@Phoenix32890,
Hi, Phoenix. Long time no see!
There aren't that many people out here to choose from when it comes to hired help, and Maria has been with Mom way longer than I have at this point.
How about a simple, firm, loud, "BACK OFF, Maria!" coupled with a firm gesture with my hand forward, palm facing Maria.
That's pretty to the point, and would clear my path, too. If needed.
And I LOVE telling her no entry into my rooms. AT ALL.
Last time, Mom had told Maria not to worry with this side of the house, including the kitchen, restroom, den, my room, etc.
But Maria couldn't help herself. She plodded through anyway. And then she criticized ME for not having the kitchen clean.
I clean the kitchen several times a day. Every time I go in there, but, you know, then we go in and use it. So, Mom had just cut a peice of cake and there were some crumbs, some crumbs that surely could have waited till my next pass. Maria likes everything to be perfect when she leaves, but when you clean the house as you live in it, there usually is a brief moment when there might be say, something on the carpet that can wait till the next time you vacuum, for instance, unless you vacuum nonstop every moment.
She came into my office under the guise of "consulting" me about cleaning my part of the house. After she counseled me about her religion and then didn't want to talk about my perspective, she led me into the kitchen to dicuss a cake crumb. I felt like a kid going to the principal's office.
I did ask Mom if she had sent Maria in to give me advice as to how to clean her home. I thought orginally that this might be Mom's way of getting me to do a better job or something, but Mom said that she hadn't.
Anyway, I'm a very thorough housekeeper. I had a commercial janitorial company at one time with over 50 commercial accounts and fourteen employees. I've cleaned way more than Maria could ever hope to.
There are only two thousand people in this town. Most are over 70.
Mom's is comfortable with Maria, for the most part, but not always.