At the age of 19, I began my own business, The Domestic Goddess Home Care Services. My services were based (and continue to be) on the complete care of a domestic environment - including and not limited to, meticulous & detailed housekeeping. creating and maintaining a very well organized home (where children were/are involved, I encourage them to take responsibility for their rooms, their belongings, and the common living areas of their home.) At 53, I have a very wide range of skills and experience which have proven to be an asset to the individuals and families that I worked for and with over these past 30 odd years.
I have taken my business from Vancouver, to London, England, back to Vancouver, to Salt Spring Island (20 years), to Ucluelet (5 years). My travels, responsibilities and experiences in varying positions lends me a broad base with which to build the foundation required in any new positions.
Currently, I am very happy to be back on the West Coast - ready to help the right individual or family with their domestic needs - entailing one or more requirements over and above caring for the children. (housekeeper/manager, personal secretary/adminstrator, gardener, residential security, chauffeur, cook ie). I am prepared to move to a new location within Canada, and am willing to travel abroad should this be required of me.
I am known to those I have had the pleasure of caring for as "Mary Poppins" / "Nanny McPhee" in that I am "firm but kind". Manners, thoughtfulness, consideration and kindness are very important qualities to me, as are trust and honesty. I enjoy children, their energy, active minds, their zest to learn and to be taught, and most of all, seeing the world through their eyes. I too, feel a responsibility as an adult, having much personal experience, to teach, support and encourage children and youth in being the very best that they can be, in whatever they pursue academically or personally. Children and teenagers can be, often are, more than challenging with not only their needs, but the changing world around them. I am able to help them learn how to cope and deal with the hills and valleys of those changes, encouraging a healthy resilience.
I am quite passionate about caring my nickname is ironically "Care") for the home of any individual or family with whom I have been entrusted to care for, and where I am also entrusted with the care of the family, be it one child, one adult or several, I do find much joy in this. Having worked with both children and seniors, single parents and families up to 5 children, complete with pets and full responsiblities associated with the care of the home.. I take the trust of all seriously and consider it an honour to be called "a member of our family", mutual respect and consideration earned.
I keep busy with many interests, among them -needle arts (silk thread embroidery, crocheting, hand & maching sewing), calligraphy, jewelry making, reading, good films, live theater (plays and musicals). I love animals, enjoy swimming, going to the beach or going for walks be it in the woods or just around the neighbourhood. I enjoy gardening, take great pleasure in seeing a cutting or seed blossom under my care. I am an avid thrifter/flea market/garage sale, love to find furniture/clothing/vintage items, often re purposing some for use in the home or to give as gifts.
I have a 13 year old male neutered dog, Baxter whom I have had since he was 5 weeks old. I prefer to have Baxter with me, as he is a well behaved, loving dog and has proven to be an invaluable asset in my work with children, teens, seniors especially where there has been a loss or a traumatic event has occurred. He travels with me and sleeps in my room and is fundamentally an indoor dog during the colder months.
I would greatly appreciate and prefer at minimum with regard to my accomodation, a reasonably sized bedroom, at least one medium to large window, private entrance where possible. A private bathroom be it ensuite with bath/toilet, or a private bathroom with bath/toilet, is necessary. In my experience, I do find it necessary to maintain my own mental/spiritual health in having this privacy. I am open to negotiation dependent on length of contract and other factors with any one household.
I am willing to work on a short term contract basis (min. 3 months salary will apply for shorter terms), up to a yearly contract basis.
Clear and timely communication is essential for a mutually satisfactory working relationship. I am flexible in scheduling and work responsibilities, and do expect that I am given timely notice with respect to changes in both schedule and duties. I extend this same respect to any family I work with.

• Education: Graduate degree