Chateau Diaries #74 Only Posh indoor staff get invited to Disney (hehehehe)

[Dippy Hippy]

OmG!!! Well found, @KiKiGee ! Promotional photoshoot for Ten Thousand (or however many Stars) dressing gowns?! But poor Davey didn't get one!

Ten Thousand Stars only sent a certain number of gowns because Stephanie was wrapping them as Christmas presents for everyone. (Cheapskate!) She ran out of them, and gave Cat a headband instead. She claimed Cat wouldn't like one. Cat looked a bit shocked when she opened her gift to see just a headband. I don't think she had any left for Davy. They are really only women's sizes as they are for women. Davy probably wouldn't be able to fit in one as he's so tall.

 

[pink roses]

Interesting that, in the TV programme, they describe SJ as being an ex or former opera singer. I don't think there has been any evidence that she ever worked as an opera singer. She may only ever have performed on stage as a student. She may like to be described in that way although she has said she didn't go on to have a career in opera as she disliked having to perform. However, in her current life, she performs all the time, loves having an audience and loves to be the star of the show. She sings every time there is a singing workshop and warbles away at any chapel service. She also performs in the local concerts run by Cyril, the pianist. As she really does love to perform, it would suggest that the reason she did not become a professional singer was purely because she did not make the grade. I think she would have loved the adulation; the international travel, and the dressing up. Maybe she was only judged good enough for the chorus or in spear carrying roles! Just think how she has wasted her education: the years at Oxford and the years (?) training as an opera singer, just to end up destroying and "tackifying" (to coin a word!) an old, crumbling chateau; making some videos starring herself; living with a lot of rather pitiable drifters, with a partner half her age, and reliant on the money of strangers to finance her lifestyle. What an achievement!

Warbling away at any chapel service…too funny

 

[Wee Donkey]

Reinhardt was honoured to sale the collection to Stephanie....

I bet he was! Laughing all the way to the bank!

Btw Hello Val! I only pop in every so often, but regulars seem to think you live here more than the Comte!

 

[Perplexed bee]

For all the SJ fans now checking in here out of curiosity, we are a heterogeneous bunch, who let you gush in the YT comments, and enjoy a bit of snark over here.. sometimes we even say positive things, so here is mine: I like the red staircase, probably because it is the same paint (?) I used in my study, also a lockdown DIY

 

[Wilhelm]

Watching chateau diy.I noticed a white peacock wandering around the la la lande grounds.Anybody remember him?I wonder what happened to him...; (

 

[Marquis de Potpourri]

My own experience is from a long time ago admittedly.
I was going to live in Zambia with my first husband back in 1975 through his work. We had our UK house on the market, a place arranged out in Zambia, passed all the interviews and went to London to meet other employees of the company who were living and working out there 2 months before we were due to go. After meeting them we changed our minds and stayed in the UK. They told us you would have a house "boy", a maid who would cook, clean and look after our children. They would live in your shed outside and take your leftover food to their families. It was normal to beat them if they were "lazy". These ex-pats thought that was acceptable. The wages were a pittance. We canceled our plans, we could not live that sort of life, it sounded like abuse to me. This was a very long time ago, and I do hope things have changed for the better, but I worked with someone brought up in Zambia in the same town we would have lived in, and things were no better in 1992. I've had a varied career, I once worked in domestic service at a castle for a year. I lived in at the castle in a converted stable block studio flat. Rather like Natti's. I had decent wages and proper conditions, holiday pay, time off, etc. It wasn't a party pad though.
It would be interesting to see how Beatrice lives.
I know the type, they have no class and too much money.

A couple of years ago, I visited the Philippines where not only the ultra-rich but even middle-class families have domestic helpers. Much like in many countries where domestic help is common, most of the domestic helpers start out as girls in their late teens from the outer islands or the countryside who seek employment in the cities. Many of them go abroad to places like Singapore, HK, the Middle East. After a long history of abuses done to domestic servants in the Philippines, the Senate passed the Kasambahay Law (kasambahay literally means house companion which is the new term they use for domestic helpers) that outlines the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of the employee, as well as the employer.

Similar to large older NYC apartments, most condos units in the PH have back rooms with their own bathrooms (but usually no windows!). The large homes I visited in the PH have houses within the estate where maids live. While in some middle-class homes, maids sleep on cushions on the floor, much like how it was for hall boys in the UK back in the day. Glad labor laws in the UK have changed. It all boils down to each countries labor laws.

It would be interesting, as you say, to see Beatrice's living conditions. It is my guess that she comes from one of the villages in the Kwazulu-Natal countryside and where living conditions are not much better, where most huts with no power, plumbing, or running water. She may be glad for her employment and living conditions.

 

[Sami Lee]

I had a cleaner and I'm not wealthy. I used to have a 100 mile round trip to work to my NHS job ,(it was in a specialist unit) and I was on standby,doibg shift work and working most weekends. He used to come in a couple of hours a week and that made all the difference. It cost me about £30, money well spent as I got leisure time.
As a student I worked evenings and holidays as a contract cleaner for the local authority so I've seen both sides of it. They paid much better wages than local bars and restaurants

Thank you for telling your experience, @Dippy Hippy.
I've followed the conversation about domestic help and felt some discomfort (I suppose for fear that I'd be somehow judged).

You make the strong point that employing domestic help is not the preserve of the wealthy. I don't think it ever has been.
If you look at the censuses since they began, even modest families had maids/servants - what we'd call help/cleaners/home assistants these days.

Both my parents were brought up in families that had maids/servants/other domestic staff, as did their parents. As children we had a lovely nanny and help staff. We grew up knowing their true value and how to treat them well.

In my gap year, I worked as an au pair in Spain (for a family of nouveau riche oiks who knew nothing about employing staff - that was an experience!)

Then I grew up and had domestic help and other staff in my home who were brilliant (actually more skilled at their work than me!) and enabled me to earn enough to pay our way and their wages doing things that they couldn't or didn't want to do - a virtuous circle. I was fortunate that I worked from home and around my children's needs when they were young, so they didn't need a nanny (or maybe they might have preferred having a nanny!!)

Point is, as you say, many people employ domestic assistants and in all sorts of circumstances. And I've always seen the relationship as a sort of partnership, a very important one.

 

[Bored Mermaid CC]

Erm... first I think we should get pants

or at least a see thru white dress

 

[KiKiGee]

Watching chateau diy.I noticed a white peacock wandering around the la la lande grounds.Anybody remember him?I wonder what happened to him...; (

This one bit the dust awhile ago. Pets for SJ's amusement never ends well for the animals.

MAY 16, 2017

 

[Marquis de Potpourri]

Breaking news : Jill Scott is back !! I repeat : Jill Scott is back !!

M Parker
5 hours ago (edited)
Oh my gosh, the paid trolls from that silly website are back. I


Jill Scott
5 hours ago
Well said Mary!!!!

I have been waiting for my paycheck for so long! When am I going to get paid for being a Tattler? Come on, Mr. George Soros! Where's my paycheck?

 

[Beau Monde]

I employ a yard worker to mow the grass, trim shrubs and take care the flowerbeds, etc. In winter, they shovel the walks (we get a lot of snow). I'm just getting too old for it! I have been looking into having someone come inside the house to clean once or twice a week, but the husband says he will take care of it (he doesn't). He will do it when he finds me scrolling through cleaning services ads.

 

[Marquis de Potpourri]

This one bit the dust awhile ago. Pets for SJ's amusement never ends well for the animals.

View attachment 811688
MAY 16, 2017

In SJ's unscrewed head she is Marie Antoinette, and Lalande is her Hameau de la Reine.

Plus, almost all fairytales involve little animals and woodland creatures. She has to have animals to complete her fairytale dreams.

 

[KiKiGee]

Selmar has a new flog up. Ruby and Diesel are sweet together. That is the only nice thing I can say. Selmar is working at the other location (the farm), making crap.

 

[Dippy Hippy]

Thank you for telling your experience, @Dippy Hippy.
I've followed the conversation about domestic help and felt some discomfort (I suppose for fear that I'd be somehow judged).

You make the strong point that employing domestic help is not the preserve of the wealthy. I don't think it ever has been.
If you look at the censuses since they began, even modest families had maids/servants - what we'd call help/cleaners/home assistants these days.

Both my parents were brought up in families that had maids/servants/other domestic staff, as did their parents. As children we had a lovely nanny and help staff. We grew up knowing their true value and how to treat them well.

In my gap year, I worked as an au pair in Spain (for a family of nouveau riche oiks who knew nothing about employing staff - that was an experience!)

Then I grew up and had domestic help and other staff in my home who were brilliant (actually more skilled at their work than me!) and enabled me to earn enough to pay our way and their wages doing things that they couldn't or didn't want to do - a virtuous circle. I was fortunate that I worked from home and around my children's needs when they were young, so they didn't need a nanny (or maybe they might have preferred having a nanny!!)

Point is, as you say, many people employ domestic assistants and in all sorts of circumstances. And I've always seen the relationship as a sort of partnership, a very important one.

A good domestic help can be so beneficial.For young mothers, working people, people with disabilities. Many elderly people here in the UK are able maintain their independence for much longer with the help of cleaners and carers they employ. They can get ready cooked meals delivered too. I've worked as a domestic help at times in my varied careers , (housekeeper, cleaner, personal carer, cook, child minder, and gardener). I later in my life became a busy health professional, and felt no guilt about employing someone to help me when I needed it.

 

[KiKiGee]

More from CD's comments...
Evelyn McElroy has jumped in and replied to M Parker's troll commentary.


Evelyn McElroy
14 minutes ago
I quite agree M. Parker. The effort they put into negativity and insults is astounding.

REPLY


Evelyn McElroy
12 minutes ago
@Yo Mat , it is a separate website and I would never post the link because I certainly don't want to pass on such hate-filled sites.

 

[Kickintheass]

Selmar has a new flog up. Ruby and Diesel are sweet together. That is the only nice thing I can say. Selmar is working at the other location (the farm), making crap.

And FRK has one later today.... Can't wait......NOT ..... to quote Borat

 

[Parrfect Porcelane]

More from CD's comments...
Evelyn McElroy has jumped in and replied to M Parker's troll commentary.


Evelyn McElroy
14 minutes ago
I quite agree M. Parker. The effort they put into negativity and insults is astounding.

REPLY


Evelyn McElroy
12 minutes ago
@Yo Mat , it is a separate website and I would never post the link because I certainly don't want to pass on such hate-filled sites.

Evelyn is too busy with generating her own hate-filled messages.

 

[wibblywobbly]

I like both, but Dick did make me laugh when the “restorers” we’re doing things so blatantly stupid to not call them out would be ridiculous for him

e.g. the guy that broke the door hinges, many who violated safety concerns, unrealistic expectations of new chateau owners, those who wouldn’t put the work in to make their intended business function properly

This reminds me of a show that tried to help people who were starting up. There was a couple who planned on living off the sale of organic veg but had obviously never gardened before or the lady who was going to get rich off alpaca stud fees but had bought a mediocre animal for too much money. The couple had scraped the weeds and topsoil off their land and the woman got angry that the experts didn't see show quality in her alpaca.

 

[Marquis de Potpourri]

More from CD's comments...
Evelyn McElroy has jumped in and replied to M Parker's troll commentary.


Evelyn McElroy
14 minutes ago
I quite agree M. Parker. The effort they put into negativity and insults is astounding.

REPLY


Evelyn McElroy
12 minutes ago
@Yo Mat , it is a separate website and I would never post the link because I certainly don't want to pass on such hate-filled sites.

And sensible Jon L speaks up! This dude hasn't changed his tune! The most consistent and sensible CD fan!

Jon L
3 minutes ago I have never been on that "silly website" and although I don't want to, I feel like I should, because, in my opinion, I should sometimes hear what others think, especially those who disagree with me, without letting them have control over me. They can do what they want, and express what they think, and I will listen if needed, but I also realized being accusative and calling them names makes me no different from them.

 

[KyBourbon]

Watching chateau diy.I noticed a white peacock wandering around the la la lande grounds.Anybody remember him?I wonder what happened to him...; (

I’m a little superstitious when it comes to peacocks…I was always told that having peacock feathers in the house was bad luck! I’m not sure where that superstition originated…I guess it’s because the birds are so beautiful it would be terrible to slaughter one for its feathers (?)