Species maid

For those of you following my maid fortunes (and misfortunes), here is an update.

Maid Leelamma, who came as a stop-gap arrangement in late February, is leaving tomorrow. The Pudukottai princess who was to succeed her post-vacation has decided not to come.
The frantic search thereafter in Kerala threw up two choices - the first now says her son doesnt want her to go as he cant be hassled about cooking his own meals at home; the second will check with her sons and let us know soon. The latter, from the woodcutter community in Kerala, seems keen but dad has warned that I keep a tab on my valuables.
I dont want to go through agencies again. The agency that threw up Moonface says maid salaries for Madras assignments is a minimum of Rs.4000. Phew! When MBAs struggle to find a job that earns them Rs.2000 a month, and many so-called MBAs work as door-to-door salesmen (whom my mom call management trainees), here comes privileged women who get a decent salary, all expenses covered, and free board. Mind you, most of them still come without a spare set of clothes - u refurbish their wardrobe, provide footwear, towels, toothpaste and what not. To top it, you have to keep them humored and put up with their tantrums.
In spite of it, your kids whom you entrust in their care do not get proper attention or affection; you are lucky if they dont ill-treat your babbling toddler or give them food while you are away.
The maid, who is leaving, has been very good with the kids though a bit careless about her medicines and stuff. She was quite the mother-figure at home for us, cooking us fantastic meals at fantastic speed.
My part-time maid has been roped in for babysitting the kids next week. The onus of cooking will however fall on me. God help me (and my family who have to eat the results of my culinary labour)!