Tuesday, December 09, 2008

T.I.V. Tuesday

We are leaving for the US on Friday and T.I.V. Tuesdays will be suspended until we return in mid-January. Lest my readers think life in Venezuela is solely about food shortages and Chavez's antics, I wanted this final post to be about something positive.

A major benefit of living in Venezuela is that we can afford household help (maids, nannies, drivers, gardeners, etc.). We don't have the need for all of that, but we do employ a full-time, live-in maid who also provides babysitting on nights and weekends. Her name is Mariza, she is Peruvian, loves our boys, is a great cook, regularly cleans, launders and washes our entire house and is a dream come true! Yes, adjusting to someone living in your house can be difficult, but once you realize you haven't done a load of laundry in weeks, you get over the awkwardness posthaste. Mariza is a godsend and makes our lives a lot better than it would be otherwise. I know what you're thinking, "you have a maid, what more do you want?" And it's true, we may not have sugar or milk, but we always have sparkling clean bathrooms!

27 comments:

Kristy said...

I'm glad that she's a good cook! She looks like she is really cute with the boys, too.

alisa and sometimes brandon said...

Hmmm... Live in maid/babysitter/launderer/cook?

I could live without sugar for that.

Jana and BJ said...

That is so fun! I bet your boys are learning Spanish. That's great!

Annemarie said...

I want a Mariza for Christmas. Really bad.

Kimberly said...

Jealous am I. And it allows you to spend your time "doing something fun" with the boys! You should cook with her to learn your favorite recipes, and then you can make it for friends as just a little something you learned in Venezuela and you will seem so awesome and worldly.

Jake said...

I agree with Alisa!

Lauren in GA said...

That is really wonderful! You deserve the amazing help. When I was four and we lived in Mexico we had a maid named Sylvia. I have memories of her even though I was really young. She truly loved me and I loved her. She was also my hero becasue she used to kill these enormous bugs that came in the bathroom. (The things you remember, huh? Those bugs were really big, though...she would have been your hero, too ;)

Anonymous said...

We did get your card. It makes me feel so grown-up to get Christmas cards....and since I am nearly 40, i suppose its only right. xoxo

Christie said...

God bless cheap labor. Do any Peruvian women want to move here and be my live-in maid/nanny/cook/laundress?

dana said...

I'm glad you found someone good. And she's Peruvian! How perfect.
Enjoy your vacation in the US of A!

Anonymous said...

Sugar and political stability are highly overrated.

Jessica said...

As you could tell from my post today...I need Mariza.

Suman Family said...

wow. that's really amazing and i have jealousy running thick over here, especially over the babysitting part. your boys are so adorable. have fun back in the us for christmas! bring some sugar and milk back with you. :)

Ilene said...

I'm going to start calling myself Mariza.

diane said...

My housekeeper Consuelo is my BFF. She and her kids only come every two weeks.

I need a cook.

MsTypo said...

I have to admit that one of my favourite things about living in the developping world is having a maid. I occassionally feel bad about it but mostly incredibly grateful. :)

Hazen5 said...

I hate you! Just kidding, just really jealous. I am with Annemarie, I want a Mariza too!

CStubits said...

Question is - does she make pollo a la brasa? If so, I'm sure she is firmly entrenched as Caleb's favorite person in Venezuela. After mom and dad, of course.

the wrath of khandrea said...

i think i'm jealous.

although i could justify it by saying i was helping make someone else's life better by providing employment.

yes. i could definitely work with that.

Lauren in GA said...

I am not sure if you will get this or not...but thank you so much for the fabulous Christmas Card! I love it! Everyone looks great! I love the pictures your gorgeous boys!

Lauren in GA said...

Oh, goodie you got my message. I promise that if I get my act together and send out cards I will send you one!

MamaLove said...

how wonderful and what a blessing to have her! Merry Christmas!

Mibi and Lee said...

You've been tagged!!! Check out my blog to get details:-)

calibosmom said...

hamOh man! That would be the best. I have dreams of having a maid some day...so does my husband.

calibosmom said...

I'm not sure how that first word got in there...I think I'm typing too fast. weird!

kelly said...

have a great trip, & right now i'd trade my sugar for a nanny/maid!

K. Crisler said...

I'm glad to hear that you guys finally made it home, what an adventure! Taylor seems like she is starting to feel better and sound better. I hope that she is as good as new by the end of the week???

 

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