Makeup....with a PS

I got a call a little while ago from my neighbor across the back (the one who "enjoys" the noise my children make in the yard). She sells Mary Kay. She announced this at the luncheon, and I did mention at that time that I could certainly use some help in the makeup department. She called me and asked what my favorite MaryKay product is. I don't have a favorite, I haven't bought a lot of MaryKay (sorry Meredith!). She told me that if I could get 4 ladies (she specified "over 18" I suppose so that I wouldn't bring my four daughters at home who would most definitely not be paying customers) to come to her house Friday evening, I would get $50 in free products. So, I emailed my friends who live locally, not really expecting any of them to come at such short notice. I am not a salesperson. I tend to invite people to this sort of thing wanting to say, "Please come, if you have absolutely nothing better to do like wash your hair or vacuum". I always cringe a little when asked to host a show because I feel like it is implied that if you come you must make a purchase - and I don't like to ask my friends to spend money just so I can get something free or at a discount. I don't care what anyone says, isn't that the "right" thing to do? I know I always make a purchase - in fact I seem to always find at least a few things I "can't live without". And, I do enjoy going to home parties - I like hanging out with the ladies, sampling products, and there are definitely some products or lines that sell themselves. I am just not sure that Mary Kay is one of them - do they have a product that will take 10 years off my face? For under $5? Probably not. Is their mascara or blush, or eye makeup any better than what you can get at the Maybelline section in Walmart? I do need advice (coaching) in the application of makeup, and what colors work, and what don't. The bloom is definitely off the rose and if it comes in a bottle or a color pallette that will make the most of what I have, I suppose it's worth it. Just don't ask me to sell it to someone else!
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My friend says it best here, summing up a conversation she had with a friend who was trying to get her to start her own home-based business: "why are we always so reluctant to do direct marketing when we really believe in the product?"... I replied, " because we have all been at a tupperware, MK, Avon, basketpeople .... fill in the blank party and thought "what's the least I can spend on something I don't really want or need to support my friends goal without looking too cheap?" I, for one, don't want to put my friends in that awkward position ... it doesn't matter how many times you announce, "no pressure" with a smile. There is pressure."

I don't mean to imply that there aren't profitable businesses out there. Or good products to buy! Or wonderful salespeople who truly believe in their products! Only that when you are trying to live within a budget, you can't say yes to everything! And, that I am glad that I for one, don't have to make my living in sales........I am not good at it.

What to do?

Tim and I are scheduled to do a phone interview tomorrow with a broadcaster who has a Catholic radio talk show. He's based in North Dakota, I think. I am sure his listening audience is more or less local. I am trying to figure out how to pull this off (it's an hour long broadcast) without interruptions from the kids. Or background noise. Short of sending them all away or knocking them all out, I don't have a solution yet. Of course, having a large family is living proof of our dedication to our Catholic faith, and if I could get them to pray, sing hymns or do a Gregorian chant in the background, instead of fight, yell, or talk over each other, that would be preferable. Don't think that's going to happen. Might have to break out the duct tape. Or rent a good movie that will enthrall them all for an hour.

Lunch Bunch

I just returned from a gathering of neighborhood ladies for a potluck lunch at a house a couple of blocks from here. This lady put postcards on everyone's doors at the beginning of last week, advertising the lunch bunch as a way to get to know the neighbors better. To be honest, my first thought was, among other reasons, "We bought a house in town this time instead of moving into base housing so that we would have a little space between us and our neighbors." The fishbowl living had lost some of its appeal, the housing market was ripe, and we are getting close to retirement (maybe). But, I like the relative privacy we have here, and the big yard (despite the continuous massive cleanup of leaves) is a bonus. I know my immediate neighbors, and I am fine with that! So anyhow, as I was fixing a plate for Kiley in the kitchen, I overheard one lady saying, "this family moved in right behind us last summer. They have a lot of kids, I think, and they have a pool, and a trampoline...." At this point, I was holding my breath! She finished by saying, "It's so nice to hear childrens' voices (her kids are all grown), and they always sound like they are having so much fun!" I was glad I didn't have to duck and make a hasty retreat, as I surely would have if she had said something negative. I introduced myself, told her how many kids we have, apologized for the noise (which she insisted does not bother her), and got to know her a little bit. It was actually a very enjoyable luncheon. The dynamics of the neighborhood are varied and interesting. Since I have so much time on my hands (!) I mentioned that I have a little experience with newsletter writing, and said I would be willing to do a quarterly "e-newsletter" in which the neighbors could advertise their businesses, share recipes, tree and yard care tips, etc. The nice thing about there not being a Home Owner's Association in this neighborhood is that there aren't any rules about what could or could not be in the newsletter. I think it would be a great way to keep things local (and good advertising for babysitters, lawn care, etc.) And there would be no cost to publish it, since it would be transmitted via email, with the option for people to print it out if they wanted to. We shall see!

Shane's spelling homework...

Shane is in first grade. This is his homework tonight:

Write each word on an index card or slip of paper. Have a a parent hide your words in a room of your house. Turn off the lights in this room so it looks like night. Now find your words using a flashlight. Spell to a parent when you find and use the word in a sentence out loud.

Now, this teacher has no children of her own. Once upon a time, I would have found this assignment to be delightful and imaginative. I'd have been impressed by her ingenuity. Today, this means I have to 1) find a flashlight that works, 2) hide these words and hope the younger kids won't find them before Shane does,(because you know they will eat them or put them somewhere else) 3) find a way to fit this in after Timmy's appointment in Fredericksburg tonight, because no room in my house is dark, even with the shades pulled, before nightfall. Except the big boys' room, and he'd never find them in there!!!!!!!