Tuesday, November 04, 2008

T.I.V. Tuesday

Today I am introducing a weekly feature for the blog. We have a friend in Venezuela who says when things here are a little crazy or unexpected or frustrating "T.I.V." -- meaning "this is Venezuela" and we've lived here long enough to recognize things don't always go the way they should. So, in a continued effort to give you a snapshot of our daily life here in Chavezland we will be featuring things that we encounter regularly and can only be explained with "T.I.V."

I did something today I never thought I would do. In fact, I never thought to think about doing it because it was so implausible. I bought this:
No, I am not thinking of spending my spare time as a janitor, though I appreciate all those who are employed as janitors at schools and libraries and office buildings and hospitals etc., it is a necessary and valuable profession indeed. No, I purchased an industrial mop bucket and wringer online to be shipped via the diplomatic pouch so that my maid can mop our house. I tried valiantly to avoid doing this and went to multiple stores to find something even remotely like this available for purchase in Venezuela. I asked various employees and was directed always to this contraption, which I ultimately decided was all that was available and finally purchased:


Not only is this USELESS, it cost $25. No, that is not a typo. This plastic bucket, with plastic attachment that neither stays attached nor fulfills the function for which is was supposedly designed cost $25. Now, I recognize we do not live in the US and that some things like inflated prices on imported goods and seasonal availability of fruits and vegetables and no clothes for women with hips are part of the deal. But, $25 for a product that doesn't even work, well that is where I draw the line, even if everyone else is using it. I am almost embarrassed to be wasting space on a government plane and the USPS's time and resources to do this, but my embarrassment is outweighed by my desire for a clean house -- certainly those are competing forces I could not have predicted would be at odds in my life. Oh well, T.I.V.

PS I appreciate all of your comments about Caleb and Isaac's adorable trick-or-treating bags and even more the suggestion that I was capable of making them.

However, I must give credit where credit is due and refer you Pottery Barn Kids so you too can be the proud owner's of personalized trick-or-treating bags for your little goblins (and they're on sale too).

19 comments:

Heather said...

On my mission we just hosed down the floor then squeegied it out. Less effective, for sure.

Can't wait to see the sparkle.

Annemarie said...

Could you ship your maid to Utah???

Robin said...

I think the TIV will be a great weekly feature on your blog! How much did the fancy mopper cost?

About the book club list - I do have a pretty good partial list. Do you want it? It covers about 8 years of books.

Tristan said...

I would purchase a mop for my maid too...if I only had one!! Lucky you!

Maren said...

*sigh* I had an industrial mop bucket + press in Canada. Add it to the un-ending list of stuff my ex gets to keep. You'll love it once it arrives though. SO much more functional that that blue bucket piece of crap!

Christie said...

Oh, I am all about the clean. I hear you, girlfriend.

kelly said...

i'm just jealous that you have a maid. maybe then my floors would get clean!

Mibi and Lee said...

Your so funny...I like your TIV blog...keep it coming!

Paige said...

I knew they were PBK but wouldn't give your secret away. Why do you need that mop wringer thing??? My maid just does fine with the laundry room sink, thank you. They are for janitors, please make sure it's always filled with nasty grey, non soapy water just like theirs too.

Jake said...

Am I not taking advantage of my American rights by using a non-squeeze dollar store bucket?

TIV is a great new feature!

Lauren in GA said...

The T.I.V. is brilliant. I guess one of those mop buckets is something I have taken for granted...

Potter Barn for kids is on sale? Gotta go, now...

Anonymous said...

What a rip-off! I am in favor of your T.I.V. features. I don't live in Bolivia but Juan and I have many T.I.B (that is bolivia) moments ;)

AnnieB said...

tiv
I love it. What an adventure you're having. Way to take matters into your own hands! Crazy what we learn to appreciate--did you ever think you would look forward to an industrial mop bucket arriving in the mail?

calibosmom said...

Oh man, that bucket bites! At least you have cute halloween bags for the boys.

diane said...

Your new janitor bucket could double as a wagon for the boys.

Melissa said...

thanks for all the advice for flying with lucy! I LOVE THE SUCKER IDEA! Seriously, ever since Halloween she has been goign crazy for suckers!

Mickell Gehret said...

"no clothes for women with hips". . . That is hilarious! I could NOT live there!!

Mibi and Lee said...

Hey Lindsey:-) Thanks for following my blog...my false answer was number 5. I love Hawaiii but I would love to live abroad.

The Songer said...

I dont know if you were trying to be funny... but I laughed and laughed and laughed! LOL!! Thanks it was greatly needed! ( I just got out of a Math test and am relieving stress by reading blogs!)

 

Design by Custom Blog Designs/FreeStyleMama Creations