10am. Prior to arrival: Meditate. Coffee. Check calendar for appointments and tasks. Scan e-mails and respond with anything that has an extreme sense of urgency.

11am. Arrival: Politely greet the family and pets (know when to be invisible or available).

Administrative: Office. Re-check email, scan calendar for alerts, tasks, and amazon orders. Alert in-home staff of vendors and today’s tasks. Alert principals of incoming vendors and incoming guests time of arrival, etc.

Housekeeping and Laundry Care: Appoint daily tasks to housekeeping/laundress, with guest ready accommodations. Stock PPE and beverage coolers. All laundry and ironing to be complete. Cut Fresh Flowers and put in ice bath. Tidy up rear patio and pool area. Stock all fireplaces and pits. Take out trash and recycling before leaving.

Security, Gate Check, Wildlife Pest Control: Check security cameras and chimes. Look for anything suspicious, and or the presence of previous wildlife: depending on location: (bats, raccoon, bobcats, coyote, wolf, black bear, moose, snakes etc.).

My Daily Graces: Clear breakfast, tidy up the kitchen, nook, mud, and great room. Empty dishwasher. Tidy up fridge, freezer, pantry and larders.

Exterior Gate Check, Property and Grounds: With your principal’s dogs, take a daily stroll along the perimeter of the property checking all gates are secure. Intermingling within the landscape, observing the health of the lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers, landscape lighting fixtures, irrigation, pool, furniture, pet areas, and presence of wildlife.

Lady of The House and I have our daily talk: Review/Journal and Alert upon calendar of events for the day and near future. Today’s Incoming vendors, family, and guests. Desired personal care and concierge services, floral arrangements for home and guests. Note (to schedule) future activities (cruise, concert, gala). Collaborate on menu for this evening’s alfresco dinner (grazing board) under the stars, by a fire pit, with a symphony of joy and laughter. Butler wardrobe.

Lunch: Remind everyone to eat. There are leftovers in the fridge from last night’s event. Prepare a nice plate for the Mr. Lady of the house will dine out for Lunch today.

Interior Walk Through: Explore properties interior. Today, paying closer attention to the home’s ambience and elevated security, indoor water features, plants, and trees. Art, lighting and fixtures, batteries and remotes, iPads, thermostats, guest ready accommodations, powder rooms, beverage coolers and bar, patio’s, fire pits, pest control. Fleet. Poop.

Vendor’s: Greet and direct auto detailer to detail and refuel two (2) vehicles, check oil, fluids, and air. Restock PPE. Thank Poop Scooper. Review upon exit.

Pet Care: walk the pups (45 minutes round trip)

Meal Prep: Build grazing boards for dinner and reserve in refer.

Concierge Services: Housekeeping review (all is perfecto). Make and display floral arrangements: Light Fireplaces and pits. Greet incoming family and guests. Lady of the house proceeds with the welcoming. The Mr. engages in the ambience while I exit briefly.

Butler Master Suites Wardrobe: Take a break, then pull principals clothing and outdoor wear for the next few days…easy-peasy.

Dinner is Served: Return to the heart of the home. Greet guests. Make cocktails. Exhibit and display the evening meal and grazing boards. Let the guests dive in as desired. Be available, but nonintrusive.

Exit Plan: Clear as much as possible. Know the family, extended family and guests will be enjoying this evening for many hours. This is a semi-formal/casual home, and they want their privacy and discernment. They want me to leave with grace.

Pet Care: Take the pups for a stroll along the property. Kiss them goodnight and tell them you LOVE them and will see them in the morning.

Security: Check cameras. Lockdown part of the property (even when principals and guests are present). Say good night to Lady of The House. GO HOME.

Attributes: Represent the family in a professional, discreet manner always.

Author: Joanie Veage – DDA Director of Operations