Thursday, December 29, 2022

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden




Hello everyone. I hope your holiday season has been joyous.

This is the week between Christmas and New Year's.  We don't do anything at New Year's but still the time seems awkward, like everyone is holding their breath waiting for something.  Most are waiting for a new year, a fresh start.  We are waiting for something to change in this house.  It's a mess.  Between both of us being sick, the dishwasher being broken, and tons of boxes from ordered stuff instead of in person shopping...there is junk and dirt everywhere.  What we really need is a maid.  Most of my friends from high school have a "cleaning lady", although lots of people have luxurious things on Facebook.  Seriously, I don't know if I could handle a maid.  Someone else doing your laundry.  To speak like the southern lady I am (who is snickering?  I see you in the back.  It's not that funny.  Okay it is but keep your laughter to yourself.) Anyway, unmentionables are unmentionable for a reason and to have someone else washing.... things...folding and putting away...seems way too personal for me.  I might have to clean up our pigsty myself and rethink the maid thing.

I recently read The Housemaid by Freida McFadden.  This is the story of Millie, who is a young woman recently released from prison who has had a difficult time adjusting to society or perhaps society has a problem with her.  Her difficulties seem to be ending when she is offered a job cleaning house, cooking, and looking after their daughter, for wealthy Nina and Andrew Winchester. The position offers room, board, and a generous salary, far better than Millie currently has living in her car.  What starts out as ideal ends up rapidly changing.  Nina messes up the house on purpose, emptying the fridge onto the floor including cartons of milk.  She gives one instruction then later denies it completely.  Millie is left to wonder what she has gotten herself into and how mentally stable her new employer truly is.  Then there is Andrew.  He realizes his wife has problems and tries to smooth things over with Millie. But Millie develops a serious crush on the handsome husband, who is obviously off-limits.  

This fast-moving domestic thriller is completely addictive with several major twists.  Now if you are a big thriller reader, you may well guess the twists but the whole story is so entertaining and tense, you won't mind a bit.  Engrossing and fun, what more could you want.  I'll tell you....a follow-up book.  We are in luck, a sequel will be released on February 23, The Housemaid's Secret.  I'll be quick to "sweep" it up.

Saturday, December 17, 2022

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens



Hello everyone.  I hope your holiday season is going well.

Usually, I either talk about housewife stuff, hence the blog name, including broken dishwashers (now the new one is broken), vacuums or roasting the nine millionth chicken.  Or I tell you some absolutely delightful childhood story, that I know you just can't wait to read about and tell all your friends.  I'm picturing people standing around one of those old water coolers at an office all abuzz about my sister and I arguing over airspace in the backseat of the car. Yes, I know, I'm delusional, it's my next hobby down from reading.  Anyway, I can't tell you anything perfectly charming or recipe related today because I'm extra ticked off.  We have been avoiding society in general for the last two years.  We haven't even gone into the grocery store, doing pickup only.  Finally, last week, I really needed eggs for holiday baking, and I prodded my husband to go in.  He went early in the morning, wore a N95 mask, and stayed away from everyone.  Yep, you guessed it....ONE GROCERY STORE VISIT in two years gave us covid.  He's further along with it than I am, and it is heartbreaking listening to him cough, and frankly scares me for what is to come my way.  Anyway, I have stacks of books right here but cannot concentrate, making me behind on reviewing some recently released books.  Sorry, but it can't be helped....one time in two darn years!

I did want to talk about A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  Everyone knows the story and the thought of reading a classic, well, compared to thrillers of today you might think it's dry or boring, perhaps you think it gets bogged down in the period's language.  It is wonderful.  The reading is easy, smooth, no running to the dictionary.  The story is quick, it doesn't doddle on any area too long.  After seeing endless movies of A Christmas Carol, there is something charming about holding good old Scrooge and Marley in your hand. If you wanted to start reading "the classics" this would be a great place to start, and it is just so Christmasy.  Obviously, it has gift written all over it, okay, not really but doodle as you see fit.

Given how we feel, roasting the chicken seems a lot better.  I should learn to be more grateful.