have been chilly. They had nice ones on sale 50% off, or 24.99..I used the 20 and then got 15% off- or $4.27. I have told the kids HANDS OFF this one.
A while back I mentioned another friend who has recently gotten into a multi-level marketing 'business'. I was hoping that she would take my total lack of interest as indication that I didnt intend to buy or start selling. Unfortunately, that isnt going to be the case. This past week she has been at a convention and is clearly renewed in her committed to turning everyone she knows into a sale or a salesperson under her. Her new tactic is an empowerment luncheon that she would like to have me attend, no cost. and perhaps I could bring a friend. ugh. I will stick to my no thank you, but I will obviously have to just be blunt- and I know it will hurt the friendship. :/ Not something I want to do, but I am tired of the constant barrage.
The friend with the tea shop and this MLM friend are also good friends- the three of us get together for lunch occasionally. I have no problem buying tea once in a while or attending her tea luncheons..but the other friends business is almost cult like and once you sign up for the auto shipments $160 every four months), it is very difficult to get out of. NO THANK YOU. I would gladly just give her money each month, but she is very prideful and wouldnt accept it. Sadly she is so determined to make the business work that she is alienating people.
In other news, the hub said he cant guarantee when he will be home this winter, so we are going to pass on the Hawaii adventure for now. 
It is such a good deal, but I learned in Alaska that its not as much fun if he misses most or all of the vacation. I am certain other opportunities will come along.
Highs and lows in friendships
October 28th, 2012 at 05:14 am
October 28th, 2012 at 10:13 am 1351419227
October 28th, 2012 at 02:00 pm 1351432849
On a lighter note, my husband is from Devon, so I know all about clotted cream! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I'm vegan so I can't sample it.
October 28th, 2012 at 02:49 pm 1351435783
There are instances where one can do well with a MLM business (I know someone who got in "early" with one and makes a really good wage mostly on commissions from her underlings - I don't think she is even much into the actual sales these days). But those instances are rare and far between. You have to get at the very bottom of the "pyramid," for one.
October 28th, 2012 at 03:43 pm 1351439013
I'm sorry your Hawaii plans fell through. Hopefully something even better will come along in its place.
October 28th, 2012 at 04:28 pm 1351441707
I'm sorry to hear of the MLM friend issue. I have one I rarely see now because of trying to push the Body BY VI stuff on my constantly. She even tried to push that my 125 pound 6ft 2 child should be using it. Nah, the DR says the kid is healthy as a horse and blessed with a metabolism that lets him eat 24/7 of REAL food.
October 28th, 2012 at 04:29 pm 1351441794
October 28th, 2012 at 06:22 pm 1351448521
If you and MLM friend are good friends then I would just be blunt and say "It's not going to happen for me, but I wish you the best of luck."