Toxic poisoning, the first people, and door bell ringing spiders.

Hi,

So today wasn't anything special. For my sins, I managed to poison myself with a heavy duty mosquito killer last night. I was feeling decidedly wobbly this morning. The problem is our outdoor porch in the garden. It's like the Mosquito Coast out there. Every night, we are fumigated, which means that these little malarial delights are finding shelter in the eaves of our patio. We haven't protected against malaria, and I'm particularly concerned about the wee ones (my children, that is). Cue half a can of said mosquito killer to try and prevent them from hanging out there each and every night. Cough. Despite my wobbles, it has actually worked! A lot less mossies! Well, maybe that is just because of the mosquito coil that I have decided to burn as well...

Anyway, I've got a housekeeper figured out and have hired the delightful Marie: a Catholic Indian who jingle jangles her way around the house. Literally with rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes (ankles) she does make music wherever she goes. For the record, on sniffing new blood, she came to my door four days on the trot looking for a job. I didn't really stand a chance. Anyway, she's been invited in, with the money she wanted, and the hours she wanted. She's got my current gardener sacked and made way for her pal to join next Monday. She's got rid of ALL the fancy schmancy cleaning utensils I have bought to make way for her Indian ones - Vileda pah! Every day she wears a deliciously coloured sari, and eats her lunch with her fingers at the bottom of my staircase. I love it! After 15 years of expatriate services (all referenced, can I add), she's come in and sorted me right out - thank you Marie.


Too bad Marie had gone when I found the biggest spider by the front door. I wasn't sure how to handle it - for all I knew it could have been poisonous! In the end, in the interest of hygiene I thought the best way forward was to sweep it out the front door. Now, of course, I am paranoid about the mossies, so I rushed the door open and started to sweep but it crawled up the brush. I managed to kick it off into the garden and slam the front door, all the while screaming. Literally ten seconds later, the door bell rang. Both me and the kids thought it might just have been the monster spider ringing to get back in! A few more grey hairs. Tick. I would like to just say to my dear husband that I forgive him for bringing me here.


Here is our new house: