I'd expect the maid idea to go over like a lead balloon. She's proud of keeping up the house. She doesn't want someone else to do it...

Yeah, may not work. With her background she may get a double sense of pride - that she is willing and able to work hard (unlike her parents) and that she can keep a clean house (unlike her parents).

she wants the love of her life to be proud of her and impressed with her proficiency.

Wow, I hadn't even thought of it that way. How disappointing it must feel to have your husband not appreciate or care about something you are good at. My friend's XH was like that about her scrapbooking/card-making hobby. Sure I don't understand the hobby either but she loves it and is good at it. What's so hard about appreciating her talent even if you don't love it yourself???



But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? ~Albert Camus