Oh my goodness, Sherry, I'd have been so frustrated with that gal that you're talking about! Yeah, it makes a person wonder sometimes if anything you're saying is getting through to people. It almost makes you want to say, "Knock knock, is anyone home in there?" ;-) Gosh, it does make you think that maybe she shouldn't even be doing the presentations in a way if she doesn't even know what she's doing herself. I kind of wonder what she tells the other people, if she's even telling them the right things. I can tell the guy about certain websites, but like I said before, I kind of doubt if any of these people have Internet access, but I could be wrong. There are a lot of Amish and Mennonite in our area and both of those groups have different groups within them that have different beliefs. For example, Old Order Amish don't believe in having tractors with rubber tires; their tractors have metal wheels. They only ride in horse-drawn buggies. I'm not sure of their beliefs about electricity, but I'm pretty sure they don't have televisions, telephones, maybe hardly any modern conveniences. They for sure wouldn't have Internet access. New Order Amish will ride in cars as long as someone else is driving them; they seem to like to shop at Walmart. :) I don't think this guy is Amish or he probably wouldn't have even been talking to me on the phone. I'd say that he's Mennonite and I'm not familiar with their beliefs, but I know that they are also stricter than people of other religions but not as strict as the Amish, so there's a possibility that he might have Internet access. I don't know about the rest of his family members that are coming in from various areas. That being said, I don't think that they would be Amish if they're flying in on planes. I assume that they aren't having someone drive them here from places like California and Texas. lol I will definitely do what you suggested and hope that he understands. I hate to disappoint the guy, but well, I don't want to be worrying about my cats either. Oh, another "red light" that makes me wonder if he'd do a thorough job of passing along information is the fact that he said he wants to keep it simple. Well, if I'd send all of the information with him that I'd want them to know in order to raise a caterpillar, I don't think that would be simple enough to suit him. I mean really, how can you explain in just a paragraph or two about Monarchs, let alone how to care for them?! I feel like he's asking the impossible. I hate for demands to be put on me, and in a way, I'm feeling that way. It's not the he's mean or rude, but I just get this underlying feeling of pressure or something, like if I don't give him caterpillars, it will ruin the presentation. Ugh! It almost makes me want to not answer the phone anymore, but I couldn't do that to a person, just leave him up in the air. Oh, and he said he was going to tell them all to bring a quart jar along to the retreat so each family would be able to take home a caterpillar with them! I wasn't real thrilled about that because there I did feel like he absolutely expects me to give him caterpillars. I just really thought it might just be me worrying for nothing and I didn't say anything. I think that he already sent out information to everyone about that. I guess that he's going to have a lot of disappointed people. Now that I'm thinking about this even more, why can't he go find some caterpillars somewhere and give those to the people if he's so insistent that they have some instead of wanting me to give him some from our garden here. He surely can recognize milkweed if he has some of his own like he said he has. After hearing your story of what you have gone through with that person and having most of your caterpillars that you gave her die, that convinces me more than anything else not to give him any. No matter how disappointed he will be and no matter how many empty jars are waiting for caterpillars, some people are just going to have to be disappointed because I am not giving away any caterpillars. I guess he could tell that I wasn't too happy about the idea because he said something about buying them from me. I told him no, I don't sell caterpillars. Maybe I'm weird, but I'd feel like some madam pimping out some well, you know. Ha. Honestly, I'd feel like I'm exploiting the caterpillars. I just can't take money for them. He's not getting any anyway and thank you so much to you and the others for making me see for sure that giving him some would be a big mistake. I'd be heartbroken if he'd call me up later on and say something like, "I can't figure out what they did wrong; most of the people called me and said that their caterpillars died." Now, that would upset me and then some! Ha, knowing him, he'd probably ask for more! No way, Jose, none in the first place. Get your own. Ha. If I can't get him to see the light, then that's his problem and not mine. He ought to be glad that I'm taking all the time that I am to look up information for him and I've even started milkweed in cups for the people (not that a small milkweed plant would sustain a caterpillar). Even if they would have enough to feed them, so many other things could go wrong that I don't even want to have to worry about any of that. Thanks again. Cathy

Thank you for the response guadalupe! Guess I'll be calling a plumber after Christmas...

Thank you all for your educational comments regarding this vendor. I was considering VTB for a solid surface shower base and will definitely NOT be ordering from them after reading the reviews. So many products arrive damaged these days that to think a seller would decline to provide replacements or offer to compensate someone who spent $$ with them is ridiculous. I was considering VTB as I had several vanities delivered by Lowes arrive with hairline cracks and damaged corners (oops dropped during shipping), and similar experiences with products from Wayfair, and Appliances Connection (stove looked like someone had run it over with a forklift), so I was broadening my search. You all have saved me some time and I appreciate it. I may just do custom since that, I can do myself, and get it right the first time. Oh well.

We've done this on our home, we planned on a a full gut,not necessarily a full "rebuild". Due to the neglect/lack of upkeep on the house, we've hand to fully replace most of the floor joists and about half the exterior walls (for an addition and due to lack of space for insulation). We are on year 3, I'd estimate we still have another 2 to 3 years left without touching the landscaping/hardscapes (kitchen, one bedroom, LR, redoing remainder of siding and roof ) Honestly I don't know if I would do it again. My husband and I are in our 20s and also have access to family friends who have been in the biz for a while. I am consistently prey to underestimating the amount of work involved, just the sheer amount of energy to move all the materials from the building supply store into your home etc. Based on our spending thus far, I'd say your estimates aren't far off, maybe a bit higher if you have more expensive taste in finishes. ill be honest there's times I wish our house had burned down, but for us this was the only way to afford the house we wanted, as we've been paying as we go on materials, since the mortgage was only marginally higher than our apt rent. Id say it definitely can be done, but there are times two sets of hands are necessary. I'd also say budget for if someone professional was going to do the entire job, what if you become sick or injured halfway through?