Forget Babies . . . What About In-law Proofing?
Posted on July 5, 2010 - Filed Under Culture Clash, Guatemala, Travel | 18 Comments
As we start to prepare for our trip in September, I’m getting nervous about a lot of things. One of the biggest worries, however, is the house. There are two main concerns.
One: Water
We have problems with water in this place. We’ve been patching up the holes in the roof, but there’s always a new one and usually in the most inconvenient spot. While the one over the bed no longer gushes water on me, there is now a waterfall in one corner of the room where water blows in under the roof. We’ll be fixing that before we go, of course, but I am anxious about other future holes-to-be.
For this reason, our maid will be popping in on a regular basis to mop up any water that’s come in, air the place out and basically just make sure the place doesn’t fall down while we’re away.
Two: In-laws
Considering we live on the same land as Irving’s family, you’d think they’d be a natural choice for keeping an eye on the place. Unfortunately, I’m more worried about the damage they’re going to do here.
When we went away for two days a few months ago, we returned to find that the window had been forced, and someone had gotten into the house through there. They’d opened the money box in the bedroom (where, incidentally, we don’t keep money) and gone through some stuff. And destroyed my flowers outside the window. I was furious and it was quickly established through forensic evidence (ie. dusty footprints left throughout the house that matched a certain brother-in-law’s shoes) that it was Irving’s youngest brother who had broken in. And, our maid informed us, he’d done it the day before as well.
Whenever we go out, people seem to get into our house. We don’t have bars over the windows because I’m terrified of a fire or quake making it so we can’t get out the doors, but I sure see why people have them now. Over the years, my in-laws, my MIL and oldest SIL in particular, have taken numerous things of ours.
Not only that, but I have no doubt that the moment we are out the door, my sister-in-law will be moving into our house for the two months. She will assume it’s her right and will likely destroy a number of things while there.
I have a few potential solutions to the sticky finger problem . . .
1. Rent the house out while we’re away. (Cons: Irving is 100% against renters, plus I don’t know who would want to stay in our too-cozy little house)
2. Put everything in boxes and lock them in the bathroom. (Cons: They might break a window to get in there)
3. Put everything in boxes and lock them in the boys’ room, which has no windows. (Cons: The stuff would likely get moldy)
4. Build a very tall wall across the doorway with razor wire on top. (Cons: Um, lots, including not being able to get in or out ourselves. Plus, I’m not sure even razor wire would stop certain members . . . )
5. Place a very nasty note on the door, threatening a gruesome death to any and all who enter. And assuring them that we have cameras EVERYWHERE. (Cons: They could ignore me and then I have to deal with giving someone a gruesome death upon my return when I’m worn out from vacationing)
Yes, I know, we should move, but that isn’t really an option at the moment, and it would still leave us with a house that would promptly be taken over by someone and nothing to show for years of hard work. While I do like the idea of getting out of here, there’s no denying that not having to pay rent has saved our butts a few times! Not to mention, I still can’t bring myself to just turn my hard earned house over to someone else.
So. . . . any suggestions that don’t involve moving out before we head up north?
Comments
18 Responses to “Forget Babies . . . What About In-law Proofing?”
Talk to Me, People!
Yeah…get someone to housesit. There are all sorts of US, Canadian and foreigners here looking to live cheaply. Interview a few young European ladies and I bet they’ll be thrilled to live there for free and keep an eye on the place. They won’t be happy about the bus trip but it beats paying rent. I bet Max knows a few. Good luck.
There are lots of list serves of folks who have adopted children from Guatemala where a potential rental could be posted.
Good Lord! Good luck! I hope you can find a reputable house sitter. That sounds like the way to go.
Land mines?
Yeah, I agree that finding a house sitter seems like the best way to go. My husband and I would have rented it when we were there, for sure! Antigua is expensive, so if you keep it at a low price, some young backpacker types would definitely be interested! Craigslist? Flyers?
Wow, this does sound difficult. Would your house keeper like to vacation at your house for a week (with small pay)…just to have a change of pace?
Offer to leave her some food, bake her a cake or some other goodie that would help her say “Yes!”
(would your brother in law break in if she were in there alone…ie. would she be safe?)
In our house in VT we have a sign in the window that says the police keep active survellance of the premises (actually it says electronically)…this wouldn’t work if it was your bil and he knew they didn’t, but it might deter someone else.
Of course you could post signs that *God is watching over every window and door and that nothing gets by His eyes…* but of course many have no fear of God.
You could pray and ask God to protect your home. I do this often when we leave, asking Him to post angels to the North, South, East and West of our property and at each door and window. Praise God we have never had a break in at our home. (we have had them (presign) break into our camp in Vermont that goes unlived in for all of the winter months).
Praying for you.
Not sure where you are going…I have been out of reading blogs with Simenesh coming home…but hope you have a wonderful peace filled holiday together.
(hug)
Kimmie
mama to 8
one homemade and 7 adopted
I’d go down to Familias de Esperanza and ask if they have any long-term volunteers that might be interested in housesitting. It’s not an inconvenient location for them, plus they might want a little more privacy if they are living at the compound. (Not sure if volunteers there still do live at the compound but they did when I lived in Antigua).
And then you would also have the benefit of arranging everything ahead of time and getting a higher-quality individual than just some random backpacker. Maybe if Irving and you have a chance to meet them and get to know them ahead of time it will help allay his concerns.
You know, after thinking about this I agree with Irving that you don’t want a stranger staying in the house. Even if you got a volunteer to house-sit, your MIL and/or BIL could still break in while they were out, and then what would your housesitter do?
I would resolve this Guate-style, by pitting one side of the family against another.
Doesn’t Irving have a trusted younger sibling or cousin who lives nearby and doesn’t have a family yet (or is just starting one)? I’m sure that they would jump at the chance to get out of mom and dad’s house for a short time.
I’m guessing that your in-laws would think twice about breaking into your house if they thought the rest of the colonia and family would hear about it.
The other thing would be to tell lots of people in the neighborhood of your intentions, so that your in-laws couldn’t just say, “oh, Irving told me I could stay in the house”.
Wow, what a lot of great responses. Irving has 100% vetoed the housesitting/rental idea, so I’m thinking of hiding everything in the bedroom and giving the key to the maid. Then at least anything that is trashed is just in the main house, none of my actual stuff (dishes, etc.) will be ruined or stolen.
How sad that your in laws act this way! Maybe they just need some old fashioned threats: any single thing that is missing or broken will be charged to your MIL and FIL, no matter who does it. Then, not only will they have to refrain from causing trouble, but they will also keep anyone else from doing so.
Anyhow, do leave everything locked up.
Horror of in-laws, you have! Do you have any trusted friends in Antigua that isn’t too far away? You could just pack up your valuables and have them look after it while you’re away? So at least it’s out of the house. Unfortunately if the whole house is packed with valuables, then this advice is just as good as telling you to move out. Good luck!
Lol, well, they aren’t really “valuables” as such . . . our most valuable possession is probably the 4 year old computer or perhaps the broken television set. Still, I really hate people going through everything and even though they aren’t nice, it is handy to have my pots and pans! When my kitchen was outdoors, all my dishes went missing over time! Irving had to keep going to find my stuff in their kitchen.
That being said, they won’t be able to get into the boys room, so I think that’s where things will be kept.
Wow, my mind has really been working overtime on your dilemma!
As far as the moldy issue goes, I have been thinking about that as well. I HATE the smell of moldy stuff. And you’re leaving in the middle of the rainy season, too!
For your clothes and papers and things, I wonder if you can get your hands on a bunch of those little silica gel desiccant packets that sometimes come with shoes. I have no idea where you might buy that stuff in Guate, but I’m sure it’s available. Or, you could buy it on Amazon and then have a “mule” bring it down. I wish I could say that I could help with that myself but I don’t have any trips to guate planned this year.
Sonia has the world’s greatest suggestions, I’m thinking of asking her for advice about my problems!
Her idea about silica gel is a good one. I’m coming to Antigua on August 6 and I could bring you one of these DampRid systems. I can easily get one here and I’m pretty sure it will fit in my suitcase. [http://www.damprid.com/index0aa7.html] You could put it in the boys’ room with your stuff. It’s supposed to last 60 days, and the maid could pour out the water every time she comes. Just let me know! Lisa
Thanks, Sonia, that’s a great idea! I’m sure it is available, I just have to figure out where. Any of my Guate readers know?
Make the maid move in.
If you don’t have a friend to house sit, then putting your things in boxes and locking them up in a room sounds like a good idea.
Hi Genesis! it’s Renee, your blog reader from the US, facebook buddy and soon to be local friend i hope. I’m on here catching up from where i left off…lol. We’ll as you know my husband, son and i will be getting settled in Guate in the very near future. I know you said that Irving vetoed renters but figured i’d throw it out there that maybe once were there and have gotten to know each other in person he would feel differently. I know that we want to take our time feeling out the different areas before getting really settled in one so we would probably be open to renting your place if you and your husband felt comfortable with that. I’m just throwing it out there…